Tuesday 25 October 2016

Trying Out New MAC Products

Trying Out New MAC Products

Hello Lovelies,

Being a beauty addict and beauty blogger, I always love finding out about new product launches especially when the new product launches are from one of my favourite brands, so when I received 3 recently launched MAC products, I couldn't wait to try them. 

The products I received are the Studio Fix Perfecting Powder, the Studio Fix Perfecting Stick and the Brow Sculpt pencil which all recently launched both online and on counters and in stand alone stores in the UK. I have been using all 3 products for 3-4 weeks now and wanted to let you know my thoughts on them, this is a lengthy in depth review post so grab a drink and make yourself comfortable before reading. 

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Powder

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Powder

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Powder

The Studio Fix Perfecting Powder is available in 9 shades and I have the shade Light Plus, I thought it might be a little dark for me at first but it is fine. The powder comes in a pot with a black plastic lid and inside is a black sticker/tab to stop the powder spilling out, under that is a net like fabric where the powder is dispensed. 

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Powder

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Powder

What MAC Say About The Studio Fix Perfecting Powder

A pro-quality, refined loose powder to set makeup with a matte finish. Infused with nourishing ingredients, it wears comfortably for hours without feeling drying. With sheer coverage, MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Powder is a universal makeup must for beginners and buffs alike

Application & My Thoughts

The information I received described the powder as an Instagram filter for your face,  now I very much doubt that I am ever going to look like I have used an Instagram filter, but anything remotely similar will do for me so I was eager to try the powder and see if it did in fact make a difference. The information also said the powder is meant to help to blur out fine lines and pores and is nourishing so it can be worn for a long period of time without drying the skin. I have fine lines, pores and very dry/dehydrated skin so choosing a powder is always a bit of a task for me as most powders tend to look really cakey on me meaning I never really look at buying new powders. I have 3 in my kit, I have a Vichy loose translucent powder that I have been using for a few months which I really like, I also have the MAC Blot Powder which I love and have re purchased numerous times and I have the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless powder which is nice but very over priced as it runs out very quickly. So I'm not a huge connoisseur of powders and never look at them unless I need to buy one and then would usually re purchase the Blot Powder but after reading all the information on the Studio Fix Perfecting powder I was really eager to try it out and desperately hoped it would be as good as I hoped and do exactly what it said on the tin.  

I have applied the powder using both a brush and a makeup sponge and I much prefer using the makeup sponge to apply the powder. I use a small sponge to apply the powder under and around my eyes and a standard size sponge to apply the powder everywhere else. I dab my sponge onto the net to pick up the product and then bounce the sponge onto my skin to apply the powder, sometimes I need to shake the tub a little to bring some powder to the surface of the net. 

The first time I used the powder I was blown away, now I wouldn't say I looked like I had an Instagram filter over my face but I could tell a difference, my skin looked lovely and not cakey at all, usually after applying my powder, I spritz my face with a primer water or setting spray to stop me looking cakey but I didn't do that the first time I used the powder because I wanted to see if there was a difference and I haven't ever had to use a primer water/setting spray when using the powder, my skin isn't cakey looking or feeling at all. I have used the powder every time I have applied my makeup since receiving it and really like the way it looks and feels, it feels so lightweight on my skin. 

The powder applies beautifully and my makeup stays perfect all day, I get very hot sometimes because of the pain I am in and the medication I take and my face can get a little sweaty (sorry if that's a bit TMI) and my makeup can go patchy. I wore the powder on a recent shopping trip and it was super hot in the shops and I got very hot due to my pain/medication but when I got home, my makeup looked exactly as it did when I applied it. 

I am so impressed with the powder and would go as far to say it is the best powder I have ever used, it applies beautifully, doesn't move all day, doesn't settle into my fine lines and pores, and helps to blur out my fine lines and pores and my skin looks so much better. I recently posted a selfie on Instagram and twitter and so many people said my skin looked nice and asked about my makeup and it's all down to this powder. 

The photograph below is a comparison photograph of me wearing the MAC powder and wearing my usual translucent powder. 

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Powder

Hopefully you will agree with me that there is a noticeable difference between my skin on the photographs. I highly recommend the Studio Fix Perfecting Powder, it is amazing and I will most definitely be purchasing another one when mine has run out, I cannot rave about it enough and if you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know it isn't like me to rave about a face powder, you can try the powder at a MAC counter or stand alone store or you can pick it up online HERE priced at £21.00 for 8g of product. 

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Stick 

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Stick NW20

Another product in the Studio Fix range is the Studio Fix Perfecting Stick a new concealer launch, I have the shade NW20 but it is available in shades from NC15 to NC50 and NW15 to NW50 so there are plenty of shades to choose from. The Perfecting Stick is a twist up chubby pencil style concealer, the packaging is the usual black but it has a slight sparkle and a concealer coloured end, the lid is easy to pull off and the concealer twists up effortlessly. 

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Stick

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Stick

What MAC Say About The Studio Fix Perfecting Stick

A chubby twist-up concealer pencil that hides dark circles, blemishes and other skin imperfections thanks to its precise rounded tip and propel/repel abilities. The formula is super-blendable with medium-buildable coverage, and sets to a natural matte finish that feels powdery and appears seamless on skin. Its portability and mess-free application make it the perfect product for on-the-go touch-ups.

