MAC • Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation • Liquid

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MissEmpress on 7/21/2012 6:30:00 PM more reviews by MissEmpress

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this as my main liquid foundation for about 9 months now and I love it! It matches my complexion perfectly, it doesn't make you look super made up, just like you have naturally nice skin. I think the formula is a bit on the drier side -I'd describe it as a liquid foundation that looks like a powder when you put it on. If you have dry skin you probably need to moisturize A LOT or use Fix + before using this. I have normal to combination skin and it works for me, but I try to work quickly with it as it seems to dry quickly, making it harder to spread and blend. To help it blend you have to hydrate your skin or use the beauty blender sponge or any other moistened sponge applicator. But aside from that, it's my go to, day to day foundation. I'm in the market for another foundation that is more glamorous, when I want to look made up and dewy, as this is great, but it's for if you want to look more natural and I'd describe it as very matter. I suppose though you can build it up to give full coverage.

I also really like the packaging!

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richellealexis on 7/21/2012 12:07:00 AM more reviews by richellealexis

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Update: Basically what it came down to is that the colour oxidizes badly. Like... really bad. I would only apply it to the areas that I really needed it and after a long day, it looked like I had perfectly painted circles on my face. If you're going to wear this foundation, you really need to wear it. Not good for oily skin types, I had heavy, cyst-like breakouts after a month of use.

If you are completely, 100% sold on buying this foundation, it is important to check a few things before spending the money:

*Not meant for oily skin types, better suited for dry
*Starts off matte, but at the end of the day it looks like you have smothered yourself in oil. it basically separates itself from the skin
*Be 100% certain on the colour. It oxidizes quite yellow.

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linerfreakxx7 on 7/17/2012 1:22:00 AM more reviews by linerfreakxx7

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

My first MAC purchase and my first high-end foundation :). So I have Dry-Combination skin and I told the sales assistant this so she picked this out (the most expensive MAC foundation at the store, of course). However, the sales assistant was very nice and taught me how to apply the foundation (yay! New application technique!). I absolutely love it! It's not as expensive as other high-end foundations and actually covers my acne without getting cakey. I bought the 1.5 (warm, I think? I thought I was cool toned), and even though the bottle looks orange, it's my perfect fit :) I'm so buying this again.

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dorabern on 7/11/2012 4:22:00 PM more reviews by dorabern

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I had this prejudice against MAC products, like they're being too expensive and not that great. I've always gone for the drugstore brands. But one day I had the courage to actually step into their store. The SA was really helpful and I explained the situation with my skin. I have T-zone oily skin, no acne problem but have blackheads and uneven skin tone. He recommended this for me, the shade 5.0 since I was quite tanned and even when I'm not tanned, my natural skin tone is kinda dark, with yellowish undertones. He applied it on a primer with a brush and blended it well. At first I thought it was too orange for me, but he told me to go out and look in the daylight and I could see that it was the perfect fit for me. Most of the foundations oxidize on my skin, turning to an orange colour but this one, after four-five hours, was still the same. The price is much lower than I expected and it kinda surprised me. It was almost close to those drugstore brands that I used to buy and comes in a bigger bottle. The bottle is easy to use, practical, it locks itself when you turn it around, which is a plus since my products gets all messed up in my make up bag. He said that I may have to buy a lighter tone for winter. I also tried the compact foundations but they kinda got flakey and cakey, but this one was much better. It is my first MAC product and I'm definitely going to keep buying it, and I also want that primer too, I think I'll have another visit to the store next week :).

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MAVxo on 7/9/2012 9:13:00 PM more reviews by MAVxo

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

My favorite liquid foundation. It gives good coverage and never feels heavy. I love the gel-like consistency, it's almost hydrating. I have #2 (I'm NC 35 in foundations) and it seems to match my skin tone perfectly. You only need 1-2 pumps for your whole face. It might be a little too drying for those with dry skin. It works well and the SPF is always a nice added bonus.

