♥ I've been a loyal wearer of MAC studio fix powder for 8 years. But lately I haven't been finding it working as well...i work long hours in London and I was finding myself having to touch up my powder too often during the day and was looking pretty cakey by the end of the day. I was also starting to find the shade nC35 in the powder a little too "pink" but didn't want to risk experimenting with shades. I've always wanted to find an amazing liquid foundation but sinceI have oily skin they have always seemed to slide off my face- attractive! I got a sample of Estee Lauder double wear which was amazing coverage & I loved the finish but the colour wasn't spot on (Tawny) and it broke me out badly along my jawline.
♥ MAC pro longwear foundation is apparently based on Estee Lauder double wear so I had to get me a sample to try. The MA in MAC told me that she normally wore Studio Fix Fluid but didn't find it lasted all day. I told her I was finding my normal Studio Fix powder to not last that long & she said powders tend not to. So I tried pro longwear...and i THINK I have found my HG.
♥ It is described on the MAC website as: A long-wear foundation that gives up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition, Lightweight and creamy, applies smoothyly to provide sheer to mediu coverage. Even in hot and humid conditions, controls oils to keep skin fresh, natural and flawless. Provides everyday SPF protection.
♥ I've got shade NC35 and it is a perfect match. It is thinner in consistency than Studio Fix Fluid and doesn't have the awful smell that I found SFF to have. On application it dries quite quickly so you have to work fast. I simply blend it using my fingers - I don't think a brush is needed. It dries matte and doesn't leave any sort of glow like you do with a dewy finish foundation. This is ideal for my oily skin. It is extremely buildable without being cakey and covers really well - I don't even use concealer for blemishes as this covers well enough. As for lasting power...AMAZING! I can honestly say nothing has ever lasted as long on my face...normally I have to touch up at least every few hours since I have such an oily t-zone. This stayed exactly the same all day.
♥ Before applying the foundation I cleanse and tone my face with my 'Simple' products, apply my 'GOSH' primer and let it sink in for a few minutes before applying the foundation. I don't use powder to set this or for touch ups during the day but I intend to purchase MAC blot powder just to keep oil at bay when I have a really long day. Also this foundation does not oxidise like many foundations do - it stays looking the same colour all day. I was also worried about how this would photograph because it contains SPF (Estee Lauder double wear & SFF washed me out in photos badly!)...but so far so good.....(excuse the moody face haha)...
♥ This foundation seriously does not budge...when trying to remove it in the evening my usual 'Simple' cleanser just did not cut it. I have to use my trusty Liz Earle Cleanser and Polish
cleanser. This acts as an exfoliator too and really does deep cleanse the skin and is just perfect for removing this foundation (review to follow soon...). I have sensitive skin which is prone to breakouts but this foundation has not broken me out at all - I think this is partly due to proper removal and deep cleansing to ensure my face is completely clean at the end of the day. Perfect finish, perfect lasting powder and doesn't break me out...LOVE this foundation :)
*** TIP: If you want a bit of a "glow" to your face and this is too matte...simply use a highlighter to brighten your face a little. I use MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in 'By Candlelight'...pair this with MAC Mineralize Blush in 'Dainty' and the finish is gorgeous! ***
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
This lipstick is from the new MAC Fabulous Felines collection. I got this as a Back to MAC so completely free :) It is the PERFECT pink. I normally have to tone down or warm up lipsticks with 'Myth' lipstick but 'Of Royalty' is best worn alone. It is a cremesheen formula which I normally find to be not very pigmented...however - this is very pigmented. It is the perfect baby pink colour which looks stunning with smokey eyes or just as a nice daytime girlie pink lipstick. It feels moisturising on the lips and doesn't dry them out and is very buildable if you want a more intense look - for a softer look simply dab on your lips lightly and top with a lip balm. I have warm skin with olive undertones and was initially worried that this may be too cool but it is does not have blue undertones like other MAC pink lipsticks, e.g. Snob, Saint Germain...I have heard that 'Of Royalty' is like a more pigmented version of 'Gaga' which is a lustre formula. I am going to try this with 'Underage' lipglass too as I think this would look gorgeous. I have been searching for years for my HG pink lipstick/gloss and I really do think this is it. The only downside is that it is Limited Edition which is so frustrating! I'm pretty sure that this will be very popular too so will sell out very quickly. I have previously been wearing 'All Styled Up' which is very similar to 'Of Royalty' but has more blue undertones so I needed to warm it up using 'Myth'. This was also LE...I think MAC need to make these LE lippies permanent thank you please :) 
