Ben Nye vs. MAC?

ssipes · 10-18-2007, 08:25 PM

I need new foundation and powder for performance/stage makeup. I want some really good stuff. I have very fair skin that is on the dry side and I'm 41.

Can anyone give me a comparison of Ben Nye vs. MAC?

Ben Nye would be easier to buy because I can just get the fairest of the 6 or so shades and go with the individual makeup kit for $16.

On the other hand, I'm very intimidated by the prospect of choosing and ordering MAC stuff online. I use some of their eye makeup and love it, but I have no idea which foundation and powder to choose. In another thread, Kashmir (?) said the Studio Fix was great for some people but made her look 10,000 years old (I don't want to look 10,000 yrs old!). What about the Studio Tech? And there's too many shades, even just looking at the ultra-white ones; I'm overwhelmed. Do I need primer? Which powder?

I'm feeling like instant gratification so I wanted to order something online. It will be 3 weeks before I will be in St. Louis where I could go to the MAC store.

Sedonia

ssipes · 10-19-2007, 02:27 PM

no one has an opinion on this?

Come on, you guys have spoiled me in the past. I'm accustomed to posting a question and getting answers/opinions within 10 minutes.

Anyway, my desire for immediate gratification has passed, so I'm probably going to go to the MAC store in a few weeks.

Sedonia

SummerSahar · 10-19-2007, 02:33 PM

I know it sucks, but you really shouldn't order something like a brand new foundation color online. It's pretty crucial to go to a store to try a few on and/or get advice from one of their makeup artists. Once you've got your color, you can keep ordering it online, but the initial color choosing should be done in person. Especially with MAC! There are so many!
Does the online store have a good return policy? At least that way, if you get the wrong color, you could call up a makeup artist and tell them "this color was too pink on me. Do you have something in the same shade but minus the pink a couple of notches?" They can help you try again.

Other than that, I can't offer comparison advice since I've never used Ben Nye. I use a liquid foundation from the drug store and then I use bare minerals powder foundation on top. All the MAC foundations (and bobbi brown's, too) always looked so cakey on me and made me look super old. Anything that thick looks odd on my face. The liquid plus minerals looked the most natural on me.

Safiyah · 10-19-2007, 02:45 PM

I've used Ben Nye but not MAC. I have no problems with it, except that it will wipe off with your sweat. It's really cheap and I ordered two cakes online and one of the two was a perfect match. If you order foundations online like I do (mineral makeup for everyday) you get a good idea as to what color swatch would be closest to your skin tone. I would apply it with a wet sponge and do under eyes with an eyeshadow sponge. I don't need any types of concealer or anything, but I do use a product called "no sweat" under it that helps control my perspiration. I use it on my forehead, nose, chin and neck (hairline) and it really works!

Uulady · 10-19-2007, 08:11 PM

Ooh...tell me more about the "no sweat" product please?? When I am hormonal I get face sweat when I dance and it's icky.

resullivan · 10-19-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uulady

Ooh...tell me more about the "no sweat" product please?? When I am hormonal I get face sweat when I dance and it's icky.

I haven't tried it yet, but a drugstore solution is supposed to be a thin coat of milk of magnesia under foundation. I certainly need to test this. If it works, it will be wonderful.

tahiradancer · 10-20-2007, 02:53 AM

I have never found that Ben Nye, if properly fixed with powder, comes off when you sweat. But I have found that it can be a little cakey. But it is designed to be heavy enough to be seen under stage lights. Also, it tends to be very matte.

As for MAC, it is made for street wear as well as used by theatre/movies/etc. So it many times has holographic glitter ground into it which helps with the glamour part of your make up.

{{{HUGS}}}

sabrinabellydancer · 10-20-2007, 05:22 AM

i have found that ben nye formulas dry my skin more than mac and they are a bit harder to get off. on the other hand, if applied and set properly ben nye will last through a matinee, lunch and dinner. but that means your skin won't breath as much.

i wear the mac studio fix and its fine. just moisturize a little first. the mac cream foundations are great for skin that looks too dry with a powder foundation.

you will probably be fine with either, but as mentioned above, it is safest to try the product in the store first. also, bring your bd business cards, fliers, promo material and ask for an application for the ppid program so you can get a 30% discount!

ssipes · 10-20-2007, 08:04 AM

[quote=sabrinabellydancer;71309] also, bring your bd business cards, fliers, promo material and ask for an application for the ppid program so you can get a 30% discount![/QUOTE

Really??!! Tell me more? What is ppid? Is this something I can apply for and get instantly in a MAC store? I do have business cards and flyers.