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*TOP REVIEWER* luxlover79 on 7/9/2012 11:35:00 AM more reviews by luxlover79

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I had a sample of this after trying it at Nordstrom. I was wearing makeup then and the MUA applied this on top of my already made up face. My face didn't look like I had a different shade on where I had this applied. This foundation adapts to ur color that's why it's probabaly called Matchmaster. I like how it's non-greasy and the color really matched me, however, I still consider Studio Fix as the better one coz it stays on me for more than 12 hours with occasional powder touch-ups. I will purchase Matchmaster coz it's a go-to matching foundation that's blendable, no need to worry about getting shades lighter than ur skintone coz it does not oxidize..on me at least.

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makelmg on 6/30/2012 4:34:00 PM more reviews by makelmg

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I had high hopes because this was my first MAC purchase. I personally thought it was awful!! It looked really orange at first but it did look much better after I blended. I thought that this would cover my flaws on my face but I felt as if it made them look worse. It darkened my scars and blemishes. I have really good skin except for a few blemishes/acne scars. So this did nothing that I wanted to! I guess all I needed was a really good concealer instead of a foundation.

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Pirozhkipiroshky on 6/29/2012 6:43:00 PM more reviews by Pirozhkipiroshky

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I purchased the shade 1.0 in this foundation after it going to the MAC counter at my local Nordstroms and having one of the SAs match me. I have drier, semi-sensitive skin, slight acne (on my forehead) and she picked out Matchmaster after hearing this.
I've been wearing it for about 3 weeks now, and I don't believe it has caused me any breakouts, provides light to medium coverage (but cannot be used as a full coverage foundation) and generally lasts about 8 hours (without primer, set with powder), without fading away in patches. I like this foundation, but I feel like there are better ones out there. I'm generally too light for most foundation brands though, and have pink undertones to my skin. Matchmaster works well on my skin and is a pretty good match.

In the pictures I posted above (they're at the end), I'm only wearing one layer of Matchmaster, fresh out of the shower with no other makeup. I applied it with Sonia Kashuk's Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush.

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dannypacheco on 6/27/2012 6:38:00 PM more reviews by dannypacheco

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I'm able to achieve an airbrushed & flawless finish with this foundation, which is important for me. I do get a little cakey around my forhead, but that's my own fault. The foundation itself works wonders. The bottle is big so you get your money's worth. Definitely buying again!

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Lynmari928 on 6/25/2012 9:25:00 PM more reviews by Lynmari928

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I really wanted to like this foundation!!!
I have a love/hate relationship with MACs foundations. I've previosly tried the Studio Fix Fluid in NC25 and while I loved the way that it felt on my skin I thought that it made me TOO yellow.
So I was told about Matchmaster which is supposed to be more neutral - you could wear it whether you are an NC or NW and thought it would be perfect! But it's not; I still look ridicoulously yellow!!!
I use the shade 2.0 and apply it with a Beauty Blender sponge. I do still like the coverage that it provides I just wish that MACs foundations in general did not run SO yellow or pink. Where's the in-between ground? Why do you have to be one or the other.
At any rate I know that some people actually like to look really olive-y and therefore enjoy a more yellow based foundation - I'm just not one of them!

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BlendedSoul on 6/18/2012 7:56:00 AM more reviews by BlendedSoul

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown, Neutral   Hair: Black, Kinky, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I generally wear NC 50 in MAC and I was advised to buy Matchmaster in 7.5. After wearing it for a week, I noticed that my face would look very red and oily in certain areas and my dark spots would show by the afternoon. When I spoke to a MAC rep, she said that the matchmaster has red tones in it, which allow it to match a range of people. I wish I'd known this before I bought it. If you have brown skin with yellow undertones, stay away from Matchmaster. Actually, for anyone interested in this product, keep your receipt and pay attention to your face throughout the day. The color will change to suit all tones, so be careful. I'm going back to my studio fix.

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magandapinay123 on 6/15/2012 9:58:00 AM more reviews by magandapinay123

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Tan   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this product months ago, and I hate it. It did not blend in well, and made my pores look huge. It also did not blend in well with my skin tone. What a waste. I kept using it, only because it isn't cheap, but finally switched to a different brand and couldn't be happier with it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* agibeault on 6/13/2012 9:50:00 PM more reviews by agibeault

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is definitely MAC's best foundation. I am currently using one pump mixed with an equal amount of strobe cream for a glowy but not greasy or sparkly look. Its gorgeous and lasts well throughout the day. I do not need a lot of coverage but I do have freckles and uneven skin tone. I purchased this dark on purpose, shade 2, thinking I would be self tanning soon...I have been too lazy to tan so the colour is too dark for my NC 20 skin. Mixing it with the strobe cream sheers it out to the perfect match though. I can't explain it but this DOES seem to change colour once it is on the skin and meshes well. Shade 2 is quite orange but it works once its on. Obviously it will work better when I'm tanned. I am interested in trying 1.5 as well.

