Lightful Powder Foundation

10 Reviews

1. 

   puzzledSausage3

   Reply

   I actually really like how this foundation feels on the skin, it’s not super powdery and it has a nice light to medium coverage. I love that it has SPF in it so if you use it as a setting powder you could touch up your makeup and sunscreen.

   It’s an “Asian exclusive” but by the color range I feel like it’s more catered to Far East Asians rather than Asians as a whole.
   I’m southeast Asian and fairly “light.” I’m normally around an NC30 in MAC liquids but use C35 in the studio fix powder.
   In the lightful foundation I’ve tried NC30 before when I was light, it was too light.
   So, since I’m around a 35 in powder I figured I’d go a shade darker, I got NC37 and again, still a bit too light.
   I’ll probably have to get an NC40 which is the second maybe third darkest shade so the color range isn’t all that great for Asians in general. I think these NC shades are actually more similar to the C range in the studio fix powder. They’re more yellow. I find the lightful powder to be a tad less pink compared the C4 so in a way, they’re a tad more yellow than the C range.

   One of the claims is that it’s got a “stay true color” and it’s honestly quite accurate. I applied the NC37 and it was light, I sprayed it with fix plus to see if it’ll help it Match better but it didn’t alter the shade whatsoever. In fact, I actually think the powder slightly repelled the water.

   With that being said, if you’re wanting that brighter skin type of look this is great because unlike other products they tend to oxidize and turn greyish whereas this will stay the color you applied it.
   I also find, this stuff really does hold up especially in the summer heat. I found that even when I was sweating and thinking my makeup melted off this held up quite well.

   I haven’t gotten ahold of the compact but I do like the look of it compared to the boring/typical black compacts that MAC normally has.

   Despite the small range of colors there are technically a good amount of shades compared to Korean BB creams which only have like one color.
   The color in the pan is actually darker(in fact it looked darker than my C35 powder in the pan) than what it really is strangely so you’d think spraying it with fix+ would make it the color in the pan but no

2. 

   excludedDove4

   Reply

   I really wanted this product to work and I bought this product from the recommendations in MUA. I spent quite a bit of money for it, too – stuff’s not cheap. I was looking for a full coverage powder with some natural sheen. My verdict is that this product is too thick, opaque and fake looking especially in natural light. I’m also going to go against the grain here and say that Studiofix looks more natural than this stuff. I mean I can only pull Lightful off successfully at night when visiting low-lighting places like clubs and such! I am close to a NC30 so I followed the recommendation here to go one shade darker, NC35. I do not use the puff but rather my Ecotools powder foundation brush. Please take note that I also hydrate my skin plentily prior to putting this on. I used Lightful sparingly and even then it goes on thick as it indeed covers all imperfections. But it makes me look old and tired and as if I’m trying too hard (not my best look). I’m glad it works for so many people but I’d rather let some real, imperfect skin show through rather than pile on a layer of cakey stuff to mask off every single thing in the name of appearing “flawless”. This is actually the first time a highly recommended MUA product let me down. But at the same time it’s a positive revelation for me, too – I CAN be pretty even with acne scars showing. I CAN live without awful products that can certainly cover up everything but at the real price of looking incredibly fake. So thanks anyway MUA.

3. 

   sheepishBoars3

   Reply

   I will definitely buy the refill again. I tried the studio fix but I do not like the ‘smell’ but this one is fine and it does the job. However, I do not like the case; the silver strips start to rub off after a month or so. If I can use the studio fix case then it will be perfect!

4. 

   outlyingTeal3

   Reply

   Dear MAC,
   Why can I not buy this anywhere in the Anglosphere? Why?! It’s not like there aren’t MAC stores and counters everywhere where I live. This foundation wipes the floor with Studiofix – less drying, no breakouts, natural skin-like rather than powdery finish, great coverage, doesn’t accentuate fine lines, etc. I like this foundation so much I actually got a friend to mail it to me from Japan, but that was expensive and annoying. If I could just buy this at a store MAC, you would make more money.
   Best,
   Silurian, who will keep buying more expensive brands until you do the sensible thing and start selling this outside of Asia.

   P.S. NC25 in both Studiofix and this, but this seems a bit more yellow? I have a strong golden undertone so this is not really a problem, but a woman with a more neutral or porcelain skin tone might find the shades too warm.

5. 

   mercifulPorpoise3

   Reply

   Love this product, look natural & cover my pores. Im on NC30 mac studio fix powder foundation & has no problem with the same NC30 mac lightful foundation. Recommend.

6. 

   superiorLeopard3

   Reply

   def lovin this product. its perfect for simple natural day look. perfect n love the packaging btw. love love

7. 

   sheepishMeerkat5

   Reply

   I am a ex Mac artist. I use this for yearssss… It started from Asia and its the best seller in Japan. Now I guess it’s best seller in most of the Asia country. I use this everyday, it gives good coverage. Brighten up complexion, with sun protection. It’s abit costly but I just can never find a powder foundation as good as this. Definitely recommend!

8. 

   offendedHare7

   Reply

   Hi! I live in Singapore and this foundation costs literally a bomb for me. I bought this for SGD82. I was quite skeptical that it could cover up my scars but it did! i did not regret buying this as it has a really good coverage, I’d say almost to a full coverage, for a powder foundation. I have yet to try it on for a whole day but I’m already loving it from the first time I use it earlier today. If you want flawless looking skin, use this compact powder foundation together with Mac studio finish concealer as well as a good primer and you’re good to go! Im using NC37 for this product and nw30 for my studio finish concealer. It’s a good combination. Do take note that I have oily combination skin and have acne scars and uneven skin tone. This makes my skin look flawless yet has that natural matte look to it. Unfortunately I think it can only be found in Asia. I will definitely buy this again in future.

9. 

   ferventSnipe1

   Reply

   This is one of the best powder foundation that I tried (La Prarie, Chanel, Lancome, Dior, Kose to name a few) My other favourite is Dior but this is cheaper and as good. I’m on 3rd refill and mine is NC25 with is a bit fair but it does oxidize a little.
   Here are the ingredient list:
   Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Talc, Silica, Celullose, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tocopherol, Hydrangea serrata, Elder, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Lauroyl lysine, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Petrolatum, C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphate, Synthetic wax, Dimethicone/methicone copolymer,Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyapatite, Barium Sulfate, Magnesium sulfate, Magnesium Myristate, Alumina, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947)

10. 

    peacefulBagels7

    Reply

    MAC lightful compact is easy to use, buildable with medium, coverage. I have dry and sensitive skin, but its powder doesn’t make my skin look flaky. The powder is really fine and it feels luxurious to wear it because of how silky it is. However, if I use a sponge, I look quite unnatural in it with a chalky face. It lasts for a few months as I normally use it for touch-ups because applying it like a foundation does not work for my dry skin. The SPF 25 is a plus point – great for touch-ups!

    Texture: 4/5 smooth to apply, very fine powder. I never expect a 2-way cake can achieve an airbrushed look, so it’s fine for me.
    Function: 4/5 SPF 25, nice for touch-ups, medium coverage
    Application: 4/5 buildable, easy to blend, but sometimes I feel it’s too thick to wear
    Packaging: 4/5 I broke the cake when 1/3 left..it’s easy to break. but the case in silver is really lovely with a sponge in another compartment.
    Price: 3.5/5 $32 Euro for refill – a bit expensive comparing to other MAC compacts
    Overall: 3.9/5