Application & My Thoughts

I really like the application of the concealer, it applies really well and is very easy to use. I use the concealer under my eyes, around my nose and on any blemishes I may have, I find it super easy to apply and it blends into my skin beautifully. I apply it straight from the stick under my eyes and then use a small makeup sponge to blend it out, I have applied it both on top of and underneath my foundation and it looks nice both ways but out of habit, I prefer to use it on top. The concealer blends beautifully and feels very smooth on the skin, it dries down to a matte finish but doesn't look at all dull, I haven't had any issues with the concealer settling into my fine lines underneath or around my eyes or into any dry patches I have. 

The first time I used the concealer, I had a nasty cold sore and very sore area of skin at the side of my mouth, I used the concealer to cover it by taking a cotton bud (que tip) and applying some of the concealer to the sore area and then blending it out with my ring finger and then I set the concealer with the Studio Fix Perfecting Powder and it covered really well and looked great. I have used the concealer every time I have applied my make up since receiving it and I like it more each time I use it, the first time I used it, I liked it and was pleased how well it covered my cold sore and sore patch of skin but I felt it wasn't as good at covering my dark circles as my much loved and re purchased Select Moisturecover Concealer, but as I have used it more and more I really like it and as I said, I have used it every time I have applied my make up since receiving it. 

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Stick Swatch NW20

I am really pleased with the concealer and would recommend you giving it a try, it does come off a little lighter than expected, I usually use NW15 as my under eye concealer and thought this maybe too dark when I saw it was NW20 but it isn't, and as you can see by the swatch, it is quite light. The Studio Fix Perfecting Stick was a lovely surprise, from me thinking I wasn't going to like it, to me using it all the time, it is a great product, it applies well, blends beautifully and looks lovely on the skin, it doesn't move from application to removal and doesn't settle into any fine lines or dry patches I have, it really is good. 

If you would like to give the Studio Fix Perfecting Stick a try, you can find it HERE priced at £16.00 for 10g of product. 

MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil

MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil

Last but by no means least is the MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil, I have the shade Lingering but it is available in 8 shades. When I first saw the shade I thought it would be way too dark for me and had I been purchasing it, I wouldn't ever have gone for the shade Lingering, but it is fine and looks perfectly ok. The Brow Sculpt pencil is a dual ended brow pencil with a propel/repel applicator on one end and a spoolie brush on the other. 

MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil

MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil

MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil

What MAC Say About The Brow Sculpt Pencil 

An elegant, retractable pencil with a chiseled tip that adheres to your brow hairs, shaping and gently filling in with matte colour. The angled tip lets you size and shape them any way you want. Use the flat edge for a natural, diffused look or the pointed tip for a precise HD effect. Remove the opposite end cap to find a grooming brush to set your look.

Application & My Thoughts

My first thoughts when I removed the lid of the Brow Sculpt pencil were that it reminded me very much of the Benefit Goof Proof eyebrow pencil, the pencil is shaped in the same chiseled triangular way and both products have a spoolie brush on the end too, the packaging is completely different though. 

To apply the pencil I brush my brows through with the spoolie and then lightly take the pencil through my brows using the flat edge to fill in the thicker areas and then I use the thinner edge for the tail of my brow. The pencil is easy to use and fills my brows in nicely leaving them looking natural, I like my brows to look that way but if you prefer a more drawn on brow you can achieve it by using the thin edge of the pencil. Once I have finished my brows I brush them through again with the spoolie. 

MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil Swatch In Lingering

As I said I did think Lingering would be way too dark for my brows with me being blonde, but it wasn't at all and is almost exactly the same shade as my usual Benefit brow pencil, it is slightly warm and slightly warmer than my Benefit brow pencil in shade 2 but used lightly it looks fine and I have used it each time I have applied my makeup since receiving it. 

As you will see in the photograph below, there really isn't much difference at all between the shades of the Benefit Goof Proof pencil in shade 2 and the MAC Brow Sculpt in Lingering, Lingering is ever so slightly warmer but there isn't a massive difference between them. 

MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil Swatch In Lingering

I am really happy with the Brow Sculpt brow pencil, it stays in place all day from application to removal, it is easy to use and looks nice and natural too, I am the worlds worst at filling my brows in and really struggle to do it but I find the pencil really easy to use and I like the way my brows look when I use it, so if you're a complete novice or you're just rubbish at filling your brows in like me, I would recommend giving the Brow Sculpt pencil a whirl, if I can use it, anyone can! 

I would like to try the shade Fling or Omega in the Brow Sculpt pencil as I have used Fling in a MAC brow pencil before and I used Omega eye shadow and an angled brush for years to fill in my brows, so I am going to check out both of those next time I am close by a MAC counter. 

If you would like to try the MAC Brow Sculpt Brow Pencil, you can find it HERE priced at £16.00 for 0.23g of product. 

Me after using all 3 products

Using New MAC Products

I am really pleased with all 3 products, my favourite has to be the Studio Fix Perfecting Powder, it really is incredible and I never ever thought I could be so enthusiastic about a powder, the concealer is great as is the brow pencil and I'm really pleased I had the opportunity to try the products, as I probably wouldn't have done otherwise with being happy with my concealer, brow pencil and powder, but it just goes to show that we should try new things because sometimes they really can make a difference. 

Thank you for reading this incredibly long and picture heavy post, much love as always,

Zoe x

✿ Post contains PR Samples or Gifted Items 










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