MAC - Well Defined (Studio Sculpt) Discussion

[MaryJane]

I can't wait to try my samples tomorrow. I really, really hope this doesn't cause breakouts. Most reviews I've read have said that it doesn't but no one has been wearing it that long and breakouts can occur after wearing for several days. I asked the MA if it was oil-free and she said that none of Mac's products were oil-free (that was news to me) but that was dermatologist tested. I wanted to tell her just because it was dermatologist tested didn't mean it wouldn't cause breakouts.

Should your concealer be the same shade as your foundation?

 

[Susanne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyBunnyBunny A little shiny and stubbly after like 10 hours, but still nice eh??

Gorgeous! I also love your cheeks!

 

[blindpassion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryJane I can't wait to try my samples tomorrow. I really, really hope this doesn't cause breakouts. Most reviews I've read have said that it doesn't but no one has been wearing it that long and breakouts can occur after wearing for several days. I asked the MA if it was oil-free and she said that none of Mac's products were oil-free (that was news to me) but that was dermatologist tested. I wanted to tell her just because it was dermatologist tested didn't mean it wouldn't cause breakouts. Should your concealer be the same shade as your foundation?

This makes me laugh! an MA at my store, told me that Studio Sculpt was oil free!
on occasion, I know that they are just saying what they know you want to hear.
I still love them though, but it makes me laugh.

 

[Meryl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyBunnyBunny I love this stuff! I am normally NW20. My skin is weird though so I have alot more yellow tones in my neck and body and more pink in my face. For some reason NW20 Studio Sculpt foundation has a nice balance between yellow and pink and not too much beige or orange like most of NW20 foundations and concealors. I know that some may dislike this new balance of pigments but this is PERFECT for me.

Me too! Pinky NW20 face and NC20 neck and body.

I have a question for you... most MAs want to match me up with NW20, but I find that it really accentuates the pink and makes my face look redder, especially if I'm wearing a crew neck or scoop neck Tee, with my hair in a pony tail and you can see my yellow neck.

I usually prefer NC20 for my face, if it's sheer enough, but NW20 for concealer.

What do you usually do?? And why do the MAs not look at people's necks? Or don't they think it matters?

 

[Meryl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by YSLGuy I dont know about this yet. Ive tried it three times so far. Once it was put on me by another MUA who did a lighter application and I got great comments on how my skin looked. Ive done it twice on myself and find it is too heavy for me. It looks like Im wearing foundation. I have tried the 190 and then buffing it out with the 187. And I tried stipling it on and buffing it out with just the 187. On me...I actually feel that it does the opposite of what it says. I felt it settled in my lines more and made them more pronounced. Same with the concealer...I found it made the fine lines under my eye stand out more. I usually use Studio Tech and no one can tell I have foundation on ever. I want to love this so Im going to keep playing with it, but I might just stick to my ST

I agree! The concealer is horrible if you have fine lines around your eyes.

I do like it for other areas, in small amounts.

 

[stv578]

Here is my review so far after trying it on today. I have yet to see how well it wears though, since I've only had it on for about 4 hours.

First off, I love the tube. It's not the kind of tube that the products oozes out of when you hold it upright, it requires a little squeeze

, so that's a relief. I have lost a lot of product with my other usual fndt.

I gotta tell you all, I cannot be bothered to apply foundation with a brush. I use my fingers with all of them. I find it to be the quickest and cleanest way to apply, since I wash my hands before applying moisturizer, then wash 'em again before applying foundation. So... having said that, this was a little trickier to apply than my current HG (which is Estee Lauder Double Wear Light), but I consider it quite blendable still, compared to say NARS or LM Oil free. The coverage is the best part about it, it can be sheered out where all you need is to even out skintone, and can go on much heavier to cover imperfections.

It also feels quite light on considering how much coverage you can achieve with it. Compared to EL DW light and Chanel TI, which you can feel the silicones when you put those on, this feels lighter. However, I'm guessing because there are less silicones in this (didn't check the ingredients, but I'm assuming there are at least some 'cones), I do think it goes on looking a bit drier than the other two, but my skin is insanely dry and this by no means accentuates that.

So, my thoughts so far are that this is definitely a great product. And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it uses a different sunscreen in it than the Select liquid (I could be wrong, but I'm hoping I'm remembering it right, because the ss in the Select liquid didn't agree with me). If this stuff doesn't aggravate my acne any more than the EL DW light, I will be switching to this. It's a helluva lot cheaper per tube, and I don't need to mix shades at the moment, but will likely have to as my skin gets darker in the summer. And after using the EL for a while, I didn't realize how the yellowness in the MAC fndt actually look less ashy on my skin!

