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MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer
MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer ($33.00 for 0.31 oz.) is described as a “golden bronze with a touch of fine shimmer.” It’s a muted, medium golden brown with a soft, golden shimmer and satin finish. It had warm, yellow undertones. Urban Decay Bronzer (P) is warmer, darker. Tarte Park Ave. Princess (P, $29.00) is darker, browner. MAC Love, Rihanna (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery. NARS Laguna (P, $36.00) is a touch darker. MAC Refined Golden (P, $25.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

The formula is described as long-wearing (specifically a whopping “ten hours”) and as having a “luminous” finish. This is going to be a shade that is best for very fair to light complexions; it just barely shows up at all on my skin tone (medium or NC25). The texture is thin, a little dry, though “smooth” to the touch, but the product doesn’t easily loosen from the surface, so the initial coverage is sheer. It’s somewhat buildable, but it takes several layers and a scratchier brush (which helps to get more product off of the surface of the pan). The color seemed to last for around eight hours (it was more visible in person than in photos, so I was able to track the wear, thankfully!), but it didn’t get to ten.

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer
MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer
MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer
MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer
MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer
MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer
MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer — 5 layers (!!)

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer
MAC Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Make Up For Ever Lift Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Finishing Powder
  • Chantecaille Brilliance
On lips:
  • MAC Goddess of the Sea Lipstick

55 Comments

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Lotus Avatar

There has been so much inconsistency with MAC! 🙁 Have you touched others to see it if it was just yours? The described texture is the last thing to be expected of an “aquatic” line! Geez… I’m sorry. 🙁 Unacceptable! Excellent ones exist for a couple of bucks that will be exactly like this but with excellent texture! Drugstore products have upped the ante!

L Avatar

I hope I like it better than you do Christine, this is one of the few items that weren’t sold out that I had a chance to order online. I’m really fair and still learning the art of applying bronzer, since I never do it.

Tone Avatar

I think you’ll like it! I’m also a fair girl, and even though I wish it would be a bit more pigmented the color is beautiful on me, and much cooler than on the lovely Christine!

Fingers crossed!

Anna Avatar

My friend who is pretty fair can’t see it as well on her skin. :-/ These golden/yellow undertones seem to disappear on yellow/golden toned skin, no matter how fair it is.

Sydney Avatar

I’ve had this for a couple of weeks now (It released earlier here in Europe) and I just love it. It may not be much on medium to darker skin tones, but for us very fair girls that want just a kiss of color this is the perfect bronzer. I have never been a fan of bronzer because they seen so heavy and matte. I like that this has a light pigmentation and a soft sheen to it. All you pale girls, this is the bronzer for you!! 🙂

Christine Avatar

The lighter color doesn’t really bother me, as that is the nature of all things color – some will be better for lighter/darker skin – but it should still be pigmented enough where one doesn’t need to layer and layer and layer to achieve the color seen in the pan! It’s a lot easier to use less, but adding tons of product can look bad on the skin! I’m glad you like yours! 🙂

Anna Avatar

I have it and I don’t think its stiff. Just the pigmentation seems to be very delicate. I’m applying it with a blush brush and I’m getting nice “soft focus” effect. It also neutralizes some redness on my cheeks. But I don’t see much colour and I can’t use it as a bronzer, as stated. That’s a bit disappointing.
PS. I have medium skin tone.

Joey Avatar

Would this formula work as a touch-up/ mattifying powder for medium/tan (NC30-35) skin? I would love to pull this one out of the handbag in summer! 🙂

Christine Avatar

I don’t think so! There’s hardly any product that gets dislodged, so you’d really have to pile it on. It would just seem impractical/waste of time to bother with a subpar product! Many better options for a touch-up/mattifying powder – and I don’t think this is going to really mattify too much, as there is some shimmer!

lucy Avatar

I have this and I’m nc15. I have to build it up with a mac 187 brush but it shows up beautifully. I think its more of a soft contour shade on me. Delphic is more of a bronzer.

meghan Avatar

i really like it so far! i’m like nc 5, though, so everything shows up on me.
the only problem is because i am so fair, this is my first bronzer. i have always been afraid to buy one, but this one looked very subtle, even for fair skin, so it seemed like the best choice for me.
sooo the thing is, i don’t actually know what to do with it, lol!
but i wanted a bronzer! 🙂

kellly Avatar

Wow, this really doesn’t look all shiny and reflective as it does in their ad photos. The ED I got (Superb) back in the winter time was very shiny and gorgeous and their promo photos make this one look similar with that very shiny, silvery, reflective finish. If it’s really as dull as yours is, I can pass on this and save some of my money! But really, I’d rather it be shiny and gorgeous like Superb is because I really love that one and use it very frequently.

Marleen Avatar

This was a bust! Mine is headed back as we speak!!! The website pic is so different!!! Way TOO light, I tried it dry and wet. MAC is gonna have a lot of this coming back to them .

Gemma Avatar

I have to say as a pale girl (NW20) I loved this as a bronzer or contour. It is a little bit rosy so it wears really well on lighter skin. Delphic would make me look like a clown!

kerry Avatar

Do I apply this bronzer with a stiff brush or a sponge? Nothing is really working..Im trying to not have to ship it back to macys..although for 33 bucks..meh,,,

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