Shady For Mac
Mac for dummies. Apple’s productive trio includesPages: Are you writing your thesis or the great American novel? Using Apple’s polished word processor is a great way to accomplish this gigantic task. The Mac iterations of these apps are similar to versions on Apple’s iOS 9 devices, most notably the iPad, as well as web-browser based versions for Macs and Windows.
When I was a makeup noob and had just discovered the wonders of beauty blogs, I saw that many foundation reviews and mentions had the initials NC and NW followed by a number. I didn’t understand what they were so I did a quick online search, and that was how I first learned about the MAC foundation shade coding system!
If you’ve ever tried to shop for foundation, you’d know how hard it can be to find a product that matches perfectly with your skin tone. Shade names like Caramel and Golden Beige aren’t helpful either as they often look different from brand to brand, or even with different products of the same brand. The MAC foundation system makes finding your exact match a lot easier because it’s developed to match varying degrees of skin tones as well as differences in undertone. Basically, if there’s one makeup brand that you’re absolutely certain to get a match of your skin, it would be MAC! To find out more about why their system works so well (and to help me find my MAC shade), I talked to MAC events artist Ryan Wong and MAC product specialist and makeup artist Beny Reginaldo about the products that set their brand apart from the rest.
What is the difference between NC and NW? Which one is right for me?
“At MAC Philippines, foundations and concealers are mostly categorized into NC and NW. NC stands for Neutral-Cool and has yellow undertone, while NW is Neutral-Warm which has pink undertone,” Ryan explains. “An easy way to determine if you are yellow or pink toned is to see whether your skin has a rosy or golden tone. If your skin is naturally rosy, then your skin has a pink undertone. Likewise, if your skin has a naturally golden tone, then your skin has yellow undertone.”
If you’re still not sure which group you fall under, a MAC specialist will help you out. Beny tells me that part of a MAC artist’s training includes being able to quickly figure out what a person’s skin tone is, just from one look! Even though I was experiencing some redness and looked flushed from my commute, he immediately pinpointed me as having an NC shade.
Shady puts a shade over your screen to help soothe your tired or dazzled eyes. You can use it to reduce your Mac's brightness far below the usual minimum, without any risk of damage to your screen. Sep 26, 2019 Diva is THAT shade of MAC lipsticks for the paler skinned lovers of lipstick. Everyone wants a dramatic, stand out shade, and Diva is the dramatic, ultra-pigmented, intense shade of red-blended burgundy lipstick designed to catch eyes and flatter paler skin tones. This is the wow factor color and is easy to apply and stays well all day.
Which shades are the most common or popular among Filipinos?
Locally, the most popularly worn MAC shades are NC30 to NC40. Beny explains that most Asians have NC undertones because of our warm coloring, and that in countries like Thailand, the people are so yellow-toned that MAC had to create a purely C line for them! There are about 20 shades (including NW options) available in the PH to suit most Pinoy skin tones, but the actual number of all available MAC foundation shades is past 30. Aside from the C shades, there are pure N and pure W shades, too. That’s why beauty gurus and lovers alike usually reference MAC shades when describing foundations and skin tones.
Editor's note: These are swatched on NC35 skin. I use NC35 comfortably, NC30 is too light on me when blended. - Liz
What formulations are available? Which one is right for me?
You know what’s harder than finding your shade match? Choosing the right formula to get! MAC has so many liquid, powder, and gel foundations that I felt a bit intimidated. I counted about 11 different formulas in the store! Ryan explains that MAC has so many product options because they’re dedicated to making sure that foundation looks like real skin.So here’s a tip to keep you from getting confused: just match the formula to your skin type! If you have combination to oily skin, the non-hassle option would be to get a powder formulation while those with dry skin might want to get a liquid formulation.
MAC doesn’t limit the options there though. If you’re oily-skinned but prefer a liquid foundation, you can go for Studio Fix Fluid (P1,900) and just set it with a finishing powder like Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (P1,800). If you have dry skin and want to keep things matte, Studio Fix Sculpt Foundation (P2,150) is a gel-type formula that dries to a powder finish. To cop the Korean dewy skin trend, get the new Studio Waterweight Foundation (P2,200),which is designed to work for any skin type. For heavy coverage, try the Pro Longwear Foundation (P2,150) or Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation (P2,200).
