MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation Review, Photos, Swatches
Long-wearing is the Name of the Game
MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation ($29.50 for 1 fl. oz.) is the newest addition to MAC’s impressive range (at least in number!) of foundations, and it comes to the market with some pretty lofty claims. It’s designed to give up to fifteen hours of wear in any environmental condition while still being lightweight and delivering sheer to medium coverage. The finish is considered “natural,” which isn’t matte but neither dewy — it’s not Studio Fix Fluid (matte!) nor Mineralize Satinfinish (satin… dewy).
On color matching: I picked up NC30, which was my MAC match for a very long time, and I wasn’t sure if these leaned dark/light, so I figured that just might work. I haven’t been to the MAC store in a bit, so I don’t have full knowledge of the range’s shades, but NC30 was a little dark and a touch orange on me; luckily, it’s almost impossible to tell in the comparison photos. (Phew!) I think I’ll grab NC25 next time I’m at MAC, though. I did, however, compare the shade against some of the other MAC foundations I own. It seems in line with Face & Body (a little deeper, but it should be yellower), a definite shade deeper than NC25 in Studio Fix Fluid. However, when compared to Make Up For Ever HD in 140 (which, according to The Foundation Matrix, is equivalent to NC30-NC35), it’s a little darker but looks almost orange in comparison. All in all, like any foundation, try to grab a sample or get matched in-store to avoid embarrassing foundation face!
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 4.7%
Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Trimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Tribehenin, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Bis-Peg/Ppg-14/14 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Phenyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Methicone, Tetramethyl Hexaphenyl Tetrasiloxane, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Laureth-7, Hexyl Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Propylene Carbonate, Alumina, Polymethylsilsequioxane, Dimethicone Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin [ /- Mica, Iron Oxides (C) 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (C) 77891, Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288)
On finish: This foundation is definitely one of the best MAC foundations I’ve tried to date, and I do love Studio Fix Fluid, though I don’t currently wear it–but I did wear it for nearly three years. (So many foundations, only one face!) The finish is absolutely beautiful; it’s not flat or matte, but it’s not oily, greasy, or “dewy.” It really is natural; there’s a little of that lit-from-within glow going on here. It won’t accentuate your oiliness. However, if you have very dry skin, I think it may be too close to a matte finish and would advise trying before buying. Coverage is light-medium to me; I don’t think it’s sheer, but it can be built up to a more medium coverage. I find it is similar in coverage to Studio Fix Fluid.
On consistency, feel, transfer: It’s has lightweight feel–lighter than Studio Fix Fluid, heavier than Face & Body–with a thinner consistency than Studio Fix Fluid but not as watery as Face & Body. It dries down quickly (so work in sections or be quick about your business!) and doesn’t feel tacky or sticky to the touch. As far as I could tell, it’s pretty transfer-resistant, even ten hours later. I took a tissue to my face, and just pressing didn’t transfer anything, I had to rub it across my forehead to get any foundation to show up on the tissue.
On wear: But I suppose the best part about this foundation is that is really is long-wearing without being heavy, cakey, or thick. I wore it for twelve hours, and my makeup looked nearly as good then as it did when I first applied it in the morning. Normally, I get a little oily around my t-zone if I’ve worn foundation for eight hours or more. I’d say there might have been a touch more shine after twelve hours than when I started wearing it, but very slight, and it didn’t transfer.
All in all, a pretty stellar foundation!
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! 🙂
- Product: 29/30
- Value: 9/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: I’d give it a shot if you’re able to sample the shade range and find the best match for you. It should be suitable for dry to oily skin, but if you have very dry or flaky/dry patches on your face, you may want to try it first, because of the natural finish (which isn’t quite matte but near enough to it) may accentuate dryness.
AVAILABILITY: Nordstrom
Face & Body (C3), Studio Fix Fluid (NC25), Pro Longwear (NC30) blended & heavy, Make Up For Ever HD (140)
MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation in NC30
MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation in NC30 + Setting Powder
No foundation / MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation
No foundation / MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation + Setting Powder
MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation / MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation + Setting Powder
MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation (freshly applied) and then 12 hours Later
I don’t wear liquid foundation but I might check this out.
Nice, I’ve been looking for a foundation that stays put without looking greasy for a long time! Thx!
Curious to try this one! Mineralize broke me out. I wore studiofix, but the color match isn’t the best. Too dark and yellow even in NC 15(for some reason the NW shade that might match undertones runs even DARKER?!)
This formula looks like it has a lot of potential though, and if the colors aren’t directly equivalent, than I might get lucky and get a good match.
It is always annoying when a foundation from one brand runs lighter/darker than their other products. I get that things can be different by formula, but it’s annoying!
Yeah. It was WEIRD. NC 15 in the mineralize was the PERFECT color, but the finish was awful on me, and it irritated my skin. Studiofix was FINE on my skin, but the colors undertones were dense, and it made no sense to me that the 15’s were NOT the same level of darkness from undertone to undertone. I wouldn’t have even cared if there just…. Wasn’t a NC 15 in the studiofix, and they gave it an in between name to signify that it is darker than the mineralize NC 15. What’s the point in HAVING that “clear” of a labeling system if you aren’t REALLY sticking with it?!
Oh. Additional dumb question.
did you buy the pump for this one, or did they finally decide to include it? Your product photos look like there’s a pump on the top, and I know that was one of the big annoyances people had with the MAC Packaging, having to pay another 5$ for a pump.
Pump is included! 🙂
I needed a pump, maybe a pump and a half for coverage of my big face!
Nice! Always good to see them listening to feedback. I mean, I’ve gotten adept at dripping out the appropriate amount for my needs, but I can see where it annoys people, and isn’t the most sanitary.
I’m just kind of surprised (appalled?) at how much silicones are in the product. My skin would hate me.
Most people don’t have issues with them, I imagine, is the reason. Given the sheer number of products with silicones in them (moisturizers, sunscreens, blushes, foundations, etc.) – I can’t imagine that the majority is struggling with silicone then.
