MAC Bronze FX Hyper Real Foundation Review & Swatches
Bronze FX
MAC Bronze FX Hyper Real Foundation ($31.00 for 1.00 oz.) is a medium, coppery-brown with warm, golden pearl. It had buildable pigmentation from semi-sheer to mostly opaque (two to three layers) that sat well on bare skin without emphasizing my skin’s natural texture. This particular shade gave me subtle color and tint, so it would likely to be very my-skin-but-better on medium to tan complexions in particular. The consistency was lightweight, thin, and watery without being too runny or prone to sheering out to barely-there coverage. I didn’t have any trouble applying it to my cheek bones as a standalone highlighter and getting a moderate shine and some color. This shade stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours on my skin.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ILIA Fame (P, $34.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Translucent Medium Deep (P, $38.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Phytosurgence Dew of Dawn (P, $26.01) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Persona Del Mar (P, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Kaja Stardust (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NYX Gold Rush (P, $6.99) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Barbados (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced You Light Up My Life (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Glo Getter (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Milani Glowing (P, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$31.00/1 oz. - $31.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "weightless liquid highlighter" that has a "refined high-pearl finish" that wears for "eight hours." It can be "layer[ed] under foundation" or applied "over foundation as a highlighter." The consistency was smooth, thin, and had a touch of slip to keep it from feeling like water but was still easily mixed into foundation and moisturizer, applied on its own all-over the skin (like a primer), or dabbed on top of high points of the face to highlight. The latter I liked using fingertips or putting a touch on the back of my hand and swirling a synthetic brush in, then tapping onto the high points and using the edge of the bristles to diffuse the highlighter onto my skin.
It had semi-sheer, buildable coverage, depending on how much was used and how it was applied. It added noticeable luminosity when layered under foundation or mixed with foundation (assuming one did not layer a full coverage, matte formula on top!). They had a very skin-like luminosity--natural, glowing, but not overtly shimmery and definitely didn't emphasize my skin's natural texture. The formula dried down in 10-15 seconds and stayed on well for eight to nine hours on me (when worn as a standalone highlighter).
Browse all of our MAC Hyper Real Foundation swatches.
Ingredients
Oh! I like this one! I can see many potential uses for how I would use it, too. Like applying a bit to my shoulders and shins to add a nice refined sheen. Or adding a drop to a winter foundation shade to give it some sunny glow and summer depth!
I’m still not sure that I understand this product but it’s a great highlighter.
i want to say they might be a dupe similar to CT faux filter (not sure of exact name) that were recently released. just from C’s descriptions but she’ll know best if they are dupes/similar products tho!
This looks really nice on you. I have the Bobbie Brown bronze highlighter, which I love. But, this is a liquid. So, maybe different enough. I hope you do the review on the FX Rose Gold one.
This reminds me of Mac lustre drops, mixed with a bit of foundation?
I just thought exactly the same thing, or MAC Face and Body mixing medium (it is colorless) mixed with pigment.
As a foundation it does produce a lovely finish and it’s good to see MAC bringing out an excellent product.