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MAC In the Groove Collection - Mineralize Skinfinish Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC In the Groove Collection: Mineralize Skinfinishes

In the Groove is most likely so anticipated because of the repromotion of Stereo Rose mineralize skinfinish.  Which will sell out… in hours.  If you’re grabbing it online, it most likely will pop online on the 6th, but there is always a chance it will make an appearance on Monday afternoon.  I’ll be sure to tweet about its availability as soon as I see it online.  I don’t have Stereo Rose yet–have to buy that when it launches–and I don’t have the original for comparisons, so my deepest apologies for that.

Edited @ 4:24PM (pst): I hope to update this post tomorrow–the 8th–with photos/swatches of Stereo Rose, assuming my store did in fact hold the Stereo Rose like they said.  Nevertheless, I updated the post with photos of me wearing the other three mineralize skinfinishes.

  • By Candlelight is is a soft, sheer gilded pink-beige. It’s really great as a highlighter on cheeks or even subtly all-over the face.
  • Petticoat is a darkened raspberry pink-bronze. This is one of the mineralize skinfinishes that can change color depending on how much glitter veining you have (and also, the less glitter veining, the less glitter). I don’t find Petticoat obnoxiously glittery, though. It’s pigmented enough to be worn as a blush for light and medium-dark skintones–the deepest skin tones may find it very subtle.
  • Comfort is a slightly bronzed brown with golden sheen. This is nice on warmer skin tones as a subtle flush on cheeks or as a bronzer. It’s one of the less shimmery mineralize skinfinishes, and it’s also one of the more pigmented ones, too.

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish (Dry/Blended)

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Petticoat Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Petticoat Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Petticoat Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Petticoat Mineralize Skinfinish (Blended/Dry/Wet)

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish (Dry/Wet/Blended)

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish\

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish\

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection
MAC Petticoat Mineralize Skinfinish\

266 Comments

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Lisa Avatar

I’m an nw25 too! My recommendations from this collection would be by candlelight as a good highlight and stero rose for a blush!! Petticoat is a pretty pink but mostly glittery!! If you could ever get a hold of so celyon (for a blush) or perfect topping (for a highlight) from a cco! You would love those alot!! Their my favorties!

Dawn Avatar

I’ve ordered Stereo Rose, By Candlelight and Petticoat, and having seen your pics and swatches I’m sure I’ve made the right choice. I’m hoping they’ll arrive tomorrow.

I am so glad they have been re-released, as otherwise I could only find them at greatly inflated prices on ebay and elsewhere.

Rachael Avatar

Am i just totally missing something with these? They don’t excite me and what is this drama about Stereo Rose its already sold out on the UK website (launched in UK on 1st) this collection isn’t doing much for me I have had mineral eye shadow’s before but got rid due to fallout!

Christine Avatar

Well, here are a few reasons why Stereo Rose will sell out:

1.) It was only released in 2005. It has never again been repromoted. That’s 5 years. A lot of hype has been built up over the years — it goes for $100 on eBay.
2.) It is pigmented and not overly glittery, so it is one of the good MSFs.
3.) It’s an MSF – people love them.
4.) It is really the only coral shade of MSF released.

AshleyMelissa Avatar

Hi Christine… I was wondering… maybe you wouldnt be able to answer this because you dont have stereo rose, but do you think cheeky bronze is similar to it?

Jenn Avatar

No need to apologize for anything, Christine! You’re blog has been soo helpful, I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done!

pinkgirl Avatar

Hi Christine!
In the Groove launched a few days ago in the UK. I bought petticoat, and I’ve found it’s really pigmented.
My skintone is NC25 and I’ve found that you have to be really careful not to get too mch on.

jess0501 Avatar

hi christine,

i just wanna ask, is by candlelight comparable or similar with shimpagne or soft & gentle?

thanks so much

Katie Avatar

I love MSF’s! I already reserved Petticoat and Stereo Rose. I probably should’ve asked for By Candlelight too, so maybe all call my MAC girl (who looks just like Gaga) and reserve that too. When these are released, they’ll still have Soft and Gentle right? It’s permanent? I need to buy a new one because mine broke!

Charlotte Avatar

Definitely worse. In the UK I got an email that the collection had launched on the web at 4pm and when I placed my order at 8pm it was out of stock!!

Anitacska Avatar

The e-mail only came out the day after the release though! Still, it only took 2 days to sell out online. 🙁 My counter had 7 of them and 2 were bought by me and another lady at 10 am on the day of the release, so that couldn’t have lasted long either.

ellie Avatar

Is stereo rose really a must have? If i have to choose only one what would be the best among these four? I’m NC25/NC30 in reference.

Tiffany Avatar

i’m still on the fence about the whole stereo rose hype. sure, it looks pretty in swatches but i’ve never owned nor used an MSF in the first place & they’re are kinda pricey for my college-student budget. i might pick out by candlelight or petticoat instead if i really decide to get one.

Argeleen Avatar

Candle light subtley all over the face?…omg that would look so pretty! I’m an nc30/35. Which would suit me better, candlelight or stereo rose?

Vickie Avatar

im thinking of picking up by candlelight comfort and maybe Stereo Rose. Luckily i can get petticoat at my local CCO so i’ll pick that up there.