I’ve been trying this for about a week or so. It’s FAR to heavy and drying for my skin (I’m a delicate flower lol) but it I thought it covered well and stayed on for a long long time! Even wore it to bed once (just to see) and it was almost all still there in the morning! Had Jay test it out (he has oily skin, mine is dry) and it lasted all day PLUS after working out, the only place it was gone was on his forehead (because he sweats and wipes his forehead). Everywhere else it looked the same as it did before the workout!
Personally I found that it LOOKED a lot darker than it actually went on. In the bottle NW20 looks like, “NO WAY! This will NOT match my skin!” but after I put it on, it looked fine. I’m usually an NW or NC15.
LOL, delicate flower. Would you say you have normal skin? Dry? I’m normal-to-dry, closer to normal at the moment (closer to dry during the winter).
It really knocks it out of the park on wear, though, which is incredible and surprising that it holds up to the 15 hour claim!
I have normal-to-dry skin. Same as yours, more normal than dry in the summer and much more dry in the winter. I ALWAYS need a moisturizer in the winter time otherwise my face feels tight and itchy. In the summer (when I need an SPF the most) I often will forget to put anything on my face… A habit I’m trying to break!
I was shocked that it lived up to the claim as well… I thought “naaaw!” I figured it would last but not as long as it did. The concealer (of which I only got a sample) is even longer lasting, but I found that I could really FEEL the product a lot more. I tried using it under my eyes and it felt like the skin was actually weighed down by the product – But it lasted, it wouldn’t even wipe off (needed a makeup remover).
Gotcha! It was fine on my skin for me, but I’ve always really liked super matte foundations (reason why I was a loyal SFF user for a couple of years!).
My skin has been kooky lately – getting dry patches on my cheeks a bit, but yet my skin doesn’t feel “dry” like it does in the winter.
I agree – in the bottle this looks way too orange/yellow even for my natural jaundice. But for some reason it seems to blend in OK. I keep checking like a paranoid person though to make sure it doesn’t look bad.
Christine, these colors do run a little dark. I’m the same as you because I’m normally NC 25 in studio fix fluid but in this foundation I’m all the way down to NC 20! Give it a try next time, because that might be a better match. But I can’t tell based on your photos that it’s running a little dark or anything. Also the prep+prime face mixed with moisturizer helped me out because i have drier skin because even though I’m in my 20’s, I never break out or get oily/ shiny.
Thanks for the heads up! I think I waffle between NC25/NC30 these days (as summer ends), so I will definitely have to look at both NC20 and NC25 next time!
I’m NC25 and the NC25 of this foundation casted a light finish on my face… i dont know what to do!
What kind of setting powder did you use over the foundation?
Laura Mercier’s!
I’m testing it out right now and so far so good. I’m a NC35 for the Mineralize foundation and C4 for F&B. The NC35 on this one matched…maybe it was a bit too yellow. I didn’t get color matched though. I just got a sample from Nordstrom. I’ll test it out for the rest of the week and decide if this will take the #1 spot from F&B and Mineralize…
Soooooo happy to have 1.) found a HG foundation that lives up to its promise and 2.) foundation come from a brand I know and love and use regularly
Tired of trying all the foundations ever that claim to be long wear or oil free or what not. No oily t-zone, no touch up, and light and dewy, not mask-like at all with this foundation. For those of you who have given up on MAC for any reason, this foundation should have you converted back! Normally I wait for Temptalia’s reviews before I buy, but this one I had to have before the review. Glad I got it though.
🙂
It seems to be a great product!
I use Studio Fix Fluid (I have oily skin) and I’m really satisfied with it; but I may try this one, as it’s supposed to leave a more natural finish.
I love your reviews! So complete! =)
Thanks for the review on the foundation, I did pick up the concealer and I love it, at the end of the day it still looks good and no creasing under the eyes and I don’t have to set it with a powder I’ll be picking up the foundation as well now that you gave it an A thanks Christine
Happy to hear the news about the concealer, Leenie!
This sounds fantastic! I’m going to get matched when I go to the mall tomorrow. Did you apply using a wet fluffy brush like in a tutorial you had posted awhile back on Youtube?
Yup, I used the 109 and spritzed it and my face before applying!
Hello!
I just bought this too…can you tell me how you apply…what brush…with or without Studio Fix?
Thanks!
109. Studio Fix? I don’t use Studio Fix – do you mean the powder or the fluid? I don’t use either, but I haven’t used the powder in 4 or 5 years.
Christine, this foundation is a little dark/orange on you – better to get the lighter one…unless it still pulls orange. But, after the setting powder, it looks totally fine! so I guess it does not matter.
Yes, that’s what I figured I would do 🙂
Great review, thanks! Would you say the NC30 is lighter or darker than NC30 in the Mineralize SPF15 creme foundation? I find that one runs dark….
I don’t have Mineralize SPF15 Creme so I can’t compare 🙁
I wish I could try this out, but I’m lighter than NW/NC 15 so MAC foundation is a bust for me. I’ve tried SFF & it clogged my pores & made my blackhead problem 10X worse. Not to mention that I looked orange.
My HG foundation for years has been Revlon Colourstay because it doesn’t clog my pores and the lightest colour is perfect for me. I get compliments on my skin everyday.
I work in construction sites and I’m very exposed to the weather…either sunshine, wind, rain, etc, and I’ve been using this for 2 weeks now and I can tell you that is REALLY holds up. I’ve tried my share of different foundations and this one is the best so far…though I also love my studio fix – but now only when I’m at the office 🙂
I think this foundation is a great match for you! Thanks for the review cant wait to try this foundation!
You can’t tell, but it’s very obvious – couldn’t leave the house!
The flash helps to bring everything together 🙂
this sounds like the PERFECT foundation for me! thanks for the review, it looks awesome!
Wow! It seems to really stay all day! I don’t use foundation (just in special occasions) but maybe for brides, parties or special events (long events, lol) or something would be nice to try… I’m looking forward to try Pro-Longwear Concealer though!
