MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish ($29.00 for 0.24 oz.) is described as a “coral with gold shimmer.” There is absolutely nothing about this that says coral… nothing even suggests it exists in the product at all! Where’s the pink? the red? Even the online “swatch” on MAC’s website shows the same pattern and coloring that my product actually has (thought maybe my veining was causing the problem). It’s a mix of metallic gold, coppery bronze, and orange, which, when swirled together, creates a medium-dark tan brown with gold shimmer. It’s very similar to the lighter side of MAC A Little Bit of Sunshine–swirled, this shade is a bit darker, because half of it has a darker brown color. MAC Sun & Moon is a little darker, less orange. MAC My Paradise looks somewhat similar on, but it can look redder. MAC Glorify is darker, more bronze. Estee Lauder Topaz Chameleon is much darker, browner. MAC Golden Lariat is similar, slightly more golden.
Depending on how heavily you concentrate on the golden shade, you may have a soft shimmer finish or something more metallic. The shimmer from the golden color doesn’t seem to be too sparkly, though it doesn’t bind together perfectly, so it’s not completely smooth. This was one of the sheerer shades out of the four from this collection. It’s very warm-toned, too, with strong orange tones. I see this working best on light-medium complexions with warm, yellow undertones.
Yesterday was interesting, as I crammed four cheek products on my face, because with eight products needing anywhere from six to eight hours of testing, it’s hard to test all eight and get you reviews the next day! I went with two stripes on each cheek (going vertically) and left a small gap between the two colors, which made me look a little like a zebra, but it worked out.
The reason I really want to test as many of these as possible is because they don’t wear very well on me typically, but occasionally, there are some shades that wear better than others. Center of the Universe wore for about six hours before it started to fade and separate. I have normal-to-dry skin, which is mostly normal now that it’s summer. Not great wear for me, so it was a let-down, but it is what I typically experience with Mineralize Skinfinishes.
Center of the Universe
LELimited Edition. $34.00.
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish (Diffused Flash)
MAC Center of the Universe Mineralize Skinfinish (Studio Lighting)
how does this compare to MAC Gold deposit? does it make sense to have both or this can be skipped if I own gold deposit?
Oh and can’t wait for the rest of your reviews. This is my first comment but I’m an avid reader of your site! Great job as usual 🙂
a little too orange for me
I think you need to do a little research on what CORAL looks like because you seem to be very, very confused. There is a lot of coral in this. I don’t get how you would miss it.
@hheartme I see orange and brown, but there’s no red or pink – coral is very typically a mix of red and orange; or else red and peach, pink and red, or pink and peach (essentially variations on red and orange). This is orange all day long to me. You can google “coral” and see images of various items that are coral – including coral reefs.
@Christine (Temptalia) I don’t see any coral in here either. But sometimes colors look very different from person to person.
@Christine (Temptalia) I see myself as a coral connoisseur of sorts. 🙂 A true coral is warm, bright red-orange with some blue undertone (if that makes sense). Sometimes the definition changes greatly. In fact I’m painting my bathroom “Wet Coral” by Olympic paint. It is the truest coral (red-orange) I’ve found. But I also have another room that had coral in the name and it’s just…peach. There are so many beautiful iterations of this color but I always just think of how coral looks at aquariums or in jewelry and it’s usually that red-orange with blue. Sometimes our monitors can skew colors as well. Confusing…
Oh, yes, coral definitely has a large spectrum of variations! I also associate coral with how it looks as reefs and jewelry – and I’m always reminded by coral shoes (a la Dirty Dancing) for some reason.
@hheartme
I see CORAL as well. But my comment was not approved. Sigh.
@KayeBaye @hheartme You left a comment five minutes ago… approval isn’t instant – it’s manual! I check often, but not every single minute 🙂
@Christine (Temptalia)
Right.
@KayeBaye Really? A little maturity please. And, yes, I am a teacher and we are supposed to be adults.
@hheartme Sorry, but I’m agreeing with Christine–I see zero coral! Just brownish orange. I don’t see the slightest hint of pink or peachiness, which is disappointing, because I was looking forward to a coral MSF.
@hheartme I think you need to do a lot of research on manners. Difference of opinion is fine but your comment is crude in the strictest sense.
It looks very sheer and indeed not very coral at all, too bad.
I am not seeing the coral either. Everything seems to look gorgeous on you Christine. I am i don’t think I will be purchasing this one.
That’s definitely not coral, I’m not sure where they got that from…
I am not seeing the coral either. Everything seems to look gorgeous on you Christine. I don’t think I will be purchasing this one.
Too orange for me but I can’t wait to see some of the cooler toned and more neutral items reviewed. I’m actually quite excited to see these products, Christine – something I haven’t felt about most of the recent MAC collections.
Christine, how would this shade work with a nc43-45 complexion? A Mac expert recommended this and 2 other shades as well.. Thanks 🙂
@Pretty Honeybee As kind of a way to naturally warm up the skin, sure. If you’re looking for more color/pop, it might not be pigmented enough, since it’s on the sheerer side.
