MAC Matchmaster-did you find your perfect match?

[afulton]

I am NC50 too but 7.5 matches me perfectly.

I'm a little confused now... I normally wear NC50 and when I went to get matched today I initially tried 7.5 it was a teeny bit dark to me not much but a bit red, so I tried 7.0 it looks a little light to me but all the MA's said it was perfect. it looks and feels good til I took a picture and OMG I look dead almost like a ghost... I've been wearing it for about 5 hours now and I don't know what shade I should have....so frustrating!

 

[BeautyByLele]

I'm a NC50 and 7.5 matches me very well. The 8.0 was to dark & red on me and the 7.0 was too light and yellow for me. Get samples of both and try them out for a few days. Hth

 

[TSIZ]

Richelle83: Thank you for posting this!

Looks like I'm the "lightest" member posting, so far (3.0)...

A couple days ago, I picked up 3.0 at Nordstrom. There's a MAC store nearby, but I am loyal to Nordstrom,as they employed me my first year at university (and beyond), plus I prefer their Customer Service. Anyway, after I used wipes to clean my grimy face (I have "normal" skin/slightly shiny forehead & nose toward end of day), the mua applied moisturizer/primer(?) all-over, then Matchmaster. She emphasized that the foundation must be used immediately after moisturizer/primer b/c it tends to be drying(?) She applied a little NW25 Select Moisturecover under my eyes. She did not use any type of powder to set (I wanted to see how it performs on its own), but insisted on some blush, so she added a touch of Warm Soul Mineralize Blush to my cheeks/forehead/nose/chin.

Looked great at the store, in the car and when I arrived at home. I ran some light errands, putzed around the house...By the end of the day, my entire face was shiny but the foundation held-up on its own very well - no meltdown, caking, streaking, etc. When I cleaned my face, I did not observe any adverse reactions - I have very sensitive skin and most of the MAC foundations do not fare well with me. However, I think Matchmaster is a keeper *fingers crossed*. Unfortunately, since the Matchmaster launch, I cannot get that damn "Fiddler On The Roof" song out of my head (if you have to ask, you'll never know...)

By the way, I guess I've "lost some color"(?) Bummer. I was typically anywhere between NC35 (4.0) to NC40 (5.0) depending on what time of the year, and now I'm "down to" 3.0 (NC30) according to the Shade Matching Reference chart. I haven't really noticed the change b/c I rarely wear foundation...and by "rarely", I mean "special occasions only". For example, I'll wear makeup to a job interview, but not daily at work (unless I'm making a presentation). Being that I've been w/out employment for 2 years as of today, I've used makeup only a handful of times to the handful of interviews I've attended. However, maybe that will change. Maybe I ought to wear makeup more often! It really didn't feel like I was wearing makeup. It's not quite as light as a tinted moisturizer, but more like a BB Cream (even though it's not). Matchmaster is pretty "comfortable" and looks great!

I hope more people post here; I'd like to read more input/comments/critiques on MAC's new foundation and its (alleged) skin-color adjusting properties...AND the new numbering system! Thanks in advance!

Quote:

Here is the color matching chart. I guess the MA didn't get it...

 

[Ashleybubbles83]

i got matched and i am a 9.0 which is dead on!

 

[califabulous]

wow. great info here. I am still wearing/testing this foundation. I went out to dinner and dancing with friends last night. I wore hourglass mineral primer under the matchmaster. this is the first time I used it with a primer. I applied it about 7pm with a sonia kashuk skunk brush and got home about 2am. I needed to blot-just a little. And let me tell you I was sweating in that hot place (sorry but I think this is an important detail!). the foundation was very much intact. I still had great coverage. A couple of days ago I wore it and barely left the house and I was shining like the sun and the color was very dark. I applied with a 109 that day....i think that brush is too dense or I applied way too much foundation. I wore again today for light errands and it looks good but my face is itchy (just a little bit) no breakouts though. the color is great. the coverage is there but still slightly natural. I can tell i have on make up but its mainly b/c my skin looks smooth and healthy due to the foundation. Demi matte? IDK...I guess so. I wonder what the MA did differently than I b/c it hasn't looked the same since the first day I tried it! I feel like using this foundation when I want to be made up and using NARS macao like a tinted moisturizer for everyday. I don't know that I really need both. macao matches closely enough especially when i apply with my fingers. Thanks for all the feedback...keep it coming

