What a Magnetic Glow! The New MAC Magnetic Nude Extra Dimension Skinfinishes in Magnetic Appeal, Superb and Fairly Precious

My glow in these pics is not due to a recent and sudden increase in cardiovascular activity, the sprinkling of fairy dust or a new skin cream made with firefly particles.

It’s actually due to the new MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinishes from the Magnetic Nude collection.

In short, I think these highlighters are fabulous. Just really beautiful, flattering rose gold and peachy gold shades that don’t look stark or harsh on the skin (which can happen sometimes with metallic highlighters).

Like the Extra Dimension Eye Shadows and Blushes, these easy-to-blend Skinfinishes have a hybrid cream, powder and liquid formula. They last all day long (10+ hours on me), and should work well for just about everyone, from makeup beginners to pros, and gals/guys of all ages.

Unless you’re piling on the layers, the three colors appear similar, with the differences among them rather subtle. You should be fine with any one of them. No need to collect all three unless you’re really, really into fine makeup nuances and/or well on your way to becoming a spokesperson for Makeup Hoarders Anonymous, in which case…I’m right there with ya, holmes!

Anywho. I use a face brush with a tapered tip to apply Superb, Magnetic Appeal and Fairly Precious to my upper cheekbones, and unless you’re hanging out with hardcore makeup people, or you’re married to a makeup artist (GO YOU!), chances are casual observers won’t be able to tell them apart, either in pics or real life.

Not that they look exactly the same… I think there are minor differences — differences that I can definitely see when I look closely at them, like how the powders sit on my skin, but in general, they’re quite alike.

Soft peachy nude Superb’s powder grains are slightly larger than the grains in Fairly Precious and Magnetic Appeal, making its shimmer slightly more obvious. If you like highlighters with a dramatic mirror-like shine (MAC Soft and Gentle comes to mind), you might want to give Superb a try.

Of the three, medium golden tan Magnetic Appeal is the darkest (although, again, the difference is subtle), so if you’re an NC 40 or darker, that’s probably the one you’ll want, as Fairly Precious and Superb could go slightly ashy.

Really, though, I don’t think you can’t go wrong with any of these. I like them all — the highlighting effect is noticeable, but not stark, so I get a lovely candlelit glow that doesn’t call attention to the neighborhood thugs…aka “my pores.”

If you’re sure you can tell them apart and appreciate the nuances among them, then I’d suggest Superb if you like flashy, high-shine highlights; Magnetic appeal if you’re a darker diva; and Fairly Precious if you want an all-purpose highlighter to wear with peach and coral blushes.

PRICE: $30 each US and $35 CAN
AVAILABILITY: Coming to MAC counters, stores and maccosmetics.com December 26
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+

Allegedly shopping for others…

Guess who was at the mall last night for last-minute shopping?

Allegedly, I went looking for sweaters for someone else, and I mostly did, but I also snapped pics of things I may/may not go back for after Christmas.

Like this fuzzy sweater with hearts by Robbi & Nikki at Nordstrom. I don’t know if I’d ever wear it…but I like that it reminds me of The Muppets.

And, obvs, the leopard spots on the shoulders of this button-up sweater by Search for Sanity (also at Nordie’s) say “meow” to my inner cat lady.

I didn’t end up finding the right sweater at Nordies, but I did find these boots for myself: the Sam Edelman Darwin Boots, which were (magic words!) on sale.

Sweet! Merry early Christmas to me. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen