Foundations are the most integral layer of cosmetics for every makeup lover. For a dewy, matte, or glossy look, the first step is to invest in one of the best MAC foundations, the OG of makeup products. A good foundation will set the overall tone of the makeup but if your foundation does not match your skin tone or oxidizes too soon, then you’re giving fashion disaster a free pass into your life. Austrian beauty blogger Lizzie says, “Foundations come in different forms, there’s BB cream, powder foundation, tinted, foundation stick, and a bunch more but the most common type of foundation is the liquid one. Depending on your skin type, you can find different formulations.”

The purpose of the foundation is to provide your skin with a flawless appearance, the degree of which can vary from person to person. While some people may like to wear their foundation to mimic a no-makeup look, others might want to go all out and create a makeup look that enhances their existing complexion, giving them medium to full coverage. Whatever the purpose is, MAC cosmetics has a foundation for every skin and every need. Here’s a list of the best MAC foundations, so you can decide your shade of beauty.

• 1
  Best Powder Foundation

  MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

  Buy on Amazon

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation is a fantastic one-step product that sets your makeup like a powder and evens out your skin like a foundation. It hits two birds with one stone and provides a flawless and brilliant appearance. You can apply this on its own and top it off with any blush or highlighter or use it over foundation for superior coverage with a natural finish. The good news is that as it also controls oil and shine for up to 8 hours, it is the best mac foundation for oily skin. It is suitable for all skin types and does not clog pores or cause acne. Applying MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation will ensure a non-cakey, smooth look that you’d love to wear every day.

2

Best Liquid Foundation SPF

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation - NW20

Buy on Amazon

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in the shade NW20 is a peach-ish shade that offers medium-to-full buildable coverage with a natural matte finish. It has broad-spectrum SPF 15 protection and is a non-caking, breathable formula that controls shine. It is easy to apply and works well when applied with a beauty blender, brush, or even with a finger. It feels light on the skin and does not clog pores but rather reduces its appearance. The foundation is sweat and heat-resistant, so it makes it a good buy for outdoor use. The foundation can stay on the skin for up to eight hours thanks to its ability to absorb oil. It is a popular pick among makeup artists as it suits all skin types.

3

Best Shine Control

MAC Foundation Studio Fix- NC15

Buy on Amazon

MAC Foundation Studio Fix SPF15 in the shade NC15 makes it easy for many who struggle to find an in-between shade. It has a satiny-finish liquid foundation and is good for a slightly tanned but fair complexion that has cool undertones. The studio fix foundations are popular among oily-skinned makeup lovers. It ​​provides complete coverage with a matte appearance. Without having to reapply, this foundation lasts almost all day long giving your skin a satin finish. It is a hit among women with oily skin but is also suitable for other skin types. The foundation glides on the skin easily making it easy to use even for first-timers.

4

Best Matte Effect

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF15, NC30

Buy on Amazon

This foundation controls oil and leaves you with a mesmerizing matte finish, coupled with medium to full coverage that never disappoints. With an all-inclusive range of over 30 shades to choose from, this foundation also contains broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15/PA++ protection to keep your skin shielded from harmful sun rays. Moreover, after testing out the product we found that it works towards reducing the visibility of pores and imperfections for a seamless and radiant complexion. 

Finish Type:

Matte

Skin Type: 

All

5

Best Long-lasting

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF 15 - NC45

Buy on Amazon

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF 15 NC45 is another beautiful shade in the fluid range of foundations. It is for darker complexions. This foundation has an orange-ish tone with an inclination towards orange more than red. “This might be a good tone to wear in summer but may be a bit too warm to wear during winter. The foundation is a fluid one but it ends as a powder finish on your skin, so if you’re dry skin, you may want to skip this one as it gets powdery after a few hours,” says Liva Lavon, makeup reviewer. This product comes in 42 shades, making it an extensive range for colored skin too. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation is not ultra-lightweight but it maintains a balance that makes it wearable all day long.

6

Best Waterproof

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation - NW35

Buy on Amazon

This distinctively textured MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation has a gel-like texture on the skin and offers medium to high coverage, making it a great mac foundation for dry skin. It rapidly nourishes the skin and keeps it smooth, silky, and velvety because it is naturally moisturizing. The foundation provides a smooth and heavily pigmented luminous finish. It conceals wrinkles, blemishes, and dark spots. Because it has an SPF of 15, it is suitable for daytime wear as well and lasts for 6 to 8 hours. The optimal skin types for this product are dry to normal skin types. The micronized silicone pigments in the foundation ensure the foundation sticks to the skin and does not leave out any spots.

