Um, you know when you find a pair of jeans that makes your bum look like it belongs in a naughty music video? Isn’t that one of the best things ever? 
It’s like when you’re wearing a new foundation and a stranger tells you that your skin looks great.
Gurl, it happened to me yesterday at the mall wearing the new $33 MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation, and it was joy.
I was at the Blue Mercury at the Corte Madera mall chatting with one of the sales associates about skin care. She complimented me on my skin and seemed genuinely surprised when I credited MAC Mineralize Moisture, a completely new line of liquid foundations designed with dry skin and sheer-to-medium coverage in mind.
She assumed I wasn’t wearing any foundation at all, so I said to myself, “SCORE!” I gotta say, when a foundation fools a fellow beauty addict, there’s magic afoot…
What kind of magic?
Well, the kind that brings mannequins to life…by which I mean the satiny finish, which has just the faintest hint of a shine, keeps skin from looking flat or artificial.
It comes in a whopping 18 shades, too — NC15, NC20, NC25, NC30, NC35, NC37, NC40, NC42, NC44, NC45, NC50, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW43, NW45 and NW50.
I usually wear MAC foundations in NC42, but when MAC sent me a few shades to test, they left that one out, so I’ve been wearing a lighter shade, NC30, to sort of highlight the areas beneath my eyes, on my nose, between my brows and in the middle of my forehead, and a mix of NC30 and NC44 everywhere else.
Those two together seem like a pretty good match for me (note to self).
MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation from the left: NC30, NC44, NC45 and NW50
Four of the 18 shades of MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation from the left: NC30, NC44, NC45 and NW50
Here, I’m wearing MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation in NC30 under neath my eyes and on my nose and between my brows; and a mix of NC30 and NC44 everywhere else
My combination dry/oily skin freaks the eff out when we’re between seasons like this. Right now I’ve got dry, red areas around my mouth and flaky bits on my cheeks. It’s times like these when I want good coverage that doesn’t draw attention to my trouble spots, and the lightweight Mineralize formula does just that.
But here are a couple things to consider: first, it might not be the best foundation for photo shoots and special occasions, since it does contain SPF 15, which means that you may get a white cast in pics when the flash fires.
Second, you may want to go a shade lighter than usual, as it tends to darken a bit on my skin after a few hours.
And then there’s the shine, which certainly won’t appeal to everyone. It’s subtle, but still — if you prefer a matte finish foundation, Mineralize Moisture just won’t do.
Now, if you suffer from dry skin and need an everyday foundation with a lightweight formula and sheer-to-medium coverage that looks like real skin and lasts from 8-10 hours, bingo!
We have a bingo here.
I just hope it doesn’t make me break out (knocks on wood)…
PRICE: $33 for a 1-ounce bottle
AVAILABILITY: Available in 18 shades now in North America (and internationally, with the exception of Asia) on MAC counters, in stores and online; coming to Asia in February of 2014 (not sure why the long wait)
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Hope you had a marvelous Monday. What’s the plan for tonight? I’m done for the day out here. Now I’m just gonna finish an old Jake Gyllenhaal movie I started last night.
October Sky? Have you seen it? It’s great so far. Jakey poo is supposed to be 17 in it, but he looks about 12.
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What Do You Think about MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation? 
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I’ve heard good things about this foundation but it would never work for my very oily skin. I have never tried any of MAC’s base products actually, but as time goes on, I get more and more curious. I just might give it a try one of these days
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Hi Becca,
How about mixing it with an oil control product? Courtnea in the comments below says that what she does, and it works!
I have heard all good things about this foundation. But, I am skeptical about it’s performance on my oily skin. Probably during winters when my skin is combination to dry, I will try this.
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Hi Eesha,
In the comments below Courtnea mentioned that she mixes an oil control lotion with the foundation and it really helps. Maybe that’s something to try?
A non beauty related comment: I just wanted to say this to you that I love reading your blog 1) of course for the obvious reasons 2) because my aunt and cousins like in SF Oakland to be certain) and you really remind me of them (especially my cousin) and reading your posts, especially your outdoor posts really make my day.. Just want to say
Hi Casey23,
Aww, you’re so sweet! I guess the Bay Area gals share some things in common.
I’ve been hearing good reviews, must try!
Hi Charmy,
I hope you like it!
All too dark for this NW10 gal. At least that means I won’t be tempted to spend even more money I can’t really afford
Hi Dawn,
Maybe they’ll release new shades in the future. You never know.
