MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural

After much pestering from R and 1.5 weeks of randomly appeared blotchy redness on my face, I finally caved.  This is my third ever MAC product and first ever MAC face product.

I didn't get matched at the MAC counter or anything... I figured that my skin tone was pretty much identical to R's, so I just grabbed the Medium - Turned out to be a perfect match; I can't tell it apart from my skin.

I wore it for a full 10 hour day today, and I'm quite pleased.

Before I begin, I want to inform that I've never worn foundation in any form; at least, not for the function of foundation.  When I use foundation (in liquid form only), it serves as a spot concealer.

After washing my face, I applied my usual Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner (my post on it here) to my T-zone.  Then, starting from my T-zone, I buffed the MSF all over my face with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush (my post on it here).  I found that it was a light coverage that was build-able to reduce redness and even out my skin.  The MSF isn't enough coverage for my under-eye darkness and dark pigmentation spots, so I used my Chanel Perfection Correcteur Concealer; however, I found that I didn't need as much of my concealer as usual.  After I applied my concealer, I went over my face with the MSF once more, really lightly, to just set everything.

Normally, I would apply my pore refiner to my T-zone, conceal, and apply my Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Translucent Finishing Powder all over.

Even though I didn't apply any moisturizer today, the MSF didn't enhance any dry patches (I have combination skin, but within the last couple of weeks, I've been having more dry-normal skin).  Sometimes, if I haven't moisturized, I've found that my Tarte finishing powder will slop up the little oil on my skin and make my top of nose and chin look like a flaky mess.

Also, the MSF was able to even out my complexion and keep it matte without making me look like a powderpuff.  Even after a full day out, I felt like it handled the accumulation of oil pretty well.  The MSF seemed to just slightly soak up the excess oil, leaving my face looking semi-dewy matte.  My complexion actually looked better as the MSF blended with my natural oil (as gross as it sounds haha).

Overall, I'm quite impressed and am pleased to have purchased it.  It functions like my Tarte powder, but seems to be better at handling my combination skin's oil and dry patches.  Considering I paid $36 CAD for my Tarte powder, $34 CAD for this MSF isn't bad.  My Tarte powder still looks full and brand new, so I'm sure the MSF will last forever too.  I will be travelling quite a bit for vacation this Autumn, and starting in January, I will be travelling twice a week for work, so the MSF is perfect - It will be a more travel-friendly option.

- M

Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner Review

I bought this a month ago in hope of finding something that would fix my ginormous pores.  Because my skin can be quite temperamental, I wanted to find one from a chemist or pharmacy line.  I didn't see anything in the La Roche-Posay lineup so I went for the Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner.  Plus, this came recommended by Lisa Eldridge -- How can you go wrong?

I am so glad I did, because since I had bought it, I have been using it anytime I leave the house!

This pore refiner is part of the Sébium line, which is specific to combination to oily skin.
It has a slightly opaque white colour and has the consistency of a gel-like lotion. There's a fragrance, that is reminiscent of very faint Chanel's lotion, but once it's applied, you can't smell it at all.

How I use it:
After I put on my usual Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, I put one dot of it on my forehead, one dot on my nose, and one dot on my forehead.  Then, I spread the dot all over my forehead, rubbing it in.  I do the same for my chin.  For the dot on my nose, I spread it all along my nose bridge as well as the skin right in between my nose and cheeks (this is where I have the most enlarged pores).  Since I have combination skin, there is no need to put it all over my face, just the general T-zone sufficed.

Once I rubbed it into my skin, I immediately saw my skin becoming matte - not satin, matte.  Once rubbed in, it dries pretty quickly so, I was able to just continue my regular make up routine.  In addition to pore refining, this product also acts as a make up primer - I have noticed that my make up goes on very smoothly on top of the pore refiner.

Verdict:
What's great about this product is that it actually does what it says!  I barely need to blot my face anymore because whenever I habitually feel like I need to blot, my sheet would have nothing - my T-zone would actually stay matte throughout the day!  I've also noticed that my pores are less enlarged and that my skin is less prone to whiteheads (probably because oil and dirt isn't able to sit on top/in my pores anymore with the Bioderma there).  Since I started using it, I have noticed that when I do get whiteheads, they are minimal and much more narrow than before usage.

Even though this is pricey ($31 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart), it is so worth it.  A little goes a long way for this 30 mL squeeze tube of product.  It has definitely become a HG in my skincare routine.  I would highly recommend this to anyone who has combination or oily skin, or just anyone who wants a bit more oil control - this product is perfect for the Summer months.

- M

Update:  October 24, 2012
I just finished up this tube.  I bought it in the middle of May, and have worn it everyday since then.  $31 CAD ($25 whenever Shoppers has a 20% Bioderma promotion) looks like a pretty good deal now, since it's lasted me almost six months, even with daily wear!