7

Best Oil Control

M.A.C Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation NC25

Buy on Amazon

MAC's Pro Long-wear foundation is the holy grail formula that promises to stay put on your skin for up to 15 hours, no matter what the weather or environment throws your way. But that's not all — it's also incredibly comfortable to wear and controls excess oil to allow your skin to breathe. What's the secret? Specially treated micronized pigments that seamlessly blend to create a smooth, flawless, and natural matte finish. And with over 16 shades available, there's a perfect match for every skin tone. 

Finish Type:

Satin

Skin Type: 

All

8

Best Hydrating

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation SPF 15 - NW30

Buy on Amazon

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation is a thick consistent liquid foundation that comes in a handy tube packaging. It has medium to high coverage that can be buildable. It instantly makes the skin look well-hydrated and luminous, making the foundation a great pick for dry and dull skin and mature skin. The best-selling feature of MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation is the after-effect it. It provides a flawless natural-looking makeup look that does not make your skin cakey or patchy. The foundation is also great for anyone looking to minimize the appearance of pores. 

9

MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation NC30

Buy on Amazon

When it comes to those special moments where a flawless complexion is a must, a cakey foundation just won't do. That's where MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation comes in – a game-changing cream foundation packaged perfectly for on-the-go touch ups. It will leave you with a fresh and radiant glow, while effortlessly covering up any unwanted imperfections such as blemishes, uneven skin tone, and pesky pigmentation. With a simple swipe, MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation has you covered — quite literally! And with 23 different shades to choose from, you can easily find one that suits your skin tone.

Finish Type:

Sheer

Skin Type: 

All

10

Best Non-acnegenic

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF 15 - NC40

Buy on Amazon

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in the shade NC40 is best suited for darker skin tones. The foundation does not come with a pump but can be carefully poured on the back of your hand and blended on the skin using a brush, beauty blender, or fingers because it is super blendable. It has medium coverage and can last all day long. It does not look cakey and does not leave any part of the skin untended. Even when clicking photos with a flash, it looks exactly the way it does in natural light. So you can wear MAC Studio Fix Foundation and not bother about how it might differ in different lights.

11

Best Hydrating

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Natural Matte Foundation - NW47

Buy on Amazon

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Natural Matte Foundation in the shade NW47 is for dark complexions with red undertones. The foundation has an almost sheer coverage but is buildable and looks natural even after multiple applications to build the coverage as desired. The hydrating effect of the foundation is definitely a bonus for anyone who has dry skin and is looking for a foundation that looks natural and yet enhances their skin’s overall outlook. It is also waterproof and has a broad spectrum SPF so you can wear your foundation and be ensured that your skin is protected from UVA/UVB rays.

12

Best Coverage

MAC Studio Tech - NC44

Buy on Amazon

The MAC Studio Tech Foundation is a tri-system masterpiece that blends together water, emollients, and more water to give you a silky smooth emulsion that glides onto your skin effortlessly. With its ingenious formulation, it offers full-spectrum coverage while granting you a seamless and powdery-fresh appearance. In addition, it adeptly blurs the appearance of fine lines and yields an impeccable complexion. And you’ll be delighted to know that this revolutionary foundation comes in an impressive array of 27 versatile shades.

Finish Type:

Sheer

Skin Type: 

All

13

MAC STUDIO WATERWEIGHT SPF 30 /PA++ FOUNDATION

Buy on Amazon

The MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation is the holy grail you’re in search of that can give you the color you need without feeling heavy on the skin. This unique formula is ultra-fluid, meaning it glides onto the skin with ease, and its gel-serum consistency is both elastic and comfortable. Not only that, but this hydrating foundation is infused with a moisture-fusion complex to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated all day long. And, with SPF 30 included in every application, you can trust that your skin is being protected from the sun's harmful rays. Plus, with 23 shades to choose from, finding the perfect match for your skin tone has never been easier!

Finish Type:

Matte

Skin Type: 

Normal

14

Best for Face and Body

MAC Studio Radiance Face & Body - N2

Buy on Amazon

Mac Studio Radiance Face & Body in the shade N2 is a cult favorite. It's a multi-purpose cosmetic item that makeup lovers have yearned for. It can be used on the face and the body with ease using fingers, a brush, or even a sponge. You'll save big bucks by buying one product that can work on both. The foundation is also easily customizable as it has a water-based formula, which feels incredibly lightweight and appears sheer on the skin but also gives effortlessly buildable coverage. Additionally, it works just as well on oily, sensitive, or acne-prone skin and doesn't even clog pores. MAC Face & Body is fantastic for people of all ages, works wonders on wrinkles, and is ideal for dry skin, but it also works wonders on oily skin when used in conjunction with setting powder.

Be absolutely clear regarding your skin type; if necessary, see a dermatologist. Seasoned makeup reviewer, Lizzie, thinks that liquid foundation is believed to be the best for people with dry and combination skin. “It is popular because it glides on easily and provides the most amount of coverage. Stick foundations can sometimes be tricky to cover all parts of the face while powder foundations are the classic type that works like a compact, as well as a foundation. It is easy to retouch and is a great perfecting powder. These work best with oily skin as they double up as blotting paper and just tap out the oil.”

It is always preferable to choose MAC foundations from a store outlet rather than from online shade charts because you risk becoming confused and picking a shade that does not match your tone. Furthermore, MAC stylists can quickly identify your shade and undertone and fix you up with an apt shade. Be aware of your true skin tone and undertone before purchasing MAC foundation. There are a lot of options even among in-between shades, so MAC truly understands your skin, don't settle for anything lesser than a true match.

 -Use a brush with densely packed soft synthetic fibers for a smooth, even finish of the foundation. This makes blending and buffing thick liquids and creams simply. It eliminates the risk of getting a patchy look. A quality brush can make the difference between a face that looks airbrushed and a  makeup look that looks like you did it in a rush.

-Once you have picked the right foundation brush or beauty blender that does not absorb too much product, apply some primer or strobe cream of your choice.

-Now, it's time to paint the canvas! Just pump a pea-sized amount of foundation (or just a bit more) at the back of your hand. Using a brush, start applying the foundation on your face in slow, gentle strokes.

 -Use a brush with densely packed soft synthetic fibers for a smooth, even finish of the foundation. This makes blending and buffing thick liquids and creams simply. It eliminates the risk of getting a patchy look. A quality brush can make the difference between a face that looks airbrushed and a  makeup look that looks like you did it in a rush.

-Once you have picked the right foundation brush or beauty blender that does not absorb too much product, apply some primer or strobe cream of your choice.

-Now, it's time to paint the canvas! Just pump a pea-sized amount of foundation (or just a bit more) at the back of your hand. Using a brush, start applying the foundation on your face in slow, gentle strokes.

-Use a brush or sponge to apply your go-to MAC Concealer if you're still noticing a few troublesome spots, such as any blemishes or skin discoloration.

-Spray a generous amount of the MAC Prep + Prime Setting Spray after you have finished applying your foundation and concealer, as well as any additional products like powder foundations, blush, bronzer, highlighter, eye-makeup, and falsies, for a revitalizing finish that stays put.

It's simpler to blend foundation for people with normal skin, but there may be issues with coverage and how long the foundation lasts on dry or oily skin.

Quick Tip
To apply your foundation, always choose the best lighting. Good lighting is essential because nobody wants their foundation to have a flaky or rough finish. A bright white light bulb in your bathroom is a great fallback option in cold winters when the sun sets earlier than you would want it to. Natural daylight from a window will also work. Avoid using yellow or cozy fluorescent lighting at all costs!

Although it might seem like the toughest task in the world to throw away your favorite lipstick or foundation, it's crucial to follow makeup expiration dates.“The ingredients and formula are going to start to change and if you apply these products to your skin they could cause chemical burns, breakouts, skin irritation, and issues that's why it is essential to pay attention to how long you've had a product," Canada-based Skincare expert, Ashley says. 

But here's the tricky part--The use-by date on your makeup products, however, is dependent on the first day you use them rather than the date of purchase, unlike the contents of your refrigerator. If you ever find yourself in doubt, all products have a tiny symbol that resembles a jar with a number or letter on the inside that denotes the PAO, or period after opening. The product's shelf life after opening is indicated by the numbers that come before the letter M. Often these foundations typically have a shelf life of six months to a year. Even though the foundation can last for a few years if it isn't opened, it is best to replace it after six to twelve months if the seal has been broken.

"Especially if you have sensitive skin, you should keep a close eye on your products. In case the expiry date is not available, every beauty product will have a batch code number which you can use to call the company and they will be able to tell you when that product was manufactured, or you can use the website called Cosmetic Calculator which will do the work for you," adds Ashley. 

Another tell-tale sign of expired formula is a foul smell or change in its appearance. Separation is yet another indication that liquid or creamy foundation is long past its prime. Therefore, the next time you notice an immiscible layer forming in your foundation, don't shake the bottle for reuse; simply discard it. You can also prolong the shelf life of your foundation by ensuring minimal contact of your fingers from the neck of the bottle or tube.  Also, keep foundations away from high-temperature and damp areas (like your bathroom), as these conditions encourage the growth of bacteria and hasten the spoiling process.