Hi there! I have oily skin and recently purchased this foundation this weekend. I am in love with it. I just pair it with a tiny amount of MAC’s oil control lotion and a dab of MAC’s blot powder and I’m left with a flawless yet natural look. It’s worth every cent!
Hi Courtnea2001,
What a great idea! I’ll have to try it with the oil control lotion when summer hits.
Your skin DOES look fabulous! I had someone tell me that a couple of weeks ago and it’s amazing how a compliment about something you, yourself, don’t always feel very good about can make your day. It’s a nice reminder that I should give a compliment every time I think it.
Hi Kim,
That’s a great idea.
I’m going to give more compliments too!
Your skin looks fantastic – the sales associate was right, I would never have guessed you were wearing foundation at all. And I love the mixing you did, I think it works really well as a subtle highlight/contour. Must try that out!
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What brush did you use to apply it, Karen?
Hi Mariella,
I’ve been alternating between a skunk brush and a fan brush.
Sounds like it passed the ultimate test. The only thing better than having people compliment you on your skin when you’re wearing foundation is people complimenting you on it when you aren’t!
Hi Alison,
Yes! I wanted to jump for joy when she said that.
Are you a MAC fan, btw? What foundation are you wearing these days?
I’ve tried a few of MAC’s bases, but they always seem to oxidize on my skin turning a shade darker…. sad to hear this one does the same.
Hi Tuhina,
It seems to be an issue with some of their products. I definitely have to do some improv when it comes to adjusting for the oxidation issue.
I don’t wear foundation but am so tempted to…
Hi Jennifer,
I figure if you don’t wear it, you probably can skip it! Is your skin in good shape?
I was waiting for this review. But not my cup of tea, oxidises, spf and shine
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Hi Vineetha,
Yeah, the whole oxidation thing makes finding a shade kind of tricky.
I’ve never tried any of the MAC foundations. I’ve ben using MUFE HD foundation but it looks so beautiful on you that I may have to reconsider! It is actually almost ten dollars cheaper too!
Hi Christina,
I have a few MAC foundations that I really like. This one’s good, so are Face & Body and Studio Sculpt. I did reviews a while back. If you want links just let me know.
You’re lucky you can wear MUFE HD, btw. I love their shade range, but for some reason it breaks me out, boo!
This looks amazing on you. I haven’t had much luck with MAC foundations in the past but this looks like something I need to try out.
Hi Lauren,
I hope it works for ya! I’ve found that it’s really great for the no-makeup look — I’ve have been skipping powder and just using face blotting papers to take down the shine when my skin gets oily. It’s very natural, I think.
Oh man this looks so good on you! Great match.
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Karreeennnn! I finally got to buy this foundation yesterday, and I’m obsessed with it. The texture is gorgeous, and it’s the only foundation that I’ve ever used that won’t dry me out in the winter. I’m usually an NC40/42 depending on the season, and my MAC girl said this line tends to run one shade darker. I got NC37, and it matched beautifully. I was surprised it was yellow enough because it looked so pink on her metal dish, but it matched my skin! Love this stuff. I hope more people find a match with this line because it seems like it’s a wonderful formula for people with dry skin.
I’m desperate to find MAC Mineralise Moisture Foundation…I live in Durban, South Africa and I keep being told that new stock is still not available in the stores I use NW20…I’m now at the bottom of my “old” SatinFinish Mineralise. What to do?????? Why hasn’t it arrived at MAC in South Africa? Help!
Please help me my fairy makeup angel!! I really want to try either this or laura mercier silk cream foundation. P.s I have dry skin. Which do you personally think is better?
We have very similar skin tones and this shade looks great on you. Are you also using an under eye concealer or is it just the mineral foundation?
Thanks!
What do you prefer, mac face and body or mineralize moisture? A lot of people’s say their face feels oily after the moisture foundation, do you sheer it out or do you feel the same way
At this point in my life I wear make up, Mac Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 foundation (NW20) included, about once every 2-3 weeks. Every single time after I wear this foundation, wash it off completely with Clinique Mild Liquid Facial Soap (which I have used for 7 years now) – I BREAK OUT, BAD!
I have combination skin and this does nothing but horrors to my face. I truly regret from the bottom of my heart purchasing this product. I looks good when worn, however the damage it does in the process is not worth it.
I do not recommend this product to anyone.