MAC Mineralize Foundation and MAC 130 Brush

The MAC Mineralize foundation would be the third foundation I’ve been experimenting with lately. It’s MAC’s latest foundation, which hasn’t been out for very long. This is a cream foundation packaged in a compact, with a mirror and a sponge applicator. This foundation was released with their new brush, the MAC 130, which is like a cross between a MAC 188 and a MAC 109. I was so excited for this foundation because I’ve never tried a cream one, so I went to my MAC counter two days after it was released. I purchased both the MAC Mineralize foundation and the MAC 130 brush.

The MAC website describes their Mineralize foundation as:

A rich, luxurious compact foundation offering a creamy application for a flawless, medium-buildable, naturally revitalized, fully dimensional finish. Lightweight and silky to apply. Good for all skin types; particularly benefits dull and/or dry complexions. Provides super-hydrated, high-comfort wear and everyday SPF 15 sun protection.

And the MAC 130 brush is described as:

A short, round, flat-topped brush ideal for the smooth, easy application of foundations, creams, emulsions, and select powder products. Features a blend of natural bristles and synthetic fibres.

Initially, I really loved the MAC Mineralize foundation, and the MAC 130 is an ideal brush to apply it. You just stipple the brush into the Mineralize compact and buff it into your skin. I’ve never tried another method for applying this foundation. Using my fingers just doesn’t make sense in my mind, and I’m just not a fan of sponges. It seems to me that no other brush I own would apply this foundation well. No wonder MAC made a new brush to be released with this foundation.

After using this foundation for a couple of days, I decided that I really don’t like it. It definitely needs to be set with a powder, otherwise it will just smear right off your face, so I use my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark to do so. Even before I set this foundation, I can see it settling into my fine lines and it even emphasizes my pores. After setting it with a powder, the foundation becomes cakey and makes my face look matter and overly dry.

This foundation offers a light to medium coverage. I’ve tried building it up, but more you do so, the more cakey and streaky your foundation looks.

After about 4 hours of wear, I find my face becomes shiny and oily. Because of this, the foundation actually separates and sits on my face on places that become overly oily (like my nose).

The MAC 130 brush is quite nice, as are most of MAC’s brushes. It’s actually much smaller than I anticipated. I was expecting it to be similar in size to the MAC 187, but I think the smaller size is appropriate for applying cream foundations. I do find this brush to shed everytime I use it, which is unfortunate. Now that I’ve decided I really don’t like the Mineralize foundation, I’m unsure what else I can use this brush for.

Overall, I’m unhappy with my purchase. I really don’t like the MAC Mineralize foundation, and while I think the MAC 130 brush is ok (perhaps because I’m a brush whore), I don’t know what else I can use it for. I might give it a go with my liquid foundations.

The MAC Mineralize foundation costs $32 for 0.35 oz (10 g). The MAC 130 brush costs $38. Both of these products can be purchased at MAC stores, MAC counters, and maccosmetics.com.