'Everyone's talking about Mecca's new $38 foundation. Here's my honest review.'

Mamamia's Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won't find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, we're trialling the MECCA MAX Life Proof Satin Blur Foundation.

Fact: Every long-wear foundation I've ever tried looks like trash on my dry skin.

Yes, even if it's packed with 'skin-loving ingredients'. Yes, even if every person and their beauty blender is raving about it online.

But when I recently watched a viral TikTok video about the new MECCA satin blur foundation, it had me questioning everything.

@aeion_villanueva no highlighter was used but the glow? Insane @MECCA MAX #meccamax #meccamaxfoundation #tryingnewfoundation #mecca ♬ original sound - aeion

In this video above, content creator Aeion Villanueva (@aeion_villanueva) says there's no highlighter involved in this makeup look; only the MECCA MAX skin blur foundation, some blush and setting spray.

Hmm. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Upon further investigation, the product description for this foundation reads like an absolute dream.

With a medium buildable coverage and a natural satin finish, the MECCA MAX Life Proof Satin Blur Foundation promises to 'smooth, blur, and perfect to give your skin a naturally even look'.

But I've been around long enough to know that just because everyone's raving about a product online, doesn't mean I should buy it.

Read on for my honest MECCA MAX Life Proof Foundation review, as well as how it wears on different skin types and how it compares to similar, more expensive foundations.

MECCA MAX Life Proof Satin Blur Foundation, $38.

The MECCA MAX Life Proof Satin Blur Foundation. Image: Supplied.

Fast facts:

• A long-wear foundation with medium buildable coverage

• Natural satin finish — satin foundations are the modern version of traditional matte foundations that reduce shine but leave skin looking lifeless

• Promises to smooth, blur and protect your skin

• Available in 40 shades — many of which are currently sold out online thanks to the power of TikTok

• Vegan, not tested on animals

• $38 for 30mL

MECCA MAX Life Proof Foundation reviews so far…

Our resident over 50s beauty expert Teresa McNamara says this foundation "lives up to its name and is a beautiful buildable product (particularly for mature skin)."

You can see how glorious it looks on her mature skin below.

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A post shared by Teresa McNamara (@teresamadelyne)

Melbourne-based makeup artist Claire Bridgett (@claire_bridgett) is a big satin foundation fan and can't get over how flawless the foundation looks on her skin.

In a TikTok review video, she says it's "not too matte, not too glowy" and looks like it should cost $90.

Another makeup artist Amelia O'Brien (@ameliacharlotteobrien) did a 9.5-hour wear test on her Instagram, and sorry, but I swear the foundation somehow looked even better after her hot mat pilates class?!

She says she was impressed with the foundation's performance overall, despite a bit of creasing and wear around areas like the smile lines and forehead — which she points out is something you can't really avoid.

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A post shared by Amelia O’Brien (@ameliacharlotteobrien)

My colleague and combination skin-haver Em Vernem sent me her notes on the foundation, too. She reckons "it's like having the Paris Instagram filter on your face."

"The coverage is beautifully light, giving that skin-but-better look where you can still see hints of rosacea and pores but in a flattering, natural way. It feels weightless, to the point where I actually forget I'm wearing foundation throughout the day."

"There is some transfer, though less if you lock it in with setting spray. If you're oily, you'll definitely want to pair it with a matte primer because it can get shiny by the afternoon. It's perfect for daytime and everyday wear, though I'd reach for something with fuller coverage for nights out or events."

My MECCA MAX foundation review.

For the most part, this foundation is exactly what it says on the bottle.

Lightweight, but not serum-y. Medium coverage you could definitely build up to full coverage. A satin finish that reflects light beautifully, giving you that 'blurred' effect. Long-wearing if you've prepped your skin well with a primer, and set the makeup in place using powder and/or a setting spray.

Here's what my skin looks like before foundation, after foundation and with a full face of makeup.

The foundation is good, but don't underestimate the power of bronzer and blush! Image: Supplied.

I'm normally a sheer foundation or skin tint-wearer, so despite giving myself a jump scare with the foundation-only selfie, you can see just how much the product reduces the look of redness around my cheeks.

Hooley dooley, I loved how this MECCA foundation looked once I completed a full face of makeup. I loved myself through my iPhone's camera lens even more.

My makeup at the start of the day. Image: Supplied.

And here it is six hours later (in great lighting!!). Image: Supplied.

But while it looked flawless from a distance and in photos, I felt like the foundation emphasised my skin's texture and dryness in real life with every hour that passed.

See the flakiness and texture around my nose and my chin? That's not the foundation's fault, but it's confirmation of what I already knew about — this foundation was not made for me.

I actually started seeing the product flake and separate on my skin within the hour, but it looked incredible for a hot minute.

Maybe I would wear this foundation for passport photos if I was going straight there after application…

After an hour of wear, things started getting patchy (still raidant, though!). Image: Supplied.

Here's my skin at 6pm. Image: Supplied.

Even though I knew this foundation wouldn't work for my skin from the get-go, I'm still disappointed I can't get in on the fun, because those who love this product love it hard.

But that's why it's always good to resist the FOMO and do your own due diligence before buying something you've seen on the internet.

People who prefer the look of a satin foundation, or know this type of foundation works well for their skin type, will really enjoy it. The formula is very similar to more expensive long-wearing, lightweight foundations I've recommended before, including the Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Foundation ($83 for 30mL) and Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation ($92 for 30mL).

So if you have normal, combination or oily skin and are specifically looking for a long-wearing foundation with a satin finish, go to your local MECCA store and ask for a sample pot of this one so you can try it for yourself before buying a bottle full price.

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast below or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Feature image: Supplied.