Sedonia

Safiyah · 10-20-2007, 08:16 AM

http://www.stagesupply.com/cat--ProF...tSkinPrep.html

This is the no sweat product. I have used this through two sets and a night of debke dancing and the only sweat on my face was a "glistening glow" over the areas I didn't apply it. If you're an excessive sweater like me, it's a godsend!

As far as Ben Nye wiping off, all I can say is I set it with their powder and when I dabbed my forehead between sets, there was a lot of foundation on the towel and a new streak showing the red skin underneath! Maybe I have supersweat that'll eat through almost anything!

10-20-2007, 08:38 AM

[quote=ssipes;71324]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

also, bring your bd business cards, fliers, promo material and ask for an application for the ppid program so you can get a 30% discount![/QUOTE

Really??!! Tell me more? What is ppid? Is this something I can apply for and get instantly in a MAC store? I do have business cards and flyers.

Sedonia

you can't get the card instantly. You have to apply. Since you have some time till you get there, go on the website or call and they will send you an application. Tell them you are in a rush to get it and they may rush you your card.
It's a $35 application fee too, but I've made that back plus alot more with all the purchases I do from MAC.
Also, MAC has a recycling program. Bring back 6 used makeup items, NOT including wood, (which means pencils and brushes) and you get a free lipstick, lipgloss or eyeshadow.
I go through the brush cleaner like water, so I take great advantage of this program.

10-20-2007, 08:39 AM

P.S. I've tried ben nye in the past and hate it.
I use studio tech all the time, and it works for my skin.

shimarella · 10-20-2007, 09:21 AM

Ben Nye is great for hardcore stage performances, but I think I just prefer MAC for the quality, the colours and ( I must admit) the cool factor, heh. Most drag queens I know have some Nye in their bags but all swear by MAC. And hey, if you can't trust an original diva....

nadira82 · 10-20-2007, 04:27 PM

I have shiny acne prone skin and I've found that the makeup that provides the best coverage and stays on through some hard core sweaty shows is Mac Studio Tech. I set it with a light translucent powder. The range of colors makes it easy to find the perfect shade - go to the makeup counter!

SummerSahar · 10-20-2007, 07:44 PM

[quote=*maria*;71331]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssipes

you can't get the card instantly. You have to apply. Since you have some time till you get there, go on the website or call and they will send you an application. Tell them you are in a rush to get it and they may rush you your card.
It's a $35 application fee too, but I've made that back plus alot more with all the purchases I do from MAC.
Also, MAC has a recycling program. Bring back 6 used makeup items, NOT including wood, (which means pencils and brushes) and you get a free lipstick, lipgloss or eyeshadow.
I go through the brush cleaner like water, so I take great advantage of this program.

www.macpro.com
It's $35 every year you want to renew, but there's nothing like that 30% off everything in their store (except their glam line). I love handing that card over....

khaalidah · 10-21-2007, 09:53 AM

[quote=SummerSahar;71482]

Quote:

Originally Posted by *maria*

www.macpro.com
It's $35 every year you want to renew, but there's nothing like that 30% off everything in their store (except their glam line). I love handing that card over....

But doesn't include stores like Macy's who sell MAC. Which is a real bummer, because there's not a MAC store within a reasonable distance and Macy's is across the street.

shimarella · 10-21-2007, 11:43 AM

Wooah, so you can only use it in a MAC store, not at a MAC counter?

That's good to know! I'll probably get around to applying for my PRO card, since there is a MAC store in North Star Mall but still...

SummerSahar · 10-21-2007, 02:39 PM

YES. Make SURE your big purchase is done at a MAC store and not a Macys or Nordstroms! But you can always try their stuff at a dept store and then order it online if you don't have a MAC store. Free shipping online when you order $150 or more, and the discount applies. If I were to do this, I'd get my friends to order stuff, too, because that's a lot of makeup at one time!

shems · 10-21-2007, 05:46 PM

never used ben nye, but I do use mac and like it. I use studio fix as my powder.

Uulady · 10-21-2007, 07:31 PM

I use studio fix as my powder. I like it and it has staying power. I do have to be careful not to get under my eyes as it does highlight my wrinkles and make me look tired.

xciarax · 10-21-2007, 08:02 PM

I would recommend MAC:
Moisturizer
Prep & Prime (Primer)
Studio Tech
then Studio Fix on top to set it.

ssipes · 10-21-2007, 08:40 PM

thanks everyone!

Aradia · 10-22-2007, 09:25 PM

Hated Studio fix, I looked OLD, every line showed up, I just use my regular bare minerals make up, and then if I need it water proof for a show I just spray my whole face with Krylon fixier spray. My sister is the make up artist for Le Reve at the Wynn hotel, it's a water show, and the synchronized swimmers/ divers have to keep on their blue eye shadow, red lips, lizard make up, etc! It works.