Some MAC things i like and some not so much, but it is like that with many lines.
I have never risked the foundations though, as i have sensitive skin and heard lots of bad things about that.
I do use the blotting powder and dont have any problems at all with it.

Not related but I like the MAC brushes much better than their make-up line.

i get tired of hearing people say "mac makes me break out."  ::sigh::  so i feel compelled to respond to this thread.  here we go. 

i have worked for mac for 4 plus years, so while some may think i am biased, let me preempt this by saying, i am a MAKEUP ARTIST, not a mac artist.  i have over 10 years experience as a makeup artist.  i state this merely to provide evidence that i am well-informed about mac's product knowledge.  i am not going to get on my soap box and tell you how wonderful mac products are, nor am i going to bash them to pieces. 

let me remind you all that makeup is makeup!  it does not matter what brand you are putting on your skin, you are still putting minerals, oils, preservatives, pigments, etc., on your skin.  all of these things can and will lead to clogged pores.  you take the risk every time you put makeup on your face. 

i will admit that mac, since being bought by estee lauder, has unfortunately dropped in quality.  but mac started out as a "professional" brand.  with that in mind, the average consumer does not require a professional grade on a daily basis.  most of mac's foundation formulas are heavy.  studio fix is a full coverage makeup.  and if it is partnered with a liquid foundation, well...you've got a lot of makeup on your skin.  since this thread seems to focus on studio fix, i'll delve a little deeper on the product.  ladies (and gentlemen) studio fix is meant to be applied in the morning, as your foundation.  leave this in your vanity, bathroom drawer, or whatever.  put something else in your purse, or makeup bag to touch up with throughout the day.  studio fix is a foundation, a heavy foundation, at that.  if you are reapplying studio fix all day, you are putting more and more foundation on your skin.  this is unnecessary.  and if this applies to you, it would not surprise me in the least that your skin is broken out.  most people i know, do not reapply liquid or creme foundation throughout the day.  just because it is a powder finish, does not mean it is just a powder.  i would recommend touching with a blot powder, pressed powder, loose powder, blot papers, etc..  the ideal way to touch up your makeup during the day is to remove the oil with a blot paper.  a cheap and easy way to do this: toilet seat covers!  clean ones, that is!!!  i have many clients who keep pieces of these in their purses to touch up with.  after you've removed the oil, then go in and touch up with your pressed powder. 

while working at mac, i cannot tell you how many customers come up to me and say "this is making me break out".  i, then in turn, flip the lid and uncover a dirty, disgusting sponge.  your local mac artist will normally ask you when purchasing your studio fix, "would you like to take some extra sponges with you today?"  this is not to add to the the sale, this is merely to help you.  sponges are absorbent.  any dirt, oil, bacteria, makeup you have on your skin gets absorbed into that sponge.  the next time you apply with this same sponge, you are reapplying all that nastiness!  sponges are to be thrown out AT LEAST once a week, if not more often.  seriously guys, look at your sponges, and think for a second about what that sponge is containing.  your best bet is to apply your makeup using a brush.  but again, you need to keep your brushes clean and sanitary.  do not let them sit at the bottom of your makeup box collecting god knows what, and think you are in the clear just because you are using a brush!  9 times out of 10 this will help you and rid you of the idea that it's making you break out!

if your skin is breaking out, this does not mean you are allergic to the product.  an allergic reaction is quite different than pimples.  if you experience irritation, redness, burning or itching these may be signs of an allergic reaction. 

above all, your skin care is of utmost importance.  your skin is your canvas, you should treat it as so.  simply washing your face in the evening is an easy step to take.  DO NOT sleep in your makeup.  i know we all do it, whether we mean to or not...too tired, passed out from the night's partying, whatever the case may be, it really is important to try to remember to wash your face before bed.  this is your body's time to recover from the day.  your pores relax, and open up.  your skin needs to breathe.  if you sleep in your makeup, you are suffocating your skin and trapping all that gunk into your pores.  a good cleanser, a good moisturizer, and a good exfoliant are an excellent place to start.  be aware of your skin type, and apply your makeup accordingly. 

