Anytime I get the opportunity to try a new foundation, I am all over it. During my recent MAC Select Haul, I picked up the MACPro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation ($40, available here) in the hope that it could be a dupe to my current favourite foundation of the moment, the Laura MercierSilk Creme Photo Edition Foundation ($40, available here). The two appeared to be fairly similar and I was crossing my fingers that they would be as similar in terms of formula and wear!
The MACPro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation comes in 16 shades in a 25ml squeeze tube. It is one of the more forgiving and versatile foundation that MAC has in their range. I’ve had mostly good experience wearing this foundation particularly considering how high-maintenance and finnicky MAC’s foundation range can be. I can’t wait to use this regularly throughout the summer when it’s humid and sweaty outside!
I honestly haven’t heard too much about the MACPro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation which is is part of the reason that I wanted to try this out. Plus, it seemed like a pretty decent foundation with all the claims about it being waterproof and having great coverage.
MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation Formula and Wear
I have a normal-dry skin and this oil-free formula wears really well on the skin. MAC claims that this foundation can last for 24 hours but I rarely wear makeup for that long and I hope most people don’t. I tested this out for 12-ish hours and I had no major issue of this foundation getting blotchy and breaking up on me throughout the day. In terms of texture, I find this foundation having a much less runny and more cream to liquid-like texture than the MACStudio Fix Fluid Foundation. I really like applying this foundation with a flat top brush or the flat side of the beauty blender as it seems to distribute the products better.
I was a little surprised that I need a bit of product to get minimal (medium-ish) coverage. I normally use a dime-sized amount of most foundations. I actually need to go over my skin twice to get medium-ish coverage, and a bit more to get a full-coverage finish. Even so, the foundation doesn’t look cakey nor too makeup like. The foundation has a demi-matte finish unlike the satin-finish the brand claims, but I don’t think it’s a big enough issue to be worried about.
The foundation has a medium coverage – it covers most minimal redness and spots, but if you have major discolouration, you’ll need some concealer to go over it with.
I quite enjoy the formula and the way it sits on the skin; it stays quite comfortable, and moisturizing in fact, on the skin. It doesn’t have the same second-like skin like the MACStudio Fix Fluid Foundation but it gets better through the day.
Why I love the MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
What really sets this foundation apart and is slowly make its way to my favourite foundation of the moment are two things. Firstly, the texture makes this foundation blend and apply seamlessly on the skin. It doesn’t take much effort or work to get the flawless, airbrush-like finish that I’d get from the Laura MercierSilk Creme Photo Edition Foundation. Second is that this foundation actually gets better as the day goes on. I think that’s pretty rare – I don’t mind that this foundation is a little makeup-like at first. Give it 10 minutes and it actually improves quite significantly.
Once the foundation sets, it really doesn’t transfer. It doesn’t need any setting powder – I didn’t see any transferring or blending. As usual, always do a shade match test before buying the foundation because different formula means a different way it reacts on the skin.
For some additional reference, I wear the following shades in other brands:
- Laura MercierPhoto Ready Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige
- Estée LauderDouble Wear Foundation in 2W1 Sand
- CliniqueEven Better Foundation in #25 Buff
- Make Up For EverUltra HD Foundation in Y245 / Y315 depending on the time of the year
- DiorStar Foundation in #21 Linen
- DiorDiorskin Forever Foundation in #20 Light Beige
A Laura Mercier Silk Creme Photo Edition Foundation Dupe?
As much as I had hoped this foundation was going to be the perfect dupe to the Laura MercierSilk Creme Photo Edition Foundation, it’s the closest thing I have to it. It needs a bit more work to get the coverage that the Laura Mercier foundation gets right away. The texture, wear, and application do mostly feel similar to the Laura Mercier foundation. I just wish it was as easy as Mercier’s version which would make this foundation the perfect dupe.
Overall, I think this is a much easier MAC foundation to work with if you’re new to their makeup line and/or if you’ve found the other foundations too much for your skin. It’s a lot more forgiving and actually feels really good on the skin despite the fact that MAC can be a bit high maintenance. Plus, it’s actually a lovely foundation despite the fact that it’s a little bit pricey for what it is – $40 for 25ml.
Really glad that it helped ???? I find this has a more yellow undertone rather than the olive tone that the bamboo beige has ???? I wished this formula was as good as LM but I suppose the price differentials is indicative of that quality!
I’ve been curious to try this foundation for so long, but I haven’t got on too well with MAC foundations in the past, which was what made me hesitant to pick it up. You’ve definitely convinced me to head to my local counter asap and finally purchase it, though. I love the sound of the finish and the fact it doesn’t transfer, even without powdering over the top!
Alice / Alice Grace Beauty
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I’m glad this came at a good time ???? It’s one of the less high-maintenance foundation from the brand so it’s an easier one to try out if you haven’t gotten along with their foundations in the past! Hope you like it as much as I did!
We’re the same shade!! Clicked over to your LM foundation post and I used to wear Bamboo Beige too. It’s always so nice to find a foundation that wears nicely, I think most foundations look cakey on me/feel like a second layer on my skin.
Becky @ star violet