Oh… Do you have a review of Face & Body Foundation? I’ve read good things about it and I really wanna try it! Is C3 a good match for you? I’m NC30 I think! Not 100% sure!
I think I have a review for Face & Body, but I can’t remember. It’s been a long time since I”ve used it. C3 was a good match for me when I was NC30 lol!
mmm, i wonder if this will beat my Revlon Clorstay ? I swear by that foundation !
Hi Christine,
great review! I might need to pick this one up; I am currently loving my sample (and the concealer, too!). What do you use to apply this foundation?
109
My biggest issue with foundation is that it isn’t a natural coverage, it cakes up during the day and it changes colour (possibly orange) on me, but I am definitely buying this one.
It’s good to hear that a product lives up to claims.
I’d like to give this a try, but there isn’t a store or counter I can get to to be ‘colour-matched’ and it’s too expensive to take a gamble on.
It sounds promising but $30 for foundation is just too much for me. I have some foundations I bought a while ago like Studio Fix, Studio Sculpt and MSF but I just couldn’t shell out for them again.
Is the pro longwear concealer permanent? That’s what i want the most!
Yes.
I’m so glad I got samples of both NW 25 & 20. Looks very natural on you!
I’d loooove to try this, but I’ve been wary of MAC foundations because of my ultra sensitive and acne-prone skin. Did you have any adverse reactions to this foundations in terms of breakouts? Then again, the best way to test that is if you wore this consistently for at least a couple weeks..?
I haven’t, but my skin has been in turmoil for awhile, so I don’t know if it would matter.
But my skin is not your skin – so even if it broke me out, it is no indication positive or negative of how it will react to your skin. Especially when it comes to makeup like foundation, it may be a number of things. MAC foundations don’t break me out from my experience, but again, skin is very individual, so keep that in mind!
in your comparison pics it’s obvious you are wearing makeup but it doesn’t look too dark/orangey! the finish looks really nice…maybe once i get through all my other foundations i will give this one a go…they should sell foundations in mini-bottles for makeup addicts…
Thankfully the lighting and the flash firing made everything look OK in photos, but it was pretty obvious – I couldn’t leave the house with it on.
oh…i guess i have a lot of experimental looks i couldn’t leave the house with! 🙂 did you buy a full bottle or was it just a sample?
i popped my the mac pro store today and picked up samples of the foundation and concealer. the mua put a little bit of the foundation on me just to colour match, and i left it on to test the wear since it blended in really well anyway.
the mua mentioned that she would use this foundation mainly for special events, as she finds it too heavy on her skin for everyday. apparently the ingredient alumina prevents the pores from sweating and can block them for some people.
I bought it – since I have to order online (it’s usually by Tuesday AM, so if I order by 8AM PST, I can overnight and have everything here on Wednesday, rather than Thursday when it’s in-store), unfortunately!
Christine, are you normally a NC25? I usually am a NC25 but when i bought it it seemed to run light. Do you think NC30 will be too dark for me?
I would say I’m normally NC25. MUFE #140 is a bit dark for me, but it works for photos so I’ve been using that when I don’t leave the house (and need something for photos).
It’s really hard to say since I haven’t seen NC25 myself. Have you tried it yet? If you’ve tried it and feel it’s too light, then maybe NC30 would work… or you might have to mix the two.
I’m usually an NC30 and when I told the makeup artist that, she immediately pulled out the NC25. And I must say, it matches PERFECTLY 🙂 Hope this helps.
Thanks, Stacy!!
Thanks for the review Christine, I pretty much feel the same way about this foundation so far! I think it *might* replace my devotion to MUFE HD since it is way more reasonably priced. However, I also hover between NC25 and NC30 so I always need to mix MAC shades. I bought NC25 since NC30 was definitely too dark for me. But NC25 is just a smidgen too light (in January it might be perfect though! lol) I might try setting with a slightly darker shade of powder and see how that goes. I’m shade 120 in MUFE HD if that helps anyone!
Even though I tend to agree with you that this shade is a bit too orange for you, it still looks good and there is no visible demarcation (along the hairline). You look good with it!
I would have loved to try this. The only other Mac foundation I tried broke me out terribly (Mineralize Foundation). But I’m actually a bit lighter than NW15, and they don’t even carry that color for this foundation. 🙁
Ahh, you just can’t see it 😉 I couldn’t even leave the house, because it looked so wrong!
REALLY? YOU LOOK PRETTY GOOD IN PICTURES!!
Thanks though 🙂
i would really like to try this and face and body, but i don’t have easy access to a counter or anything so i wouldn’t even know where to begin. The last time i was able to go to a counter i bought Select Coverup Concealer and the MA matched me to NW25, which can be a little dark if i put too much on. So would i get NW25 in the foundation? I’ve been wearing Smashbox Halo in Medium and can wear Bare Escentuals in Medium Beige and Medium Tan. Not exactly sure what my undertones are (i’ve always had a problem with this) as my veins look both green and blue. I literally have some veins on the underside of my wrist that start off green, then go into blue, then into green again. On my chest they look more green. Please help.
Sometimes you get the opposite concealer (e.g. if you are NC25, they’ll recommend NW25). Based on the veining, I’d probably say NC20 or NC25.
I think the nw’s run a little dark. That was my experience at the counter and in practical application. Also, I have dry skin and I really wouldn’t recommend this for dry or very dry skin. It is a completely matte finish on me and accentuates all my lines and wrinkles. It does wear really long but still comes off when I wipe my nose. When I remove the foundation, I have some peeling of my driest areas, namely t-zone. I would like it if I was going for matte and didn’t mind peeling. I will stick with mineralized creme compact if they ever replenish because I like a more natural finish. I really feel this new foundation is just for oilier people.
I have no experience with NWs, so thanks for sharing that with me, Shelley!
Christine, I have dry skin and most of the other Mac foundations have broken me out. However, I decided to give this one a shot. I love it! It photographs beautifully. No breakouts in sight after 4 or 5 days. I usually break out immediately.
one observation is that it seems really red. I’m NC50 and when I grab my mufe hd or face & body to compare, they are more yellow/neutral and this one is slightly red even though it still matches my skin. It’s weird.
