A Complete Guide to Mac Concealers

Hi Friends,

After choosing a correct foundation, Choosing the correct concealer is the most time consuming step.

Concealers are needed for covering different flaws like Under eyes darkness, pigmentation, scars, acne etc.

Different concealers cater to different needs and different formulations serve different purposes. There are huge variety of finishes, textures and formulations available at Mac, so I thought it might be easier to explain the uses of different textures and formulations.

Mac Studio Finish SPF 35:

• Packaging: Black plastic tub packaging with a transparent flip open lid.
• Texture: Cream
• Coverage: Full Opaque Coverage
• Finish: Natural Matte but a slight shine, somewhere between a Matte and Satin finish
• SPF: 35
• Skin Type: All Expect very oily and very dry skin
• Staying Power: 6+hrs
• Price:  INR 1300 for 7gm

Personal Note:  Although this is a cream based product with absorbs all the oils and gives a natural matte finish. The texture is little tight an tough to blend if not warmed up by fingers. When warmed between fingers it applies super easily. This product covers like a dream. It covers everything from acne to under eyes darkness with ease. This product is good for variety of skin textures, but very oily and dry scaly skinned people should avoid using this. It can exaggerate the dryness on the skin if not blended well. You have set it with a powder well and it will not move a lot. But yes it does creases in a while, but then it depends on how well you set the product. I personally own this product, but I have a wrong shade (NW35). On my recent visit to Mac store the MUA applied a darker shade an showed me the difference, It almost vanished my dark circles. But can be a cakey if not blended well.

Top Left : Without concealer, Bottom Left: with Studio Finish Concealer, Right: with foundation and concealer

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer:

• Packaging: Bottle Packaging with a pump
• Texture: Liquid
• Coverage: Medium to Full Coverage
• Finish: Natural Matte finish
• SPF: No
• Skin Type: All esp.good for oily skin, not good for very dry skin
• Staying Power: 12+hrs
• Price:  INR 1300 for 9ml

Personal Note:  This product comes with a pump which is the biggest flaw of the packaging. Lot of product gets wasted due to excessive product flow. The texture of this product is creamy liquid with runny consistency. It comes out as a creamy liquid but settles quickly as a absolute matte concealer.  For moderate dark circles this has an excellent coverage. It covers acne scars and pigmentation pretty well too. The down side of this product is that it dries to quickly and you need to blend it before that. The product has extreme matte finish, which may appeal to few people. I think it will really work well as a tinted moisturizer (mixing it with a moisturizer). As a Under eye concealer I like the finish pretty good and natural. Unlike Studio Finish, Pro Longwear has a very light feeling as if nothing is applied.   

Top Left : without Concealer, Bottom Left: With Concealer, Right: With foundation and Concealer

Mac Select Moisture Cover Concealer:

• Packaging: Bottle Packaging with a doe foot applicator
• Texture: Liquid in creamy consistency, moisturizing
• Coverage: Medium Coverage
• Finish: Natural Satin finish
• SPF: No
• Skin Type: Dry skin, Combination & Normal skin
• Staying Power: 6-8 hrs
• Price:  INR 1300 for 5ml

Personal Note:  This product comes with a doe foot applicator. Moisturizing concealer and is good for under eye area. It has a very illuminating effect and brightens up the under eye area. It needs to be set with the powder as it creases pretty easily. Dry skin people will love this concealer. It is not for oily skin. The coverage is decent and is good for moderate dark circles. I personally liked this better for under eyes rather than covering pigmentation and acne scars.

Top Left: without concealer, Bottom Left: With Concealer, Right: with Foundation and Concealer

MAC Mineralize Concealer:

• Packaging: Hourglass Bottle Packaging with a brush applicator
• Texture: Liquid with slightly gel like consistency, moisturizing 
• Coverage: Sheer Coverage
• Finish: Natural dewy finish
• SPF: No
• Skin Type: Dry skin, Combination & Normal skin
• Staying Power: upto 5 hrs
• Price:  INR 1450 for 5ml

Personal Note:  This product comes with a brush applicator. It has a very light texture and blends easily. I am not fond of its coverage. This product is particularly good for younger girls who don't need much coverage. It works well as a illuminator. It is not good for oily skin.

