Make Up For Ever 28 Anthracite Black Star Lit Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
28 Anthracite Black
Make Up For Ever 28 Anthracite Black Star Lit Powder ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep black with cooler, bluish undertones and blue, red, and silver pearl. Of all the shades I tried, this one had the greatest difference between dry and damp application.
Applied dry, it was softer, less intense, and warmer in overall tone, whereas damp application was intensely pigmented, very deep, and more metallic with a stronger, bluish sheen. The texture was soft, not quite as finely milled as other shades but still smooth. I tried to apply it as a cheek highlighter, but it was difficult to blend it out with the color looking patchy/cratered. I tried different brushes, using less product, and so forth, but I could never get it to apply evenly. It worked best as an eyeshadow, and it had the most impact with a damp brush, or else it was more like a soft, pearly black instead of a deep, inky black. On the lips, it was decent but was harder to manipulate for an even finish on light and mid-tone colors as any unevenness was very obvious–it worked well over black, though!
The Star Lit Powder is supposed to be an “ultra-fine” loose powder that can be used to “highlight eyes, lips and cheeks” either wet or dry to “customize intensity and luminosity.” The powder was finely-milled, smooth, and very soft across all the shades I tried in the range, and the pigmentation was mostly opaque even dry, though damp application made it more concentrated and adhere strongly to wherever it was initially applied. Overall, I felt a little went a long way, so even though there was not much product in the container, it would still take many uses to finish it.
It took a few applications to figure out the best way to apply it as a highlighter on cheeks, as the opening is rather small and the product quite concentrated, so I often found myself with very strong, distinct stripes of highlight across the cheekbones that took some buffing to blend and diffuse out. It was better to lightly tap the brush in the opening, and then dab it in the interior of the lid, which had the effect of diffusing and dispersing the loose powder better throughout the brush. This yielded a glowing effect that still produced higher coverage but took the work out of blending it out. On the eyes, it was easier to get full distribution onto a brush, as eye brushes are smaller, but if you wanted a sheer wash of color, I would recommend the same technique as I used for applying it as a cheek highlighter with a fluffy eye brush.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Retrograde (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Magic Spells (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- City Color Oh So Naughty (P, $6.99) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Lancome The New Black (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Full Metal Black (LE, $28.00).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.06 oz. - $350.00 Per Ounce
The Star Lit Powders can be used to “highlight eyes, lips and cheeks” with an “ultra-fine loose powder” that can be used “wet or dry to customize coverage intensity and luminosity.” While checking the weight on these, I noticed that the weight differs from shade to shade; this one had a mere 0.02 oz. while others ranged from 0.03 oz. to 0.09 oz. I also noticed that it appears the brand identifies what area you can use a shade on by listing an icon on the back of the jar in the shape of a pair of lips, an eyeball, and then a face (presumably for cheeks).
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Star Lit Powder swatches.
I definitely want to try this one!
How would you wear it? 😀
Ooh, I can see this being the most gorgeous smokey eye e
It would work well that way! Could easily see it with just a matte black eyeshadow.
*ever!
This stuff going on with those Google Map cars is driving me bonkers!!! This is what some have mentioned could be causing these bizarre episodes of outside interference. I wish there was a way to stop incomplete comments from going through. Or something.
Oh no! 🙁
I’m dying to find out what Google finds so fascinating about the Old Town neighborhood….it’s a mystery to me, though.
Would this shade work for those with darker/deeper complexions? I hope so.
I think it would!
Hmmm. I’m getting into darker eye looks now, and I do really like this. But I think I’d rather go for something cheaper as I don’t use dark shadows THAT often.
This IS beautiful though!!
For eyeshadow, I think it’s dupable enough with something else!
I never thought of putting black shimmer on my cheeks (gray yes, not black), but now you have me curious….
I tried and failed, LOL! Just couldn’t get it to blend out in a way that didn’t look like I faceplanted into a sooty fireplace.
LMAO!!!! OMG, that pic would’ve been epic! Would’ve beat the one with the MAC eye gloss 😉
Such an intriguing colour! I can imagine it would look fab on the eyelid although difficult to use on the cheek.
Well, that answers my question. I was curious how it would apply on cheeks. Oh well.
I can’t imagine using this any other way than shadow.