So an MUA used the following on me for a formal event recently. I was transformed into a siren for the night, courtesy of Lady Danger (how have I ignored this color for so long?!) only a few days later, I noticed my skin was really dry/bumpy in places, and I might have had a brief, allergic reaction on one cheek (minor inflammation/redness).
Background for the beauty diagnosticians : fairly good skin (dry/normal with oily nose), no history of acne, and I don’t do much with it except wash + moisturize. (Caveat : I haven’t experimented enough with makeup to know what doesn’t sit well with me). I’m a MAC virgin, but I know it’s a little notorious for clogging pores/breakouts. The MSFs all have bismuth oxychloride as an ingredient (as do most baked/mineral products), which is an allergen for some, so I’m wondering if it was that.
I’ve read reviews and some women have had issues with all these products so I can’t pinpoint the offender.
Please describe your experience with the following, if you’ve experienced breakouts/reactions with any, and if you prefer another product in the same category :
Prep + Prime Skin : there are several products with this name, which do you like? I’m thinking this might’ve been the culprit.
Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Gel : I’m not dropping $40 on this, but it felt good and created a very smooth base.
Face & Body : Love the semi-satin finish + light-weight feel. Great for those who don’t need much coverage. The bottle looks like it’s going to last me a decade or two. Do any of you store it in the fridge?
Pro Longwear concealer : You’d think it was counter-intuitive to use something matte under the eyes, but man did this not budge the whole night. I think the fact that it’s matte and dries quickly contributed to keeping that area taut and crease-free. (I want to kick the dumbass who thought packaging this in a pump bottle was a good idea).
MSF Natural pressed powder : Maybe I reacted to this, even though it was applied over moisturizer, primer, and foundation.
Love the soft-focus finish. She used ‘medium’ on me, though I’d be wary of picking a powder that looked that light in the pan (looked fine in the pictures though). I’ll test it again in-store. Anyone prefer ‘medium plus?’
Blonde’s Gold Pigment : I’m in love. A lovely, neutral gold. Is this LE? I’ve picked up an NYX dupe to compare.
Feel free to review other faves you’d recommend. Thanks much.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
Hmmm I was about to ask the same question here... but I wasn't sure whether a mac product was the culprit since I had experimented with quite a few different brands of foundations in the same week. I did use the mac studio fix pressed powder over the foundation each time and had some breakouts all of a sudden.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
I used mac studio fix powder and it broke me out with the worst acne of my life. I used the prep and prime spf 50, and I believe that also caused clogged pores. I steer clear of any mac foundations and skin care now.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
I used mac studio fix powder and it broke me out with the worst acne of my life. I used the prep and prime spf 50, and I believe that also caused clogged pores. I steer clear of any mac foundations and skin care now.
yeh its not necessary that good brands suits all...some time cheap brands also work good for the skin
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
Mac is perhaps one of the very few brands who have such great service everywhere no matter what country. I am sure they do something special for it in their trainings because their staff is mostly very helpful and informative of their stuff. I have not seen that kind of service even with many bigger brands!!! So i absolutely love this about Mac :k:.
As for their products, i like their lipsticks shades but since i prefer lipgloss over them that is what i mostly use and mac does have some quite nice ones. I also like their fluidline, its quite nice! However their foundations are very cakey and i def don’t like that look so they are a big no no for me.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
Sajalina, nn21, that sucks you guys. Are you acne-prone? Studio Fix is a full coverage powder to begin with, and paired with a liquid foundation, that's a lot of makeup on the skin. Do you apply with a sponge? If you break out easily, maybe that contributes to it?
I'm not sure what it is in MAC that breaks people out so badly. My case seems to be an allergic reaction + clogged pores. I have skin on the drier side and this was the first time a product irritated it like this. 2 weeks later my skin still felt rough - that's some crazy ingredient right there.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
I store my MAC F&B in the fridge! I decant some for my vanity, though. It's my favorite foundation. And no breakouts for me for the MFSN although I have read people breaking out from it often.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
Sajalina, nn21, that sucks you guys. Are you acne-prone? Studio Fix is a full coverage powder to begin with, and paired with a liquid foundation, that's a lot of makeup on the skin. Do you apply with a sponge? If you break out easily, maybe that contributes to it?
I'm not sure what it is in MAC that breaks people out so badly. My case seems to be an allergic reaction + clogged pores. I have skin on the drier side and this was the first time a product irritated it like this. 2 weeks later my skin still felt rough - that's some crazy ingredient right there.
I had clear skin before using the studio fix powder :( I only used the powder by itself with the 109 brush to buff it in. I wish I stopped as soon as I noticed the clogged pores.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
I use Prep & Prime underneath Mac Studio Fix foundation, and that's usually enough for me, although it's not everyday wear for me, I've been meaning to try Face & Body to see the difference. Personally I really like it, and I tend not to reach to any foundations or get clogged skin. But my best friend has tried the same products and she always gets a rash or an allergic reaction to Mac, so she steers well clear of it.
I agree, sometimes the drugstores do the same job but for cheaper and less hassle.
Also that Blonde's Gold Pigment looks beautiful! Do you use it as a highlighter?
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
Thanks, M. Any experience with Prep + Prime or concealers?
Unfortunately, not w/ Prep + Prime BUT I do really like the Studio Finish Concealers! I find them to be excellent for dryer/flaky blemishes and even the undereyes. I don't know why some people say they find it drying for the undereyes when my skin is quite dry under the eyes as well.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
I have combo acne prone skin and most of my MU is MAC. I started using it in my early 20's when my skin was more oily.
Unfortunately, the only way for you to know for sure what caused your reaction is the try out the products separately. All the MAC stores near me are very good about giving samples. So for all the liquid/creme face items, I highly recommend you get samples and try them out separately.
Prep + Prime Skin : I've used Prep&Prime SPF 50 for years without any problems.
Foundation : I've used Studio Fix Fluid and Mineralize Foundation with no breakouts. I've also tried samples of Face&Body and Matchmaster and did not experience any breakouts. Since my skin became less oily and more combo, MAC foundations weren't working as well for me. That's why I currently use MUFE HD and NARS.
Concealer : I've been using Select Moisturecover for several years.
Powder: Pressed Blot Powder is my absolute favorite.
Eyes : 99% of my eye MU consists of MAC. Their paint pots are amazing for primer. I buy the 15-pan palettes and the eye shadow's in pan form. Based on your specific skin color and color preferance, you can choose any color you like since their color selection is AMAZING. Texture wise, shadows with veluxe pearl and satin finishes blend best in my experience. Their fluidlines are great too......as are the other eyeliners. Their pigments are also amazing. Vanilla & Melon are my go-to eye highlighters.
Brushes: I several of their brushes and highly recommend them. 187, 188, 263, 109, 208, 212, 242 just to name a few.
Blush: I have several of their blushes and have no complaints. My fav. is fleur power and coppertone. Once again, color selection is great.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
I stay away from anything skin related.. creams/lotions from MAC… even foundation. They look so cakey .. almost every single one. Color.. definitely.. lipsticks, lipgloss, eyeshadows :k:
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
nn21 : Bummer. But at least you stopped. Have you found a replacement foundation you like?
Maddy : Do try the F&B, it photographs well. I've narrowed it down to the primer, and the MSFN. The primer probably has fillers that don't suit my skin and dried it out.
I know! Isn't Blonde's Gold beautiful? It's such a neutral shade, which is difficult to find in gold. And I had it on as an eyeshadow, with wedge in the crease and vanilla pigment on the brow-bone. I'm sure you could use it as a highlighter, too. I think it's a Pro color.
*M *: The SF concealer seems to be a popular one, it comes in the flip-top pot? Since it's full-coverage/creamy, does it crease around the eye? Do you have to set it? Also, do you like the MSFN on it's own for coverage?
Paheli : Thanks so much for the detailed reply! =)
Ditto on isolating the cause - I have a sample of the F&B so I'll try it again and see. That's interesting how as your skin got less oily, it took less to MAC foundations. The Melon pigment is lovely, I agree!
I'll try the Select Moisture Cover next time I'm in store; I like that it's a doe-foot applicator instead of a pump bottle. People swear by so many concealers it gets confusing! The Blot Powder has great reviews, but I don't know if I'll get enough use out of it to justify the purchase. I usually lean towards light formulas that serve as a finishing powder and/or provide minimal coverage.
Marmalade : Interesting. People either love it or hate it.
Spiral : Yep. If nothing else, I'll go in for the lipsticks. Though if you're willing to try a light-weight moisturizer that absorbs quickly, the charged water gel is nice. Makes your skin super soft and works a little like Fix+.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
I oxidized on the mineral foundation.......all my pictures looked as if i literally took potting soil and rubbed it on my face, that and the fact that most of the mac stores here have desi MU's who look at u snottily if you ask for samples even if you are making a purchase made me say goodbye to MAC.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
I’ll just talk about the face products I’ve tried from MAC. My skin type is normal to oily, it gets oily on the T zone. I generally don’t have problematic skin so I rarely break out, but if a product doesn’t sit well with me I’ll get clogged pores around my chin area.
Prep + Prime Skin:- Didn’t break me out, but I think it caused clogged pores around my chin area. Also, I don’t feel it controlled my oily areas so it didn’t really do the job I purchased it for.
**Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF50:- **I love this product! Only face product with a high SPF that doesn’t leave a white cast on me. Doesn’t cause any problems with my skin either.
MAC Strobe Liquid Lotion:- Waste of money. Doesn’t break me out, but it doesn’t give me a glow or illuminate my skin in any way.
Studio Fix Fluid:- I disliked this foundation. It didn’t break me out or anything, but it was far too cakey even when I mixed it with a moisturiser. I just don’t like heavy coverage.
Studio Fix Powder Foundation:- There’s something in this that doesn’t sit well with my skin. It doesn’t break me out, it just causes my face to itch and I end up with red patches on my face Mineralize Skin Finish Natural:- Love this! I use this as my foundation, it provides the perfect sheer coverage for me and it controls my oily areas as well. It does oxidize slightly on me, but that’s expected with mineral based products.
Studio Finish Concealer:- I originally got this for my under eyes, but it’s far too drying and just settles into my fine lines. It just ends up looking cakey.
Re: MAC : The Good, the Bad, and the Pimple-Inducing.
Reidi gul : lol, that's some imagery. I was interested in the mineral satinfinish but I don't like spf in my makeup. Not to mention SPF 15 is useless anyway.
Syraa : Your review was very helpful, thank you! I dislike heavy coverage too, so I'm glad to hear you liked the MSFN for a sheer alternative. That's interesting, I didn't notice it oxidizing. If you're looking to conceal around the eyes, check out the pro longwear. It's fluid-like and creamy, but not thick like the studiofinish. You have to work quickly with it since it dries fast and doesn't need setting. Blended well, it doesn't settle into fine lines. 10 hrs later I couldn't believe it hadn't creased, esp. considering I have dry/thin skin under the eyes. My MUA also loves the mineralize concealer for everyday - says it applies and blends very smoothly.
I use this as my foundation, it provides the perfect sheer coverage for me and it controls my oily areas as well. It does oxidize slightly on me, but that’s expected with mineral based products.