MAC • Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder • Loose Powders

Merryweather on 4/26/2013 2:23:00 PM more reviews by Merryweather

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

I realy don,t understand why so many women love this powder! I have a medium skintone and when i use this on my face even the slightes amount of powder turns me in to Caspar the friendly ghost..My daughter has fair skintone and when she uses it she turns paler and looks ill.I use a little under the eyes after putting on eyecream but actualy i don,t like that effect either.No,this is not for me!

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jarrah on 3/13/2013 4:31:00 PM more reviews by jarrah

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

The MAC SA used this on my face after I tried their new BB cream and I was amazed by the matte and silky finish. However, when i went back home and tried to use it on my own it got a bit messy. Plus, I'm not sure it's that translucent. I'm an NC25 in mac and even though it blend nicely after a couple of hours, it still looks a bit white when first applied. I honestly think the power is in the kind of brushes you use and a little goes a long way, then just use a cotton puff and your ready to go.
Pros:
*sets foundation/concealer all day long
*matte finish even with the oiliest skins
* doesn't cake
*will last you FOREVER or maybe for a few months hehe
Cons:
*expensive
*messy package

But you know what, this might be the best setting powder I have ever used.

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danahalsanea on 3/7/2013 5:46:00 AM more reviews by danahalsanea

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I have purchased this product twice then switched to Laura Mercier's loose powder but went back and purchased MAC's Prep+Prime loose powder for the third time. I am sure there are better products out there but this does the job for me, the only down side about it is that I wish it didn't give a completely matte finish and thus I am still hunting for a better product.

I use it mainly to:

1. Powder my concealer - I use MAC Pro Long-wear concealer and it has to be powdered; this powder has a lightweight and is perfect for setting my concealer and avoid creasing under the eye. It is also helps in preventing my eye liner flick from smudging.

2. Powder my foundation (Chanel Vitalumier) - sets foundation well, does not change the color of your foundation- gives a natural matte finish.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

vanillahaze on 3/3/2013 8:00:00 AM more reviews by vanillahaze

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

Fairly good powder. A little too opaque for me, though. Mattified my skin extremely well and does not make the flakies in between my eyebrows and chin obvious. This made me look like a ghost in photos, however. Not translucent enough imo. Quite worth the price. Don't let the tiny container fool you! This could last you for ages and ages!

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Mia538 on 2/3/2013 4:22:00 PM more reviews by Mia538

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

Great powder which I use to set my MAC studio fix fluid foundation. Feels silky and keeps my oil prone T-zone all day! I'm a NW20-25 and on me, this powders looks invisible (unlike other transluscent powders i've tried which can look 'caked' and make my skin look ashen). Only negative point is that it's not very travel friendly due to the holes in the inner packaging, meaning the powder ends up everywhere! It doesn't really bother me though as I apply once in the morning and my face looks flawless all day! Another great product from MAC :-) 

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

zynab on 2/2/2013 12:32:00 PM more reviews by zynab

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

this's a very good loose powder it's so mattifying I don't know if I'll buy again only because I wanna buy the MUFE HD one

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Sophina1991 on 1/28/2013 10:12:00 PM more reviews by Sophina1991

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Blue    

Worst powder I've used!
Yes it does get rid of shine but looks TERRIBLE WITH FLASH PHOTOGRAPHS.
You'll look all grey and white even with the tiniest amount.
Total waste of money!
Bottom line: you'll regret buying this, I assure you.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

SickSexFix on 1/12/2013 2:17:00 PM more reviews by SickSexFix

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Black    

This is the best setting powder I've used so far. But it still doesn't get 5 stars as it's not perfect for my needs, but still closer than anything else I've tried!

