MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

June 3rd, 2015 by Karen 34 Comments

MAC has a looot of face powders, and I think many of them are rock solid performers (see: MAC Blot and Careblends Pressed), but if you and I were at a counter at this very moment, and you asked me, “What’s your favorite, best-of-the-best, most natural-looking, comfortable MAC face powder available now?” I’d say one thing: the MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Naturals.

I got this particular pan of MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Medium Tan shortly after MAC revamped the packaging last year, when they swapped out the old see-through lids for the new black compacts with the mirror, and since then I’ve brought it with me on every trip. It’s pretty much been the only powder I keep in my purse now for touchups.

Depending on which color you choose, you can use the MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural line of baked pressed mineral powders for a number of different things, like cutting down on shine, evening out your skin tone, blurring pores, bronzing, and setting your foundation and/or concealer.

They have a semi-matte finish and a moderate amount of pigment, but they can be sheered down. They’re available in the permanent line in 15 shades for $32 each.

In MAC parlance, I’m an NC42, and I have combination skin that ventures between oily and dry. I wear the color Medium Tan as my face setting powder daily, and I also use Give Me Sun sometimes as a bronzer.

mac mineralize skinfinish medium tan — MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Tan on my NC42 skin

I love so many things about this powder! — but I’m going to try to keep this short (yeah right, Karen), because otherwise we’d be here ’til next Tuesday. 🙂

The gist of it is this: in powder-land, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is my current favorite powder across the board — not just from MAC — for casual, dewy, natural-looking skin.

I’ve worn it for everyday makeup looks, big events, pictures, HD video, daytime work meetings, dinner dates and taking Tabs out for his walks, and I think it looks just as good on camera as it does in real life. Unlike many pressed powder formulas, the Mineralize Skinfinish Naturals look more like loose powders than pressed powders when they’re sitting on the skin.

After having taken a zillion pictures over the years, I think that loose powders generally look better than pressed powders in person and in pics — softer, I guess. Less like makeup and more like real skin. But MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural bucks that trend. When I wear it, my skin looks even toned, smooth, and it doesn’t look shiny (nor does it look severely matte). The powder also doesn’t look super obvious.

The effect reminds me of Chanel’s Loose Powder, which is absolutely beautiful, but Chanel’s powder is also 1) much more expensive ($52 vs. $32 for this), 2) available in fewer shades.

With the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Naturals, a little goes a long way. I’ve used mine almost daily for a year, and I’ve barely put a dent in it. It doesn’t oxidize either (darken) on my skin throughout the day, so the color stays true, and it blends beautifully. It also doesn’t emphasize any textured areas (damn those dry patches!) or trigger breakouts, while simultaneously managing to look amazing no matter what I wear it with.

When I first started wearing it, I was all about pairing Mineralize Skinfnish Natural with MAC Face & Body, but these days I like wearing it on top of MAC Lightful CC Cream, MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof or Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum. Seriously, I think you can pair it with anything.

Now, I don’t recommend it if you have extremely oily skin, because the finish may not be matte enough for you. If that’s the case, I suggest either MAC Blot, or doing a 50/50 blend of Blot with Mineralize.

I do think that the new-ish packaging is kind of a pain in the @ss. I much preferred the older packaging with the clear tops, because I was able to see the color right away. Plus, my t-rex claws have a hard time opening the new compacts! I think they use a magnetic closure, which isn’t easy to open when I have lotion or foundation on my hands.

In the grand scheme of things, however, these are minor quibbles. Overall, I love MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural to bits. Wearing it is almost like cheating! When I wear it, I get many more compliments on my skin, and I’m like, “Dude! It’s smoke and mirrors. MAC Mineralize is doing all the heavy lifting.”

You can find the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powders now in the permanent line at MAC counters, stores and online.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The MAC Unsung Heroes series (a subset of my regular Unsung Makeup Heroes series) features some of my all-time favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection

Comments

Kelly B. says
June 3rd, 2015 at 10:05 am

I’ve been starting to look for a new powder since a lot of my drugstore ones are making my skin look too dry and meh. I’ve heard a lot about the mineralized skinfinished but your skin look so incredibly flawless in your photos that I might have to splurge and pick one up!
Kelly B. recently posted … Sew It Yourself: DIY Tulle Skirt

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Andromeyda says
June 3rd, 2015 at 10:05 am

