MAC 167SE Face Blender Brush ($34.00) is a limited edition brush designed to help blend out products used on the face. It is gently curved along the edges but has a rather flat, only slightly domed, shape overall. It’s fairly dense with bristles with some give, so it is movable but not floppy. The bristles felt soft against the skin. I liked it best for use for all-over face powders or bronzers, as well as blending and fading out blush and the like.

I reviewed it here previously (which I recommend reading for a more in-depth review). My original review stands and is the same for this one. Despite the fact that my original brush has the designation “SH” (for short-handled) and this one is marked as “SE” (for special edition), I didn’t notice any differences in bristle density, shape, cut, or texture.  The biggest difference is how they look, as this has black bristles and a bronze-hued handle.

See more photos!

MAC 167SE Face Blender Brush

MAC 167SE Face Blender Brush

MAC 167SE Face Blender Brush

MAC 167SE Face Blender Brush

MAC 167SE Face Blender Brush

Heads up for those who missed the launch on MAC’s website, Nordstrom and Macy’s have launched the collection online (and I only saw that Sheer Seduction lipstick was missing at Nordstrom, but everything else appeared to be in stock when I checked).

Reviews, Photos, Swatches

• Temperature Rising Blushes
• Powerchrome Eye Pencils
• Bare My Soul Quad
• Temperature Rising Quad
• Temperature Rising Bronzing Powders
• Temperature Rising Pro Longwear Bronzing Powders
• Temperature Rising Lipsticks
• Temperature Rising Lipglasses
• Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid
• Temperature Rising Nail Lacquers

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is described as a “super glitter magenta.” It’s multi-sized magenta glitter suspended in a clear base; it has very small sparkle, micro-glitter, and then larger circular glitters. Zoya Carly is darker with a blacker base and less glittery. China Glaze Senorita Bonita is purpler and less glittery. Nubar Petunia Sparkle has a blacker base. Urban Decay Xanadu is not as dense, has darker purple glitter (rather than magenta). SpaRitual Shooting Star has a blacker base and shimmer rather than glitter. It’s opaque and densely-packed with glitter in two coats–and I was a bit surprised, because one coat didn’t inspire confidence it would turn opaque, but it did. That’s actually great news, as it makes it a more versatile polish–you can layer one coat over another polish or wear this alone with two coats. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it applied well while the glitter spread evenly across the nail.

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is described as a “super glitter bronze.” It has a chocolate brown-tinted base with copper and bronze small/medium glitter suspended in it. I wasn’t able to think of any dupes for this one, and the only shade that I considered was China Glaze Ick-a-bod-y, which is larger orange glitter in a black base. I didn’t have the same luck with this shade as I did with Scorching Haute, as this one wasn’t opaque in two coats, and the glitter did not spread evenly. It tended to stick wherever the brush first was applied, but if you pulled the brush across the nail, most of the glitter stayed at the other end. I had to push it forward for more even glitter coverage. I applied one thin coat with two thicker coats on top on my middle finger, and I was able to get more opaque color but the result is on the thicker side.  The consistency was on the watery side.

The Glossover

	Scorching Haute A
	Product 9.5/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

	Tropical B-
	Product 7.5/10 Pigmentation 8/10 Texture 8.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Scorching Haute Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Tropical Nail Lacquer

MAC Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid ($31.00 for 1.7 fl. oz.) is described as a “golden shimmer.” It’s a warm-toned, bronze and gold-shimmered tan brown. I don’t know of any specific dupes, as I’m not as familiar with the liquid illuminator category, so I haven’t reviewed many products previously. NARS Maldives is somewhat similar, but it is more pigmented and in stick-form, but NARS does have a liquid illuminator range, so my guess would be that this would be somewhat similar to Laguna. The thing with illuminators like this, though, is that they are very subtle once applied so while Tom Ford Fire Lust doesn’t look similar when swatched, when applied, they seemed to both offer the same effect.

The formula is described as a thin liquid that “produces a soft, radiant light on the skin … by providing a natural-looking glow.” It’s supposed to spread smoothly and absorb quickly. MAC has Strobe Liquid (the original) available year-round, while this is a bronzy take on the formula. This type of product can be applied in many ways (and as with any beauty product, apply however you wish! the possibilities are endless!), but the common ways are mixed with moisturizer, foundation, and patted along the high planes of the face. The consistency is thin, almost water-like, and it seemed sheerer and thinner than even original Strobe Liquid (but it’s been a long time since I’ve used it, so I might be remembering incorrectly).