Top Left: Without Concealer, Bottom Left: With Concealer, Right: With Foundation and Concealer

Mac Select Coverup Concealer:

• Packaging: Squeeze tube with nozzle 
• Texture: Liquid consistency 
• Coverage: Medium Coverage
• Finish: Matte finish
• SPF: No
• Skin Type: Oily skin, Combination & Normal skin, Can be used on dry skin with a little prep first.
• Staying Power: 8+ hrs
• Price:  INR 1200 for 5ml

Personal Note:  I have mixed opinions about this product. I like the texture and finish of this product but the quantity to be used is little more than normal. It can be used on all the skin types and covers up almost everything. It requires a lot of setting with powder as well.

I hope this guide sorts out some confusion on what type of concealer to choose from for a particular problem.

Stay Beautiful,

Shweta

A Complete Guide to Mac Foundations

Hi Friends,

The most confusing step is opting for correct foundation and concealer when it comes to perfect makeup.

With so many products to choose from, buying the right product actually becomes nothing less than a Rocket Science.

When it is a brand like Mac, which offers an enormous range of foundations and concealers, the confusion surges.

Here I am sharing a quick guide to Mac Foundations and Concealers:

Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation:

• Packaging: Glass Bottle No Pump (buy Pump at an extra cost of INR 500)
• Texture: Thick Liquid foundation, marginally towards being viscous.
• Coverage: Full Coverage.
• Finish: Matte.
• SPF: 15
• Skin Type: Oily & Combination Skin.
• Staying Power: Upto 8hrs.
• Price: INR 1800 for 30ml.

Personal Note: Personally I feel this foundation is little heavy for me, I can’t see myself wearing this foundation in routine. It makes a good party wear and photo-shoot foundation for me as it covers my skin like a dream. If I wear it as a day wear, I feel like I have a mask on. This product oxidizes a bit, sets a bit darker than it actually is.

Concealer used separately 

Concealer used separately 

Prolongwear SPF10 Foundation:

• Packaging: Glass Bottle with in built cap pump.
• Texture: Liquid foundation with light consistency.
• Coverage: Medium Coverage.
• Finish: Natural Finish.
• Skin Type: All
• SPF: 10
• Staying Power: 10 hrs +
• Price: INR 1700 for 30ml

Personal Note: This is my current Favorite foundation. I love its natural finish. For me it’s a very versatile product, I sheer down its coverage for day to day wear and build it up to more full coverage for party wear. For extremely dry skin you would need to wear a moisturizer before using it and for Oily skin, using an oil control primer will be a good idea. It is water based foundation and is water resistant.

Concealer is used separately 

Mac Matchmaster Foundation:

• Packaging: Glass Bottle with in built cap pump.
• Texture: Liquid foundation with light consistency.
• Coverage: Medium Coverage.
• Finish: Natural Matte.
• Skin Type: All, not for very dry skin type.
• SPF: 15
• Staying Power: 9-10 hrs
• Price: INR 2000 for 35ml

Personal Note: Another excellent foundation from Mac. Light to Medium Buildable foundation, gives a very natural matte coverage. It blends in perfectly with the skin and adapts to the skin tone. It has a very light texture as if you are not wearing any foundation. It’s good for Oily skin as it keeps skin from getting oily throughout the day. It does not comes in NC or NW coding. It’s a neutral toned foundation.

Concealer used Separately 

Concealer used Separately

Mineralize SatinFinish Foundation:

• Packaging: Glass Bottle with in built pump, has an interesting hour glass shape
• Texture: Liquid foundation.
• Coverage: Light to Medium Coverage.
• Finish: luminous Satin finish
• Skin Type: Normal, Combo Dry .. Not for Oily skin
• SPF: 15
• Staying Power: About 6 hrs
• Price: INR 2250 for 30ml

Personal Note: Light to medium coverage foundation with a dewy finish. I personally am not a fan of this product. I makes my dry –combination skin look very oily in couple of hours. The coverage is not very high. This is more meant for flawless but dry skin. I feel otherwise the dewiness exaggerates the pores and pigmentation. This product oxidizes i.e. when it sets it gets a little darker.