The only thing is, I know a lot of you are saying this runs lighter, but for me, i found the opposite. So dunno if it's just the lightest shade, but I had to go a shade down.

 

[TISH1124]

I think the NC45 was so perfect for me because ...Normally the NC45 in other foundations was slightly light but the next shades were too dark...I often mixed NC45 with NW40 to counter the slight lightness...Or used the MSF in Dark...Now the NC45 in this is just perfect because it is a smudge darker than my normal ...Thank God I have no more shade mixing to do!!

 

[SakurasamaLover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meryl Me too! Pinky NW20 face and NC20 neck and body. I have a question for you... most MAs want to match me up with NW20, but I find that it really accentuates the pink and makes my face look redder, especially if I'm wearing a crew neck or scoop neck Tee, with my hair in a pony tail and you can see my yellow neck. I usually prefer NC20 for my face, if it's sheer enough, but NW20 for concealer. What do you usually do?? And why do the MAs not look at people's necks? Or don't they think it matters?

I think you should try the NC15 foundation.. it's not like you would think it would be. It's a REALLY nice shade. I'm NC20 in studio fix, I was adding NW20 to even my skin tone and SSF NC15 looks 100% natural for me.. color wise it's wayyyy better.

 

[feeb]

I have been wearing my NC15 studio sculpt for two days and love it..but I think its way to light

. I did compare the NC15 SC with my MUFEHD in 117 and the NC15 seems to run on the pinkish side where as the MUFE runs more on the light olive tone side. I have the same problem my face has pink understones with acne scares and my neck and body is a yellow to light olive tone. When I was matched the MA said the NC15 seemed a little white on my skin and the NW15 was a better match..but she also said it might get darker, so I went with the lighter shade NC15. Usually I get samples but they ran out of the containers., I hate to return items..feel its a waste of product as they just through it out the returns. So back to the counter I go..lol.

I do have a question for Ernie the MA

, do you find the NW's in the studio sculpt to have more of a yellow tone and the NC has more of a pink tone?

 

[Meryl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakurasamaLover I think you should try the NC15 foundation.. it's not like you would think it would be. It's a REALLY nice shade. I'm NC20 in studio fix, I was adding NW20 to even my skin tone and SSF looks 100% natural for me.. color wise it's wayyyy better.

Wow. I tried the NW15 and it is better than the NW20 (which is my usual shade.) So now I had to get NW15 as well, since I didn't want to return my NW20.

The NC15 is a touch too white for me. Unless I got it and used it to add to my NW20 to lighten it a bit.

I wonder why no one said to try the NW15 when I was there the first time.

These foundations are really confusing.

 

[TheeBettyBoop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dominichulinda so the colors run 2 shades lighter than norm? hmmm wonder which one I will end up with...I wear nw35 :/

Darn it, i read a live chat post that someone posted saying that it ran a little darker, there for i order a lighter shade. So, is it lighter or darker. I use nc35 to nc37 on winter and nc37- nc40 on summer. I need advice here, experts..

 

[COBI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheeBettyBoop Darn it, i read a live chat post that someone posted saying that it ran a little darker, there for i order a lighter shade. So, is it lighter or darker. I use nc35 to nc37 on winter and nc37- nc40 on summer. I need advice here, experts..

I really think it's all over the place. I normally wear NW20-25 in MAC depending on the line and time of year, and I was matched to NW15 which I've never worn in any other MAC line.

And here on specktra, I have read "it runs darker", "it runs lighter" and "I was matched to my normal shade." Ugh! I suppose it's possible that all 3 statements can be true based on individual colorings, but how frustrating for someone without access to a counter or store. Closest counter for me is about 90 minutes away. I made a special trip on Saturday to the closest store which is an hour and 50 minutes away just to be matched before buying online in the future.

Anyone who can get into a counter/store should def go in for a matching IMHO.

 

[stv578]

I found that this actually darkened up on the skin, just as the MA said it would. When she matched me yesterday and tried both NC20 and 25, at first the 20 looked a touch light and 25 looked okay (though dept. store lighting isn't the greatest). But having worn the 20 today, which she really urged me to get, I am very glad i listened. I wouldn't say it's a case of oxidizing, it just darkened a little, the same way blush does once it settles into the skin.

 

[stv578]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheeBettyBoop Darn it, i read a live chat post that someone posted saying that it ran a little darker, there for i order a lighter shade. So, is it lighter or darker. I use nc35 to nc37 on winter and nc37- nc40 on summer. I need advice here, experts..