How does a foundation-matching happen in a MAC store?
It all starts with the MAC makeup artist getting to know your skin. They usually ask about your skin type, how much coverage you want or feel comfortable wearing, the kind of formulation you want to try, and the type of finish you prefer. Based on your answers, the artist can recommend the product that they think will suit you best but you can also request to try any product that strikes your fancy.
When you’ve decided on a product to try, the artist will get three shades of your preferred formulation: one that looks closest to your skin tone, a shade that’s a step darker, and a shade that’s a step lighter. In my case, Beny figured that my skin looked closest to NC37, so he got NC35 and NC40 (there was no NC39 for the particular foundation I chose) to compare.
All three shades are swatched on your jaw line to see how they blend with the color of your (bare) face and that of your neck. This is very important because the two can actually have different skin tones! If your neck is much darker than your face, the artist will find a shade that lies between the two so that it blends more seamlessly. It’s never a good idea to base your foundation matching on swatches made on your hand or arm! Unless you’re lucky enough to have a completely even skin tone all over your body, chances are they’ll end up looking quite different when applied to your face.
After giving the swatches a minute or two to settle on my skin, Beny’s first pick proved to be my exact match. To be absolutely sure that it was right for me and so I could see how it would look when worn, he applied NC37 all over my face with a stippling brush.
Should my concealer be the same as my foundation shade?
It depends on what you’re trying to conceal. Ryan says that because concealers are used to cancel discolorations like dark circles and pimple marks, you have to use a concealer shade that will make the area blend better with the rest of your skin.
Beny used the Studio Finish Concealer Duo (P1100~) to cover up the remaining imperfections. He neutralized the bluish tones of my under eye area with an NW30 cream concealer that was lighter and pinker than my skin to give it a brightening effect. For my acne, he applied a slightly lighter NC35 concealer because the marks looked dark.
After my MAC shade matching session with artist Beny Reginaldo
It was really fun finding out my MAC foundation shade, and the experience is just worlds away from going to a department store stall and having to figure out what shade would suit me amid poorly-managed testers and unflattering store lights. The MAC store had well-lit mirrors, clean brushes, and a knowledgeable professional to help me out! You can also find out what your MAC shade is simply by going to any of their stores and requesting for a free consultation. If you want to get actual makeup lessons though, they offer paid classes wherein the fee is consumable with MAC products. Sounds like a great deal!
Have you found your MAC foundation shade? Which formulation is your favorite? Share your own MAC-matching experience in the comments!
Visit the MAC website and Facebook page for more information.
All MAC Strobe Cream Shades Review, Swatches: Hey guys, so MAC strobe cream original (Pinklite) has been around for quite sometime now. However recently MAC Cosmetics came up with 4 additional new shades in this range. Hence, now there are a total of 5 shades in the MAC strobe creams range. The new shades were released as limited edition, but according to a MAC MUA, MAC is considering making them a part of their permanent range! We at MBF decided to swatch them all for you guys since MAC is an expensive brand and seeing the swatches of all shades side by side may help you decide which one you wish to get. So without further ado, let’s jump right in and learn more about this product while we swatch them and do a mini demo.
MAC Strobe Cream Goldlite
MAC Strobe Cream Peachlite
MAC Strobe Cream Pinklite
MAC Strobe Cream Redlite
MAC Strobe Cream Silverlite
About MAC Strobe Creams
A moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and luminizes with iridescent particles. The ultimate quick fix for skin now in shades of pink (original), peach, silver, red and gold. Super-powered with potent botanicals, it boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin with nutritious vitamins and a mega-dose of green tea. Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Adds the softest glow to skin in sunlight to spotlight.