My skin tone is very neutral with a hint of olive. I would not call Matchmaster neutral at all, even though they market it as such. This is definitely a peach toned foundation but as I said, it sort of adjusts once it is on the skin.

I think I will buy this again - I like the spf, it doesnt bother my eczema, and it is matte (skin is getting too oily for face and body, my long-time love). I just wish the colour was more neutral and less peach. This does cling to dry patches.

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*TOP REVIEWER* candystripelegs on 6/12/2012 7:34:00 PM more reviews by candystripelegs

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

Been using this on and off for a few months, not going to say it's HG but I definitely think it's one of the better MAC foundations.


My skin is normal to oily (never dry) and sensitive but not typically acne-prone. Main skin issues are redness/enlarged pores in certain areas. I have been matched to both NW/NC 15 and 20 which always turned out too yellow or too pink, N4 studio fix powder (perfect match) and 1.0 in Matchmaster which, to my eye, seems a bit more neutral than the NC/NW 15 offerings.


Matchmaster 1.0 is a tad bit light for my skin but the tone is right on and the 1.5 looks a bit orangy on me. It dries to a natural matte finish but doesn't do anything extra in terms of controlling oil. I found it offers medium coverage at best, using 2 pumps on the whole face. I use my fingers to apply becuase it seems to work best for me, brush make it look a bit streaky.
Attempting full coverage results in a slightly powdery look that really looks a hot mess as the day goes on...certain ares look powdery and others streaky/oily.


I found this did blend in with my coloring nicely and lasts 8-10 hours without much fading although you will need to blot for oil control. Doesn't feel heavy, tacky or take a long time to dry. This would be a great option to normal/oily skin but dry skin might find it looks too powdery and would cling to dry patches.

Still searching more something a bit more mattyfing but this is a great foundation and I'm sure I will be repurchasing again.

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Ashley1958 on 6/6/2012 6:39:00 PM more reviews by Ashley1958

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I reallyyyyy wanted to like this foundation. It has SPF and claims to be a "demi-matte finish with shine control," which sounded perfect for my oily skin, as I prefer natural matte finishes...but alas, it wasn't meant to be. At first it looked great and did not settle into lines, good coverage, nice color match (I'm #3), smooth finish...HOWEVER, after a few hours of sitting outside (nothing physical) in warm weather this foundation seemed to seep out of my pores lying on top of my skin. It wasn't blended anymore, and I could see patches of the foundation in some places, other areas stayed in place (same as the user chloehops mentioned in his/her review 2 below me). This might be a good product if you don't have oily skin - although it's advertised as a formula for oily skin types - or if you stay inside in the cool a/c. It didn't stay as matte as I was hoping for...too much shine in the end.
NOTE: As I said above, the color match was great - I'll give it that much. For those of you who are considering trying this foundation, do NOT freak out at the color in the jar. It adjusts to your skin tone accordingly. If a Mac makeup artist matches you up, just go with it and try it...wait and see. She matched me with #3 and I thought "no way, it looks ORANGE!"...but the color was perfect.

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emandemsinalamb on 6/3/2012 7:16:00 PM more reviews by emandemsinalamb

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight   Eyes: Green    

About me: I'm very fair-skinned (I would normally be lighter than NC15, and I'm 1.0 in Matchmaster). My skin is very normal, neither oily nor dry, and is not sensitive. I don't deal with skin conditions like rosacea or acne, so I can't comment on if this makeup would aggravate those conditions.

Pros:
- Semi-matte finish is very natural-looking.
- Very easy to blend.
- It looks and feels just like skin, not like makeup.
- Evens skin tone exceptionally well.
- Light to medium coverage makes it feel very lightweight, doesn't feel heavy or mask-like at all.
- The shades are exceptionally forgiving with Matchmaster, which is a good thing, given the name. The shades are mostly forgiving in that it would be rare for you to get one that was too orange, too peach or too pink. They seem well-balanced and match a variety of skin tones. Also, the fair-skinned tones are much improved over former foundation shades that MAC has brought out.

