This Is the Best Hydrating Serum Foundation I’ve Tried All Year
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
I’m breaking up with my foundation.
And the M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Radiance Serum Foundation is one hundred percent to blame.
It’s amazing.
The proof? Well, firstly this picture:
After road-testing it for this skincare-infused makeup article, I instantly fell in love with this glow-giving foundation and I haven’t stopped wearing it since.
After knocking my old everyday foundation off its perch, I’ve already convinced like three people to buy it.
And, I won’t be stopping my you-need-the -MAC-Studio-Radiance-Serum-Foundation-in-your-life campaign any time soon, because if you’re someone who wants their makeup and complexion to look glowy and luminous all the time (me), then I would add this to cart immediately.
Trust me.
Or, trust the 500 million #macstudioradiance views on TikTok.
@stxph.h I’m in awe at how crease-proof this @maccosmeticsusa Studio Radiance Serum-Powered foundation is even after 8 HOURS? #AD A skincare-powered, lightweight foundation that provides 24hr hydration and delivers a natural radiant finish. I'm wearing shade NC18 #MACStudioRadiance #firstimpressions #foundationweartest ♬ original sound - stephhui
I’ve tried a bunch of different skin tints and serum foundations recently, and while they’re all really great for their own reasons, this one currently takes the crown for me.
Excelling in both quality and performance, if you’re after a hydrating, summer-proof base, consider the skin-loving MAC studio radiance serum foundation one of the best.
No more cocktailing your liquid bronzer with your face skin tint or foundation, this serum foundation will deliver the illuminated, enhanced complexion of your dreams.
But let’s meet her properly.
Keep scrolling for everything you need to know as well as my M.A.C COSMETICS Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation review.
What is M.A.C COSMETICS Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation?
It’s been ten years since the launch of a new MAC foundation, and boy have they gone ahead and mastered this one.
Nailing the expert task of creating the best serum foundation, it ticks all the boxes: delivers a beautiful glow, offers higher coverage than your normal serum foundation, instantly blurs imperfections while still giving you a second-skin finish and is long-wearing.
Fitting perfectly into Adore Beauty’s Global Shades range, it comes in an impressive 56 inclusive shades.
*You can shop all our other Global Shade products here.
Now, I know what you’re going to ask me...
What’s the difference between the M.A.C COSMETICS Studio Radiance Serum Foundation and the Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation?
This TikTok video below does a brill job at comparing both and showing the main differences in real time:
@caylabliss Comparing the NEW Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation to Face & Body ✨ which look do you prefer? #maccosmetics #macstudioradiance #macfoundation #macfaceandbody ♬ original sound - Cayla Bliss
In a nutshell, the MAC serum foundation is creamier, has more skincare benefits and is fuller coverage.
Here’s some other of the MAC Serum Foundation’s best features:
- A skin-enhancing foundation that delivers 209% instant hydration (dry skin havers are ya paying attention?) offers lasting radiance and imparts a seriously dewy glow.
- Blurs pores, redness and dark spots.
- Medium, buildable coverage.
- Powered by a slew of skincare ingredients including 10% hyaluronic acid solution, vitamin E and natural oils.
- 80% serum base with pearlescent particles that leave a natural, 'filter like' glow to the complexion.
- Is housed in a recyclable glass bottle with a lock pump.
- Gives the complexion a plumper, smoother and illuminated look.
How to Apply Mac Studio Radiance Serum Foundation.
You can apply your MAC Serum Foundation whichever way works for your skin and feels comfortable.
It has a creamy, silky consistency making it a breeze to work with if you want to warm and work it in with fingers too.
Because it's on the creamier side, my suggestion would be to use a stippling brush or if like me you prefer an airbrushed finish, you can bounce it in your skin with a beauty blender.
Here’s a video of how seamless my complexion looked after just one application of the MAC Serum Foundation (and as you can see, a little goes a long way)...
See how beautifully it sinks into the skin?!
Tip: The luminous finish is what makes this serum foundation so beautiful, but if you’re on the oilier side, or get a greasy t-zone like moi, then you can always diffuse this with a bit of powder.
My M.A.C COSMETICS Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation Review.
Shade: NW30.
By now, you’ve probably taken an educated guess that I’m a huge fan of this serum foundation.
As much as I love a good skin tint for daily wear, the upcoming summer festivities means I need a serum foundation that’s fuller coverage and can withstand my oily t-zone.
One that's hard-working enough that it makes my face look just as radiant at 6PM as it did at 9AM.
And MAC Studio Radiance Serum Foundation does just that.
If you're looking for something that leans more towards a foundation but has the same weightless feel as a skin tint - then this is the perfect formula for you.
I won't just be using this MAC foundation all summer though. This glowy serum foundation will be a year round affair.
Es-pecially in winter when trying to faux a summer glow is most needed.
Evening out and illuminating the complexion perfectly, it gives any dry, dull or uneven skin an instantly luminous lift.
And that's worth all my money.
Final Thoughts...
If you prefer a super lightweight and sheer base through summer, then the M.A.C COSMETICS Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation might be better suited to you.
But if you want something budge-proof that lasts all day and imparts a gorgeous glow - you'll love this as much as I do.
Want more of our M.A.C Cosmetics faves and reviews? Check out these Beauty IQs:
