Simone Gannon: MAC’s new glowy foundation is the real deal

"The finish is flawless, the glow seriously impressive — and it feels fantastic. It’s hydrating, comfortable. The makeup equivalent of a hug."

Thu, 07 Sep, 2023 - 02:00

Simone Gannon

Picture this. I’m strolling around the beauty hall of Brown Thomas on Grafton St, contemplating the purchase of a new foundation.

Two of my most worn bases have run out simultaneously, so I find myself here, somewhat overwhelmed, but drawn as ever to the glossy Charlotte Tilbury stand.

I pick up a bottle of Flawless Filter, one of my go-to base products since its launch, and I’m just about to request a bottle of Airbrush Flawless Foundation when I spot something out of the corner of my eye.

I turn to the left, and my eyes widen at the sight of an enormous foundation display on the front of the MAC Cosmetics counter.

“No way,” I say, out loud, eliciting a slightly concerned look from my ten-year-old son, hovering by my side.

“MAC haven’t released a new foundation in years,” I say to him, in response. “I can’t even remember the last time they launched one or what it was. Their foundations are legendary!”

His eyes glaze over, accustomed as he is to my love of makeup shopping.

Over to the stand I go for a closer look. The new foundation is called Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation.

I’m intrigued. I move around the stand and count an incredible 56 shade options, organized in rows.

Warm shades at the front, cool shades at the back. I’m pretty sure the only brand to offer more shades than this is MAC Cosmetics themselves (Studio Fix Foundation is available in 63 shades).

I automatically reach for NC20, the shade of my youth in MAC foundations, only to discover it’s slightly too warm. I grab another shade and then another, swatching small amounts on my jawline.

There are so many, with such nuanced undertones, that finding my match takes some time. But when I do, I almost press my face into the mirror to double-check it’s there as it’s so perfect (NC17.5, in case you’re wondering).

Once the initial excitement subsides, I start looking into the formula to understand how much of the foundation is skincare and how much of it is, well, foundation.

A quick Google reveals an impressive “80% skincare base with 33% skincare ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, olive and jojoba oil and vitamin E”.

As someone with a longstanding penchant for skincare-led, glow-giving foundations, I have (very) high hopes.

Once home, I ponder the method of application. It’s a very fluid liquid and starts moving as soon as it exits the bottle. I decide on a brush and begin to buff it into the skin.

Although the application is smooth, the brush sucks up all the product, and so I switch to a sponge, with great success. The finish is exceptionally even, glowy, and gives the skin a bouncy, radiant look.

According to the MAC Cosmetic’s website, the coverage is medium and buildable, so I duly go in with a second layer. Now I’m even more impressed.

The finish is flawless, the glow seriously impressive — and it feels fantastic. It’s hydrating, comfortable. The makeup equivalent of a hug.

Simone wears MAC Studio Radiance Serum Foundation

As the day goes on, my skin continues to feel great, and it doesn’t move. No creasing, no caking and no oxidizing.

If anything, my skin looks more glowy as the day progresses.

The next morning, I sit down to do my makeup and feel a bubbling of excitement. Always the sign of an excellent product.

I again apply the foundation, this time with fingers, to see if the finish is as good.

I tap it over the pigmentation marks on my jawline and bring it down to my neck.

I pat around the sides of my nose, across my cheeks and up to the fine lines on my forehead. Everything blurs and glows.

My slight redness vanishes, my fine lines appear diminished, and my skin is even and dewy.

A few minutes later, my husband walks into the room and tells me my skin looks great.

The fate of this review is sealed. Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation is awarded a 10 out of 10 rating, and the legend of MAC foundations continues unabated.