MAC Studio Fix Fluid vs MAC Pro Longwear? To be honest, I think I like Studio Fix more. I find that Studio Fix still lasts over 12 hours as well, just know how to apply it and always, always use a primer. Studio Fix is a much larger range and comes in 46 shades whereas Pro Longwear only offers 22. I recommend with Studio Fix you really take your time into figuring out what your shade is, as I (Lorraine) have gone through about 3 different shades; 42, 43.5, 44 whilst Amy has always stuck to her solid 45!
MAC is one of the most popular brands around, but if you don’t want to pay full price, there are tons of great MAC dupes out there. Mac upgrades list.
Last Updated on February 11, 2019by Zephyr - CF Editor
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MAC Cosmetics has been a mainstay of the makeup world for decades now, and its products are both iconic and sometimes controversial. After MAC battled claims that they are not entirely cruelty-free, some customers began to turn from their long-loved shades to find new options. Not to mention, a single MAC lipstick will set you back $18.50, which could be used to buy two whole pizzas (or other delicious equivalent)!
Considering all this, I’ve put together a list of the best MAC dupes around. (All recommendations are confirmed cruelty-free unless otherwise stated.)
For your base:
MAC Foundation Dupes:
We’re starting with MAC’s most-loved base product: The Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 ($30) provides an airbrushed matte finish and has notably high coverage.
A great dupe for Studio Fix Fluid is the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation ($7.99), which is just as long-lasting and shine-free for a fraction of the price. L’Oreal’s True Match Foundation ($7.59) is another great option if you’re looking for that flawless base.
(Please note that neither Maybelline nor L’Oreal are entirely cruelty-free. Cruelty-free companies include NYX and Milani — see our list of the best NYX products for more on this brand.)
MAC Concealer Dupes:
Makeup artists and average folk alike have raved about MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer ($24) for years, but there are cheaper options on the market. I’d recommend the NYX HD Concealer ($4.99) or the Sonia Kashuk All Covered Up Concealer ($9.98) for a similar finish and amount of coverage.
MAC Blush Dupes:
MAC’s Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish ($34) gives a lit-from-within glow to the face, but you can get the same luminous look from the Wet ‘n’ Wild To Reflect Shimmer Palettes ($5.99) or the ELF Baked Blush in Pinktastic ($4), which is my favorite cheap highlighter — it gives such a pretty sheen! https://truedup845.weebly.com/ballyhoo-1985-mac-os.html.
MAC Setting Spray Dupes:
Back in the early days of Youtube beauty gurus, everyone was dousing their face with a generous spray of MAC Fix+ ($26), but now other brands have released their own setting sprays that lock in your makeup just as well. My personal favorites are the ELF Mist & Set ($3.99), which contains green tea and other beneficial ingredients, and the NYX Dewy Setting Spray ($8.50) for the perfect dewy look.
For your eyes:
MAC Paint Pot Dupes:
Mac Studio Fix Fluid Review
For eye makeup products, MAC is well-known for their Paint Pots ($24), especially the shades Painterly and Soft Ochre, which prime the lids for intense colors, but if you’re not looking to drop $24 on an eyeshadow base, NYX Eyeshadow Base ($7) will prep your lids in the same way. You could also just use concealer on your lids and dust it over with some translucent setting powder for a similar effect.
For your lips:
MAC Lipstick Dupes:
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And now, the most iconic MAC product of them all — lipstick. MAC has released so many shades that I’m just going to dupe some of the most popular ones here.
Now it wouldn’t be a MAC post if we didn’t mention Ruby Woo ($18.50). Works word processor for mac. This matte blue-red has dominated the red lipstick market for years, but its formula errs on the drying side.
If you want a more moisturizing formula and a cheaper price tag, I’d recommend NYX Full Throttle Lipstick in Up the Bass ($3.49), which has a unique bullet for precise application. A long-wearing liquid lipstick option would be Colourpop’s Ultra Matte Lip in Creeper ($6.50), which is slightly warmer than Ruby Woo but just as beautiful.
MAC’s Marrakesh ($18.50) is another of their bestsellers. It’s a unique deep orange-brown that is currently out of stock, but never fear! Colourpop’s Lux Lipstick in Gallop ($7) is a very similar shade and has a nice creamy formula.
I’d say Velvet Teddy ($18.50) is as iconic in the MAC line as Ruby Woo is, and for good reason! It’s a beige nude that complements every skin tone, but luckily for you, Wet ‘n’ Wild also has a wildly popular nude lipstick, Bare It All ($4.28), for a much lower price. I’ll guarantee this will become one of your most-used lipsticks in no time!
Today I’m reviewing my most favorite foundation these days. This review has been pending for more than 3 months now, and I don’t really know what stopped me from reviewing it for so long, but without any further delay, here’s why I love love love the MAC Pro Longwear Foundation. I got the shade NC42 after the MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC45 started to look too orange on me. NC42 is a better match for me currently.
About MAC Pro Longwear Foundation NC42: A comfortable, long-wearing foundation that gives up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition. Lightweight and creamy, applies and blends easily leaving the skin feeling soft and free to breathe all day while controlling oil. Specially treated micronized pigments help give a smoother, more flawless, natural finish with stay-true colour.
Price: Rs. 2150 for 30mL
Packaging: The MAC Pro Longwear Foundation comes in the standard black and white MAC carton, a favorite of mine for being a classic! The product as such comes in a transparent glass bottle with a black colored, plastic cap-cum-pump. The packaging is simple and classy, and I love it.1
Available in 24 shades.
Ingredients: Mentioned below ?
My take on MAC Pro Longwear Foundation NC42: The foundation is a liquid foundation, slightly thick in consistency as compared to other liquid foundations, and is very pigmented. It applies smoothly, and is very easy to blend into the skin. Gives medium to full coverage. The foundation gives a semi-matte finish on it’s own. For my oily skin, I generally set the foundation with the MAC Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation of the MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder.
The foundation works well for my oily skin. I do apply a primer, mostly the MAC Matte creme on the face before applying the foundation. Those with combination skin will love it too. Those with normal/ dry skin would need to moisturise the skin well before application.
The foundation stays on for a good 10+ hours on the skin. It does not budge much once applied to the skin. Doesn’t melt away from the skin even in humid climate (tested in both Delhi and Mumbai ? ) and doesn’t oxidise on me. On days when I want luminous finish, I generally mix 2 pumpfuls of foundation with one spray of MAC Fix+ Fluid and then apply it to the face. That way,t he foundation stays on for almost the whole day. I have tested this foundation for upto 13 hours, and can vouch for the staying power. The foundation has not caused any skin reaction or acne break-outs on the skin as yet. The SPF 10 is an added bonus during the days, but for evenings it can be a slight dimmer if you are going to be photographed with flash. The white-cast under flash isn’t too apparent, though.
I prefer using the Sigma F80 Flat-top kabuki brush to apply and blend this foundation.
I was matched to the shade NC42, which has a yellow undertone to it ?
And here’s how this foundation looks on me:
Pros of MAC Pro Longwear Foundation NC42:
Mac Pro Longwear Concealer
Easy to blend foundation
Medium to full coverage
Suits normal to oily skin. Those with dry skin should moisturise the skin well before application
Staying power is just amazing!
Easy to use packaging, travel friendly
Cons of MAC Pro Longwear Foundation NC42: No cons as such. If you get the perfect shade match, this is an awesome product to have! The only not-so-good thing is the limited availability in India at the moment.
Mac Pro Longwear Foundation
Verdict: For normal/ combination/ oily skin, this foundation is a God-sent! Doesn’t budge one bit! Do give it a try!