Pros:
*Easy to blend
*Finely milled
*Doesn't cake!
*Doesn't make me look older like other powders
*Blurs large pores
*You get a lot of product
*Wears well and can be layered (when the oil comes through on my face it doesn't look bad after or ruin the rest of my makeup)

Cons:
*Looks horrid in flash photos
*Expensive (well *I* think it is)
*Bad packaging (you have to tape the holes!)
*Not travel friendly at all
*Can be messy (and I'm afraid to inhale it!)
*Is.Not.Invisible! (I'm a MAC NC 35-40 and I can see a white cast even after blending a lot but it goes away when the oil in my face comes through)
*Doesn't control my oily face all day (even with primer underneath)
*I have to apply twice the amount (previously I was only using a dab all over my face and I got shiny 2 hours later - I figured out I have to use much more than I thought to get it to last for around 6 hours)

Even with those cons, I will still use it up and will most likely repurchase as I haven't seen anything better (and cheaper) in the drug store. Maybe I'll try UD's Mattifying Powder or get this but the pressed compact version instead.
If my review helped you, click yes below!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Starlyte on 1/3/2013 4:10:00 PM more reviews by Starlyte

Age: Unknown   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Other    

I love this powder and have repurchased it 3x. It's great for setting foundation and I like that it's translucent and doesn't add color to my foundation. I have combo-oily skin and while this doesn't provide that totally matte look, it gives a really nice, clean, natural finish.
The older I get, the more I veer away from the made up, matte skin look and am more inclined towards a healthy, glowy finish. This powder gives me that effect!. I notice my foundations last longer with this and doesn't slide around or settle into my pores. I get shiny in my t-zone area after 3-4 hours but it's not an oily look so I'm ok with that. A little goes a long way and one jar lasts me about 4-5 months, with ever day usage.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

doris98 on 12/22/2012 11:32:00 PM more reviews by doris98

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily   Hair: Black   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this for setting my foundation before more powder products - blush, highlight. It's not enough to mattify my oily T-Zone though so I use a different powder for that. But I prefer this to a lot of other loose setting powders and will continue to use it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sweetlikecinnamon on 12/20/2012 8:53:00 AM more reviews by sweetlikecinnamon

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

The best face powder for controlling oily skin I've tried so far. It smoothes out my skin beautifully, controls the oil very well and leaves the skin with a very natural looking matte finish - not too powdery at all, and the powder itself is very fine. The oil does break through my makeup after a couple of hours, but this powder definitely slows down the "process".
As for the packaging, as long as you don't peel of the whole cover, but just poke a few holes in it with a needle as many have syggested, you can easily avoid getting powder flying everywhere. It is a bit pricy, yes, but concidering how good it is, it's definitely worth every penny. I will definitely buy this again once I run out of it.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Alexandra123Y on 12/14/2012 5:24:00 AM more reviews by Alexandra123Y

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

A very good product which does exactly what it is expected to: stops you from getting oily. I don't have super greasy skin but I do get oilier time to time. The product does its job, and keeps me happy for the whole day.
I use a cotton puff to apply but always tap the access off.
Another advantage is transparency. You don't have to worry about the shade.
The only slight minus is immobility, and it gets messy sometimes too. That's why I am using the pressed version if need to take the power with me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* maliciousdelicious on 11/27/2012 8:01:00 AM more reviews by maliciousdelicious

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I use this on my shiny nose and also to mattify shiny lipsticks. I do wish it had some sun protection though - although I could use it to dry up oily sunscreens (oily skin tends to burn more easily). I have luckily chanced upon some non-oily sunscreens so I don't need to use it on the rest of the face. I don't use skin make-up although it's meant to also serve as a setting powder.

It works immediately and doesn't settle into creases or clump like face powder could. It has a very fine silky texture that is visible at first but then easily absorbed in a couple of seconds.

I like the glittery packaging. Don't peel off the entire sticker and you should be fine. I use it quite sparingly.

