MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer Review, Photos, Swatches
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.
Aphrodite's Shell
LELimited Edition. $34.00.
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
Shame, ED products are usually glorious! 🙁
I was surprised as how stiff it was? It looked really soft when I looked at it!
This would make me look so jaundiced. No thanks.
Definitely a no go then!
Ick!
I was so sad about the texture!
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!
Sorry, I don’t live near a MAC store or counter, so I pretty much only have what I’ve purchased or been sent!
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.
Hopefully the texture is better – I think if you’re fair, you’ll at least get the color to show up 🙂
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!
This hardly shows up on you! Such a dud!
I think on fairer skin, you’d actually be able to see it, because it ended up closer to my natural skin tone just by default 🙁 I see a little more color in person but not a lot.
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.
That’s good to know, Anna! Thank you! 🙂
not so nice for my medium-dusky skintone 🙁
Definitely wouldn’t recommend for a medium skin tone!
What is your favorite bronzer?
Guerlain Terracotta
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!! 🙂
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! 🙂
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.
Thanks for the heads up, Anna! 🙂
When I saw it in the pan, I thought, “NO CHRISTINE DO NOT TEMPT ME” and then I saw the swatch and went “nah okay I’ll pass” lol
😉
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! 🙂
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!
This looks a bit like the NYC Bronzer in Sunny!
Good to know!
Despite the light pigmentation it actually looks pretty nice on you! The subtle shimmer is quite gorgeous!
Thanks, Fancie!
I ordered both but this one will be going back for sure. It definitely won’t show up one me.
Sorry to hear that 🙁
No thanks, this would wash me out!
Aw, that is too bad!
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.
Glad it shows up on you, Lucy!
I think I need to check my computer’s colour settings! I though this looked so rosy in the pan 😛 it’s a shame it didn’t work so well for you – things that are stiff in the pan are so frustrating!
I just wish you could get it to show true-to-pan without going at it with a brush, lol!
I’m not feeling this one either! It’s a good thing the rest of the collection in a hit!
You win some, you lose some, I guess!
What colour are you wearing on your lips? It looks so pretty!
Here you go!
THE 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.
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! 🙂
I would apply it a bit like a blush, but a smidgen higher in placement!
This seems pretty, but I will definitely be skipping out.
Lots of other great products in the launch to consider!
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.
The finish on the bronzers is WAYYYYY different. These are definitely more satin-like than shimmery.
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 .
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear you didn’t like yours, Marleen! Glad you’re able to return! xo
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!
Happy to hear this is working well for you!
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,,,
I used MAC’s 158 brush, I believe!