Weird! It read very yellow/orange on me, but not really red!
I just tried this today and I love it! So far I wear NC20 across the MAC foundation/powder board. I mean perhaps MAYBE I could wear NC25 in this foundation, but it isn’t bad.
I put mine on today with MAC’s prep and prime face primer and a MAC 130 Duo brush.
Hey Christine,
which Setting Powder do you use?
Laura Mercier’s
I received my NC30 in the mail yesterday so i got to test it out today. I used to use Studio Fix Fluid in NC30 which i found dark sometimes and the NC25 was too light so i used to mix the two. I also found that my skin got oily within 2-3 hours. I also tried the Studio Sculpt and the NC30 was perfect but i knew it wasn’t going to work with my combination skin type. So looking at the pro longwear foundation, it does look darker in the bottle and more yellow at the back of my hand than the others. Today is the first day i used it, and it is a tad darker so i’m probably going to have to get NC25 as winter comes, but i’m hoping i’ll be able to go to a MAC store to get sample if i’m going to be in the city. I found the coverage light to medium and doesn’t feel too heavy on my skin which was great. I’ve had the foundation on for about 9.5 hours and it still looks pretty good. I also purchased the concealor in NW25 and that was a good match. usually the past concealors i’ve used from mac alwasy creased and looked gross under my eyes but i’ve had a problem with the pro longwear concealor. Its my first day so i’m going to see how it goes for the rest of the week! Thanks Christine for putting up your review!
i was gonna buy it, till i read that dries down quickly, i just cant stand that. thanks for the great review
i noticed you said its long wearing, how does this compare to estee lauder double wear. and how does its finish compare to nars sheer glow?? also was wondering if you will be reviewing the pro long wear concealer??? im really sarting to like the sound of this range, will it be a permenent addition?
thankz
I haven’t tried Double Wear, sorry! 🙁
Yes, I will review the concealer once I’ve tested it thoroughly, and both are permanent! Please check the FAQ in the future, thank you!
Hey Christine thanks for the reply, sorry about asking what had already been answered lol, I totally didn’t even realise there was an FAQ section there at all, will definitely check it out in the future.
No problem! We introduced it earlier this week and hope it will help 🙂
It looks great in pics, I don’t see the color being too light. Actually perfection. Normally for camera, needs a darker foundation than your skin tone. It’s best to go darker than lighter. Looks healthier, too due to the yellow/orange in it. U got the J Lo glow going on.
For camera, sure, it looks fine, not for real life – very orange on me in person. I think I specified that it looked fine the photos but it wasn’t the right match for me… Couldn’t even wear it out of the house, because it was so obvious!
Wow looks very natural! Definitely going check this out when I go to MAC again (:
What brush do you use to apply this foundation ? Ive used a kabuki brush to buff it in and it dries way too fast. I tried a 190 brush and that seemed to go on better since i kinda patted it on not reallly blended it per se. But it still look akward on my face.
I used the 109.
i think nc30 look perfect on you.it matches your neck very well : )
It’s not a match, trust me. That’s why it’s important to view yourself in different lighting situations.
Thankfully, it looks fine in photos, so that you can concentrate on the way it looks rather than the color being off, but in real life, it’s dark, yellow/orange on me!
How does this compare to the Estee Lauder Double Wear? I’ve tried a sample of that and liked the staying power, but I think that one clogged my pores… but I am looking for a long wearing foundation!
I haven’t tried Double Wear, sorry!
Double Wear really does live up to its claims as a long wearing foundation, but the problem for me is that it clings sooooo well to your skin that you absolutely MUST use a really good oil cleanser to remove it. I did remove it properly but it just didn’t let my skin breathe at all… do you feel any problems like that with this one? I’m still itching to try the Guerlain Parure Gold from your reviews! I think I might have to give it a try at the Nordstrom event this weekend! Thanks again for responding to your readers!
Hey Elbas,
Hmm, it does not feel clingy, and it seemed to wash off just fine when I used my cleansing oil with it (by Shu)!
You might like Double Wear Light… which I’ve heard is kinder 🙂
I recently tried a sample of Double Wear, and it’s amazing! Very long lasting, and I don’t wear powder. I also tried a Double Wear Light, but I don’t like it. DW is liquid, but DWL feels like gel (=thick). It was difficult to blend. Try it! )Hopefully) You on’t be disappointed! 😀
I’m attending a wedding in one week, so I’m on the search for a good foundation right now, and this sounds very appealing for my oily skin. I’ll stop by Nordstrom for samples. Studio Fix Fluid runs a bit yellow on me (I’m also around NC25), and it’s similar in formula to the I use daily anyway, Revlon Colorstay (Golden Beige). I tried MUFE HD in 127 & 140 because they don’t have SPF, but they were too dark, and 117 was too light. I’m going to try the ones in between. Christine, you look lovely in these photos, even the 12-hours-later one! You look natural, but polished. Did you use flash? I’m always afraid of having a kabuki face when I take pictures for events.
Sigh, color matching is such a drag when it comes to foundations!
I used flash 🙂 I don’t use flash in my product photography, but I do so with my makeup/face shots (it would be impossible for me to get anything decently lit AND clear in natural light). I’ve always found that natural light is great for certain things, but my makeup always looks different with a natural light photo than it does in real life – I find flash more accurate. Anyway……
Anything with low or no SPF is ideal for photography, which is why MUFE HD is so great for special events!
I have been waiting for this review for a week!! Thanks C!! That foundation fits your face even better than MUFE!!(my point of view!)