Someone said here that it gives an ashy cast in photos - it seems possible but I really don't want to even try that out.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mzjade22 on 11/25/2012 4:31:00 PM more reviews by mzjade22

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Medium Brown, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Against my better judgement, I pulled the whole sticky off the sifter instead of just poking holes in it. Now literally half the jar is in the top of the sifter. This is a good setting powder, no flash back, no white cast (if you actually blend it), the only thing I dont like is the price and smell. Smells awful! I have a feeling this will last for a long time, but even if runs out I most likely wont repurchase it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

dilayla on 11/21/2012 7:55:00 PM more reviews by dilayla

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Just WOW! This is my HG and I promise, that you can't find any better loose powder on the market!

I cannot describe what it does with my skin, but after putting this powder on, my face looks just flawless and healthy. You don't need to put on a lot. Just a tiny little bit and it does what it promises. It minimizes pores and makes the skin very even.

And the best is, that it didn't break me out at all. On the contrary I think that it helps to improve my acne prone skin, because it gives a mat finish, so that your skin gets less oily during the daytime.

This is absolutely the best product from mac that I have ever tried. Would buy it again and again and again and again. I hope they will never change the formula.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lovebymertaah on 8/30/2012 7:47:00 PM more reviews by lovebymertaah

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

I love this primer!!! That's all I have to say about that. Haha. My skin looks flawless and perfect after I've applied this. The loose powder is a bit messy though. I was so afraid of dropping the product all over my floor the whole time I used it, and one time I actually did but I reacted fast so I could save it. Although I lost some to the floor :( But now when I know that they've done a pressed powder, I will totally buy that!

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helwa88 on 7/19/2012 5:41:00 AM more reviews by helwa88

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I brought this powder because it was getting hot and it didn't something to keep my foundation in place. my nose gets oily within 2 hours of applying foundation. this powder kept my nose matte for about 4 hours which is good for me. it kept the rest of my face looking flawless.

this powder didn't make me look like a i ghost ( i am nc50 girl) like other translucent powder do.

the only problem i have with this foundation is that it cane get a bit messy. but mac now has a pressed powder out. i haven't been able to get my hands on it because it's been sold out my mac for some time now.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Carlala on 7/8/2012 8:44:00 AM more reviews by Carlala

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Black, Straight   Eyes: Black    

The powder was really fine that my skin looked super soft and flawless after applying, though this also meant that the powder easily blew off when I opened the casing. The holes in the case were too large compared to the particles that it wastes a lot of the product when I tap the excess powder off my powder brush. It didn't leave a tell-tale white cast on my skin, which was great, but it made my sensitive skin feel a bit itchy. I use this occassionally for my "oily skin days" as I can go up to six hours without needing any oil blotting papers when I use this. I probably won't be buying this since baby powder does a decent job of setting my makeup and controlling the oil without the itchiness and at under a quarter of the price!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* starrysim on 7/6/2012 11:50:00 PM more reviews by starrysim

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Maybe it's just me, but I can't seem to get a handle on these types of light loose powders, and this one is no exception. It feels really cool to the touch, and I can see how it smooths the skin when I swatch it, but I can't seem to get a hang of application. I've used all types of brushes - natural, synthetic, duo fibre, fluffy, dense - and invariably they cause a big cloud of flour-like mess and don't make a huge difference in the appearance of my make-up. For me, it's just not worth the messy application and the time spent to apply. I also hate the packaging - there are way too many holes that are way too big, and powder inevitable sifts up during storage, even if I try my best to not turn it upside down. Like I said, it's just not worth the bother for me. I'm trying the pressed version now.

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lisata on 6/25/2012 9:07:00 AM more reviews by lisata

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Okay so I have mixed feelings about this product. I purchased the press powder and must I say, I love the packaging, it has a cute little mirror too. After applying this on my foundation, I set extremely well and left my face feeling amazing and looking flawless. It's so gentle on my skin and it great to wear during the day. Though even with little application of it, it wasn't the best for flash photography as it did indeed leave a white cast on my face which look, as you can tell, pareeety scary. So again it was great on skin, felt great, looked good during the day but when it came to taking photos at night, well that was a different story. Going to try Laura Mercier's or going to try MAC careblend at night.

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