- Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
- Mac Studio Fix Fluid Nw20
- Mac Studio Fix Foundation
- How To Apply Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation Concealer
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, £26. MAC's Studio Fix Fluid Foundation has been a firm fixture in many of our makeup bags at some point or another. It's a bonafide classic and when used alone, provides full, matte coverage in no less than 64 shades. We put M∙A∙C Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 to the ultimate test of seeing how long it wears and, not surprisingly, the formula lasts for a full 24 hours! This modern foundation combines a matte finish and medium-to-full buildable coverage with broad spectrum SPF 15 protection. Applies, builds and blends easily and evenly while controlling oil and shine with a non-caking, breathable formula. I've had a love affair with this foundation for almost 10 years now. Chances are, if we bumped into each other at — UGH! — The X in San Francisco in the late '90s or early aughts (it was a place Jen and I used to go clubbing, and in retrospect it was pretty gross), I was wearing MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation ($29) on my face and partying all night long.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
MAC COSMETICS MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF 15, Main, color, NW20 WARM NEUTRAL ROSY Details & Care What it is: A modern shine-controlling foundation that provides a natural matte finish and medium-to-full buildable coverage.
THE PRODUCT
The HYPE
Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
MAC's Studio Fix Fluid Foundation has been a firm fixture in many of our makeup bags at some point or another. It's a bonafide classic and when used alone, provides full, matte coverage in no less than 64 shades. Pretty impressive. But now, the makeup marvels at MAC have determined four different formulas, combining Studio Fix with different product, to deliver entirely different finishes. This is revolutionary for someone like me, who still wants full coverage but also pines for a dewy, 'lit-from-within' finish.
Advertisement
Mac Studio Fix Fluid Nw20
THE REVIEWER
Lottie Winter, Beauty Editor
BEAUTY BIO
I have oily, blemish-full yet sensitive skin, which means I beeline for full coverage foundations and once I've found one that doesn't exacerbate my breakouts, I stick to it. The only problem is that I've always wanted to rock a dewy, no-makeup look, which is seldom achievable with a full coverage formula, so I was excited at the prospect of achieving that without compromising on or switching up my foundation.
Hello beauties check-out my MAC Studio Fix Fluid vs Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Review!
After using Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup in Ecru for the past six months, I have recently strayed and I'm now using MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15. Both popular ‘heavy duty' foundations, I wanted to compare my experiences with both.
What They Say:
'Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. Won't change colour, smudge or come off on clothes. Feels lightweight and comfortable. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid
A modern foundation that combines a natural matte finish and medium buildable coverage with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15. Comfortable and long-wearing: lasts for up to eight hours. Applies smoothly, builds coverage quickly and easily. Contains specially treated micronized pigments and soft-focus powders for a super-smooth look that helps minimize the appearance of imperfections. Absorbs and disperses oil. Contains special skin-conditioning ingredients. Oil free.'
What I Say:
The first thing to note is that these two foundations are at different price points. Double Wearretails at $68 AUD for 30 ml, while Studio Fix Fluid retails at $48 AUD for 30 ml. This factor certainly influenced my decision to try Studio Fix Fluid to see if it might be a less expensive alternative to my beloved Double Wear. One thing to note is that MAC does charge an extra $8 AUD for a pump for the foundation, which you can obviously re-use on future bottles.
Both foundations are packaged in glass bottles with a wide mouth and screw-top lid (before you buy a pump from MAC). As you can see in the product pictures, Double Wear comes in a square, thick frosted glass bottle which is quite sturdy (I've dropped it a couple of times without any problems), while Studio Fix Fluid comes in a cylindrical, more delicate glass bottle (which is apparently prone to breakage, although fingers crossed I haven't dropped it yet to find out).
You'll notice in this foundation swatch that Studio Fix Fluid seems to be a better colour match for me. That is definitely true, but the difference between the colours isn't as dramatic as it appears in the photo. However, I would say that Studio Fix Fluid in NC15 is the best colour match I've been able to find for my skin tone. If I were to use Double Wear again, I would probably try Bone, their lightest warm colour. Both brands have a reasonably wide colour selection for people with lighter skin tones.
Both brands claim their foundations have medium to full coverage. I would argue that Double Wear is a full-coverage foundation, while Studio Fix Fluid is a medium coverage foundation. I can easily achieve that flawless, ‘blank canvas' look with Double Wear, while this wouldn't be possible with Studio Fix Fluid without layering it on and looking cakey. On application, both foundations have a matte finish, although Studio FixFluid probably looks more satiny and natural than Double Wear.
Mac Studio Fix Foundation
I always applied Double Wear with a damp cosmetic sponge, as I found this produced a more even finish than using a brush. However, I have learned to apply Studio Fix Fluid with a foundation brush, as a cosmetic sponge seems to ‘suck up' all the foundation, with very little going onto my face. Both foundations effectively cover my minor acne and any other blemishes.
How To Apply Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation Concealer
Where the paths of these foundations diverge is how they wear over time. Double Wear just plain lasts longer on my skin, no matter what happens. I honestly think that Double Wear could survive a nuclear holocaust. For an oily-skinned girl like me, this is a gift from the heavens above. In comparison, maintaining a medium coverage with Studio Fix Fluid would require a couple of touch-ups during the day. I also sometimes notice that Studio Fix Fluid will transfer a little onto my phone if I take a call. However, I tend to feel that Double Wear‘s amazing longevity does come at a price. Over the longer term, Double Wear tends to make my skin a little flaky and dull. In comparison, Studio Fix Fluid‘s ingredients seem to nourish my skin and help keep it moisturised.
There is a place for both Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup and MAC Studio Fix Fluid in my life, heart, and makeup cabinet. At the moment, I wear Studio Fix Fluid to work during the day, while I reserve Double Wear for special occasions, nights out, and days where I just want to hide behind a flawless finish.