Saturday, June 9, 2012

MAC Crew Highlight Powder Review, Photos & Swatches!

MAC Crew Highlight Powder

MAC Crew Highlight Powder

MAC Crew Highlight Powder ($29) is a highlighting powder/blush that is made of three shades - a soft peach, pale purple and soft, warm (yellow toned) pink. The light beige surrounding color is just an overspray that will erase with several uses. This product launched in MAC's latest Hey, Sailor! Collection and is only around for a limited time. 

I originally didn't find this powder too appealing - that is, until I swatched it in the MAC store. It might look a little ordinary in the compact, but once the colors unite together, a gorgeous, luminous warm pink with a soft, glowy sheen is created. 

After swatching several different blushes in my collection, the closest match I could find is Chanel Blush Horizon Soft Glow Blush (which also just so happens to be a limited edition product from this past Spring), nothing else I own came as close. Both products combine warm pink, peach and purple, and when mixed together, create a similar result. The color of Chanel is slightly darker, a touch more vibrant and contains more iridescence. I love the Chanel blush so much, so it's exciting to find a close dupe.

MAC Crew Highlight Powder

MAC Crew Highlight Powder



The consistency of the product is very soft, and finely milled. I'm a big fan of MAC's Beauty Powder and Highlight Powder formulas - from my experiences, they have all been just as soft. 

When I think of a highlighter, I think of a sheer powder/cream with a rich sheen/iridescence that will draw light to the areas it was applied, creating a glow to the cheeks. They typically aren't applied all over the cheeks (unless it's the look you're going for), but usually the highest point of the cheeks, bridge of the nose, etc. MAC Crew packs more color than sheen, and adds sheer, but very buildable color with a very subtle satiny finish. It can be applied all over the apples of the cheeks for a flush of natural pink. 

If you're looking for a traditional frosty highlighter, this won't be what you're looking for. But, if you're in the market for a natural, warm pink blush, definitely check this one out. 



*The overspray is actually pretty thick, and is still in tact after several uses. Most of MAC's oversprays go away with a couple of uses, but I think this one might stick around for a while. If you want to get rid of it, you can always twirl around a dense kabuki until you've reached the end of it. 


Here's a comparison of MAC Crew Highlight Powder next to Chanel Blush Horizon.

**The color looks the same once applied to my cheeks, but I will update this post later with a photo of the blush applied to my cheeks. 

Overall, I'm happier than I thought I'd be with this product, and I'm really enjoying it! I'll for sure get a lot of use from it, as it's a brainless color that will work well for every day!

The Round-Up

Pros:
  • The texture of the powder is silky soft, therefore blending very easily
  • Good color pay-off, very buildable 
  • Great color - a warm (yellow) pink with a hint of peach that I can see working on a variety of light to medium skintones. (I'd like to mention after reading Temptalia's review, I was nervous of the color looking chalky on my skintone, as the color looks a bit light on her. I'm around the same skintone as her right now (NC30-ish) and it warms up nicely to my skin. No chalkiness or white-cast what-so-ever!)
  • You aren't only limited to one color choice. You can use any of the three shades individually.
  • Good value - you get 0.34oz of product for $29 as opposed to a standard MAC blush which is $20 for 0.21oz of product. 
Cons:
  • May be too light for deep skintones
  • Isn't technically a highlighter, it's more of a blush (but I'm not complaining!)
  • Currently sold out on the MAC website, and counters have limited quantities
Price: $29, MAC.

7 comments:

  1. Oh...gorgeous packaging and a lovely product! MAC make great stuff don't they! If you are interested am running a global beauty blog swap (again!) on my blog. Would love for you to check it out and sign up!

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  2. Great review....!Thanks for sharing.

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  3. i agree...i dont use it as a highlighter really! i love this!!!

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  4. Just wanted to say I ordered this as soon as I saw the swatch compared to the Chanel...I wanted that blush but it was sold out at my local counters :( Thank you so so much for this post! :D

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  5. Woo!! the packaging totally got me.So did the swatches.
    Really nice review and shots
    Cheers

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