Love it: M.A.C Studio Waterweight Foundation SPF 30

When it comes to foundations, it's fair to say that M.A.C is all about that base, and its latest launch raises the bar that much higher. M.A.C Studio Waterweight Foundation was the cover up of choice in the kit bags of many a makeup artist during the past season's Fashion Weeks, and with good reason. As legendary makeup artist Terry Barber so wonderfully puts it, “the product is especially perfect for those who want perfect skin but don’t feel comfortable wearing a lot of foundation”. It’s now my little airbrush in a bottle for days when my skin needs a bit of a pep talk, offering natural looking, lightweight coverage that makes it look even, radiant and well-rested.

It is an excellent addition to their foundation lineup for those that like to mix it up depending on event and season, and fans of the brand's iconic Face & Body Foundation will likely love this right out of the gate. This water-like formula sets to a satin finish that is neither matte nor moisturising—striking a balance that makes this an option for nearly any skin type, including the sensitive and acne-prone. I love that it has the added benefits of an SPF 30 + a decent array of beneficial ingredients, something many foundations lack.

The iconic beauty company has used a mix of mineral and non-mineral actives in there (as in, a blend of octinoxate, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) to give it the broad-spectrum rating that makes it a bonus when it comes to being sun smart. This blend likely helps the formula retain its fluid, serum-like texture, as a pure mineral sunscreen tends to feel gloopier (for want of a better word) on the skin.

Also included antioxidants and reparative ingredients, from vitamin E, lecithin, apple and watermelon extract, and sodium hyaluronate, just to name a few. It's a nice mix, and proves a winner if your skin is on the dry side.

Last up, due to its fluid nature, you may be surprised by how little you need to cover your whole face. I find that just a few drops are more than sufficient for a full face during the day, and it blends particularly well if you use a brush.

So, there you have it. One of the best new gen foundations out there, and naturally it’s M.A.C.