Concealer is used separately

Concealer is used Separately 

Studio Tech Foundation:

• Packaging: Tub Packaging with build in mirror and a sponge.
• Texture: Liquid foundation.
• Coverage: Medium Coverage.
• Finish: Cream to powder finish
• Skin Type: Normal to Dry Skin
• SPF: No SPF
• Staying Power: upto 8 hrs
• Price: INR 1800 for 10gm

Personal Note: Use with a buffing brush for a good coverage. It looks good on skin and but feels slightly sticky. Needs to be set with a powder.

Creaminess around the eyes is cause of the concealer, Please note the finish of the foundation on cheekbones and jawline

Select Fix Powder Foundation:

• Packaging: Tub Packaging with build in mirror and a sponge.
• Texture: Powder foundation.
• Coverage: Medium to full Coverage.
• Finish: Matte powder finish
• Skin Type: Normal, Combo, Oily skin
• SPF: No SPF
• Staying Power: 5+ hrs
• Price: INR 1800  for 15gm

Personal Note: Always use a primer while applying this foundation. A person tends to confuse it with a compact but is a full coverage powder foundation. Looks good on oily skin.

Select SPF Foundation:

• Packaging: Glass bottle packaging without pump.
• Texture: Liquid foundation.
• Coverage: Light to Medium (buildable) Coverage.
• Finish: Natural/ Matte finish
• Skin Type: All
• SPF: 15
• Staying Power: 6-8 hrs
• Price: INR 1800  for 30ml

Personal Note: Water based liquid foundation. Can look cakey so you need to blend very carefully.

Concealer is used around eyes. Please note the texture around cheekbone and jawline 

Mac Face and Body Foundation:

• Packaging: Plastic bottle packaging with a nozzle.
• Texture: Liquid foundation.
• Coverage: Light sheer Coverage.
• Finish: Natural Dewy finish
• Skin Type: All
• SPF: 15
• Staying Power: 8hrs
• Price: INR  1700 for 50ml

Personal Note: At first I didn’t like this foundation at all; I never even used the samples I got. But recently I retried it and fell in love with this one. It has a very liquidy texture and goes on very sheer but more you blend it gives better coverage and changes the texture. It gives a slight dewy finish which doesn’t look unnatural like Mineralized foundation. 

I haven't reviewed Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation.

I hope this might sort out some confusion while choosing a Mac foundation. 

More details on foundation will in another post.

A Mac concealer post will be coming up next.

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta

MakeUp Basics- Lesson 3 -Color Corrector

Hi,

Color corrector is makeup products which are useful for camouflaging any flaw or unevenness in the skin. No one has a perfect skin, pigmentation, redness, acne, dark circles, birthmarks and scars are to name a few issues. So with these color corrector we can counteract the flaws and neutralize them to flaunt a flawless skin.

What is difference in Color Corrector and Concealer?

Concealers are flesh colored; they match exactly as the skin tone. These are more pigment and concentrated form of a foundation (in a way). While Color Corrector are of different colors, mostly found in orange, pink, purple, yellow and green colors.  

As for functionality, concealers conceal any flaw while corrector will neutralize the effect of the flaw and helps in better concealing the problem area.

The concept of Color Correction is majorly based on Color Wheel.

The Color Wheel Theory:

Without getting into the details of color wheel theory, I would try and explain the concept which applies to color correction.

In a Color Wheel there are few colors arranged in a circle form. It basically has three parts :

Primary colors: Red, yellow and blue. In traditional color theory (used in paint and pigments), primary colors are the 3 pigment colors that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3 hues.

Secondary Colors: Green, orange and purple. These are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green. These are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That's why the hue is a two word name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.

Color Schemes:

There are two types of color schemes:

Analogue Colors: The colors which are placed side- by-side on the color wheel. These are basically hues of same color or two colors. These are not contrasting each other rather they are harmonious.

Complimentary Colors : These are colors which are directly opposite to each other in color wheel. When placed side-by-side they enhance each other and look more bright and vivid. These have maximum contrast.

Use of Color Wheel in Makeup:

• Color wheel can be used in beautifully in makeup by creating different eye makeup looks using these color schemes. Contrasting eye shadow colors with the outfit or by playing safe my using analogue color schemes. Options are endless.
• Second major use is finding complimentary colors for different eye color. Like which eye shadow/ liner colors suit blue eye or which would compliment brown eyes better.
• But the major use of color wheel comes as in form of Color Correction.

