MAC Colour Ready Collection: A Review

I've been really itching to try the Prep + Prime Refined Zone and the Transparent Finishing Powder. I wanted to try the former because I have a very oily t-zone, and usually, oily t-zones have enlarged pores like mine. I also wanted to try the Transparent Finishing Powder because I am like the FinPow (finishing powder) queen - I have tried different kinds of finishing powders from Bare Escentuals to Aromaleigh to Joppa Minerals to DreamWorld Minerals - and I really wanted to know how MAC's very own fares in comparison to all these.

Let's start with the Refined Zone. It's actually an oil mattifier and pore reducer in one, and I really like those kinds of two-in-one products. MAC claims that this is a lightweight, oil-free, soy-based emulsion that instantly helps minimize visible pores while helping to control excess surface oil and shine. MAC also claims that it employs High Tech Optics, an advanced technology powder and light diffusers to fill in lines. The result is supposed to be an invisible, natural-looking, long-lasting matte finish that also keeps the pores clean and unclogged, and it mattifies and hides imperfections while using a Mannose-Phosphate blend that gently exfoliates away dead skin cells. What a mouthful, huh? Anyways, I really wanted to claim that promise of MAC of matte, soft, exfoliated skin with reduced pore size.

My take: I love this product. I used it over my primer and usually the primer really makes my skin a tad oily, but not so with this product. It really does mattify my oily t-zone and prevents me from looking greasy by mid-day. I used a magnifying mirror to check out my pores after I applied this on, and I was pleased to see that it did indeed shrink my pores, especially on the nose. I was quite happy, and this product is a real keeper for me.

Prep + Prime Finishing Powder contains cornstarch, silica and micronized mica. Therefore, it seems like a hybrid of Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil (which has cornstarch), Make Up Forever's High Definition Finishing Powder (which is 100% silica), and Aromaleigh's tinted Ultra Resolution Finishing Powder (which has both mica and silica). For those who are sensitive to mica and cornstarch, this product might not be for you, but I am not bothered by these two ingredients. In fact, cornstarch makes my skin look airbrushed and it soaks up excess oil, that is why Bare Escentuals' mineral veil is still a good product for me. MAC's finishing powder includes some of the best ingredients from other finishing powders in the market. Cornstarch gives a silky finish and soaks up oil, silica blurs imperfections and fine lines giving a soft focus effect, and mica gives a radiant luminosity to the skin. Kudos to MAC for combining these ingredients for their very own high definition finishing powder.

The verdict? I am loving it as well. It didn't make my skin itch nor break me out, so that is a huge plus. I can see myself putting this in my purse for touch-ups which is more sanitary than carrying a powder compact that can easily breed bacteria. It might be a bit messy if you are used to a compact, but the benefits to your skin far outweighs the inconvenience. Just see the difference after you've touched up using this product!

In the look below, I used both the Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone and the Transparent Finishing Powder.







Eyes:
MAC Butternutty shadestick
Urban Decay Ammo Shadow Box (Maui Wowie on lid and inner lower lashline/inner corners, Smog on outer V and crease and outer lower lashline), Oil Slick to contour the crease)
Coastal Scents 28 pc Neutral palette (used one of the matte highlighter shades on browbone)
Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero to rim eyes
MAC Penultimate liner in Rapidblack
Revlon false lashes in Intensifying
MAC Zoomlash mascara in Zoom Black

Face:
Monistat gel as primer
Earthen Glow Minerals foundation in Yuan Yuan
MAC Studio Sculpt concealer in NC20
Dayna's Rested mineral undereye concealer
DreamWorld cream topping (finishing powder) in Butterscotch
MAC Prep + Prime transparent finishing powder
Jouer mineral blush in Bougainvillea
MAC skinfinish in Perfect Topping

Lips:
MAC tinted lip conditioner in Pink Fish
ULTA lipliner in Flesh
MAC lipstick in Hug Me
Milani Lip Mixer lipgloss in Lip Fuse