REVISIT: MAC Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation

I tried the MAC Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation (read the blog post here) and really loved it but noticed it was too dark for my pale skin, it oxidised so I thought I would try another shade but also the original shade to see whether the new shade is more suitable.

PACKAGING:

Glass bottle with plastic pump housed in a cardboard box

CLAIMS:

• Moisturising

• Buildable coverage

• 56 luminous shades

• 10% hyaluronic acid solution to deliver plump, hydrated skin with all-day radiance, it smooths skin texture and evens out skin tone

• +209% instant hydration for plumper, smoother-looking and more radiant glow*

• 92% of users said skin looks instantly more radiant**

• 90% of users said their skin looks more youthful**

• Smooths the look of skin’s texture and evens out skin tone

• Strengthens and reinforces the skin barrier

• Improves skin’s beauty over time through hydration

• Water- sweat & humidity resistant 

• Transfer resistant

• Non-comedogenic (does not clog pores)​

• Suitable for all skin types

• Dermatologist-tested

*Clinical testing on 28 panelists after using the product once.

**Consumer testing on 167 panelists after 1 week of product use.

INGREDIENTS:

Water, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tricaprylin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ppg-12/Smdi Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Peg/Ppg/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract\Extrait D'orge, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Lecithin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Triethyl Citrate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pvp, Silica, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Betaine, Dimethicone, Hdi/Ppg/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aluminum Dimyristate, Citric Acid, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bht, Disodium Edta, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499)]

Before we start I use the Benefit POREfessional on the right side of my face (left in the picture). I use this primer when I have a long day so thought I would see how it works with and without primer.

Also the only other face products I use is a cream contour from Made By Mitchell in Hollo There blended in using my Zoeva 109 Luxe Face Paint brush and powder bronzer on top from the FARMASI Peach Bite Face Palette (purchase here) blended in with my Morphe X Abby Roberts AB101 brush.

I always apply makeup to the side without primer first so that I am not cross-contaminating primer if you understand (my brain works in weird ways). I use a clean FARMASI Foundation Brush (purchase here) and a clean FARMASI Makeup Magic Sponge (purchase here).

Shades I have are NC11 (new - left hand side in the two bottle picture) and NW10 (original - right hand side in the two bottle picture)

Sponge (NC11)

My skin before any makeup, it looks quite good at the moment because I did a face mask the night before.

I applied a small amount of primer on my left side (right in the picture).

Foundation applied using a damped sponge, starting on the side without primer so I don't cross contaminate, this is a buildable foundation, I dabbed a little more on the red areas, it looks patchy on the picture but after taking the picture I dabbed again.

Contoured first of all using my Made By Mitchell cream contour and Zoeva brush as mentioned at the beginning and then built it up using my FARMASI palette and Morphe X Abby Roberts brush, this is my favourite way to contour at the moment.

Makeup all done and I quite like how my skin looks.

18:45: My skin looks glowy, the side with the primer has clung a little more around the nose where I have dry skin but without primer it looks better.

Date Tried: Monday 28th July 2025

Sponge (NW10)

Bare face, just my skincare.

Primer on the one side.

Using a clean FARMASI sponge that was damp I patted the foundation in, first on the side without primer and then on the side with primer.

Contoured with my new usual products, starting on the side without primer.

Makeup all done and I like the look.

21:16: my skin looks glowy, the side without primer is nicer, the side with primer has creased slightly.

Date Tried: Tuesday 29th July 2025

Brush (NC11)

Bare face.

Primer on one side.

Foundation applied using a clean FARMASI foundation brush, starting on the side without primer and then primer side, forgot to take pictures.

Contour is my favourite step at the moment.

Makeup all done and it is looking good, my skin looks good.

19:17: Apart from looking a bit of a mess in general I don't think this looks that bad.

Date Tried: Wednesday 30th July 2025

Brush (NW10)

Bare face and looking quite red.

Primer on the one side, side with primer isn't as red anymore.

Like last time I applied this foundation with a clean FARMASI foundation brush, starting on the side without primer and then primer side.

Contoured.

Makeup all done.

17:56: Makeup looks messy but not bad.

Date Tried: Thursday 31st July 2025

First of all the price has gone down, when I originally purchase the foundation it was £39, now it is £36, not very often does things go down in price.

I honestly have found my new everyday foundation, the new colour/shade I have chosen is amazing, I love how it looks on me where as my older shade does oxidise.

Purchased from: MAC Cosmetics

Shade: NC11 (new) and NW10 (original)

Price: £36.00

Rating: TEXT