Monday, May 2, 2011

Review: MAC Mineralize Foundation SPF 15

After trying out and really liking the Etude House Precious Mineral BB cream but being disappointed by it being too light for me, I decided to venture into trying out a mineral foundation. I used to use Bare Minerals for several years and loved it but with it being a powder, it started settling into fine lines and accentuating them. Enter MAC Mineralize Foundation. I also used to use MAC Moistureblend foundation (I think that's what it was called) a long time ago and liked it then but stopped using it when I discovered other foundations.


The packaging of the Mineralize Foundation is similar to Moistureblend in that it comes in a compact with a sponge applicator on the bottom of the compact. Although I usually say that I'm a MAC NC25, I really am slightly darker than that but not as dark as a NC30. I understand that this Mineralize foundation runs slightly darker so I was hoping that the NC25 would work out well.

I use a flat top brush to apply this foundation on my face. While it is a cream, it isn't as heavy as one might think. The coverage is probably medium and buildable. It doesn't feel heavy on the skin either. The Moistsureblend foundation was definitely a heavier foundation with medium-full to full coverage. You could feel yourself wearing the foundation. I guess that I'm slowly being more accepting of my ugly freckles and am using less coverage than I used to.

face prepped and primed only

after application of MAC Mineralize Foundation NC25

applied some concealer to some spots and neck coloring comparison

As you can see, the NC25 blends in nicely with my coloring, even with my neck. You can't see a significant difference like you could when I tried out the Etude House Precious Mineral BB cream. You can see the picture here. There is also very minimal oxidization while wearing the MAC Mineralize Foundation. For those with oiler skin, you may need to blot periodically throughout the day. You will also want to set it with powder. I didn't set it with powder. Depending on how hot and humid it is, it will not be as long wearing and you may need to touch up at some point during the day.

*Kat*

24 comments:

sugar sugar said...

thanks for this review kat! :) and yes, it looks like you found a perfect match with NC25. ^_^

galpal.hi said...

@sugar sugar--Thank you!

*Kat*

Jen said...

I really love cream compact foundations. Thanks for this Kat! x

Brianna said...

This looks really good on you! It's a shame the etude house was too light for you, I am thinking about trying out my sample of it tomorrow. Iam NW20 according to my MAC concealer so maybe it will work.

Jenni said...

hi-five! i'm more in between NC25-30 too, esp during summer!

this powder really makes ur skintone looks more even :)

Catmare said...

The shade looks perfect! Nice review.

Anonymous said...

Heya, just to let you know:

There's a newly launched Etude House Precious Minerals B.B. Cream line (they revamped the existing one) which includes a new shade/type called Sheer Flawless Skin, which is a reckonable degree darker and boasts more having coverage than the Sheer Glowing (and in extension, Sheer Silky) variants. Perhaps that one might work better for you! ;)

Mischievous Mack said...

The Mac Does look much better, far more Natural.
I know it's super hard to find BB creams darker than super pale. Have you tried any of the BB creams by Holika Holika, they have very dark BB's!

Steph said...

ohhhh looking good =D

Steph said...

oh wait.. this isn't a powder foundation... ohhh i've been wanting to try other MAC foundations for awhile... gonna swatch this in stores =D

galpal.hi said...

@Kei Kei--Thanks for reading and commenting. I'm liking this foundation so far.

*Kat*

galpal.hi said...

@Brianna--I hope that the Etude House one works for you. I think that it will match your skin tone. Please let me know how it goes.

*Kat*

galpal.hi said...

@Jennifer--*high five back* It's really difficult when we're in between colors, isn't it.

*Kat*

galpal.hi said...

@catmare--Thank you!

*Kat*

galpal.hi said...

@Anonymous--That's the one in the lavender packaging, right? I had been looking at that one too (online) before trying out the sample of the pink one. Thanks for the heads up on the color tone of the Sheer Flawless Skin. I found an ebay seller selling the sample packets and really want to try it so I bought it. Couldn't wait for my friends to head back to Korea. If it works out, I'll get them to pick up a full size tube of it. Thanks again!

*Kat*

galpal.hi said...

@Mischievous Mack--I haven't tried that brand. I'll ask my friends to look into it the next time they are in Korea. Thanks for letting me know about it.

*Kat*

galpal.hi said...

@Steph--Have fun swatching it! Maybe you'll find that you'll like it.

*Kat*

Jenni said...

yes the PF Happy Booster blush is pretty long-wearing as well :) at least better than most other blushes out there. How different is Rose & Natural shade?

Beauty Box said...

Gosh I'm so tempted to try this because this product has had so many good reviews. I'm a bit wary of MAC foundations though because they tend to be a bit thick and hence pore-clogging...Though def one to put on my wish list still!!

Mona said...

wooooo this looks really good. it gives you a really nice natural finish!

galpal.hi said...

@Yuming--If you have a friend who has this, I would recommend you test try it first. It is on the thicker side, although not as thick as their other compact cream foundations. I also like the fact that it is mineral based so much more natural.

*Kat*

galpal.hi said...

@Mona--Thank you! I'm liking it quite a bit, actually.

*Kat*

Cyn said...

It settled into matte..I would prefer a glowy one. I always wanted this but i couldn't find the right color..

galpal.hi said...

@slowbrogal--I know what you mean about preferring a glowy, dewy finish as that's my preference too. The day that I find a foundation that actually is a perfect color match will be one of the happiest beauty days ever.

*Kat*