Usually, I opt for a lightweight BB cream for everyday use. The nourishing formula of BB cream not only moisturizes the skin throughout the day but also gently cares for and protects it from the harmful impact of UV light. However, on a bad skin day, when my skin doesn't look or feel its best and not even scrupulous cleaning with a deep-clean face wash or homemade exfoliators helps to purify it, I prefer to use something with more opaque coverage.
Dermacol Make Up Cover Foundation is one of the best options for a day like this; it perfectly covers prominent blemishes and can even hide tattoos, but this foundation doesn't feel weightless on the skin. Dermacol has a pretty thick texture, making it hard to achieve flawless, seamless blending. That is why I was searching for a better makeup foundation—one that looks natural on the skin and features a lightweight, buildable formula.
Luckily, Mac Cosmetics answered my makeup prayers a long time ago and came up with the Studio Fix foundation: an oil-controlling foundation with a matte, opaque finish.
To pick an ideal shade that would even out my skin tone while matching my complexion, I settled on a shade called NC 10—a very fair beige shade with a neutral-cool undertone. In my opinion, the NC 10 shade is not a 100% perfect match for my skin but is very, very close. A perfect foundation match is truly a matter of opinion and experience, so the foundation shade you choose may vary slightly from your actual skin tone. Highlighting and subtle contouring make the overall makeup look more dimensional, so the final result looks excellent, in my opinion.
Packaging:
MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation comes in sturdy glass bottle packaging, without a special liquid dispenser inside, but if necessary, you can buy a pump separately. The bottle contains a standard 30 ml/1.0 oz size. The foundation has an enjoyable velvety texture with the proper thickness, applying smoothly to the skin. A little bit of the product goes a long way, so the 30 ml amount will last almost forever.
Texture:
Even though the foundation was developed to have oil-controlling abilities, it does not feel uncomfortable on the skin, even after a long day of wear. My skin tends to be dry, especially during the colder months of the year, but the Studio Fix Fluid doesn't make it tight or flaky. However, I would still recommend applying the foundation over well-moisturized and prepped skin.
The foundation contains SPF15 and will protect the skin from mild ultraviolet rays. That being said, if you intend to walk all day long under the blinding sun, don't forget to intensify your protection with a higher, dedicated SPF product.
Application and coverage:
From the very first application, you'll achieve medium and even coverage with a beautiful matte, yet very natural finish. One thin layer of MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation is enough to cover up most skin problems like enlarged pores, blackheads, pimples, and acne. If you feel like you need extra coverage for specific areas, you can apply another layer to get flawless full coverage.
Surprisingly, even after two coats, the foundation feels weightless and very comfortable on the skin. Lasting for a full day, it gives the skin a very smooth, porcelain appearance while controlling shine.
Fragrance:
However, nothing on this planet is completely perfect; even a long-lasting and comfortable foundation like Studio Fix Fluid has a downside. As a person who appreciates pleasantly scented makeup, I prefer my foundation to have a mild, reasonably good aroma. Sadly, Studio Fix Fluid is one of the worst-scented makeup products I have ever used. It has a durable chemical fragrance that lingers on the skin pretty much all day long.
To tell the truth, I don't understand why MAC Cosmetics couldn't add a hypoallergenic fragrance to the formula, because the raw scent is genuinely unpleasant. While I won't stop using this awesome product just because I dislike the smell, I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to repurchase it once the bottle runs empty.
Final Verdict...
Wrapping up today's review, I would like to emphasize that Studio Fix Fluid by MAC is one of the best full-coverage foundations I have ever owned. It basically does everything a good foundation should do: it evens out the skin's surface, covers all imperfections, feels comfortable, and lasts all day long. The only drawback is its weird, chemical scent. I guess I'll just have to get used to it for now.
Do you have any ideas on how I can make the scent less unpleasant? Thank you so much for reading my post, lovelies. I'll talk to you soon!
Last modified: 2026-10-09