 

[Cocosmith]

Ok, so I got a sample of MM 8.0 the other day and I must say I was very impressed. I normally wear Select SPF NC 50 mixed with the NC55. I was gonna get the 8.5, but it was wayyyyy to Red/Orange. So I just dust alittle of my NW45 Studio Fix Powder on top and it looks GREAT!!!!!!! Just like everyone else, my face was still looking shine free and flawless after a long day. The only thing I didnt like was the smell of it, my skin is very sensitive so hopefully I can continue to wear it, because I was so impressed. Especially since they discontinued my SPF Select in NC55. So I will keep you guys posted about any breakouts........

 

[BeautyByLele]

Im really liking this foundation, it gives medium coverage and I feel like Im not even wearing foundatrion. My face feels lightweight. Sometimes I chose to set with a powder and sometimes I dont, either way works out well. I will probably reach for matchmaster foundation more than my prolongwear foundation because I have to mix NC45 & NC50 together to get my perfect match. This foundation is a keeper.

 

[Ashleybubbles83]

Im really liking this foundation, it gives medium coverage and I feel like Im not even wearing foundatrion. My face feels lightweight. Sometimes I chose to set with a powder and sometimes I dont, either way works out well. I will probably reach for matchmaster foundation more than my prolongwear foundation because I have to mix NC45 & NC50 together to get my perfect match. This foundation is a keeper.

i agree 100%

 

[Richelle83]

So 7.5 looks like a winner, since I finally got a sample of it. I need one in 7 just to make sure though.

 

[TSIZ]

I keep checking back to this post:

Hello my sisters of (South-East)Asian / Pacific Islander / Filipina / Latina / Hispanic / "other" / "all-of-the-above" / et cetera heritage(s)?!?...

...go to your local M·A·C-counter / store / kiosk / (whatever), have a MA match you with a MM shade/give you a sample, try-it-out and give us (or in this case, me) your input! Please!!!

Here is the color matching chart. I guess the MA didn't get it...

 

[MACterliastic]

I got 6.0.. it was chalky

 

[TSIZ]

Thank you so much for posting! Your input is truly appreciated!

RE: "chalky" - did you layer moisturizer/primer prior to laying-down the foundation? The MUA that matched me emphasized the importance of laying-down moisturizer/primer prior to application b/c this foundation may be drying on certain skin-types.

I got 6.0.. it was chalky

 

[sss215]

I tried 9.0 and it matches in a little more with my neck. Not much difference between 8.5 and 9 on me. Still working with my samples. I don't need much which is good. I do like the fact that there is sunscreen in there. I use the 189 brush for application. Sometimes the 109

 

[cherryjune]

my updated review from another forum; i must note that i still don't think this foundation is transfer resistant but after wearing it in cooler weather, i think a lot of the transfer problems were caused by my sweat and summer oilness, not the foundation itself:

i actually bought this foundation and i love it! i have it in 9.0 (not an 8.5 that i should be in as a nw47 in studio fix). it's not a true matte foundation but i like that it looks like moisturized skin.

pros: it really gives me a nice foundationless look. the color match on me is excellent. it eliminates the need to wear two different foundations on the face by creating a nice medium shade between the light and dark zones on my face. it builds easily. it doesn't oxidize on me. it doesn't break me out like the studio fix and i accidentally fell asleep in it once, so it definitely had the chance to.
cons: it IS NOT transfer resistant and requires some major setting to make it stay put (as in powder and fix+). applying it so you can get the best look is tricky. i suggest a kabuki brush vs a stippling or foundation brush. it takes a couple of minutes to do its ~color adjusting~ thing. not anything over excessive (it should be the correct color by the time you walk from the bathroom or wherever to the car) but you will look crazy if someone walks in while you put it on.



pics (left is beginning of day, after applying, and right is end of the day, no touchups) sorry for the crazy looking faces:

 

[Richelle83]

Ok I lied, 7.5 isn't correct either. Even with wearing the wrong color, it just doesn't feel right on my skin.