I have been using this last past year mineralize NW25…i look a lil bit darker now, so i’mma wait for like a month to buy my prolong wear SPF10 in NW25!!
what i was sayin……mineralize foundation is AWESOME!! @least it does work for me, my skin is oily…the con is that in like 8 hours..i look cakey : S
this is a product i need to get. mac never dissapoint. i love foundations, i am a freak foundation, but i do like pinky shades. i was thinkin to get myself that bobbi brown university palette but all BB’s shades and concealers are yellow-based and they look anti-natural on me.
well…..again…….thanks for the review!!: )
Sorry, gotta have time to actually try it – wouldn’t want to review it prematurely 🙂
Is that the Mineralize Compact one?
no, i just use liquid foundations, that’s what works for me. i meant mineralize foundation: )
i’m kinda confused now that everybody says they come darker!!
i’ve been waiting for years for mac to finally come out with a liquid foundation that is truly long-wearing and suitable for oily skinned people like me. i was so excited when i saw it’s release announcement. i bought it last week and i couldn’t be any more pleased. i love it. it lives up to its promises! 🙂 i even got the matching concealer- which is also LOVE!!!
I agree with Christine on all points. I cannot express how much I ADORE this foundation. It is nothing short of AWESOME. I recommend it to everyone!
I want to have this liquid foundation! But Christine, is this released internationally? I tried asking the MAC counter las Sunday, they said they only have the Pro Longwear Lip Cremes… 🙁 I wanna grab the foundation and the concealer…
I only get info for U.S. as I am a U.S. based blogger, but the press release says “September 2010” for International locations.
i liked it too but i LOOOVVE the pro longwear concealer more. its amazing.
Yayyyyyyyyyy I am so excited for this new foundation. 🙂 Gotta go get colormatched though.
Haha, this isn’t about the foundation (even though I’ve already placed an order for one thanks to a really good–and persuasive–MA!)–but your skin looks amazing!
Well, then your comment is about the foundation, LOL! It’s hiding what my skin really looks like… thankfully!
Ah, I didn’t clarify–I think your “before” pictures look great, girlie! 🙂 But yes the foundation does look great too!
Gotcha! Thank you 🙂
I got a sample of both Pro Wear Foundation and Concealer and I love them ♥ I’m gonna buy them soon! Awesome review!! ♥
Christine I agree, inconsistency the color of shades from the same brand is kinda annoying. i think my skin is mainlyy oily and acne prone, do you think it would be a good match? And you’er 100% right, I love the finish in your photos!
Also, is MAC your fav brand of foundations? I’ve heard good things about clinique but haven’t tried them yet.
Guerlain Parure Gold is my favorite foundation. I also like Kiehl’s & Korres Tinted Moisturizers (both of which I wear more often than foundation). I’ve had good luck with both MUFE HD and Mat+ Velvet, as well as MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Select Tint, and Face & Body. You can tell I’m a liquid girl, right? LOL!
If you have oily skin, this would definitely be a good match!
i have to admit, i was on the fence with this one because of mac’s notorious foundation break-out stories, but now that you’ve given the green light, i’ll pick it up this weekend and see for myself! i’ll be sure to get matched though, since there seems to be a color discrepancy…thanks christine!
I love this foundation I literally just walked home in the rain with no umbrella and it looked flawless still when I walked in my house!!
Christine, How does it compare to MUFE HD? Which one do you prefer?
Thank you for the review.
Totally different texture/feel, IMO. MUFE HD has a glowier look, it’s thinner, slight less coverage. MUFE HD photographs better.
Loving how this looks, and given that I’m running around all day, every day, the fact that it lives up to its longwear claims is amazing!
I have some fairly noticeable blemishes on my chin and around my nose, and lighter acne on my forehead. I currently use F&B and find that it covers up some of the redness, but I still need to use quite a bit of concealer to cover them completely. I know you said that this has a lightweight feel, heavier than F&B, but do you think it would be heavy enough to cover my blemishes a bit better than the F&B?
Oh yeah, it’s got more coverage than F&B! I think it would give enough coverage for what you’re looking for!
I got color matched today and bought both in NW20. I’ve had it on for about 3 hours now and it’s still looking good.
Hi Christine, I read it somewhere that the shades for this foundation might not be the same as your normal MAC shade. Is that true ? thanks <3
It seems like it to me!
I actually tried this foundation out today. LOVE IT. I’m b/w NW50-55 in MAC SFF. I tried the NW50 in PLW since it doesn’t come in NW55. Perfect. Natural. Light. and transfer resistant. This might be my new favorite! I’m combination-oily and applied this around 2pm w/o setting powder. It’s almost 10pm here, it’s been raining all day, and I just looked in the mirror and thought “wow that is some good foundation”. The MAC artist gave me a sample but I wil definitely purchase a full bottle. If you are a true NW55 the NW50 may be too light, but if you’re a floater like me then you might want to try it out. I’m very impressed.
I normally wear NW45-50 and this formula was too light on me. It gave an ashy tone on my skin which made me very disappointed because I was eagerly anticipating this foundation. As a MUA, I must say I’ve been very disappointed with MAC’s foundations and I think it would benefit them greatly to fine tune ALL of their foundation formulas for consistency sake. How can the ProLongwear NW50 be ashy on me when I wear that shade in every other formula?
hmmm that does suck. you are right because i have everything from NW43 to NW55 depending on the type of foundation and the time of year. It doesn’t help that I also have like 3 colors on my face. Once I let the PLW sit for a few minutes though I loved the finish and it didn’t run ashy on me at all which I was nervous about because of the titanium dioxide.
Hi Christine, I have a question for you. I am currently using MUFE HD Liquid foundation and am wondering, which do you prefer, or which do you think is better, the Pro Longwear or the MUFE HD?
I want to try this and the cheaper price point is a draw as well, but I LOVE the one I have from MUFE. I am just wondering if one of them has an edge over the other…
I think they’re pretty different foundations, to be honest. MUFE has a thinner consistency, probably a little lighter coverage, and it has a dewier finish.
I don’t prefer either to the other – they’re good foundations, but my favorite is still Guerlain Parure Gold.
Hi Christine
I’m nc25 nc30 depending its winter or summer, today I got my order and my nc25 pro foundation is a bit lighter than nc25 studio fix fluid. but overall the diffidence is very small.thanks for your great reviews.