Use of Color Wheel in Color Correction

This concept is based on Complimentary Color Scheme. These colors when placed side by side complement each other but when they OVERLAP they counteract each other or as we say neutralize.

The basic colors available as Color Correctors are:

• Salmon / Peach / Orange
• Green
• Purple/ Lavender
• Yellow
• Blue

Salmon / Peach / Orange Color Corrector are used to counteract the undereye darkness. The under eye area has a very thin skin and normally dark circles have a tinge of blue or purple undertones to them. By applying these peachy or orangey color on them will take away the blue/purple tinge. This is by far the largest used corrector. For choosing the correct shade the broad guidelines are – fairer you are lighter shade of orange u will pick , example very fair n fair skinned people should pick Salmon color, Medium color skinned should pick peachy color and darker or wheat-ish complexion beauties should pick orange (or for that matter even pink) color corrector.

Green Color Corrector is second most important corrector. These are especially good for people suffering with Rosacea or red skin conditions. Green color neutralizes redness, so it’s good for any red acne bump. Just apply tinniest amount on top of the acne and blend it with a patting motion, then cover it with a flesh colored concealer or the foundation, depending on the coverage you need.

Purple/ Lavender Color Corrector are good for people with very yellow undertones. Normally people like from South – East Asia have a very prominent yellow undertones to their complexion. These purple / lavender colored correctors are great “pick me up” for these types of skin tones. It overall brightens the complexion. These are even beneficial for covering up yellowish kind of olive bruises.

Yellow Color Corrector are good to cover Brown pigmentation on skin like hyper pigmentation, age spots and sun spots. These are also good for covering Blue – Green bruises on skin and even tattoos.

Blue Color Corrector are used to counteract orange tints in the skin. These can be even applied under eyes for very dark skin tones.

How to choose a Color Corrector and is it really worth investing in?

• Well there is no hard and fast rule of choosing a color corrector; everyone has different hues in their skin and something suits someone and another suits other.
• But generally talking about Indian skin tones having a peachy/ orange corrector is a good option if you have very dark circles like mine. Or Orange / Pink corrector can really brighten up the under eye area of duskier beauties, It will really bring attention to the eyes. Medium and fair skinned ladies who don’t have dark circles to hide can avoid buying these.
• Green corrector is very effective for people suffering with skin redness either as Rosacea or red acne.
• Yellow corrector is not required if you have a concealer. Generally concealers are yellow based and do pretty good job in concealing pigmentation as yellow corrector.
• Rest colors should only be bought under very specific circumstances and or can be completely avoided.

Corrector available in market:

• NYX
• MAC
• Bobbi Brown
• Makeup Forever
• Coastal Scent
• Eve Pearl
• Ben Nye

Application Techniques:

• Always stick to – less is more concept. Apply tinniest amount and blend well.
• I prefer using finger tips as the heat from fingers melts the product into the skin and blend better.
• You can even use a small brush like a concealer brush to apply and blending brush.
• Always top corrector with a concealer and / or foundation and top it off with a powder to set it. (will discuss more in future posts) 

DIY :

How to Make your own Corrector : http://shwetasarawgi.blogspot.in/2013/01/make-your-own-corrector-to-conceal.html

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta 

Makeup Basics - Lesson 2

Lesson 2 - Priming the face

"Face Primer" is the second step after the moisturizer.

What is a Face Primer?

Face primer is basically a product which is a base coat to apply beneath foundation. These do number of good things for makeup application like minimizing pores, mattifying , smoothening skin texture, fills in lines and wrinkles , and may also help with staying power of the foundation.

Benefits Attached with Face Primer

Face Primers seems to be a magical product with array of benefits attached to it. Prominently,

• Oil control,
• Pore Minimizing,
• Brightening,
• Adding to staying power of foundation,
• Color correction,
• Moisturizing, etc.

I’ll not get into details as they are pretty self-explanatory.  There are many Primers available catering to couple of these benefits. You need to choose primer with benefits you want according to your skin.

How to Apply Primer?

It can be applied from sponge, brush or fingers. Really doesn’t make much of a difference on what technique you apply. I prefer using fingers as it melts primer into the skin well. And leave for product to dry up before starting with next step.