Cons:
- A little pricey compared to some of the other MAC foundations.
- While the coverage is buildable to an extent, you will never get more than medium coverage with this foundation, it's simply not formulated to be full coverage. It will not cover a particularly bad case of acne, or other skin imperfections.
- Semi-matte finish can be too dewy for people who might have oily or combo skin. It is not the best foundation if you want oil control.

This is my favourite foundation, and has been upgraded to my HG. I've been using it for a month or more, and I can't get enough of how this stuff looks, feels, and performs on me. It's by far the best I've ever used (and I've used two MAC foundations in the past - Studio Sculpt and Studio Fix Fluid, both of which were nice, but not as nice as this).

MAC has finally made a shade that matches me perfectly - 1.0. I previously was wearing Studio Fix Fluid in NC15. While I could wear it and have it look okay, it gave a somewhat unpleasant orange tone to my skin, so I had to blend it out really well in order for it to work (and that stuff sets fast!). Studio Fix is really good for controlling oily patches, so if you have oily skin, you might prefer that one. It was my favourite until I tried this.

Matchmaster is a beautiful foundation. I find that it applies best with a sponge, it allows for smooth and flawless blending. If you're having trouble finding your perfect match, especially if you're pale like me, you should give this one a go. I was amazed and incredibly happy with the results!

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chloehops on 6/3/2012 5:51:00 PM more reviews by chloehops

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Grey    

I tried this for 3 months and I wanted to like it. I have combination dry skin. The coverage was I would say light to medium if that. After an hour of wearing it it got splotchy like it had chipped off in places. Weird. The color match was good except for around my forehead where it seemed to oxidize and turn orange around my eyebrows no matter how much I blended. I've tried this foundation all sorts of ways...with primer, without, with setting spray, with lotion, without, with powder,everything! It never stays on and it always flakes off. Also, it feels very heavy and stiff. It shows every pore,too,it dried my skin out and worst of all, it broke me out BAD. Thank goodness MAC has an awesome return policy.

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BlueIvy on 5/21/2012 6:37:00 PM more reviews by BlueIvy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

This is my very first MAC foundation which I have been using for a week now. I got a sample from the SA after she tried it on me m it looked flawless with the stippling brush. I moisturize my face well b4 this cz it's a lil too matte for me n mix one pump of this with one pump of strobe liquid. I spray fix + on the brush then apply all over blending n stippling. Over all it gives a good medium coverage. I'm using 2.0 which is a lil yellow for me but the 3.0 was too pink. I'm giving this 3 lipped cz I think they should have a 2.5 shade as well. The lasting power is about 5 hrs n it doesn't transfer to my phone(thank God) though iv noticed it clings to dry areas if I don't moisturize well. It sets pretty quickly so iv to apply one area at a time. The smell is a lil synthetic but goes away in few secs. It's a good foundation for summer time. Would recommend it.

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plasticbambi on 5/20/2012 6:05:00 PM more reviews by plasticbambi

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this in level 5.0 when I was going to the tanning bed a lot. The coverage was awesome but, it made my face look so orange. I have an olive skin tone and its been really hard trying to find the right shade for my light to medium olive skin. This also darken throughout the day which is fine when you go tanning everyday but, anyone who isn't addicted to the tanning bed is going to have issues with this.(I'm not addicted anymore)

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Retzzza on 5/13/2012 6:29:00 PM more reviews by Retzzza

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

This is my first MAC foundation and I LOVE it. I'm very fair and was matched to the shade 1.0. It suits my skin tone perfectly. I'm really surprised at the number of people who say there face gets orange from this! The packaging is great because with the pump you can get an exact amount without wasting product and it locks to prevent spilling..It looks EXTRMELEY natural on me..it doesn't even look like I have makeup on..but it covers all of my redness and any blemishes.. I wear this without a primer or a setting powder and it lasted me almost 12 hours. And it doesn't transfer onto my phone like my old foundation...Anyway I have nothing bad to say about this foundation it is amazing. <3 HG!

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