Thanks so much for letting me know, Roya! 🙂
I have SUPER SUPER oily skin and this makeup is really stays put. I use this with the primer and mineralize skinfinish powder and after several hours I am only somewhat oily in my t-zone. That is a huge improvement from my previous makeup. –No nasty brown greasy stains (I have caramel colored skin) on things from my makeup!
It is IMPORTANT to get matched at the MAC counter. To me, the colors seems darker and more pink. I actually had to return the makeup and get rematched b/c it did oxidize on my skin and got much darker throughout the day.
I think that this makeup would be a bad choice for someone with dry skin. It would be very drying. However, since I am so oily that is what I am going for.
I hope this helps someone!
Glad you liked the Pro Longwear! I got it this week & today was the first day I’ve worn it all day long. I’m oily/combo & until now, my favorite has been Chanel’s Mat Lumiere. Hope this turns out to be an HG!! 😀
Oh well that was my green light! I was just waiting for your review to decide wether to buy it or not. As you say, I only have one face and way too many foundations but it seems that I might have to get this one too! Hopefully the concealer is just as good, I haven’t found any that is long wearing, has good coverage and most importantly that it doesn’t crease! Thanks for your reviews Christine, they are truly the best! love from canada 🙂 xoxoxo
Thank you, Yaz!
Christine, are you going to do a review for the concealer? If you do can you compare it to the other mac concealer
Hi Cat,
I stated that I will be doing a review in the FAQ! Thanks!
I have oily skin and I just bought this, I love it. I usually use a powder only because i don’t like the feel of anything heavy on my face. i tried applying it with my fingers and it didn’t apply well/smooth. I called mac and was told that you must apply it with a brush beacause it has technology that will only allow it to blend with synthetic fibers. the heat from our fingers will make it rigid. I do believe its a true fact. not just a way to sell the 190 foundation brush. Its also made with a built in primer.
I only tried a sample of this, but I was very happy with the application, feel and wear time. A little does go a very long way, which is always a pleasant surprise. I too found the colours were definitely a bit skewed. I can never double up on the same colours, because I find it over accentuates the undertones.. so my usual NC42 registered VERY yellow, and so I hopped down to NW35 (did that with the mineralize satinfinish too). The NW35 blends out very well, a lot more natural finish.. and with an NC42 powder, nothing looks skewed in terms of undertone for my very (MAC) tempermental undertones.
Will definitely be purchasing.. may even stock kit with this. I wish they had a white & black for PRO though to help with the very fair/deep skin tones though.
Hi christine! Great review! What did you use to apply this?
109 🙂
O_O they’re all TOO yellow for making me feel even just the thought of trying them. I suppose I would have needed a pinker swatch 😛
oh dear god!
i work in a warehouse and lately its been stuffy hot in there and i’ve had to check up on my makeup more than once to make sure its not melting off so i might give this one a try.
thanks for the comparison pictures. they really helped
I couldn’t agree more!! : ) A+ all the way : )
love this foundation doesn’t make me shiny & holds on to me after a long day at work.
I am normally NC40, but I’m a little tan so I purchased NC42 it was way to yellow! I went back to the Mac counter and the sales rep tried NW 35 it was a way better match!! I am usually warm toned but these just are a little too warm. I suggest trying this foundation in different tones to get a better match. :0
I’m the same thing as yours! I tried the concealer first, and I was surprised that the MAC lady gave me NW35 but I’m NC30 on select cover-up.
I asked for a sample and she also gave me NW35 for foundation and it’s too orange. I came back and told her that I usually use NC40, then she tried on NC42 and it’s a little bit yellow. She said try combining the two. I tried it this morning it was perfect! She said it’s because I have yellow undertone, then on the summer, I tan with cool undertones. Now I’m starting to get back my warm tone so I’m a bit in between. I hope this makes sense and helps you! 🙂
Btw, Christine! I love your review. I was waiting for it the whole week. When I saw you gave it an A, I bought it immediately! Thank you x infinity! 🙂
Lol, I don’t understand why there isn’t an NW15! that’s my color! 🙁
I have recently tried this foundation and I love it. It gives me excellent coverage and lasts all day.
I completely agree with you that this is the best MAC foundation out there. I have worn it for 12 hrs straight and did not even need to blot my Tzone area.
I still think MUFE photographs better? This foundation is tempting though, but I really need to stop buying foundation lol
Hi Christine,
Im dying to try this, but i live 8 hours from the closest mac store.
Year round I am an NC15, but the deeper into winter it gets, of course the paler i get and sometimes NC15 seems a touch too dark. Do you think ordering this online is a good idea or do you think the colour difference is significant enough to wait? Although, if NC15 is too dark there isn’t another option for me anyways i guess.
1) Do you mind returning it if it doesn’t work out?
2) Do you have anyone that you could pass it along to maybe… if it wasn’t a match?
I’d probably wait a lil’ longer for people to match themselves and report back on what worked/didn’t.
Your reviews are incredibly helpful. I wasn’t going to try this because I love my Studio fix but I always mix it lotion or strobe liquid to try to sheer it down because it’s a little too full coverage for me, but now I think I’ll try the longwear. Thank you!
If any fellow fair girls are bummed that this foundation doesn’t come in nw15, I tried the nw15 concealer with studio sculpt foundation and it’s fantastic. I use studio sculpt all over and pro long wear to cover redness on my cheeks. It’s now my Hg concealer. Ps loving the faqs at the end of the review Christine, looking forward to seeing what you think of the concealer
I don’t know if you can answer this or not but, I’m a NW25-30 (lighter shade in winter of course) in Studio Fix Foundation + Powder…what would you recommend? I can’t get color matched because I live on a military base in Japan with no MAC 🙁
Is it winter in Japan? LOL. Sorry, I have no idea what the seasons are outside of the U.S. pretty much… Some say these run dark, some say they run light.
I’d probably wait a lil’ longer while people try it out, find their match, etc. – then hopefully we’ll have something!
