Is this $38 Mecca Max Satin Blur foundation really worth the hype?

My honest thoughts on the viral Mecca Max Life Proof Satin Blur foundation.

There’s only one downside of getting to try all the latest beauty products as part of your job. It’s that inevitably, you get hooked on some very expensive stuff. Trust me when I say it’s both a blessing and a curse to know how good a $120 foundation is.

But being a professional makeup artist and editor (and personal beauty consultant to everyone in the Fashion Journal office), it’s my duty to constantly test skin tints, concealers, mascaras, lip liners and blushers so I know what to recommend.

For more reviews on the latest products and treatments, head to our Beauty section. 

For years, the foundations at the top of my ‘you should 100 percent just buy it’ list have been: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, Nars Light Reflecting, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk and Kosas Revealer foundation. Any of these will leave your skin glowing and more even-toned, without looking heavy. And for ‘no makeup’ days, Merit’s The Uniform SPF40 is my trusty one-and-done.

Not gonna lie, it’s been a while since I’ve used a foundation that costs under $60. That was until a sizeable box from Mecca Max landed on my desk a few weeks ago. One 30ml glass bottle of Mecca Max Life Proof Satin Blur foundation will only set you back $38. And the girlies on TikTok are raving about it. In this economy, I felt compelled to put it to the test against my Charlotte Tilbury favourite (that costs double the price).

What to expect from Mecca Max Life Proof Satin Blur Foundation

Mecca describes it as a medium buildable coverage, natural satin foundation with a lasting finish. It’s also described as lightweight enough to wear on a park run. The shade range is great – there’s 40 colours and a mix of peachy, cool, warm and neutral undertones. The product reviews on the Mecca Beauty website are all pretty positive, with many customers advising “a little goes a long way”.

My review of the Mecca Max Satin Blur Foundation

After testing a few shades, I found the closest match to my skin tone was 220 G – light with golden undertones. For reference, I’m a 3 Fair in Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter and Santa Fe in Nars. I prepped my skin the way I normally do these days, wiping it all over with a Conserving Beauty Hyaluronic Cleansing and Conditioning cloth (it leaves your skin so juicy and plump!) then using half a pump of foundation and a stippling brush, I started blending it on, concentrating on my areas of redness first.

I was very impressed by the coverage, half a pump was more than enough for my whole face and it covered my light acne scarring easily. Despite the decent coverage, the foundation went on really smoothly and didn’t cling to any dry patches or pores. As described, it leaves a satin finish that’s not too shiny but definitely not matte. It also has a flattering blurring effect on pores, similar to all my aforementioned favourites.

Checking my skin a couple of hours later, I did notice the colour looking slightly more yellow in the natural light (maybe oxidisation?) and it looked more dewy than when I first applied it, so I’d recommend applying some setting powder if you get oily.

To further test it, I wiped the makeup off half my face and applied Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter on one side. The major difference is that the Mecca Max foundation has more coverage, but they both leave a similar glow to the skin.

However, I wouldn’t say the Mecca Max Satin Blur foundation is a lightweight formula – I wouldn’t wear this on park run. It looked flawless but I found it a little too heavy feeling on my skin, and I preferred the look and feel of the Charlotte Tilbury side, even though you could see more of my natural ‘imperfections’ coming through.

Would I recommend it?

The Mecca Max Life Proof Satin Blur foundation is a solid option for anyone wanting medium but buildable coverage with a nice glow. Although I prefer something more sheer, if you’re used to a fuller coverage foundation, then this would be a lovely (and affordable!) option for you. You can always pop into Mecca for a colour match and a sample to take home and try yourself.

For more beauty reviews, try this.