another simple and easy step to avoid breakouts is to use a makeup or skin primer.  you apply the primer on top of your moisturizer and before your foundation.  that way, your makeup will sit on top of your foundation and not your skin. 

as far as mac is concerned, i am truly sorry if you are experiencing problems with their products.  you can consult your local mac artist with any questions and or problems you might be having.  mac isn't for everybody, and there might be something out there that is better suited for you. 

please don't let your experience with one makeup line deter your from trying new things or new looks.  makeup is fun! 

thank you for reading, i hope this will help some of you.  and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

sincerely,
michelle

MAC is soooo 10 years ago. Basically, since then better quality products have come on the market, and MAC has not kept up with what is going on currently, such as healthy skin makeup (oil free, chemical free, fragrance free, etc)
Its like foundation from the 90's, stuff that made you break out so you had to wear it everyday in order to cover the breakouts! A vicious cycle. The best brands on the market today for skin makeup are Bobbi Brown, Clinique,
and for high coverage - Smashbox.

just to clarify michelle, and to the others who brought up the very valid point of dirty sponges etc..

i apply my foundations (liquid) with a foundation brush that is cleaned daily. i then apply my powder (only in the morning.. i dont need touch-ups) with a large powder brush which is washed regularly and sprayed with 99% alch. after every use..

i have a strict skin care routine which leaves me with very very minimal skin issues

so there goes all those theories..

i have used sooooo many brands of foundation.. from chanel to clinique all the way down to the maybellines and covergirls... never have i broken out in the way i have with this powder.. i have been using the waterbased foundation that i currently use (face artlier) for a good 4 months with no issues.. and just a loreal powder... but after deciding to try a mac one... i broke out within a week... pimples.. big yucky ones.. and really uneven skin texture.. oh it was horrid..

i didnt think it was the powder at first but then after posting my question on here.. wow... that powder will be going in the "emergency only" bag in my handbag..

thanks to all the personal opinions on here... its been really insightful.

Each persons skin is different. Its funny as Mac is about the only foundation that DOSEN'T make my skin break out. I have tried various brands and when doing shoots, they use something different I break out.

Each person needs to find the right foundation for them, thats compatible with there own skin type and needs. If its making you break out use something different.

just to note, its the studio fix liquid i use

I'm sorry, did someone just say MAC is soooo 10 years ago and Clinique is the best? I'm dying over here...LOL.


If the Studio Fix is giving you an allergic reaction, try the Face and Body. Very few people need the coverage of Studio Fix.

I only use their lip products and blush, but their lip liners and lipstick make my lips peel really bad.

Hell yeah it's known to break people out! You got one face...toss it out and buy something else. I won't wear it or even put it on my clients unless they ABSOLUTELY won't bend! Lipsticks and shadows are ok, but the foundation and powder...I've had to get some Proactiv to combat that crap! Too much on the market to just deal with them!

MAC foundations have always made me break out.

My skin isnt sensitive, but it is very acne prone.

MUFE HD has worked wonders on myself and clients.

Yes it does !!! I know from experience. I use bare minerals and have no problems .

sigh, y'all she just said its not meant to b worn heavily, its a full coverage foundation... and i recall MAC having a mineral line too...hmm either way im not buying any MAC foundations soon, but this petty "MAC is soo ten years ago" is kinda annoying

Hi first post here! Um I've never used any MAC products before and have always wanted to but after reading this thread I'm not sure..... I visited my local MAC store the other day and had the girl apply Studio Fix powder to one area of my face and I have to say my skin actually looks great! I don't how soon it made everyone's skin break out but I really liked the way it looked on my skin.... Hmmm what ingredients would make your skin break out? The girl told me it was oil free and non comedogenic. Ugh I'm confused.