My goodness Karen this is such a beautiful look I’m ready to run to MAC right now. you look so flawless and smooth and so natural I LOVE THIS I’m currently trying to nail down my “natural” look

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Allison C says
June 3rd, 2015 at 10:09 am

I need to get to know the MAC product line better. Right now, I’m happy with my cheapie Maybelline Dream Pressed Powder and Ben Nye loose powder, but I love the finish you got. Your photo is stunning!
Allison C recently posted … FOTD: Purples with Jordana Cosmetics Dramatic Effects Mascara Mini-Review

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Kiss & Make-up says
June 3rd, 2015 at 10:56 am

Holy crab cakes, your skin looks AMAZING here, Karen, wow! If the skinfinish can do that I need one. No, then I need a whole supply of them!
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | Kneipp bath & body favorites

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Karen says
June 3rd, 2015 at 10:56 am

Oooh, I am going to have to try this powder! You look absolutely gorgeous and luminous in the photo. Would you mind sharing the name of the lipstick you are wearing? Thanks so much.

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- Karen says
  June 3rd, 2015 at 4:22 pm
  
  Hi Karen,
  
  It’s Runway Hit by MAC. It’s one of their new Matte Lipsticks. 🙂
  
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Mary says
June 3rd, 2015 at 10:59 am

Beautiful as usual, dear. I am ready to hit the local Macy’s to try this. The price is competitive & your pic above shows a flawless look. Have you tried/reviewed any of the mineral foundation powders by MAC? I love your recommendations.

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Chris25 says
June 3rd, 2015 at 11:09 am

Kind of OT, but your lashes look AMAZING here!
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Robin says
June 3rd, 2015 at 11:18 am

Yes, yes, yes!!! One of the few beauty products that I have used to the bottom and repurchased. I LOVE this powder for all the reasons you stated plus I always have people tell me how pretty I look when I wear it!

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Pavithra says
June 3rd, 2015 at 11:19 am

Hey Karen, I actually bought this one after reading one of your earlier posts. And I think this is my most used powder. I use it either by itself over my moisturizer, or as a setting powder over foundation/BB cream. It yields a super natural finish, and does look great in pictures. Thank you! 🙂
Pavithra recently posted … Lipstick Love – Estee Lauder Rebellious Rose

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Tracy says
June 3rd, 2015 at 11:37 am

Hi Karen – You look flawless in that photo. I haven’t had much luck with powder but this looks so natural. I’ve been looking for something to wear for the summer months because it’s so humid where I live that most foundations just slide off my face. Might have to make a trip to MAC to check it out.

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Hollie H says
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:14 pm

I totally agree with you, Karen. This is my #1 favorite powder. The finish always looks so natural and flawless.

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Valerie C. says
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Your skin looks beautiful! I love this product too. I’m fair/oily and need coverage, so, I use it as a finishing powder with a fluffy brush….even over powder foundation. It just makes everything look better 🙂

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Tulipthecat says
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:42 pm

I just found mine last week and have been wearing it every day. I think the new packaging is hard to open as well.

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Gemma says
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:55 pm

Thanks for this post, Karen! I am relatively new to your blog and until recently I only wore foundation and lipstick. We have nearly the same skin color so if I think, I want to try XYZ makeup, I look go to your blog and choose a product you’ve used in the same shades. I was just thinking, I need a compact I can carry around to control my middle of the day shine, then you posted this! Long story short, you make my makeup life so much easier! I had to tell my sis about you (she was the girly girl into makeup since her teens and also loves MAC). You rock!

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Trude says
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:26 pm

I’m so glad you posted this! I’ve got a licensed friend picking up one of these, the new Pro Longwear foundation and some Fix+ for me tonight! 🙂 I had been using Studio Fix to set, but it’s starting to be too much for me, and I’m not as oily as I used to be so I want something lighter but that will still help set everything. Have you ever tried applying powder with a Beauty Blender? Hooooly crap it looks good.

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Stephanie says
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:30 pm

What lipstick are you wearing? I love it! And I agree with what everyone else said, your skin looks amazing.

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tirurit says
June 3rd, 2015 at 2:21 pm

Ha!I too have a few products (Mineralize Natural included) that get me compliments only to inform the gracious person that it is all FAKE!