Ugh! It’s so sad because I know all the MSF’s will be sold out because their “new” & some people collect them.
Definitely looks like a true terracotta in the pics (a brownish orange).
The Skinfinishes from this collection appear to be a miss 🙁
I know that they aren’t dupes but do think that you could do a comparison swatch post on CotU and Stereo Rose. I’d really love to see them side by side.
@theprimrosy Please check the Swatch Gallery! 🙂
I was originally interested in purchasing this MSF for the coral aspect it claimed to have but after seeing swatches, I think I’ll pass. So far the MSFs in this collection seem to be a miss which leaves me less excited about the rest of the collection.
I dont get it how you say it isnt coral. Your swatches show coral to me. Coral can range from Coral Pink to Light Coral. Your swatch is def a Light Coral. The product seems like it can be buildable to a darker hue as well.
@KayeBaye I don’t see it all – sorry! I only see orange. We’ll have to agree to disagree 🙂
@Christine (Temptalia)
Of course.
@KayeBaye Yeah, I don’t see much coral either. Coral is generally pink-orange or red-orange. This product is more orange/copper. But I like it!
i think this is beautiful
I think so too!!!
I’m definitely seeing orange, but I do like the finish of these. I’ve never tried one, so I might pick something up from this collection.
hmm it really does look like sun & moon…. yeah I don’t need to buy it 😛
I really love your Eye Make up! Can’t wait to see the lipstick swatches! Thanks for all the work you’re doing for us!
Yeah…i’ll probably pass on the cheek stuff, but the eyeshadows and lipsticks I’m all for!
Way too orange for me:(
i read your post these are gorgeous… but if they dont wear well i wont bother makeup in general glides right off me in like 3-4 hours. AND i still dont really know what or how to use these skinfinishes… thanks for sharing all the pics
Oh no Dulce Baez! If your makeup is like that normally, these definitely might not be the right products for you 🙁 MSFs can kind of be used however… because it always depends on the color of the MSF + your skin color – a lot of them are highlighter/blushers, a few more contour-like, and some are bronzers.
Don’t think I like this one !
This is so pretty but I’d only want to have it to look at in the pan, like my lightscapade, I’m not a fan of wearing MSFs
What does a MSF actually do ??? I dont know whether i should splurge on getting MSF natural or not ???
Ciliza Xinx Anything you want, LOL! They can be used as a highlighter, blusher, bronzer, or contour – just depends on the color of the actual MSF and your skin tone.
Ciliza: MSFs are diff from MSF Natural. The former are shimmery and pigmented powders usually used as bronzers, blush or eyeshadow while MSF Naturals can be used as all-over face powders. MSF NAturals are awesome– they have very slight shimmer but no glitters so they’re kinda forgiving if you have less than perfect skin. HTH!
@Ciliza I’d say the purpose of a MSF changes depending on the color or your skintone. It can be a blush, bronzer or highlighter. They tend to be lighter, though, so I’d say most people use them as highlighters.
Thx Temptalia ,Chrystal and Gina 🙂 i guess i would get MSF natural then becoz i am not so fond of wearing bronzer which are shimmery !
Noooo, that’ll look BRIGHT orange on me. I’ll pass. Thanks Christine. Your poor skin! Hope it survives the crazy swatching.
I think this one is gorgeous, but yeah, not traditionally what one thinks of as coral. This is more of a burnt orange. You got some sassy people in here, girl, lol. ;P
Thank you for working so hard to quickly get all these posts up for the new collection. It’s greatly appreciated!
THIS WILL be stunning on tan/brown girls!
If its highly pigmented then it should look great on tan/brown skin girls, but if its sheer it might be a waste. guess ill have to wait and see but i love burnt oranges/bronzey colors, so this is right up my makeup alley : )
im looking for a dupe for mac fresh honey (for my pale, freckled skin). would this work well? are there any current colors in the permanent collection or this launch good dupes? or can i mix any colors for it??
@gmarie24 It’s a bit darker, but it could work!
Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to your blog Christine! Its very much appreciated. I can only imagine you wearing 4 colors on your cheeks at once :p
this is a beautiful colour for any skintone, im nc35 and it looks great. it gives you this glow. the only thing is, when applying it, you need a good brush. i know a lot of people with lighter ski tones have brought this, and its not just for meduim tan skin, it can look very flattering on pale light skin too,just wear a good foundation. i would giv this 8/10. lol
@fashionfreak295 I agree. I’m nc15/20 but I’ve just come back from vacation so I am tanned and center of the universe is gorgeous on me! Better than I expected as I wasn’t actually going to buy it. I love how it is give a gorgeous orange warming bronze to my skin on my cheeks <3 I love it!
it definitely is orange-brown-gold in the pan, but it does pull coral on me. i guess it’s because i have cool pink tones in my face? MAC sometimes markets colors strangely, though. i tried a lipstick thinking it was lilac and it was SO pink why would you even call it a purple?