MAC Matchmaster Concealer Stick; Review & Swatches of Shades

New for 2014 Mac Matchmaster Concealer Stick

MAC Matchmaster Stick Concealer

New for Fall 2014

Price: $20-21 for 3.5 grams

(approx $6.30 per gram)

You can count me shocked when I saw Mac's brand new Matchmaster Concealer Stick, I thought I was seeing a ghost of Mac Studio Stick Concealer (and Foundation). The packaging is nearly identical, so keep reading to see if how Mac's new Concealer Stick hold's up when compared to its predecessor!

Mac
Studio Stick Concealer
(Discontinued 2010)

All things considered, there's actually only two differences between Mac Matchmaster Concealer and Mac Studio Stick Concealer/Foundation; Mac did away with the angled stick and the new formula is a true emollient one instead of a cream-powder, so if you're expecting this to be a replacement for Studio Stick or you have oily skin, you'll probably be disapointed!

As for the formula of Mac Matchmaster Concealer Stick, its wonderful. It's a very thin cream concealer which is impeccably blendable and will provide medium coverage effortlessly. Mac Matchmaster Stick Concealer lacks the greasy/ shiny overkill seen with concealer's like Benefit's Creaseless Concealer Stick, and manages to hydrate, moisturize, and brighten the undereye area without looking noticeable or obvious!

I actually find the consistency of Matchmaster Concealer Stick to be very comparable to Mac Prep & Prime BB Compact, but make no mistake- Mac Matchmaster Concealer is FAR more pigmented. Coverage is not at the same level of Mac Studio Finish Concealer, but for those who find Studio Finish Concealer to be too heavy or cakey you will likely find Matchmaster Concealer Stick a suitable alternative.

***I stumbled across a review which referred to Mac Matchmaster Concealer as "thick thick thick" and I have to be honest, I could not disagree more. I think of thick as hard/difficult to blend and Mac Matchmaster is anything but. If you see pictures of Studio Finish and the look at the pictures below of Mac Matchmaster, you can clearly see the differences between the two concealers and its obvious how quickly Matchmaster becomes exceptionally thin, soft and blendable.***

Covereage is buildable to the heavier side of medium, but its not designed for ultimate coverage so the results may be less than amazing. The formula is emollient and hydrating, but the moisturizing properties are quickly absorbed by the skin and you are left with a satin (dewy) finish (which you can always set with powder.) If you have oily skin, you may find that it creases, but because Matchmaster Concealer is applied in such thin layers it won't be as much of an issue as it typically would be with other formulas, (although you will lose a fair amount of coverage). Those with normal-dry skin shouldn't find creasing to be a issue- even with application sans powder. If you're looking for a moisturizing, fuller coverage concealer, check out Tarte Marcuja Creasless Concealer.

Bare in mind that even though Mac Matchmaster isn't an exceptionally thick concealer, it absolutely is best for use under the eyes- not on blemishes. The reason for this is two fold, you don't want to add shine to blemishes and the waxes that hold it in stick form may contribute to clogged pores. If you're looking for a good concealer for blemishes, check out Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Concealer or Mally Conditioning Cancellation Concealer SPF 25- both are fabulous formulas with a matte finish that will last all day.

Matchmaster Concealer comes in an assortment of 12 shades, but all lean towards the NC/Warm end of the spectrum with definite yellow undertones. Those who have pink undertones will likely be disappointed, as will those with very fair or porcelain skin, The lightest shade (#1) is about NC15 so if you can usually wear Mac complexion products you should be fine, but it is a hair darker than NC15 in Studio Finish Concealer or Pro Longwear Concealer.

As disappointed as I was that Studio Stick wasn't making a comeback, I was actually quite impressed by the silky smooth, blendable formula of Mac Matchmaster Stick Concealer and, while this is definitely a fabulous concealer for everyday, natural coverage which doesn't look like makeup, I actually would be alot more excited if MAC had made this formula into a stick foundation.

The best Cruelty Free options I can think of would be Sheer Cover Concealer Duo which is actually quite similar to Mac MatchMaster Stick Concealer, or Bare Escentuals Cream Conealer. Both of those formulas are really very similar and are great Cruelty Free alternatives!

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick; 
 Swatches of Shades

#1, #1.5, #2, #3, #4, #5,

#6, #7, #7.5, #8, #8.5 #9

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick;
 Swatches of Shades

#1, #1.5, #2, #3, #4, #5,

#6, #7, #7.5, #8, #8.5 #9

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick; 
Swatches of Shades

#1, #1.5, #2, #3, #4, #5,

#6, #7, #7.5, #8, #8.5 #9

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick;
  Swatches of Shades

#1, #1.5, #2, #3, #4, #5,

#6, #7, #7.5, #8, #8.5 #9

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick; Swatches of Shades

#1, #1.5, #2, #3, #4, #5,

#6, #7, #7.5, #8, #8.5 #9

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick; Swatches of Shades

#1, #1.5, #2, #3, #4, #5,

#6, #7, #7.5, #8, #8.5 #9

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick;

 Swatches of Shades

#1, #2, #4, #6, #7.5, #7, #8, #9

MAC MatchMaster Stick Concealer;
 Swatches of Shades
#1, #2, #4, #6, #7.5, #7, #8, #9

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick; 

Swatches of Shades

#1, #2, #4, #6, #7.5, #7, #8, #9

MAC MatchMaster Concealer Stick;
 Swatches of Shades
#1, #2, #4, #6, #7.5, #7, #8, #9