Personally I think I have Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in 4 or 5 shades. Gorgeous!
tirurit recently posted … Getting the scoop on Laura Mercier’s summer trends

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Fancie says
June 3rd, 2015 at 4:33 pm

I looooove MAC MSFN! I use it as a foundation and setting powder depending on my mood. You actually just reminded me to grab another one since I depotted my old one. Saved me some space but now I miss the convenience of the compact. Go figure lol. I hope I like the new packaging. I wasn’t a fan of the design at first but it’s growing on me
Fancie recently posted … On Wednesdays We Wear Pink!

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Chelsea says
June 3rd, 2015 at 4:41 pm

You look so good! I actually really don’t wear powder – dries my skin out, but you look so radiant here!

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Rita says
June 3rd, 2015 at 11:23 pm

Amen! I was just thinking this morning – when putting on my MSFN (started with a new new compact on Tuesday)- that I could not do without it! It makes THE difference. How do you even use other powders??

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Anne-Marie says
June 4th, 2015 at 6:03 am

On me, this looks really nice for a while, but say I cycle to the corner store and back, my face is shiny again. I don’t have oily skin, it’s quite dry in fact. I think a powder should handle a tiny amount of sweat, but perhaps I’m asking too much? Chanel does a better job for me, too bad it’s ridiculously expensive.

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- Tiffany C. says
  June 5th, 2015 at 7:09 am
  
  if you think about it though, the Chanel is actually cheaper by most powders by the ounce.
  
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Lauren says
June 4th, 2015 at 9:52 am

OMG! If I ever had a picture this perfect, I’d hang it all over town! Is this that perfect MAC matte shade that turns you immediately into JLO? AND your skin…WOW! You’re flawless.

I use this powder daily and have 3 backups!

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breyerchic04 says
June 4th, 2015 at 10:44 am

My mother wears this daily, on top of face and body. She used to use Bare Minerals, but likes the ease of use of a pressed powder so much better. I don’t use powder often but when I do, it’s this, with the tiniest bit of Perfect Topping Mineralize Skinfinish pressed onto my cheekbones.

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Gloria says
June 4th, 2015 at 11:01 am

Oh! Your skin is perrrrfect!! What photo editor app you use? hahahaha Joking!! I need to try this out since it is just so beautiful on you!!!

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Kecia S. says
June 4th, 2015 at 4:26 pm

I’m so glad you’re singing the praises of this powder! I’ve been wearing it for YEARS & it’s my absolute favorite. My go-to pairing is MSFN (I’m an NC45) over my NARS Radiant TM. I tried explaining the greatness of this powder to my friend & my little sister, but it wasn’t until I demonstrated the powder that they were completely convinced. This powder just makes you looked airbrushed, yet natural. I agree that it’s also great over the new MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof foundation.

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Tiffany C. says
June 5th, 2015 at 7:05 am

I’ve been wanting to try this out for a while and now after seeing your post I’m going to take the plunge 🙂

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Bits says
June 6th, 2015 at 8:30 pm

Would you please share what blush you are wearing in the photo? 🙂

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Molly says
June 12th, 2015 at 8:34 am

I am new to your blog and SO GLAD I found it. First of all, this is stunning on you. I loved it so much I ran out to buy some yesterday, and I am absolutely obsessed. I am new to MAC. For some reason, I thought it was really expensive and never looked into it. Turns out, it is actually less than a lot of the UD, MUF, Tarte, etc. products that I wear. I have a feeling I will soon have a full blown MAC obsession! I also snagged the Men Love Mystery and Runway Hit lipsticks. I can’t wait to see what else you will bring me to love 🙂
Quick question: What do you use to apply this powder? Curious since it doesn’t come with a sponge or anything.

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Karolina says
January 13th, 2016 at 2:46 pm

Oh my goodness, this is THE most beautiful makeup look I’ve ever seen on ANYBODY!!! Gorgeous! Im ordering the powder online right now! Would you mind sharing what blush you used in this photo?

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Ella says
March 6th, 2017 at 6:19 pm

Your makeup looks flawless Karen. Was wondering if you can wear this on its own? I have “sun power”

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Hannah says
September 22nd, 2017 at 12:49 pm

Karen,

Two years later, I finally discover this post. I *love* this look and wish I can make this my everyday look!

Thank you for keeping your blog up after all these years; until maybe the last 5 years, as you have well noticed, us NC42 girls barely have shade representations, let alone skin models to go off of for finding shade references.

Cheers to several more entries ahead!

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kath says
October 10th, 2017 at 1:46 pm

Hi!! may I know what tool are you using for applying mac skinfinish mineralize natural pressed powder? thanks 🙂

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