Definitely not winter yet…and when I say “winter” I’m talking temps of like, 60. lol It’s winter to the locals, but definitely not to this Virginia girl!
Thanks for the advice! 🙂
Its really odd I have always been a NC color, and for some reason in this formula I am an NW, but it actually looks great, I also got the concealer too and I love them both! The NC looked incredibly yellow on my skin,I mean bad!! So just a little heads up. I tend to be a little oily and It did not break me out, so thats a plus
Thanks for reviewing this! I was originally matched to be NC30 in this and it looked too yellow and a tad dark on me, so I swapped it out for NC25 – much better!
I was wondering more about the setting powder you used. I noticed you said Laura Mercier, and would love to try that out. Did you get pressed or loose and is it the translucent shade?
Thanks!
Loose translucent 🙂
Christine, which foundation would you recommend guirlan or Mac
Like I personally prefer the finish and coverage of Guerlain, but it’s $76 last I checked, which is hefty. It has “anti-aging” stuff in it. The price difference is so great, it’s hard to be like, “Yeah! Guerlain’s TWICE as good as MAC!” because it’s not. They’re both good!
I am a huge fan of your blog C, love the great job your doing, i ve seen your looks in many different foundations, i must sayI don’t like this foundation on you, It looks flakey and shows your skin’s issue. I was interested in buying this foundation but not anymore. It seems to dry the face
It definitely does Sandra… I went and bought this based on the glowing review Christine gave, but it is SO dry and crusty looking and settled in EVERY pore… not pretty and is going back…
I’m really sorry you didn’t like it 🙁
I’m in the market for a new foundation so this post is right on time. I use MUFE F&B right now but I’ll add this to my list of possibilities along with MUFE Mat Velvets
I think this is nice foundation but the girl at the store told me that it was supposed to be medium to full coverage but that aside I did like the foundation. Just one question Christine did you notice a funny smell from the make up cause I did and I was wondering if there something wrong with the foundation or if its the normal smell cause I dont use liquid foundations. I stick to MACs studi tech
It’s not a pleasant scent, but it’s a zillion times more pleasant than Studio Sculpt, lol.
Love this foundation… It’s 10:50 pm and I apply the foundation 12 hours ago…. Still looks good. NC30 does have a orangy tint and it also look darker than my neck, so I was a perfect match for NC25 on this foundation… I normally wear NC30 On the Studio Fix, so I would suggest to get NC25 and NC30 samples…
I really want to try this foundation … How do you compare this to Chanel’s Mat Lumiere?
Haven’t tried that one!
you’re very pretty bare faced :D. i went to get samples of this foundation today… but no more sample cups :(. lol i’m going back tomorrow XD. these shades really do run darker. i’m normally nc25-30 but the girl told me i’m nc20 this time haha.
thanks Christine<3
Which one is for you the best foundation?!I have to buy a new one and I haven’t found yet the best foundation!
Guerlain Parure Gold is my fave, but it’s $$!
I purchased this a few days ago; this is the BEST foundation I have tried in a long time. This is my HG foundation finally! I don’t get oily anymore and it last all day.
I don’t even wear liquid foundation, but seeing this awesome review makes me want to go and use some now haha!
I got a sample of this because I was so curious even though I always hear that certain MAC foundations cause breakouts. This looked good and did last pretty long but it’s no oil free 🙁 and I got a couple of new friends (zits) on my chin after wearing this a couple days…
So i had to return my NC30 colour because it just was way too yellow, so i talked to a MUA online and they said to get the NC25 so i ordered that online, and i received it tried it on, it was way too pale. So i had to ship that back, and i decided to talk to a MUA again regarding my colour situation. She suggested the NW20 colour, i do haev an olive undertone. so i received it today and its actually pretty good. it is a tad lighter than my skin but its a lot better looking than the NC25, and with winter coming up, the NW20 will be better. BUt its just so weird, i’ve always been NCs and now im NW in this formula.
That’s the same with me! I’m usually NC43/44 but the NC42 looked too yellow/light/masklike and the NC45 too dark. The NW35 and NW40 looked perfect on my skin..weird!
Just a few quick questions, Christine. I’m about to take a trip to my nearest Sephora (3 hours) this weekend, and I’m interested in trying the MUFE HD foundation. I searched your site for a review, and your review in 2009 was less than glowing. Even now you say that you use it for photos but not to leave your house. So my questions are:
1. Has your use over time in any way changed your opinion of MUFE HD?
2. What foundation DO you wear in “public?” 🙂
Oh, I *do* leave the house with it, but I’ve been trying to finish the bottle and it photographs well, so that’s why you’ll see me use it often!
I usually wear tinted moisturizer by Korres or Kiehls, or else Guerlain Parure Gold 🙂 I do like MUFE HD, but it always looks better in photos than in real life, lol. If it looked as good on camera as it did in person, maybe I’d wear it more!
This foundation does wear extremely long, but it looks like a hot mess on my. I have combination skin that leans on the dry side, but definitely can get oily in the T-zone… this foundation looks like a cakey mess on me… it has that crusty powdery look and settles in every pore… I tried it with a primer, without, and NEVER put powder over it and every time it was the same. I definitely moisturize my dry skin heavily, but this product just doesn’t work for me and will be going back. If you are someone who tends towards dry skin or has some enlarged pores then this might not be the foundation for you.
While this is lovely foundation it is unfortunately not for those of us who are of the darker skin tone. The “darkest” color comes out ashy looking on those who usually NW50. Sad for such a great product.
I heard a few reviews from those who were NW50 and they seemed to have positive results? I think they said they had to go a shade lighter, actually… I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you 🙁
Christine- I bought this foundation and although my skin isn’t very dry, it did accentuate some dry patches within a few hours. Any good moisturizer I can try (under 40 bucks preferably) that would help this problem? Thanks!
Aquaphor!
is the concealer oil-free?
Not sure!
Christine, I’m an NW 30-35 (varies between seasons) in Studio Fix Powder and an NW 40 for Studio Sculpt, and I know that Mac foundation colors vary with each foundation. What shade do you think would be best for me? Do these typically run darker than the other foundations?
