This powder is So. Dang. Good.
I don’t think it’s as overall epic as MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, because that’s just… Well, it ticks off all the boxes, and I’m not gonna go there again because I know I talk about it all the time, so I won’t put you through that again. 🙂 But Mineralize Foundation/Loose provides more coverage than MAC Next to Nothing and MAC Blot, but less than MAC Studio Fix Loose. Basically, it has the same magical “your skin but better” mana that Mineralize Skinfinish Natural has, but with a tad more coverage.
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Never cake-y, never heavy, never overly shiny or overly matte, it’s phenomenal at controlling oil (although, if you have an oil slick situation, by mid-morning you’ll probably do better if you use something like MAC Blot instead). The main difference between Mineralize Foundation/Loose and MSF Natural is the level of coverage, as the loose version is straight-up medium coverage, and the pressed version is sheerer, but still build-able up to medium.
Technically, it’s a foundation, and you can wear it by itself, which is really handy for quick makeup looks, but I also think it looks lovely on top of a sheer tint or a BB or CC cream.
I would love Mineralize Foundation/Loose even more if it wasn’t only available in seven bizarrely staggered shades. It’s just so wonky… MSF Natural comes in 17 shades, so what’s the deal with only seven shades of Mineralize Foundation/Loose? And the steps between the the shades make absolutely no sense to me. I’m a MAC NC42 and wear Medium Deep, but the next darker shade, Medium Dark, is like three shades darker than that and super orange.
I don’t get it, but I hope you find a match, because if you do, I think you’ll fall in love.
This has just enough coverage for most situations, and it never looks thick or obviously powdery, even when you touch up throughout the day.
That said, if you’re going to take it with you for touch-ups, you’ll probably want to transfer a little to a smaller jar for travel, because the packaging is a pain in the butt-tooski. And whatever you do, don’t pull the sticker that covers the holes on the sifter all the way back, because if you do, you’ll get powder all over the place when you open the jar. Either poke a few small holes through the sticker with a safety pin, or pull it back just a tiny bit (that’s what I do). That way you can tap a little on the inside of the lid, and pick up just what you need with a brush or sponge from there.
I have combo dry/oily skin and get occasional breakouts, and I’ve read a lot of reviews by people with sensitive skin who also really like this, too, because it doesn’t make their breakouts worse.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ooh, going prom dress shopping this weekend (for my daughter, obvi) and hope I can squeeze into a Mac store to check this stuff out! I’m an NC 35–hope there’s something that will work. This sounds like a great lightweight summer foundation. Your look is so natural and glowy!
Hi Kelly,
Oh, how fun. 🙂 Where will you guys be looking for dresses? I hope Connor will be the type of girl who’ll let me take her dress shopping someday.
I used to love MAC powder foundations, but somehow switched to liquid a while back. I guess I need to revisit these for summer.
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You should!
Gah! You look amazing! Like flawless. This is such a lovely look on you. I’ve never even looked at this and I’ve been stalking Mac for almost ten years. I’ll have to ask about it next time I go in. I hope they have my shade, but I’ve noticed that my particular shade is generally always there.
Hi Savannah,
I hope you can find a match. The coloring system for this particular line is a little wonky so good luck. If you can’t then definitely try the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural if you haven’t already!
Ohhhh ma goodness!!! This looks soooo amazing on you! Can I ask how you apply it, if it’s with a brush, which one?? Really…just a fantastic look today😊😊
That looks lovely on you! I wonder if anyone knows if the Extra Light in the loose powder is lighter than the Light in the pressed MSF Natural? Not seeing much information about it online other than the loose Light is darker than pressed Light.
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I found loose to run darker than MSF Natural. I’m a Medium Dark in MSF Natural but found that Medium Plus in MSF Loose is a better match.
This looks so natural and glowy! I haven’t tried powder foundations in ages due to my skin being so easily dehydrated.
Super late comment, but I think the reason it’s shade range was so limited is that they were on the way to discontinuing it. I’m so sad. I went to buy a replacement for the one I currently used and panicked when I couldn’t find it on their website. So I chatted with customer service and they confirmed that it’s been discontinued. This is the only foundation I have ever loved and I feel like I’ve been dumped 😭
Yes, it’s being discontinued. The price is now $21 everywhere. It’s such a great powder with a radiant finish. I’m stocking up now.