I got a sample of MAC’s Oil Control Lotion for my sister, only to find that it is not paraben-free :( She’s developed a pretty bad allergy to them recently, so we’re trying to find a paraben-oil-and-sunscreen-free moisturiser for her!

Anyhow, I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it! The sample is in the cutest little 5g jar; it’s a short fat cylinder (unlike most jars, there are no curved edges) and says MAC on the top. Hey, if they sold the jars, I would totally buy them! The sample is extremely full, which may be in part because of the great SAs at the West Edmonton Mall MAC (the one in The Bay, not the standalone)

I slicked some on my T-zone yesterday morning – my thoughts follow!

The lotion is very liquidy, but I don’t think it would be a problem in its normal packaging. I think this is great, because a little bit will spread out a lot, meaning you use less! Cost-effective and perfect for oily girls. It’s got a light scent which I don’t mind, but don’t like – however, this smell dissipated within about five minutes and by then time I got around to putting on fragrance (more on that later) it was gone.

I usually need some blotting tissue around noon, just in my t-zone (I’m not *very* oily, though – I can use the same piece of blotting tissue for a week, and you bet your toasted socks I do!) anyhow, by lunch, my face was still oil-free! Well, it was a touch more oily than it was in the morning, but just barely. There was a bit of oil in my t-zone by the time I got home around 4:30, but – get this – there was less oil than there usually is by lunch time! Yes, it cut my oiliness down by more than a half. (There I go again, deftly quantifying the unquantifiable!)

For all you Americans out there, definitely buy this one – $28 for 1.7 fl. oz! However, I don’t know if it makes sense for us Canadians – it’s great, but maybe not $36 worth of great. Geez, MAC! That’s almost 30% more expensive! I mean, I get that the Canadian dollar is worth less again, but it’s not like we make more money!!