You know the saying “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it“? Well that’s pretty much sums up my review but read on to see why.
To say that I squealed with excitement when I heard about this foundation is an understatement. I finally found my HG with the original Pro Longwear and nothing I’ve ever tried since has come close. This new offering of an “upgraded” version from MAC had everyone intrigued as to know a foundation that was sweat proof, tear proof, rain proof and lasted 16 hours, would not have a cakey look or feel like a mask on the skin. I had to find out more. It’s wasn’t that my usual Pro Longwear didn’t really do any of this in the first place, apart from the 16 hour wear (like who needs that anyway!!) it pretty much stayed put all day.
I bought this foundation through Brown Thomas online as unfortunately I knew I wasn’t going to be near a MAC counter anytime soon. (Probably best for the aul bank account though!) I’d read from other bloggers that it ran quite light in shades and it was advisable to go a shade up from what you would usually use. This had me worried a little as an NW20 in Pro Longwear is a completely different shade to say NW20 in Studio Fix! I done a bit of homework and went with NW20 as I generally use NW15 and it’s a perfect match for my skin.
(some swatches to show you the difference)
The foundation arrives and the first thing you notice is the size of the tube, much smaller than I imagined. You only get 25ml of product for the same price as the original Pro Longwear (€36.50) which is the standard 30ml. This peed me off a bit – you kinda feel a bit robbed! Like seriously MAC give us the extra 5ml, we paid enough for it!! I was assured though by different make-up artists that only a little is needed to get good medium to full coverage.
The formula: This was the first thing I wasn’t too gone on. It’s definitely not the same as the original and if anyone has tried Vichy Dermablend Liquid, that’s the closest foundation consistency I can compare it too. While you have to work quickly with the original formula, I think you need to be extra quick with this one to really get it buffed into the skin. It’s by no means a thick consistently, I just find the original much more easier to work with.
The coverage: To get the desired coverage I needed, I had to use quite a bit of product, more than I was expecting! I would generally use 4 pumps of the original, with this I needed around the same. If I was using this everyday I would get a lot less out of it than the original for sure. When I buffed it all in, it did cover everything and certainly didn’t look masky, just left a slight sheen and looked really good. Unfortunately after this it all falls apart. After about 5-6 hours this stuff just looked really shiny and pretty awful to be honest. I’ve dry skin so with this being aimed towards someone with more oily skin, it’s a bit baffling! Some redness started to show through and it also showed up (horrifically!!) some faint lines at the sides of my mouth! This NEVER happened with any foundation before and to be honest I didn’t even notice I had lines there! It also began to go patchy on my chin and when I tried to blend it all back with a brush, it made it worse!
This photo I took on my phone will give you an idea what I’m on about. This was after 5 hours and it just got worse as the day went on.
I used this foundation in so many different ways to see could I find something that worked. I tried it with a primer, without a primer, with powder, without powder, with extra moisturiser, with a radiance balm, with a setting spray….everything! The same thing would happen…..it looked awful after 6 or so hours.
The verdict: I’m at a loss as to why this didn’t work for me. The only thing I can think of is that it’s not really suitable for us drier skinned gals (which I know it’s not aimed at) but by even trying extra moisturiser and good skin prep it still didn’t fix this issue. At the moment I am using a small bit of this foundation on my cheek area, then the original Pro Longwear all over and it’s working pretty well.
Every single review I’ve read only have great things to say about this and I’m so disappointed that it just didn’t work for me. This is by no means a crap foundation, I just don’t think we were meant to be friends. I do honestly think though, that Pro Longwear should have been left well alone. As I said, “If it’s not broke…..don’t fix it!”
Have you tried this foundation yet? If it worked for you I’d love to know what skin type you are and if I’m doing something wrong?
Much love,
I always like to read different opinions on products and often find that the most raved about foundations were not that great for me, maybe because after reading hundreds of reviews praising the product I was expecting miracles which is hard to come by. I haven’t tried any Mac foundations so can’t comment on them. x
Mummy’s Beauty Corner
I know most of the high end one that get sung high praises weren’t that great at all. I really love the L’Oreal Infallible one, its €11.99 and I will definitely purchase again!
That’s so disappointing, especially because it isn’t cheap! I have dry skin too, so definitely won’t be trying this! xx
Beautylymin
No it’s not cheap but it may work for you. If your near a counter you could try a sample just to see!
Wow loved your review. If only I read it before I invested in this….grrrr. I’m annoyed at the lady at my local Mac counter who advised me it was perfect for dehydrated skin, which I have its not dry as such. The size also shocked me!! Funny enough since I bought it I have been using the sample of prolong wear they gave me 1st to try before I bought the new one. Mmmmm wonder do they do refunds! I changed from double wear light because I found lately it was just soaking into my skin and my face felt very tight and dry with it on.
Hi Michelle, I love the original and even that is not aimed at dry or dehydrated skin, it works perfect for me. The formula of the new one just didnt suit as well. Have you tried the original yet?
I got a sample of the original in nw20 and the new one in nw25 and it’s the original nw20 sample I’m still using. I haven’t even opened the new tube! Says it all really!
You could try get a sample of the new one just to see, but if your happy with the original they will exchange no problem once it’s not used. Personally I would exchange it.
I got this online as well, went for NW15 it’s pure white but I worked with it anyway. I’ve oily/combo skin, it really isn’t sweat proof or waterproof at all. Probably the least waterproof out of all the foundations I have!! After a few hours I have to powder and when the skin does get oily or wet there is a lot of transfer. I was shocked about the size too, it’s ridiculous. I found using silicone based primers gave a better result and using my Beauty Blender too. This foundation is just plain awful, it’s not great for dry or oily skin, can’ tell who it’s aimed for!!
Thats interesting that it didn’t work on oily skin either!! Im baffled by the rave reviews but I will still continue to buy the original though!
My skin is quite dry and can be dehydrated sometimes too so I don’t think this would work for me – also there’s such a huge difference in shade from original to new, I am never near MAC counters either so I wouldn’t have a clue what shade to go for (NC15 in Studio Sculpt so completely different formula). Thank you for the great review!
I got a sample of it and used it for a while. I’m as oily as they come and I didn’t get along with the formula at all! So many people are loving it. It just oxidises on me after a few hours. Doesn’t make sense since it’s meant to be for oilier skins So your not alone in your confusion ha x
That’s so dissapointing, I had a similar experience with studio sculpt, it’s made me a bit reluctant to try another mac foundation
I have an awful experience with Studio Sculpt too. It was recommended by the MUA as I have dry skin, but it just left it a greasy mess! I agree MAC foundations can be a bit hit and miss at times.
Such a shame. MAC can get it so right and soooooo so wrong. at the end of the day the girls selling it are probably on special bonuses for the release which is why they are selling it to the wrong people as well, judging by the comments here.
Yes that could be true as well Claire!
Great review, I have this but haven’t tried it yet as foundations in general usually look rubbish on me but now I’m slightly afraid!
I was so sad when I tried this from Mac. The oxidation was unbelievable.
Me too, was a total waste of money.
I am oily and I like it when I only apply a thin layer.it keeps me matte longer than any others foundation I’ve tried. Only issue is that it sinks into my huge pores sometimes but I struggle with that with all foundations! Any tips on that?I’m wondering of its the primer (toly Molly egg pore).does anyone know if this is considered a water base or silicone based foundation?