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MAC Highlight the Truth & Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinishes Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish

Highlight the Truth

MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish ($33.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “soft bronze coral with golden shimmer.” It’s a medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. Tarte Muse (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tarte Daygleam (P, $28.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Perfectly Lit (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Smashbox Rosemantic (LE, $39.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Laura Mercier Spellbound (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Laura Geller Golden Apricot (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Edward Bess Ciao (P, $45.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Cover FX Golden Peach (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Coloured Raine Call the Shots (Highlighter) (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NARS Orgasm (P, $28.00) is more muted (90% similar). NARS Cheek Studio III (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). NARS Embruns (-, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Maybelline Nude Glow (200) (P, $9.99) is less shimmery, less pigmented, warmer (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Golden Bronze Glow (LE, $48.00) is warmer (90% similar). Jouer Terracotta Sands (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). MAC Cheeky Bronze (P, $34.00) is warmer (85% similar). NARS Maldives (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). NARS Coucher de Soleil II (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Lancome Rose Twinkle #2 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals Kiss of Rose (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The Mineralize Skinfinish formula is supposed to have a “velvety soft” feel and a “radiant finish” with “sheer coverage” — it is a powder highlighter. In my experience, Mineralize Skinfinishes come in a lot of hues and vary from shade to shade with respect to color payoff, though they all tend to be more shimmery/bordering on metallic with so-so wear at six to eight hours. The texture has gotten smoother and silkier over the years with today’s more recent releases having a slightly drier texture that is characteristic of baked formulas, but the powder is finer and sits better on the skin. Highlight the Truth had a smooth, blendable consistency was a smidgen dusty but did not look dry or apply unevenly to my cheeks. On lighter skin tones, it will function more as a highlighting blush, while on deeper skin tones, it will be a warmer highlighter. It had semi-sheer, buildable coverage that was just shy of pore-emphasizing territory. On my cheeks, the color lasted for seven and a half hours.

Taraji Glow

MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ($33.00 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “reddish brown.” It’s a rich, medium-dark reddish copper with warm undertones and a satin sheen. Bite Beauty Almond (P, $24.00) is glossier (90% similar). Dior Galactic Red (826) (LE, $48.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Bardot (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Pat McGrath Paradise Venus (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Kaja Extra Pepper (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Gucci Beauty Warm Berry (06) (P, $49.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Chanel Evening Beige (340) (P, $45.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). ColourPop Beyond (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). NARS Vengeful (Right) (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). MAC A Little Lusty (LE, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Ravish (P, $60.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Hidden Treasure (LE, $24.00) is brighter (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Savage (Discontinued) (DC, $60.00) is more muted, warmer (80% similar). Clinique Cola Pop (P, $21.00) is cooler (85% similar). NARS Hot Tin Roof (LE, $30.00) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Voile (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). Patrick Ta She's Baked (Powder) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar). ColourPop Overdramatic (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). Mented Cosmetics Clay Too Much (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). NARS Taos (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The Mineralize Skinfinish Natural formula is supposed to have “medium coverage” with a “natural finish,” and it’s a line that has many flesh-toned shades and is often used as a foundation but can also be used as a highlighter/contouring powder. Taraji Glow is one of the few shades I’ve come across in the formula that is so pigmented as well as more blush-like in coloring. The texture was smooth without being dusty, and it blended out very well on the skin, which is an essential given the pigmentation level. This shade wore well for nine hours on me–one of the longer wearing baked powders. The “downside” is that the coverage is full, not at all medium; just a tap of the brush on the domed powder yielded more than medium coverage. I think this will be a happy accident for many, but it’s not quite as described.

These shades will be released online on September 6th.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Highlight the Truth Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Lingerie de Peau
On eyes:
  • Dior Fire (584) Diorshow Mono Lustrous Smoky
  • Dior Reflection (684) Diorshow Mono Lustrous Smoky
  • Dior Fever (794) Diorshow Mono Lustrous Smoky
  • Sephora Diving in Malaysia Contour Eye Pencil
  • Dior Fusion (764) Diorshow Mono Lustrous Smoky
  • Dior Temptation (184) Diorshow Mono Lustrous Smoky
  • ColourPop Truth Super Shock Shadow
On lips:
  • Bobbi Brown Bobbi Luxe Lip Color

66 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Ginny Avatar

I love MSF Natural so much. I hope they put out more LE colors that are multi-purpose shades. IMHO it’s a better formula than the beauty powders, which are hit or miss. MSFN is the most skin-like powder I’ve tried.

Efrain Avatar

It’s pretty interesting how your skin tone affects this collection, on Karen all the colors looks more muted than on you.

As I have a similar coloring to hers I’m only praying to get this collection in Mexico, MAC is taking my money between this and the Selena collection.

Nancy T Avatar

These are sweet perfection!!! Especially Taraji Glow! That one is a MUST for me.
Highlight The Truth looks far less orange toned than the 2 Star Trek powders I tried on yesterday. Highly Illogical and Strange New Worlds were pretty dang orange based on me, and neither one light enough to be a highlight nor dark enough to be a proper blush!
I have a funny feeling I’ll be buying these BOTH.

Betty Valls Avatar

I’m loving Highlight the Truth, and it pairs really well with the lipstick you are wearing. You tagged it as Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color, but not the color, remember which it is? I like the combo.

Primpcess Avatar

I was so looking forward to this collection. I am glad your reviews didn’t disappoint (I would have been heart broken). These are going to work really well with my skin tone! I can’t wait!

Rachel C. Avatar

Oh wow! These look so good! Ugh I probably don’t need them, but I will get them. They look perfect for my dark/warm complexion and for fall.

Ria Avatar

I have been biding my time until this collection hits stores. This is the first time I’ve cared about a Mac collection in ages. I don’t even know why I’m waiting to swatch it in stores when I know I’m buying one of everything. I may just become a new fan of Ms. Henson because I am living for this collection!

Courtney Avatar

I got my Taraji Glow in the mail today, was yours mislabeled? Mine says Taraji glow on all of the packaging but the actual skinfinish is the highlight the truth powder. Everything is sold out now and Mac has only said they were aware of the problem and would send an email when fixed with no timeframe.

Christine Avatar

Mine were press samples, so they both had lab labeling as well (sometimes they have final packaging but just depends on timing) – you can usually tell if I had real labeling as you’ll see the labels on the back in photos, but if it’s lab labeling, I don’t include it in the post!

Alessandra Avatar

Hi Christine,
I am an Italian reader and I’ve been following you for years and always rely on your reviews before purchasing a beauty product!
Last week the Taraji for MAC collection went online on the Italian MAC website and I ordered the Taraji Glow Mineralize Skinfinish. It arrived yesterday but I think the product has been mislabelled and I got the Highlight The Truth instead. I reached the MAC Customer Service and I’m waiting for a reply.
I wandered if any of the ladies who purchased these products had the same problem or if you got some news from MAC about this issue. I read something online and I think I am not the only one…
Thanks to anyone who will reply, I am so bummed that I didn’t get what I ordered…

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