I think that the MA's are advising that it does run a little darker. If you already ordered it, wait and see. It may be good for now, and if you like it, you can always order the next shade up when you do get darker in the summer months.

 

[radarlove]

I bought both the foundation and concealer in NC20 yesterday and I'm really, really excited about it. This is my first MAC foundation, and only my second foundation. I don't wear foundation....ever. I hate the way it feels (even if I use a tiny bit), and I feel like it changes my skin colour and just looks really obvious.

This stuff is nothing like that...the colour is PERFECT. The foundation is very neutral looking on my face (it looks a bit orangy on my hand so I was worried). It doesn't feel heavy at all and the finish is very, very natural looking. It doesn't look cakey on me (granted, I only use a little bit, but still). I'm really in awe over this foundation...I can't believe I've found one that I actually like and that works for me! I'm crossing my fingers that it doesn't break me out!

The concealer is also amazing...I use concealer always and this one is really nice and creamy, not too heavy, perfect coverage.

These are definitely winning products! I'm so happy with them

 

[noahlowryfan]

I was matched and have a sample of this in NC37 and it does seem to look more darker on me so I might have to go a shade or two down which is a NC35 or NC30. It didn't cause any breakouts for me. I might have finally found my MAC HG foundation.

 

[YSLGuy]

I find it runs darker actually, but not too bad. Im usually NW25 in Studio Tech, and Studio Sculpt NW25 gave me a bit of color.

A word of the wise for the darker ladies...be careful with the NC 55 and the NC50 (I think those were the two). The NC50 is actually DARKER than the NC55. If you are normally a NC50 and want to try this, you NEED TO BUY the NC55.

Check it out before buying just in case, but I had this problem and heard another person had the same problem with the same numbers.

 

[Winthrop44]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stv578 And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it uses a different sunscreen in it than the Select liquid (I could be wrong, but I'm hoping I'm remembering it right, because the ss in the Select liquid didn't agree with me)

I believe the chemical sunscreen in both is octyl or ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, otherwise known as octinoxate. Studio Sculpt has 7% octinoxate and 2% titanium dioxide (physical sunblock).

For my own selfish reasons I wish cosmetic companies would leave sunscreens out of foundations altogether. I usually can't do the chemical ones and I know alot of people don't like the white effect titanium gives in photos. Many people like to wear their own sunscreen of choice under their foundation. That's something I really like about MUFE HD - no sunscreen. But I know Paula Whateverhernameis crucifies companies that omit sunscreens from their foundations in her reviews.

 

[TheeBettyBoop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyBunnyBunny I love this stuff! I am normally NW20. My skin is weird though so I have alot more yellow tones in my neck and body and more pink in my face. For some reason NW20 Studio Sculpt foundation has a nice balance between yellow and pink and not too much beige or orange like most of NW20 foundations and concealors. I know that some may dislike this new balance of pigments but this is PERFECT for me. I tried it today and I am in looove. First of it it matches me. Then it builds to the perfect coverage while still looking smooth and natural. Then it lasted for the entire day. It does get dewy over time, but I just found myself touching up with Mineralize Natural and a little Studio Fix here and there. It's been like... 12 hours and it still looks absolutely perfect. I used it with the concealor and omg. This is the best full coverage anything I've tried. The consistency is like... whipped gel. It's very light and smooth and soft, but it's not fluidy like a liquid but its not quite 'hard' like a traditional cream. Its a similar gel-like feel like the foundation. And If you put a little or a lot, it still looks like real skin. Im in love. A little shiny and stubbly after like 10 hours, but still nice eh??

darn it, ten hrs later and you still look hot!!!

 

[xoleaxo]

I checked out this foundation yesterday; in my opinion, they run dark. I usually wear NC35, but that was too dark for me. I tried on NC30 which was a much better match! The MA set it with NW20 sheer pressed powder, which I feel made it a little too pink and also powdering looking. Today, I spritzed with Fix+, applied foundation, then I set it with medium-dark blot powder--it looks so good!

I really like that it is so lightweight and natural feeling! You can't really tell you're wearing anything at all. The finish is also super natural; it's not matte, but not extremely dewey. The coverage looks natural too, which I really like, even though it doesn't cover my acne scars that well. I tried layering for better coverage, but it just ends up looking flakey and cakey.. tips?

Overall, I really like this foundation! I wore it for 10 hours yesterday and it still looked fresh at the end of the night--i didn't even blot. The packaging is a plus because you can squeeze out just the right amount, plus it's not messy. I'm acne-prone but haven't noticed any sign of breaking out yet since wearing it for 2 days.