If applying with brush, moisten the brush prior using primer.

Do Primers work and are they absolute necessary?

There is a high buzz about Primers in market, but do they really work and are they necessary? Yes, they work to an extent.

• A good primer will control excessive oiliness.
• Smoothening skin claims are the best kept claims of products in this category. A primer really evens out the skin texture for a perfect foundation application.   
• Pore minimizing claims are not outrageous but there are very few primers which actually work upto this claim. Few Primers reduce the appearance of pores but not exactly make them disappear.
• Primers do extend the life of foundation on face if you have very oily skin and you use an oil control primer. Otherwise it is completely unnecessary.
• Brightening primers are having a peachy tint in them these can cancel out some uneven pigmentation but not completely. Unless you have a very perfect skin and you don’t require a concealer then these primers can be beneficial.
• Color Correction Primers, I just have one word for these - Avoid. If you really need color correction go for a color corrector concealer, which will give much better results.

So in short, Primers can work for some people and not work for some. From my point of view primers are only needed when:

• You have excessive oily skin and foundation separates after couple of hours.
• Your day (time of wearing makeup) is very long to about 8-12 hrs. If less, a good foundation has an average staying power of 5-7 hr so this step is completely unnecessary.
• You want to wear mineral makeup. Yes, I totally recommend wearing a primer before you wear mineral powder foundations. Primer will help them cling better on your skin and increase their staying power.
• You are a bride. Here we don’t wanna take chances. Primer is a must for bridal makeup.
• You have a photo shoot.

Other than the above stated points I don’t feel that primer is an absolute must. A good foundation has a decent staying power and most of us can get away with foundation itself.

Products available in Indian Market :

• Clarins Beauty Flash Balm 
• Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector 
• MAC Strobe Cream 
• L’oreal Paris Base Magique Primer
• MAC Oil Control Lotion 
• Oriflame Beauty Face Perfecting Primer 
• NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer
• Bodyography Foundation Primer-Clear
• Inglot - Under Makeup Base

Well acclaimed Primes from International Market:

 

• Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
• Benefit - The POREfessional 
• Rimmel London Fix and Perfect Foundation Primer
• Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector
• Mary Kay Oil Mattifier

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta

Makeup Basics - Lesson 1

Lesson 1 - Preparing the Skin

First thing you need to do before You apply any sort of makeup is to prepare the skin.

"Cleanse And Moisturize" 

What do we need to do ?

Cleanse :

• Start with using a face wash. Washing face ensures that all the dust and unwanted oil is removed from the facial skin. 
• If you see any dryness or skin feeling you might like to scrub your face gently too. 
• I personally like to exfoliate first as my skin gets very scaley at times. But when it is nice and hydrated I skip the exfoliation part and directly start with a face wash.

Moisturize :

• After cleansing the face, apply a moisturizer.
• Gently dabbing moisturizer into  the skin to seal it.
• Leave it for at least 5 -10 mins before You start your makeup.
• Use you under eye cream and lip balm too.

What to use ?

Cleanse:

• Use any of your favorite face wash or scrub and massage gently. 

Moisturize:

• According to your skin type.
• Yes oily skin needs this step too, but totally depends on you, you can skip it, but I highly recommend Moisturizing first.
• If doing makeup in day time, I will advice to use a moisturizer with SPF in it. And if in night or evening, don't bother about SPF at all.
• Don't forget to moisturize your under eyes.
• Apply a thick layer of lip balm to hydrate lips well.

Why is this step necessary ?

Cleanse: 

• We want to remove dirt, oil debris, dead skin etc from the skin. Because when makeup is applied directly over these, makeup sticks onto them and looks very uneven and patchy. 
• Makeup clings on to Dead dry skin and exaggerate it even further.

Moisturizing:

• Same reason as above, makeup applies better on a well moisturized skin. 
• Under eye area need special attention if you have dark circles as you will use concealer to hide them. Concealer if applied on dry skin tends to cake up. 
• Lipstick even dehydrates lips and makes all the lines even more prominent if you don't hydrate lips before.
• It gives a glow to the makeup which any highlighter wont be able to forge.

Now with a well cleansed and hydrated skin you are ready for next step.

Stay Beautiful,

Shweta