MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer
Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 10:22AM I'm a long-time user of the MAC Studiofinish Concealer. In fact, I'm about to finish my third pot already! On average, each pot lasts me for around 4-5 months of heavy use. That's not bad for a P1,000 concealer, eh?
I know there are more opaque concealers out there but I always go back to MAC because of an almost perfect shade match with my skin (NC30) plus how natural it looks when worn. It marries the right blend of opaqueness and naturalness for covering blemishes, and it comes at a reasonable price point too! And I never break out with it.
So! While I love the Studiofinish, when the time came to buy a new pot, I decided to try the MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer (P1,000) for a change. I wanted something creamier, a little bit more emollient than the harder Studiofinish. Actually I was just sawa (tired) of seeing Studiofinish after two years of using it, hehe. Do you ever do that, buy something else even though what you have is already perfectly alright?
Coverage and finish. Coverage of the Studio Sculpt is the same as Studiofinish. Both don't go completely opaque though, so for really dark blemishes, I use something super heavy duty like the Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer.
Wearing the Studio Sculpt here. Believe me, I have A LOT of spots.
Lasting power. The Studio Sculpt lasts all day with minimal fading. No complaints there.
Amount of product and packaging. Major differences between the SF and SS would be the amount of product and packaging they have. SF has 7.5 grams of concealer versus SS's 5.5. However, SS has a better packaging and comes in a glass jar with a ceramic seal cover that will prevent it from drying out (same as the MAC Fluidlines). Both are priced the same.
I actually like the SS's glass jar better because it has a wider mouth. The smaller plastic container of the SF makes it difficult for me to use up the last of the concealer, since the opening is too narrow for fingers and my preferred concealer brush. I do miss the flip top cap though, it's simply more convenient versus opening and screwing a cap on.
Texture and shade. As I suspected, the Studio Sculpt is creamier than Studiofinish. It's also much easier to blend.
I noticed that it's a little different when it comes to the shade though. SF is yellower, while SS has a more neutral tone and goes a little darker on my skin. Both are NC30. Weird right? I like the shade match of the SS though, since it actually blends better on my skin.
Under sunlight, Studio Sculpt on the left, Studio Finish on the right
Under fluorescent lighting. See the difference now?
Overall, I love the MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer. I use it everyday now! However, I think I'll stick with the Studiofinish next time simply because it has SPF35. The SS is better than SF in many ways, but it will never beat the SF in sun protection. Hm, unless I wear sunblock all the time, then I wouldn't need the SPF35 anymore.
Reader Comments (5)
I feel the same; I came to a point of sawa using a certain product for a long time :d
I also buy something else even if I’m using the best pa….
I did not notice any spots in your picture perhaps they are well hidden. Did u use it all over your face?
The difference of SF and SS is quite visible. I like the SF more as per your comparison; I will save for this concealer… I got one from Ellana minerals but it’s not that good.
I've been looking for the best concealer and am torn between Mac and Bobbi Brown. I heard that Bobbi Brown is really good but the price is quite steep. With Mac, I honestly do not know what to get. From your review, I agree that Mac Studio Finish concealer is better, with SPF 35 as a bonus. And it looks like a better match for your skin. I'm wondering however what will be the use of having SPF since the concealer is just applied to certain areas that need coverage right? Shouldn't a product with SPF be for the whole face?
Also, could you suggest brands for sunblock that would feel bare, like it's not there? Many people have told me that applying sunblock religiously will make your skin thank you for it. Won't the sunblock run in sunny days?
@Mrs Brigoli the stick concealer? yes that one is pretty much useless! threw away mine.
@sue the thing is i don't use SPF for the whole face every single time i go out. i use it often but sometimes i get lazy and what not. :P so a concealer with SPF really helps, at least to cover my blemishes and to prevent them from getting darker than they already are.
currently my sunblock is the Clinique Derma White City Block SPF40. has Anti-Pollution chorva. I love it because it's light and never, ever breaks me out. most of the face sunblocks i've tried broke me out at some point, but never this one.
no the sunblock won't run if you use the right sort. :) oh, you can also try the Khiel's Ultra Light UV Defense with SPF50. that doesn't feel like anything at all and also doest break me out. I like the Clinique better though, because it holds makeup better and doesn't oil me up so much.
Is it also good for the undereyes? I just want to have one concealer for my undereyes and blemiahes because I'm cheap XD. Currently I'm using BB Cream as a concealer since It makes my whole face look gray. Hahahaha.
I've been using bobbi brown concealer and yeah, nagsasawa na ako hahaha... i might just try this since it seems to have good consistency. I also noticed the differences in shade when I got my MAC lightful foundation powder in NC35 which is definitely not a match tp the normal NC35. The packaging is similar to fluid line - let us know if this affects how long the concealer stays creamy. :) Based from experience, the jar type packaging for me makes the product more prone to dry out faster... maybe its just with me :D