Sunday, October 28, 2012

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter ($29) is described on the MAC website as a soft peachy nude with multi-dimensional shimmer. It has a hint of warm pink to it and mixed with the glistening champagne-peach, it gives off a rose gold appearance. It's a limited edition highlighter originally released in the MAC In Extra Dimension Collection this past Spring, but was re-released in the newest MAC Glamour Daze Collection.

The power itself is very finely milled, silky smooth and almost feels like a pressed pigment. It's highly pigmented with a high shine finish. I found that when I apply too much, it looks very metallic. This is easily the most intense highlighter I own. The great thing is that if you over-do it, it's easy to fix. If I screw up, I'll lightly run my foundation brush over it (with foundation residue), and it lightens up perfectly.

To apply, I usually use a small stippling brush or my fingers. Either work fine, but I like using my fingers to diffuse the edges. It works really well. Due to the texture, a synthetic and/or dense brush picks up product better than a natural bristle brush.

I really like the way it wears over time. Some highlighters tend to sit on top of the skin, sometimes looking a bit ashy/powdery and unnatural. Superb becomes one with my skin and catches light without looking like an obvious highlighter. I prefer this formula over the MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes which can look a little powdery.

It stays put all day, which is a huge bonus. Since I'm not one to touch-up my makeup throughout the day, anything long lasting is good news for me. One of my favorite highlighters is The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer, but it disappears too quickly on my skin. By the end of the day, Superb hasn't gone anywhere.

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

mac superb

MAC Superb swatch

MAC Superb Swatch
In this photo I've applied Suberb to the back of my hand with a fan brush. You can see that it's not very shimmery or frosty, but it has a very rich sheen making it appear very natural.

MAC Superb Swatch
Here's a close-up of Superb appied to the heights of my cheekbones and blended out with my finger.

mac superb swatches comparisons
From left to right: MAC Superb, MAC Honey Rose Magically Cool Liquid Powder (didn't swatch well) and Dior Amber Diamond. You can see how much more metallic Superb is compared to the much sought-after Amber Diamond.

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

Overall, I'm really happy with Superb, and I can't say for sure yet because I haven't had it for too long, but I can see it becoming my favorite highlighter. I already purchased a back-up, and I'm not one to ever purchase back-ups. Once I finish a product (which is also very rare) I usually can't wait to discover something new, but because Super is so unique, I had to have an extra on hand!

Did you purchase any of the Extra Dimension highlighters? What's your favorite highlighter?

The Round-Up

Pros:
  • Gorgeous color
  • Silky smooth texture 
  • Blends really well on the skin - doesn't sit on the skin looking ashy or powdery
  • Captures light better than any of my other highlighters
  • Will work on a variety of skin tones (especially nice on warm skin)
Cons:
  • Natural bristle brushes don't seem to pick up product as well as synthetic brushes - with a natural bristle brush, it causes a bit of dust, and produces fall-out on the cheeks.
  • Can look too metallic if too much is applied (but don't worry, it's quick fix)
Price: $29, MAC, Nordstrom, Dillard's.

22 comments:

  1. I love it, didn't care for it when I first got it in the Extra Dimension collection, but now I can't get enough of it!

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  2. this is so pretty might have to get my hands on it

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  3. This is one of my favourite highlighters! I love your revies, so in depth and concise. <3

    Amy xo
    www.theprettyvain.blogspot.com

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  4. This looks beautiful. I was thinking about getting it, but I'm quite pale. I don't know if it would be too much. I currently use TheBalm Mary Lou-manizer, which I LOVE!

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  5. Its Lovely, what a beautiful sheen:)
    Sara xx

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  6. it look so elegant. especially the embossed design.

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  7. Wow! The Superb actually looks way more natural than I expected it to. Especially when you look at how metallic the swatch is on your finger! I'm in desperate need of a go-to highlighter so I'll have to try this on my skin!

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  8. this is a fantastic highlighter! how stunning. xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com//

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  9. its lovely... for this amazing blush i can forget fall out...
    nice review
    www.makeupshakeups.com

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  10. I have a serious love for highlighters. This looks amazing just in the pan, It comes on a lot less metallic than it looks which is nice. x

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  11. It's a beautiful color, love it !

    http://christellegblog.blogspot.fr/

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  12. I was planning on getting this and now that you've reviewed it, I'm getting it immediately! :)
    xo

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  13. wow! such a pretty highlighter! I wonder whether it will work great for a cool toned girl like me :)

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  14. I picked this one up. I've worn it as an eyeshadow as well with the bad to the bronze maybelline color tattoo :D

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  15. This looks lovely applied, the colour is great too as I often find highlighters too pale! xx

    One Little Vice

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  16. Yayy! I'm glad you like it :) I knew you would! Best highlighter EVERRRR! I really want to check out the Balm one...i've heard so many good things about it!

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