Where I got it: I bought this from my local MAC store (Botany) while I was there getting my free Ruby Woo lipstick on National Lipstick Day. This foundation was NZD$72.00.
What I got: This is the MAC Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation in NC20. I was colour-matched there by a MAC staff so it matched my winter-skin tone. A foundation that delivers colour in an ultra-fluid, thin, elastic gel-serum formula. This hydrating formula contains a moisture fusion complex to immediately moisturise and feed the skin. Protects with SPF30 and is perfect for all skin types. It offers all day wear and sheer to medium coverage in stay-true colour. It claims to be long-wearing, non-caking, non-streaking, dermatologist tested, ophthalmologist tested, provides instant and long-term hydration, and oil control.
MAC Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
How I find it: This is an ultra lightweight foundation much like the Loreal Nude Magique foundation or the Maybelline Dream Wonder or the Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation, you get the point. It is super runny, like water and super easy to blend and sheer out. They usually provide sheer to medium coverage, natural finish and works well for normal to oily and combination skin. It contains SPF30, but with the amount of foundation you would use for the entire face (very little), there is not enough product to provide good SPD cover. I will use a sunscreen on top of a good hydrating moisturiser. Then I will use a primer (currently loving The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer), and then drop the foundation directly onto my face and blend it in with my fingertips. I find that it works best with my fingertips compared to a beauty sponge or a brush because a sponge absorbs most of the product and a brush tends to leave streaks. The foundation blends out nicely, it looks natural and lets my skin breathe. I like to go for a second layer on my cheeks to give my acne scars a little more coverage. I don’t even need to powder to set this.
MAC Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation in NC20
As you can see, the MAC NC20 looks a bit pink compared to my Ordinary Serum Foundation in 2.0N (N=neutral), but pretty much a similar shade. The 2.1Y shade from the Ordinary is obviously too dark for my skin. However, with these serum foundations, the shades are very forgiving because they blend out quite sheer and soft so if it is a little bit more neutral or pink or lighter or darker, it won’t make you look weird.
Colour comparison between MAC Waterweight NC20 and The Ordinary Serum and Coverage foundation in 2.0N and 2.1Y.
Overall: I love the formula of serum foundations for everyday use or when I don’t want to look like I’m wearing a lot of makeup. I have a few serum foundations in my collection and the MAC Waterweight is actually quite impressive. It is not streaky, it is very easy to blend and very easy to build up as well. It gives a natural finish that I don’t need to powder on top to set. One really important thing to bear in mind is that these serum foundations tend to be more suitable for oilier skin types because they will tend to get caught and get patchy in dry patches and flakey areas. If you must use it on dry skin, make sure you really moisturise that area well and apply a smoothing primer before you apply and never apply more than a layer on problem areas.
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