MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter ($29.00 for 0.31 oz.) is described as a “light, soft white gold.” It’s a soft yellowy gold with a metallic finish. Gilded, soft, glowy, with a definite yellow undertone, but it’s not orange-y at all. Guerlain Terracotta Sun in the City is deeper, more molten gold. Estee Lauder Opulence is very similar. Chanel Shimmering Tweed is similar but darker.
Of the three shades that were released, I actually liked the texture of this one the best–it had the smoothest feel. The texture is dry but soft, and it applies smoothly so it really enhances the metallic finish. You can see it “in real life” in this video as well. If this is your first read-through of a review on this new formula, then if you’re familiar with Estee Lauder’s Powder Gelee formula, you’ll find this extremely comparable, if not dead-on. MAC may not describe this as a liquid, powder, and gel powder, but it’s very, very similar. There’s an $11 price difference, and with MAC, you actually get nearly twice the product.
So far, MAC’s product seems to wear a wee bit better as well. Yesterday, I tested out the wear of this shade specifically, and it held up well after eight hours with very slight fading around the edges. Even after ten hours, there was a little more fading, but it was still surprisingly intact for as long of a period as that was. As with anything with a really metallic finish, it will emphasize the skin’s texture, but this does so very, very slightly. MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinishes tend to emphasize pores on me, but this seemed like a fair trade off between emphasis and glowy goodness.
I see this working well on yellow-toned skin, those with warmer undertones overall, but because it lacks an orange/red undertone, it shouldn’t turn particularly orange on pinker undertones. Between this and Superb, I don’t think I’d grab both unless you’re major fiend for highlighters or really love the finish of these. I suspect they will all sell well, so you won’t have a lot of time to think about it, but nonetheless, I do feel you could survive with one and not both.
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
What’s on your lips? So pretty!
Of the 3 this looks the best on you. So natural and pretty. I NEED!!
Looks gorgeous!!!
Herione lippy?! looks amazing on you!! Looking forward to reading up on that when you review! =D
<3 xoxo
I need this! Estee lauder owns mac so its very possible its the same formula actually! Like bobbi brown gel eyeliners and fluidlines are pretty much the same.. (ive heard). Thanks for the review!
I’m sold on this one! It really does look like a better version of New Vegas MSF to me. BTW, love that lip color!
Love! Your! Lipgloss!
Thanks for including the info in the post!
This is gorgeous! Love love!
thanks for the swatches christine!!i rarely use highlighters because my skin is way far from flawless and sooo oily but i am really tempted to buy one of these!!Are you wearing heroine lipstick???It’s stunning….!!
Yes!
Wow, it’s beautiful! The texture looks amazing.
Is it similar to MAC Chez Chez Lame? I am a NC20 or 25 in the summer and I wonder if the new one would be better for me 🙂
Chez Chez Lame is a lil’ darker 🙂 http://www.temptalia.com/mac-chez-chez-lame-special-reserve-highlighting-powder-review-photos-swatches#image1
THANK YOU !!!
It looks gorgeous! How does it compare to Mac’s Chez Chez Lame? 🙂
It’s a little lighter – http://www.temptalia.com/mac-chez-chez-lame-special-reserve-highlighting-powder-review-photos-swatches#image1
i really wish they did a cooler toned one, or at least more champagne sort of color, what 1 would u recommend for n/c 15?
Superb has more of a champagne color, so maybe that one?
thanks 🙂 ill probably get that one and return it if its too dark lol
I like the Heroine lipstick against your dark hair and hazel eyes. Nice contrast!
Which is best for NC42, Glorify or Whisper of Gilt?
If you’re looking for a little color, then Glorify – if you just want a sheen, Whisper of Gilt.
How did you apply these? If you used a brush, which one? They look lovely on you!
I used the 168, 116, and 165. They all applied about the same for me!
I’m a bit of a Highlighter junkie as I want both Whisper of Gilt and Superb but I know that they will look different on my skin tone being close to white as human possible (I swear I’m not a vampire).
I am super on the fence about these since
I don’t like to look like a glitter ball but I’m ordering online so it is hard to tell if the shimmer would be subtle enough for me. My go to highlighter is the too chic beauty powder, do u think these would be refined and subtle enough for every day?
It’s more like a metallic sheen than chunky glitter or anything like that. This is not as subtle as Too Chic, but it’s not too much more, either. Too Chic can be pretty frosted!
Isn’t that Spitfire lipstick?? I’m sure it is… I have both that and Heroine and Heroine is definitely bronze.
Heroine is coming out with Reel Sexy, and it’s described differently.
Ignore my last reply. Just found out about the new Heroine lipstick. Annoying that’s it shares the same name as the lipstick from the Wonder Woman collection, and looks pretty similar to Spitfire!
This looks so pretty on you!
My regular MUA at the MAC counter thinks I’m maybe NW5 (none of their powders or foundations are pale enough for me). I would like to try one of these, but not sure which shade’s best for me. Superb looks a little too dark for me, but this one looks like it might pull too yellow on me. I know Glorify is a no-go.
Which do you think would be better for a really, really pale person with pink undertones? TIA!
Superb would probably work best, actually!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help and all the work you do on this site.
This is my go-to site for all things makeup. So helpful!
Thanks, Kelly! 🙂 Happy to help!
Are you wearing a blush or highlighter? Your cheeks look amazing!
