Today I’m putting on Waterweight!
Wait — that didn’t come out right… I mean, let’s put on our bathing suits, and take a dip back into the water with MAC studio Waterweight foundation.
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Hmm… That wasn’t much better, was it?
Anyway! considering that my review a couple days ago, I’ve gotten some questions here on MBB and on YouTube about how the new MAC studio Waterweight foundation compares to MAC face and Body, so I’m gonna try to answer those questions in this quick followup now.
Down below are also swatches of 21 of the 25 Waterweight shades (not shown are NC 25, NW 50, N12 and N18).
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In a nutshell, studio Waterweight is MAC’s foray into the world of serum foundation — medium coverage, with a lightweight, moisturizing formula and a velvety finish. My combination skin and I have been wearing it daily for the past week, and we’re really delighted with it so far!
10 of the 11 MAC studio Waterweight NC shades from the left: NC15, NC20, NC30, NC35, NC37, NC40, NC42, NC45 and NC50
11 of the 14 MAC studio Waterweight NW shades from the left: NW13, NW15, NW18, NW20, NW22, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW43, NW45, NW47, NW50, N12 and N18
One of the main things MAC studio Waterweight and face and Body have in common is texture. They both have a similarly thin, watery texture, but I think the similarities really end there. They differ in terms of finish, their ability to blur pores, their coverage and their durability.
Finish
I’ve used face and Body for years, and one thing I’ve always liked about it is how fresh and clean my skin looks after I put it on. When I work it in (I like to use a kabuki brush with a buffing motion), it becomes one with the skin and imperceptible, and once it settles down, it has a dewy finish — not shiny — that’s very distinct and beautiful.
Waterweight also becomes one with my skin, but I think the finish looks quite different. It’s much less dewy than face and Body’s finish — a lot more velvety — and while it still reflects a little light, it’s less evident than face and Body.
Pore blurring
Serum foundations normally also excel at blurring pores and softening the overall appearance of the skin, and that’s another way in which MAC face and Body and studio Waterweight differ.
Face and Body? hardly any pore blurring.
Like none.
But studio Waterweight blurs and blurs and blurs…
Coverage
With face and Body, it’s easy to build up the coverage. If you have the wherewithal, you can build it all the way from incredibly sheer to just shy of full.. I used to do exactly that for pics all the time, but good golly, miss Molly! — it took forever and A lot of layers.
Studio Waterweight’s coverage isn’t as easy to build. solid medium coverage is as far as I can get, and that’s with two or three layers. but I still think studio Waterweight is much easier to work with than face and Body, and it absolutely requires less effort to buff and blend. All I do is pat it on the skin with fingers or a BeautyBlender.
Durability
One huge advantage face and Body often has over other foundations is its durability. It stands up to a lot, even hot days when you’re sweating bullets, or if/when you’re vigorously rubbing your skin. You can even wear it on your arms or legs, and it won’t transfer onto your clothes (but you do have to wait until it’s dry). Its durability makes it ideal for hot climates or for filming or taking pics under hot, bright lights. It holds up like a champ.
Studio Waterweight isn’t that tough, but it will last through the day (I barely see any fading after eight hours). If I rub my sleeve or a tissue against my skin, some of the product does come off. I haven’t had a chance to test it in hot weather yet, but I have worn it while filming videos in a room with five or six bright lights, and it didn’t flinch.
Which one works best?
It depends. If you’re delighted with medium coverage and want hardcore pore blurring and a lightweight, moisturizing formula with good oil control, I recommend studio Waterweight, but if you want a foundation you can build up to full coverage and need something able to stand up to hot days and nights without transferring, I’d opt for face and Body.
I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, let me know.
MAC studio Waterweight Foundation: Swatches
MAC studio Waterweight foundation shades from the left: NC15, NC20, NC30, NC35 and NC37
MAC studio Waterweight foundation shades: NC40, NC42, NC45 and NC50
MAC studio Waterweight foundation shades: NW13, NW15, NW18, NW20 and NW22
MAC studio Waterweight foundation shades: NW25, NW30, NW35, NW43, NW45 and NW 47
Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,
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Karen
P.S. put this on your Christmas list ideal meow! — cat Pile. It’s a game by a company named Comma, and it’s generally like reverse Jenga…but with cats.
The idea is to pile up as lots of cats as you can before your tower of kitties falls. The only place I’ve seen it online is Amazon, and ideal now it’s — aww! — unavailable. HISS! I’m gonna keep stalking this page until it’s back.