 

[Mac-Guy]

I tried 9.0 and it matches in a little more with my neck. Not much difference between 8.5 and 9 on me. Still working with my samples. I don't need much which is good. I do like the fact that there is sunscreen in there. I use the 189 brush for application. Sometimes the 109

I have to try it out with the 189.

 

[MACterliastic]

Thank you so much for posting! Your input is truly appreciated!

RE: "chalky" - did you layer moisturizer/primer prior to laying-down the foundation? The MUA that matched me emphasized the importance of laying-down moisturizer/primer prior to application b/c this foundation may be drying on certain skin-types.

I did, still no luck. :/ major ghost face!

 

[lovely333]

I had the same issue I had to go up a shade. It was of course slightly darker but applied lightly it looks very natural and like my skin but better.

 

[califabulous]

well 2 weeks later here are my final thoughts. This is the only MAC foundation that has ever matched me (7.5) It evens my skin tone without making me look like I have an obvious tan. This is definitely medium coverage and a go to when I want the made-up look. Consider this from a person who only recently starting wearing liquid foundation. The wear for me is inconsistent. Lasts all day one day, oily by noon the next. Maybe I haven't found the right regimen (moisturizer, primer, etc) to prep for this foundation but I do not have to do that with my nars sheer matte. I know what I'm getting with every "no fuss" application and I don't have to set it. I must wear a primer with both MM and nars and that is ok with me. Without a primer MM transfers like crazy-I guess that's due to my heavy oil laden skin. I don't have that issue with sheer matte. i hadn't been setting this foundation and I find that I can set/touch up with my MUFE duo mat (214). I feel like these two colors (MM and MUFE) are completely different but it works. The scent of MM I can do without but it doesn't bother me. Takes a while to go away. I'm keeping MM mainly because of the color match but I do like that made up look without being to heavy. Nars for me is like a tinted moisturizer. I can throw it on and go! This justifies me having two foundations

I need to take my time with MM to blend and be sure not to over apply. I didn't mean to compare nars to mac but nars is now my point of reference for every foundation b/c it works for me. Oh- I also noticed a few small red pimples on my cheek but I am not certain it was b/c of MM...although I didn't have them before I started testing it...

 

[Copperhead]

well 2 weeks later here are my final thoughts. This is the only MAC foundation that has ever matched me (7.5) It evens my skin tone without making me look like I have an obvious tan. This is definitely medium coverage and a go to when I want the made-up look. Consider this from a person who only recently starting wearing liquid foundation. The wear for me is inconsistent. Lasts all day one day, oily by noon the next. Maybe I haven't found the right regimen (moisturizer, primer, etc) to prep for this foundation but I do not have to do that with my nars sheer matte. I know what I'm getting with every "no fuss" application and I don't have to set it. I must wear a primer with both MM and nars and that is ok with me. Without a primer MM transfers like crazy-I guess that's due to my heavy oil laden skin. I don't have that issue with sheer matte. i hadn't been setting this foundation and I find that I can set/touch up with my MUFE duo mat (214). I feel like these two colors (MM and MUFE) are completely different but it works. The scent of MM I can do without but it doesn't bother me. Takes a while to go away. I'm keeping MM mainly because of the color match but I do like that made up look without being to heavy. Nars for me is like a tinted moisturizer. I can throw it on and go! This justifies me having two foundations

I need to take my time with MM to blend and be sure not to over apply. I didn't mean to compare nars to mac but nars is now my point of reference for every foundation b/c it works for me. Oh- I also noticed a few small red pimples on my cheek but I am not certain it was b/c of MM...although I didn't have them before I started testing it...

What shade do you wear in Nars Sheer Matte?

I need to go buy a bottle of MM because I've just about worn my sample out.