Golden Elixir seemed to add a smidgen of warmth to my skin while giving it a radiant finish, which some might find too dewy that it looks oily, and I think on camera, it can look too reflective, but in person, it’s quite lovely and natural-looking. A light dusting of setting powder will bring it down and make it photo-ready, though. I didn’t have any trouble with it interfering with the wear of my foundation when I wore it mixed with it (I used Guerlain’s Lingerie de Peau as my base). When I wore it as a spot highlighter, it lasted six hours well and then seemed to slide around a bit.

The Glossover

	Golden Elixir A-
	Golden Elixir seemed to add a smidgen of warmth to my skin while giving it a radiant finish, which some might find too dewy that it looks oily, and I think on camera, it can look too reflective, but in person, it's quite lovely and natural-looking.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 8.5/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid

MAC Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid

MAC Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid

MAC Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid

MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick ($15.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “matte cool red [with a retro matte finish].” It’s a deep, medium-dark red with strong cool undertones and a matte finish. MAC Ruby Woo is absolutely similar–it’s very, very similar. RiRi Woo is inspired by Ruby Woo, but the difference is very slight–there’s a noticeable difference in darkness and undertone when the two are swatched side-by-side, but applied, it is incredibly difficult to tell.

Other possible dupes include: MAC Ronnie Red is pinker, has more of a sheen. Rimmel #111 is not as blue-based and has a glossier sheen. MAC Charmed, I’m Sure is pinker. MAC Runaway Red is similar in darkness but it is slightly brown in comparison. NYX Chic Red has a slight sheen but it is somewhat similar. NARS Mascate is darker and brown-toned in comparison. NARS Dragon Girl is cooler-toned.

The retro matte finish is drier and stiff; it’s the type of texture that I think you can apply best with a lip brush, because it allows you better control and precision.  Because it can be stiff, it will tug/pull on the lip while you’re applying it, which means you may use too much force and it will easily jag outside the lip.  The color is incredibly pigmented, though; one swipe and you will see fully opaque color coverage.  RiRi Woo has Rihanna’s signature etched around the side of the lipstick itself, but there was nothing on the packaging or exterior packaging.  The color is a classic, retro red with cool undertones, but if you have Ruby Woo, RiRi Woo will feel redundant.  This just arrived about an hour ago, so I haven’t worn it for long, but so far it feels much like Ruby Woo, so I would expect six to eight hours of wear, some staining, and possibly be slightly drying over time.

P.S. — Watch for a giveaway of RiRi Woo soon! I purchased mine, but I received a press sample this morning, so I’ll be giving away the one I purchased here on the blog.

The Glossover

	RiRi Woo A-
	The color is a classic, retro red with cool undertones, but if you have Ruby Woo, RiRi Woo will feel redundant. If you missed out but love Rihanna, when it re-releases in June (and I think it will have special packaging), will make it standout more.
	Product 8.5/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 8/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches!

MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo (Left) / Ruby Woo (Right) Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo (Left) / Ruby Woo (Right) Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo (Left) / Ruby Woo (Right) Lipstick

MAC RiRi Woo (Left) / Ruby Woo (Right) Lipstick

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder ($25.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “golden bronze with fine gold pearl.” It’s a yellowy, medium-dark tan brown with a golden shimmer-sheen finish. Illamasqua Disobey is a browner and has no shimmer. Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless is warmer, more orange, and matte.

As I mentioned in my review for MAC’s Refined Golden, there were some serious texture issues (oddities?) with the regular bronzing powders in this collection. A few readers chimed in and said they had similar issues with past limited edition releases of the normally-permanent shades. That, of course, worries me, because I was originally chalking it up to being one-off, because the permanent versions have a normal, powder-like texture. The texture of Soft Sand almost felt like plastic–almost like a very stiff cream bronzer that didn’t give much payoff at all. I took a paper tough and just went to town getting the first few layers off, and that seemed to help quite a bit. I was able to get it to pick up on my brush after that and had it show up well on my skin. It lasted just under eight hours well without fading.  I had issues with the texture of last year’s Soft Sand, too; there were very similar issues but this felt even worse and even harder to get to work.

The Glossover

	Soft Sand F
	I had issues with the texture of last year's Soft Sand, too; there were very similar issues but this felt even worse and even harder to get to work.
	Product 5/10 Pigmentation 4/10 Texture 3/10 Longevity 8/10 Application 3.5/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder

MAC Soft Sand Bronzing Powder