Chances are, if we bumped into each other at — UGH! — The X in San Francisco in the late ’90s or early aughts (it was a place Jen and I used to go clubbing, and in retrospect it was pretty gross), I was wearing MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation ($29) on my face and partying all night long.
Studio Fix Fluid is one of those foundations that you can put on your face, and you know that no matter what you’re doing — dancing, sweating, making out with strangers (um, not that I did that), dancing in cages (not that I did that either!) — you know, that Studio Fix will keep going and going and going and going.
A medium-coverage matte liquid foundation, Studio Fix is one of my two all-time fave MAC foundations (the other one is Face and Body). You can easily ramp up the coverage to full by using additional layers, but I wouldn’t use more than two or three, because you can completely mask red areas and pigmentation spots with just two layers, I’m not kidding, and if you go beyond three, it starts to look cake face-y.
Of all the MAC liquid foundations, I think Studio Fix is the best at controlling oil. It sucks it all up! I can really tell when I’m looking between my eyebrows, which is the oiliest area on my face. I don’t see any shiny spots there when I use Studio Fix. It completely obliterates oil without drying out my combo skin.
What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
It’s also extremely long-wearing. Like, my club days are so far behind me, so I’m not wearing Studio Fix all night long anymore, LOL! I do wear it all day long now, though, and I know that I can wake up at the crack of dawn, put this on, and when I take off my makeup at night, my foundation will look just as fresh as it did that morning.
But my favorite thing about it is that it’s more flexible than an Olympic-caliber gymnast. OK?! It’s great for that flawless, full-coverage finish. You can sheer it out or build it up. And if you’re going to a party or have a bridal shower or baby shower to go to, and you know that there’s going to be lots of pictures taken, this is a great foundation for special events like that, because it evens out your skin and completely “mattes” it down without looking or feeling heavy. It looks AMAZING in pics.
It’s also lightweight and incredibly comfortable, and if you want to go sheerer than medium because you’re aiming for a natural look where your freckles peek through a bit, you can just mix it with something in your arsenal, like a face oil (which I’ve done before; it lends a dewy finish to it).
I also love, LOVE a little bit of Strobe Cream mixed in. I use Pinklite, which is the new name for the original Strobe Cream.
I’ll mix Studio Fix with a small dollop of Strobe Cream in shade NC 42 on the back of my hand, apply that with my fingers, buff it down gently with a kabuki brush, and set with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder, and the final look has a touch of pearly pink sheen. It’s very “my skin but better,” which I know sounds so trite, but it’s true. I can still see my freckles peeking through, but everything will be evened out in my overall complexion.
If you’re looking for a matte fluid foundation in the MAC line that does absolutely everything, Studio Fix Fluid is the one.
It’s $29 for one ounce of product in a glass bottle, and it comes in a plethora of shades — 42, as a matter of fact!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Sorta forgot about this foundation! I would say I went through 2-3 bottles in my 20s but as of late I’ve been trying to use drugstore makeup in an effort to save money. I like medium to full coverage to combat redness and I like oil control for my t-zone. I’ll have to try it out again!
Hi Rachel,
Me too! I’m so glad I rediscovered it because it really is fabulous, especially in the wear time department. I have to say, drugstore foundation have totally stepped up their game in the last 5 years. L’Oreal True Match Lumi is one of my faves, and it’s affordable, especially if you can get it BOGO. Have you tried it? It’s so good!
I haven’t tried that one but I will! I am into Revlon colorstay foundation which is pretty full coverage and lasts all day.
This sounds like the EXACT kind of foundation that I’ve been looking for!! However, when I described my needs, the girl steered me towards the Pro Longwear….I like the Pro Longwear, but I have to be careful because it’s a little heavier than what I want/like.
Hi Sandra,
Pro Longwear is good too! If you find that it lays down heavy you might want to mix in a drop or two of face oil. Or perhaps try a little bit of Strobe Cream! Even a dab of your fave face moisturizer would work too. You just want something to thin it out a little. Also, are you blending it with anything after you apply it? I find that when a foundation looks heavy, a light dab of a damp Beauty Blender or a quick blend with a kabuki brush helps to take it down a notch.
I’m definitely a brush girl.
I love the Drunk Elephant B Hydra, so I might try mixing a little in. I’ve found that the older I get (52 in a fe days, yikes!!!), the less stuff I need to cover, so I’m looking for a foundation to even things up a bit and, most importantly, control the oil slick that I’ve been dealing with for decades (but all that hydrating oil had probably kept me looking younger than I am!!!)…
Hi Karen
I’m so in love with your blog and I love to read your stories 🙂
Thank you for being here
Hope you have a wonderful weekend
Cheers
Bebe
PS. I haven’t tried that foundation yet but I think I’m gonna like it , is because of the way you describe it 🙂
Hi Bebe,
Thank you for reading the blog! It keeps me going when I hear that people still enjoy reading it. I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday because this week has gone by so fast. Are you doing anything fun? I’m doing a lot of cleaning, which isn’t fun, but has to happen.
P.S. If you ever have any questions about MAC products please feel free to ask. I know the line pretty well and can recommend things to ya. 🙂
I’ve been hearing great things about this foundation for many years, but I have yet to try it. I’m always attracted to the newest, shiniest product I’m afraid!
I remember wearing that a lot in my earlier makeup days, I think I went through two bottles. No clue why I stopped it, I think I just got distracted by other new releases.
I’ve never tried a foundation by Mac but you sure make me curious! $29? Now that’s a fabulous price too! Will have to pick one up.
I’m sad because this breaks me out, but NC10 is a really good color on me.
How is this for pore blurring (and fine lines)? I think I’d need to sheer it out but, maybe not. I’ve been using an Artis-style brush to apply and buff my BB cream lately and I like the effect (which could possibly be my imagination but I just think everything looks softer and more blurred).
My two favorite MAC foundations are Face&Body and the liquid Mineralize Moisture. Love me some moisture and light coverage. I love how affordable MAC foundations are, but I find they start smelling funky quicker than other brands, so I never really use up a bottle.
Hi Karen, for you what would be the perfect brush to apply this foundation ? I use a flat top Zoeva but I’m wondering if another brush would give a smoother result (I feel like it doesn’t give the best of this product). Thank you so much for your Blog, I love it and I read it everyday from France ! Bises et à bientôt 🙂
I will never stop singing the praises of Studio Fix Fluid! I don’t wear it on an everyday basis (that’s more NARS tinted moisturizer and MUFE Ultra HD liquid) but if I want something that covers and lasts and lasts and lasts… I know where to go. Plus, even in the super pale shades (me) it doesn’t flash back in photos! And it mixes with liquid highlighters and moisturizers super well for versatility. Oh, and the shade range! It’s so good and I feel like it’s been forgotten in the last few years because of all the shiny newness.
Hi Karen! As usual you look phenom! I’m a Next To Nothing fan but this looks good for a long holiday party. What is the pink lippie you are wearing? Luv it! Any MAC eyeshadow suggestions for me: Paul Newman blue eyes. Would love your ideas! Love your blog….love Tabs.
Nina