Saturday, May 3, 2014

Mac Pro LongWear Compact Foundation; Review & Swatches of Shades

MAC Pro Long Wear Compact SPF 20 Cream Foundation
New for Spring 2014
Price: $32 for 10 grams
$3.20/gram

I was stunned when I saw that MAC had released a new foundation, a new compact foundation at that, and I had heard nothing about it. I thought I was hallucinating when I saw the display. I wasn't. 

MAC has just released the newest member of the Pro LongWear family; MAC Pro LongWear Compact Cream Foundation, complete with SPF 20 joins Mac classic like MAC Pro Longwear Foundation SPF 15, and MAC Pro Longwear Concealer....

It is definitely unique and has a very mousse like texture. Its not heavy like Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer, it's actually closer to the Dream Mousse Foundation, but its much drier. (I don't mean drier like more drying or cakey, I just mean less wet.) The closest thing I can compare it to, which unfortunately not many people will have tried yet, is Calvin Klein's new CK One Color Mousse concealer. (Not the CK Water Fresh foundation, the concealer.) The problems I had with CK1 Color mousse concealer, were the coverage & the shades. The lightest shade Porcelain was far too dark for me and dries to about an NC30-35 while providing virtually no coverage. I ran in to none of these problems with the Pro LongWear Compact.

Unlike MAC Studio Tech, which feels a bit heavy, or MAC Prep & Prime BB Compact which is highly moisturizing, the Pro Longwear Compact combines the best of both worlds, having a texture that is surprisingly weightless, blends like a dream, and provides moderate coverage with sufficient sunscreen for any time of the year.

I really didn't want to like this, I wanted to be able to point out a list of similar formulas that provided equal performance and were cruelty free, but I cannot. I really do like this. I find that the shades in my range (lower NC's) are beautifully designed and comparable to MAC's Prep & Prime Beauty Balm BB Compact. I don't know if MAC has just perfected their output of shades with their more recently released foundation formula's or if its a coincidence, but none the less, I love both of these products and the shades they come in, and in fact I think that these two particular products work very well together.

I always talk about complimenting one product with another. For example, if I use a very emollient foundation, I will use a concealer with a transfer & water proof, long lasting formula. The emollient foundation prevents the concealer's from drying & cracking. This works the other way too. If I use a drying or long lasting foundation, I will use an emollient concealer. The more drying of a foundation, the more moisturizing of a concealer I need. I find that the Pro LongWear Compact is not too drying and works extremely well with the BB Compact, creating a nice balance. 

Setting to a natural matte finish & available in 17 shades, this release is absolutely perfect for summer. Dimethicone being the first ingredient will ensure maximum oil absorption on those hot days, while maintaining a powdery, flexible finish that will work equally as well on slightly dry skin. 

This is definitely a positive addition to MAC's foundation lineup, (as much as it kills me, and the bunnies to say). For a Cruelty Free option, try Marc Jacobs Transformative Mousse Foundation!




MAC Cream/Mousse Compact Pro Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
MAC Pro Longwear Compact Foundation SPF 20 Shades Swatches
L-R Top to Bottom: NC15, NC25, NW15
N18, NW20, NW25
Mac Pro Longwear Compact Swatches of Shades
MAC Pro Longwear Compact Foundation SPF 20 Shades Swatches
NC15, NC25, NW15
N18, NW20, NW25
Mac Pro Longwear Compact; SPF 20 (Cream foundation); Review & Swatches of Shades N18, NC15, NC20, NC25, NC30, NC35, NC40, NC42, NC45, NC50, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW45, NW50
Mac Pro Longwear Compact;SPF 20; Swatches of Shades
N18, NC15, NC20, NC25*, NC30, NC35, NC40, NC42, NC45, NC50,
NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW45, NW50
*Not shown

2 comments:

  1. THANK YOU! I am shocked as you. I am totally stunned. ;)) Cream-to-powder means excellent coverage, portability, and it seems like the colors don't oxidize much.... let's see! THANK YOU again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you tried it yet?

      It's really a great example of how far silicone technology (and SPF technology) has come lately! It doesn't provide as full of a coverage as something like Studio Tech but the finish is divine & the texture is marvelous!

      Delete

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