Oh, dahh! I’ve never asked anything so STUPID! Haha. I just clicked on this and scrolled straight to the photo assuming it was an eyeshadow you were testing. D’oh!
what do you recommend for someone fair? i don’t know what color i would be in mac, but a MUA put a undereye concealer on me that was NW 15.
It could definitely work on someone who is fair!
Which would you recommend for NC40, Whisper or Supurb? I’m definitely going to pick up Glorify so of the two, which would pair well with it? Thanks, Christine!!
Whisper of Gilt
Ohhh looks great! is this similar to MAC Chez chez lame or theBalm mary-lou manizer by any chance?
Chez-chez Lame is paler – http://www.temptalia.com/mac-chez-chez-lame-special-reserve-highlighting-powder-review-photos-swatches#image1
Mary-Lou seems closer, perhaps a wee bit lighter!
Will this be a good highlight for nc50 skin?
It could work!
Christine, I usually wear Mac creme color base in shell and soft and gentle for my highlighter. However, I am looking for more of a glow from the skin then a glow that looks like its from product. I think this formula may be the answer from your description. Now, which color, whisper of guilt or superb. I want the one with the least pigment and color and just more clear sheen. Help?
Whisper of Gilt!
hi, i think you might have linked to the wrong video? the current link leads to the tres cheek review vid (:
I’m wearing the highlighter in that video.
Christine I currently have the dior rose diamond. The rose diamond comes across as more of a clear sheen on me.. not much color. I am NC40 for reference. Between superb and whisper of gilt, I would like something that looks natural and brightening and for the life of me cannot decide. Please Help! If I were to get cruel gardenia.. would it be similar to superb so I could just get whisper of gilt?
If you want brightening… then Whisper of GIlt is more apt to do that. Superb is closer to Cruel Gardenia, but Cruel Gardenia definitely has some pink to it.
Thanks Christine. I was concerned that Whisper of Gilt would look unnatural compared to superb on my darker complexion. Ugh.. what I wouldnt give to be able to swatch it in person and take some time in making the decision!
if you haven’t already, go and get whisper of gilt. I’m about a NC40, as well, and it honestly looks phenomenal. It just completely melts into the skin due to it being a hybrid, i guess. You’ll love it.
I tried Superb on in the store but wasn’t blown away by it. I now have my eye on the bronzy one =)
I have to getting this one. It just make your skin glow beautifully. Thanks christine for the review and swatches.
I already own By Candlelight. Do you think Whisper of Gilt is different enough to have both?
I think so!
I’m really debating this, especially since it’s limited but it looks really similar to Illamasqua’s Illuminator in Halcyon. It might be easier to blend with but I am not sure how comparable they are.
Hi Mar, have you decided yet? Because I don’t buy MAC because its not cf anymore, so I’m really looking for a vegan or cf dupe of whisper of gilt… And Illamasqua it is…
Anyone? Can help me?
I’m definitely going to be picking up glorify, however between whisper or guilt and superb I’m torn! Which of the two would you recommend for a Mac NC45-NC50?
Whisper of Gilt! 🙂
Would you say this is similar to Soft and Gentle MSF?
Much more golden, more pigmented, different finish.
I have to have this! Your words say All Wrong, but the swatches plus gut say Buy It Now!
Which do you think would be better for a natural redhead (not carrot red, not auburn either) with cool skin tones? I can’t decide which to try of superb or whisper of gilt.
Whisper of Gilt!! 🙂
Thanks! Side note, I love all the swatches on your site, especially the sets of swatches comparing colors (like the brown eyeliner post)
Aw, thank you!! 🙂
Thanks so much for your wonderful review as always.
Can I just ask if this powder is oversprayed or does the entire powder has the same finish/sheen?
Same throughout!
Hi im an NC30 and i was wondering which skinfinish will will be better for me whisper of guilt or superb? thank you 🙂
Whisper of Gilt! 🙂
Thanks for the swatches and review! Is this similar to theBalm’s bettylou-mizer?
Not as pale or as gold!
I got this for 26$ , do you think the price changed ?
Listed as $29 online!
How would you compare this to Mary-Lou manizer?
Mary-Lou is lighter, more golden, warmer.
hey !
whisper of guilt looks great on you .
i wear nc35 in studio fix fluid .
i just recently purchased whsiper of guilt and i have to say this colour makes me glow , and its a great highlight which gives you that sun – kissed look! i wore it on a night out , and it still look as stunning 8hours after . after the application of my makeup , i used my fix + spray to set my makeup too !!!
stunning colour . i defo think it can work on even the darkest skin types . NC mostly based with yellow undertones as you suggested . the darker the skin the more pigment you can use to built up that glow !
xx
I have 2 questions. 1) if I already have Dior amber diamond could I pass on whisper of gilt. 2) have you heared anything about the Bobbie Brown cheek glows that are coming out. The formula sounds similar.
They’re different finishes – Dior is much sheerer, this is much more potent. I haven’t!
I just picked this up and I’m in LOVE with it. It’s perfect for my olive skin and it isn’t chunky-glittery. It’s funny because I was going to pass on these highlighters, but after reading your reviews and seeing your swatches of it, I went ahead and ordered it (I’m SO glad I did!) Thank you Christine!
Do you know of any dupes on the market now? I can only find this right now for $90 on Amazon.
It’s be released in the MAC Holiday Collection. I believe the collection comes out the end of October!