Nope, I’m not mad about it! MAC’s latest launch of makeup primers is…unsurprisingly, all about primer, and yeah, it’s one of those releases comprised of re-promoted stuff (same products, new boxes).
Of course, there will be the usual hemming and hawing about this, but since almost all of the items in Makeup Ready Skin are things I’ve used and loved for years, I repeat: I’m not mad about it. There are things in this release that deserve the extra attention.
Also, I’m aware that there are peeps out there in Makeup Land who don’t see the point of primers. I can appreciate that… There are lots of makeup “must-haves” that I find totally unnecessary, but I don’t feel that way about primers. I love ’em. I think they make a huge difference in terms of wear time and how smooth my skin looks (especially in pics) when I use them.
And I’m a really big fan of face primers, because OH, HAI, PORES.
MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ ($27)
Q: How many bottles of this setting spray have I used over the years? A: So many. I even take a travel-sized one with me when I travel.
Fix+ is the first AND last thing I use whenever I apply makeup. As soon as I sit down, I spritz a few sprays all over my face — psst, psst! The light mist moisturizes my skin and dampens it, getting it ready for everything else I put on (lotion, primer, whatevs). It helps the next products I use absorb better than they do when my skin is dry.
Then, after all is said and done, I spray Fix+ again at the end of my rigmarole when I finish my last blend, usually right after the powder products. I do it to lock everything down and take the edge off any powdery-ness.
I 💖 Fix+! It’s ride-or-die for me.
Strobe Cream in Pinklite ($34)
Also a huge fan of Strobe Cream. I wear it on bare skin for no-makeup makeup days, or I mix it into MAC Studio Fix Foundation, which is nothing short of magical. If you want to set it with powder, I recommend Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder, which is THE BEST face powder in the MAC line IMO.
There are a few different Strobe Cream shades, but the only one I really use is Pinklite — the original Strobe Cream color. It’s a pearly pink that looks good on everyone.
Prep + Prime Natural Radiance ($42)
Another underrated primer I love. MAC has two versions of it — yellow and pink — and even though I’ve used both…I really can’t tell the difference between them on my skin from an arm’s length away.
I mean, if I really get up in there with a magnifying mirror, sure, I can see tiny pink bits of glitter in the pink one, but they’re both fab. One pump moisturizes my combo skin and smooths out my pores enough to be noticeable.
FYI, Natural Radiance doesn’t minimize pores as aggressively as UD Optical Illusion or Make Up For Ever’s primer (the one in the gray tube). I think of it as more of an everyday look, so if you like natural-looking skin as much as I do, it could be a good fit for you.
Mineralize Timecheck Lotion ($32)
This lightweight primer smooths pores to a greater degree than Natural Radiance, and it also mattes down the skin to hide shine. I like to use it on areas that I don’t want to be super dewy, like the center of my forehead.
Fast Response Eye Cream ($32)
An oldie but goodie for smoothing your under-eye area before concealer. I also like to mix it into liquid concealers to sheer them out for a more natural look.
Prep + Prime Lip ($18.50)
This is the only item in the collection that I’m just “meh” about… It’s like a fancy clear lip balm.
On-The-Go Prep Set ($35)
By the way, there’s also a cute little limited edition trial kit in the collection for $35 with a bunch of MAC priming products, so if you’re new to the world of MAC primers, that would be a good way to go.
One last thing…
Ask me anything! If there’s anything else you’d like to know about any of these products, LET ME KNOW. After years of using them, I know them pretty well.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy hump day. 🐫
Hi!!
For Mac Fix+ do you use that in place of a setting spray like UD All Nighter? I’ve always wondered about that. Also, my foundation is making my winter skin look a little dry and I’m wondering if this would be a good fix for that (PUN INTENDED!).
I just read your post from yesterday and wanted to recommend buckwheat flour as a good alternative for regular flour. Naturally gluten free and where I’m from we use it to make ployes and other things (ployes we use as a bread substitute with a stew or dinner, but other people tend to eat them like pancakes). Good luck with the gluten free life
Hi Jade,
Yes, I use it in place of a setting spray like UD All Nighter. Some peeps say that it doesn’t do anything to extend their makeup but I definitely notice a difference. If you’re super oily though you might want to stick to UD All Nighter though. It really is one of the best ones for super long wear. The Make Up For Ever one is also fab, and highly underrated, too.
Thank you so much for the buckwheat flour recommendation. Do you find you get enough lift with it? I’ve noticed that most gluten-free breads have very small holes, and weirdly enough that bums me out, LOL.
Oh and coincidentally I just bought almond meal to use as a substitute for bread crumbs (found a bag of it at Trader Joe’s).
I’ve been using a Cover FX luminous one I got in my Boxycharm and like it but don’t loveeee it. I’m oily in the summer, and am just now figuring out the reason my skin looks like a desert in the winter is because it’s dry😂. Tough times over here.
I actually have not made anything other than ployes which are flat and like a bread pancake with it. I’m not gluten free I just like buckwheat flour :). I’ve been trying to make gluten full bread and to be honest they are BRICKS, so I am clearly not a bread baking aficionado. Sadly.
I trust MAC through and through and if I had to pick a brand to be exclusive to, it would be MAC. For quality, diversity, consistency (except for those aforementioned heart breaks when they discontinue amazing products, LIKE the paint pot in a tube! The most gorgeous electric blue!!).
BUT. I cannot abide the fragrances in their skin care products. ;((((((((((((( Except for Cleanse Oil.
I’m with you, Christine. They were the first brand I was truly obsessed with and I’ll always have a few MAC must-haves in my bag.
You know what would absolutely break my heart? If they discontinued the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural pressed powders. Seriously, there would be some major hoarding involved!
I feel the same way about the Prep + Prime Lip, it did nothing in terms of longevity for me, just smoothed out my lips.
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I’m curious about the eye cream. It layers well underneath makeup? And it smooths the appearance of fine lines and brightens? If so, then I might give it a try. Same with the time check lotion, would you recommend that to prolong makeup wear on someone who has oily skin?
Who are these people that don’t need primer?? LOL. I don’t leave home without it.
I still love Mac Fix+. It really is the best for finishing (especially after powder). It’s a beautiful thing. I have a travel one also, but I keep it in my purse!