MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

Most Helpful Critical Review

Buyer beware - it's nothing close to the original

I discovered this powder by fluke during my trip to Ulta yesterday. Was actually going in to try and snag one of the last original formula powders I could before 2.0 came out. Unfortunately, I was too little, too late. Since this was already on the shelves, though, I figured I'd give it a try. ... I really did try to have an open mind about it, despite being a loyal user of the previous studio fix. But after using it for a day, all I can say is "nope, nope, nope." I'm not overstating when I say that this formula is nothing, I repeat NOTHING like the original. In every sense of the word. For starters, the shades are way WAY off compared to the previous version (I'm an NC25 in that formula and an N5 in the new one.). It took trying 10 different shades to finally arrive at a close match in the new formula. And that still isn't as close to my skin tone as the old NC25. To add insult to injury, Mac did two things to this new formula that fans of the original (myself included) begged/pleaded/implored them not to do: they removed talc and added mica. Now, I can't speak for others, but as a 43 year old woman, I simply CAN'T do mica. It makes me look shiny, greasy, and just all around made up. My personal goal when wearing makeup is to look as natural as possible. The old formula delivered on that and then some. This new mica-infused one, not so much. On top of all of this, the powder looks incredibly thick and cakey when first applied. (This means that touchups are simply out of the question.). The previous formula allowed multiple touchups/reapplications throughout the day without EVER looking cakey. And believe me, I tested that limit - on multiple occasions. As for the final nail in the coffin (at least for me) with this powder…it has, in the course of a single day of use, started breaking me out. I never EVER had that issue with the previous formula so it's obviously an ingredient in 2.0 that's causing it. This, along with everything else mentioned above, has pushed me away from Studio Fix, and by extension, from Mac as a whole. Newer isn't always better and Mac has now made that mistake not once, but twice, with two of their most popular and beloved studio fix products. This was, of course, despite numerous requests from their customers to leave them as is (if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!). If Mac wants to ignore and abandon their loyal customers in this manner, don't be surprised when those customers then abandon you for your competitors. I know that's what I'll be doing. Disappointed in you, Mac - yet again.