MANILA, Philippines - Nick Gavrelis, vice president, Global Product Development, Face and PRO MAC, answers some questions on Studio Sculpt foundation SPF 15:
Q: Talk about the development process for Studio Sculpt foundation SPF 15. What was the need you were filling? Was it due to demand from customers, makeup artists, or both?
It began about two and a half years ago. MAC artists all around the globe helped identify the need for a new kind of cream foundation. We wanted it to give a long-lasting, medium coverage yet buildable finish, with long-term hydrating benefits. We went into the lab aiming to create a formula with modern aspects, like a gel base, combined with a very luxurious, rich, creamy feel. It had to have the wear, flexibility, and flawlessness that our makeup artists demanded, as well as the comfort, moisturization, smoothing, and perfecting qualities that real women have been asking for.
Q: How many seasons did you test Studio Sculpt backstage?
The Spring/Summer 2009 Fashion Week that took place this past September and October was the third and final season of testing done by the MAC Pro Team. Their passionate feedback helped us adjust and ultimately perfect the formula. For example, we tweaked the way the product glides onto the skin, which ultimately improved the blending time customers experience when applying Studio Sculpt.
Q: What are the benefits of the antioxidants and SPF protection in Studio Sculpt? Does using this foundation provide enough benefits on its own, or does it help to add another layer of protection?
We added known antioxidants vitamins C and E, which help to defend against free radical damage. Studio Sculpt also contains a combination of titanium dioxide, a physical sunscreen, and octinoxate, a gentle chemical sunscreen. Together they help offer broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. While this is sufficient for limited and incidental UV exposure, it’s important to combine with a higher SPF product whenever there’s a chance of additional sun exposure.
Q: What other ingredients in this product would you like to highlight?
Studio Sculpt is made with innovative plant-based extracts for a unique foundation that delivers long-wearing, color-true, comfortably weightless yet flawless coverage. Specifically, we employed sodium hyaluronate, yeast extracts, and shea butter to boost moisture levels, plus extracts of Hyberlea rhodopensis leaf extract, beet root, and tamarind seed extract, which help to improve skin’s hydration with continued use. Finally, we used a combination of soft-focus powders that optically diffuse imperfections and give a more flawless finish. There is also Quercus suber bark extract and Octyldodecyl PCA which, combined with a special new polymer, help to provide a more perfect, smoother, tighter-looking complexion.
Q: Technologically speaking, why is this foundation an optimum choice for women, compared to other options?
Studio Sculpt foundation has fused new advancements in technology with innovative plant-based extracts to create a lush, luxurious new cream-gel foundation that delivers comfortable, weightless, and flawless coverage. Makeup artists and women customers alike can easily achieve blendable medium coverage, with a luminous, satiny finish.
Gordon Espinet, vice president, Global Makeup Artistry, M-A-C Worldwide, has this to say:
Q: How does this formula perform differently from other foundations in the MAC line?
Studio Sculpt is incredibly versatile, which makes it unique for many reasons, since its texture is silky and creamy, gliding effortlessly onto skin while providing a natural, velvety finish that’s both modern and natural. It can be blended with a moisturizer for a more sheer finish that’s never streaky, or combined with a concealer for a more full coverage. Create a matte finish by applying powder afterwards, or use Studio Sculpt alone to emphasize skin’s natural sheen and highlights.
Q: Why was this product key for you and your team during Fashion Week? Has Studio Sculpt been used in any photo shoots?
We have anxiously wanted to offer a foundation that leaves skin looking well-hydrated and completely nourished, and can stand up to being used in various ways. Studio Sculpt can be sheered out or used with powder; it always looks flawless, which is a backstage dream. It is the perfect formula for both film and digital photography, in black and white or color. It’s extremely user-friendly, and the finish remains true and consistent in both color and texture.
Q: What are some application techniques for the non-professional user?
Begin with a pea-size amount on the back of your hand, and use any foundation brush to apply onto hydrated skin. Mix in a bit of your favorite moisturizer (try Strobe Cream or Strobe Liquid), which will create a sheer, luminous finish that makes skin appear to be candlelit. Use any MAC concealer over areas that need additional coverage
Q: You always say we can judge how well something will sell based on how many products are stolen by models backstage. Where does Studio Sculpt rate on this scale?
By far, this was the product we most had to keep track of backstage. Makeup artists and models alike fell in love with this formula, and didn’t want to wait for it to be launched to get their hands on it. Studio Sculpt was definitely the number-one product that fell victim to “sticky fingers.”
— Source: http://makemebrighter.onsugar.com/2754730.