Probably NW35!
Hi christine, i’m a nc 37 in both sudio fix and studio sculpt. What do you think would be a good match for me.
Thanks
Probably NC35!
Christine I’m a NC30 for select-cover up.
What should I get for this/pro longwear concealer? I’m based in Singapore and we aren’t getting this collection until next year 🙁 so I’m going to try asking a friend to buy it for me in UK!
My skin tone run olive/yellow being Chinese.
Thanks!
NC30 might still work for you. I don’t have strong yellow undertones, so that might be why NC30 seemed orange-y.
Thanks so much for this review! I went to my MAC store recently to get matched in this foundation, and we got it down to two shades: NW35 and NW40. The SA put NW35 on the left side on my face, and NW40 on the right – I couldn’t tell the difference! Even when I went home a few hours later, I couldn’t tell the difference.
Which should I purchase, NW35 or NW40? I’m usually a NC43-44 in MAC SFF. I tried the NC42 in Prolongwear and it looked fine in some lighting but then garish and too yellow/masklike in other lighting. And the NC45 was too orange/dark. Would love it if you could advise me! xox
Oh and ps. the NW35 Pro Longwear Concealer is perfect for me! (the NW40 too dark and NC42 too light)
Since it’s getting to be winter, probably NW35 — if you really couldn’t tell the difference!
I really really wanted to love this foundation but it is WAY too drying on my skin. I feel like I have normal to dry skin and I got a sample in NC15. The first time I tried it by itself and it was dry and cakey looking (my roommate asked me why my skin looked so crappy…) the second time I tried it with a primer (Tarte) underneath and it still didnt help. The last time I tried it I used Nivea cream moisterizer and a primer and it still looked cakey and dry, my husband even noticed… Looks like it is back to the drawing board for me… 🙁
I love how you are so thorough with your reviews and pictures. Bravo!
Im in love with this foundation! I live in Hawaii where its warm and humid all year round and it keeps all day long!!! Best foundation from MAC!! I use mine with the sheer pressed powder and im set all day! I have oily skin by the way 🙂
Christine, I was thinking about getting this foundation because of the “longwear” for a wedding, and there will be flash photography.
How well would you say this photographs under hard flash?
It does well 🙂
NC30 looks super orange in the bottle. I got colormatched to it at the MAC store, and I almost debated with the makeup artist, but I let her do her thing and it looked great. Of course, she’s a pro. So I bought the NC30 concealer and tried it myself at home, but it looked too orange. I’m surprised that I was matched to NC30 because I’m pretty fair. I’ve been buying NC15/NW20, but I was never professionally matched at the MAC counter before. I’m not going to return it just yet…been mixing it with a lighter shade concealer (non-MAC, though..) and it matches better. Hrmm…
I just purchased this foundation based on your review. I’m not sure what brush to use for this foundation. What do you recommend? Xoxo
I like the 109!
Hi Christien,
I have questions, I’m medium beige for Dior Nude skin and Make Up Forever in 118, Nars in Bunjab.
What would you recommend for the shade of this pro longwear? Do you think NC 30 will be o yellow for me?
Thanks
I’d say NC30 should be okay!
Thanksss..
I have this in NW20. Great foundation. I used to use Estee Lauder double wear, but the MAC Pro longwear is much better. Very natural (people were suprized to hear I have foundation on), lasts long. This is one I’ll stick with.
I was tested to be a NC20 at the counter, perfect match!! Then I go and buy other foundations which is also perfect match or near perfect match. So I compared all my foundations side by side and the Pro Longwear seems so much darker and yellower than my other foundations!!! WHY?? Lol
Advice anyone. I have been matched as a NC15 in the Studio Fix. I just purchased this in the same shade and it’s way too pale.. I’m not near a counter so don’t have the option of getting it checked. Do you think if I ordered the shade 1 up or 2 up I might meet somewhere where I want to be????
I was wondering, how did you apply this foundation?
I’m usually a fingers kinda gal when it comes to foundation, but when I I apply the mac pro longwear foundation with my hands it seems to set very quickly and winds up looking powdery/cakey even with out powder.
So I was wondering how you applied it? Was there a special technique you used?
Thanks so much! My email is sangochan241@gmail.com if you need that you replay to my question 😀
Hi Christine, can I ask you a big favor? Could you do some swatches of the Prolongwear foundation and concealer in NC30 next to each other? You’ll be a life saver if you could :p
I was looking at your foundation guide and I couldn’t find C3 Studio Fix pressed powder foundation, only the face and body had C3..what would I fall under for the liquid? NC25? Confused,,please help.
Thank you so much for the detailed review! This is going to be my first buy in a non-drugstore brand and your post has helped soo much! Thank you 🙂
Hi Christine,
What do you think if you have to choose mac pro longwear foundation over philosophy supernatural superbeautiful?
I know it’s sheer-medium coverage and I want to use it for daily basis.
I’ve read both of your reviews and still confuse which one that I want to buy.
Pro Longwear lasts longer so if you need something all-day, I’d go with that!
Hi! Thanks a lot for your review, I’ve got the same foundation as you, I really like it. It was my first purchase of MAC though hehe so if you don’t mind I would love to know what concealer I need.
I meant it has to be NC30? and what shade for the powder? I get so confused with that, I would really appreciate your help. I’m sorry if I bother you with all this questions.
Thanks 🙂
Isa.
Used this a few times and got really bad allergies! 🙁 Can you please recommend light to medium coverage foundation for dry and sensitive skin? Buying and trying method is too expensive and, unfortunately, for some reason, samples aren’t given away in our country.
I’d consult your dermatologist if you have bad allergies.
Hello Ms.Christine, i recently got my shade in NC30. i noticed that when applied with a dense brush(i use elf flat top powder brush), it gives me a whitecast. Im not sure if i just got a wrong shade but when i use my fingers to apply it, its perfect! hmm.can i have your opinion on this?
That is really weird – I have no idea why that would happen!