- Smoothes skin
- Improves clarity
- Provides radiance
- Hydrating
- Dermatologist tested
- Ophthalmologist tested
- Non-acnegenic
How to Use MAC Strobe Creams
Apply desired amount of product to fingertips and blend over face. (We have listed below 4 ways you can use it in detail )
Price of MAC Strobe Cream
$ 33.00 for 1.7 fl oz in USA
C$ 40.00 for 50 mL in Canada
£ 25.00 for 50 mL in UK and Scotland
€ 32.00 for 50 mL in Europe
CHF 50.00 for 50 mL in Switzerland
Kr 340.00 for 50 mL Sweden
A$ 55.00 for 50 mL in Australia
NZ$ 70.00 for 50 mL in New Zealand
S$ 52.00 for 50 mL in Singapore
RM 150.00 for 50 mL g in Malaysia
₹ 2700.00 for 50 mL in India
All MAC Strobe Cream Shades Review, Swatches
The strobe cream comes in a white coloured opaque plastic bottle which have slightly iridescent reflective particles on the surface. The bottle is very sturdy. Each bottle has like this small banner like label in front which corresponds to the shade of the strobe cream. These 50 mL bottle do last a very long time since you only need a small amount per usage.
Formula, Texture
The strobe creams have a very nice hydrating formula which does not feel heavy on the skin. Hence, dry skin beauties will love this. The texture is like thin cream. The strobe cream can be used by itself to provide a radiant look to the skin. In fact this also has some amazing components like vitamins and green tea which work like skin care ingredients.
All MAC Strobe Creams Individual Shade Description
MAC Strobe Cream Goldlite
Goldlite is a beautiful soft yellow golden beige shade with a pearl finish. When you take it out of the bottle, it looks almost like a white cream with slight golden reflections. But when you blend it out, you can see the true reflective shade. Its the most gorgeous strobing shade if you’re a fan of glowing skin. This would work on every skin tone. Again, you can use it by itself, apply it under the foundation or mix it with your foundation.
MAC Strobe Cream Peachlite
Peachlite is a gorgeous peachy champagne shade with a pearl finish. The beauty of this shade really comes out when you blend it out. It would look gorgeous on a variety of skin tones. Specially those with peach-pink skin undertones.
MAC Strobe Cream Pinklite
Pinklite is the original strobe cream which was launched a long time ago. We already have covered it here – MAC Strobe Original Cream Review, Swatches, Demo. Pinklite shade gives a soft purple reflection. It has purple iridescent particles which give the skin a nice glow. This shade does not work well for deeper skin tones.
MAC Strobe Cream Redlite
Redlite is a gorgeous pink-red strobe shade. It comes out more pearly upon swatching in person. This shade is quite unique as a strobe shade because you can play with it in a number of ways if you’re an artist. It will work well for ladies with pink skin undertones.
MAC Strobe Cream Silverlite
Silverlite like the name suggests is a beautiful icy silver shade with a pearl finish. This shade would work amazingly on light and medium skin tones. Its a beautiful shade for a moonlit glow.
Shady For Mac Pro
How to Use MAC Strobe Cream – 4 Different Ways!
Shady For Mac 2017
There are four ways of using it
1. Use it beneath the foundation
• Moisturize your face well. Then take a very little amount of strobe cream and apply it all over the face using your hand or a foundation/ buffing brush.
2. Mix it with the foundation
• In order to make a matte finish foundation or any foundation dewy, add a drop of strobe cream to it. Then apply the foundation on your face using finger or foundation brush.
3. Make foundation a shade lighter or give it different undertones
• In order to alter the shade of your foundation, add a small drop of strobe cream to it. Mix it well and then apply the foundation on the face.
• But remember that it will also change the properties of your foundation and make it dewy.
4. Apply on highlighting areas
• This application method is best for people with oily skin who have unknowingly bought this product.
• After applying the foundation take drop of strobe cream and apply it on the highlighting areas such as the area right above the eye brows, middle of the eyebrows, down the centre of the nose, middle of your upper lip, middle of the chin and right above the cheek bone. Apply it in a patting motion using a finger or small concealing brush.
• For people with oily skin apply it only on the cheek bones and right above the eyebrows.
All MAC Strobe Cream Swatches
Left to Right – All MAC Strobe Cream Shades Review, Swatches Redlite, Pinklite, Peachlite, Goldlite, Silverlite
We have taken the last two swatch photos in low light because highlighters tend to show up naturally better on camera under low light conditions. Finally we hope this post will be useful to you guys. Please let us know what would you like us to do next. Till then – Keep Glowing 🙂
– Neha and Astha