Christine would you recommend stereo rose for nw20?

Nicole Avatar

I have never jumped on the MSF bandwagon, and I don’t really plan on ever collecting these things for the sake of it………but By Candlelight is SO PRETTY!! Might…break…down….

Gisele Avatar

I’ll be purchasing By Candlelight for my daughter; I considered Stereo Rose for me but I’ve already got a coral blush and this one looks intense, even for NW20 skin. I use Soft and Gentle almost every day and love it.

rashmi Avatar

ohh god i dont have any of the MSF … i wanna have atleast one pls tell me christine which one will look good on me ???
i missed marine life n now i dont wanna miss any of these…

Maja Avatar

By Candlelight looks so pretty. I haven’t got a MSF yet and thinking about getting this one. But I got the Shell Pearl Beauty Powder from the Libertys collection and wondering now if there is a big difference between them? Is there?
What is your favorite Skinfinish ever Christine?

Petra Avatar

I also own Shell Pearl and I prefer the texture of it over the MSF’s. It’s just more fine and subtle, and never emphasises my pores.
However it’s very different in colour, imo.

but if i want to be honest with myself, as a highlight or even as a soft blush, they don’t make a HUGE difference (unlike a lipstick, for exc). I think Stereo Rose is more coral and has pink in it (unlike SP), By Candlelight is more pink-gold ‘cream’ colour, Petticoat is far more rasberry-pink.

Texture-wise and seeing that SP doesn’t seem to break people out as bad, I personally think it’s far superior and more wearable for everyday. 🙂

Bananabelle Avatar

I’m not sure if my earlier comment went through, but just in case it didn’t, I just have to ask… How does By Candlelight compare to Porcelain Pink? I kinda skipped it when I saw it in the pro store but that was probably because I got sucked into the Stereo Rose hype. I’m excited for these MSFs!

Callen Avatar

Hi Christine! I’ve never gotten an MSF before and I want to pick up a couple from this great collection! I’m really fair and cool though, NW 10/15 Which ones do you think would work?

Victoria Avatar

By Candlelight looks a lot like Fyrinnae’s Center Stage loose powder highlighter, although Fyrinnae’s is only $6.50 and less shimmery, more glowy 🙂

kara vitacca Avatar

would comfort be too orange on NW 25 girls? I honestly want all of them but I don’t want to get comfort if I won’t suit my skintone.

Samantha Avatar

I didn’t think I wanted By Candlelight.. but after seeing it I think I might want it in my collection. I was going to get Stereo Rose for sure! I don’t know if I want Petticoat anymore.. but the bright big shiny beautiful orb melange is calling out to me..

Elle Avatar

Gah. Just pre-ordered Stereo Rose with my Nordstrom counter…sadly I might be trying to get one online that day as well just in case…I’m dying for a coral MSF! I can always hawk it on eBay if I end up getting both, right? 🙂

sophie Avatar

I want By Candlelight! I read your previous comments about By Candlelight from the Warm + Cozy collection, and that you wouldn’t recommend it as an all over face powder but here you say it is suitable for that… I just wondered why that was? 🙂

How gorgeous is Petticoat… I might purchase just for looks alone! 🙂

Kalee Avatar

i will be getting by candlelight for sure.
stereo rose sounds nice (and i wanted it at first)…and it would be nice to have considering it is so popular and its pretty, but i dont really think corals look good on me so i dont want to buy it if im not going to use it.

Dramaticness Avatar

Stereo Rose looks so pretty! I have already called my Macy’s girl to set one aside for me. This is probably going to be worse than Marine Life. One girl got mad because they were sold out and threw the sample one into the floor and broke it! lol

Eleanor Avatar

Do you think Petticoat would be a flattering color to use as a blush? I’m NW 20-25.. I just can’t tell from swatches haha

Meesh Avatar

I’ve never really gotten into MSF except the natural ones. Is it worth it to splurge on Stereo Rose (And how coral is it? Say compared to . . . I don’t know instant chic) and Petticoat or should I just settle on one?

Hannah Avatar

Wow, I will definitely have to check out By Candlelight in person… it looks lovely but I fear it might be too dark to use as a highlight for my NW15 skin (I would probably be NW10 if they still made it…)

Karla Avatar

It shouldn’t be too dark… Its a really light sheen on cheekbones. I used it everyday. If your fair it’ll give you a healthy glow 🙂

Dee E. Avatar

I was going to just get Stereo Rose, then it turned into Stereo Rose and Petticoat, and now I kind of want By Candlelight! Do you think it is an absolute must, or I can pass and just get another highlighter?

Christine Avatar

I know that a lot of people LOVE it for highlighting – I find MSFs seem to break me out, so I don’t wear mine very often – so it’s hard to say. I don’t think you’ll be devastated, as there are tons of other highlighters on the market, but if you love MSFs… maybe you would love it.

Maria Avatar

I just pre ordered a Stereo Rose and By Candlelight today when I went to my local MAC Store and they only got 2 SR I was lucky I asked when I did, So I suggest if you really want SR call your MAC Store or counter and see if they’ll hold one for you which I’m sure if they have it they would. 🙂

Hpnotiqz Avatar

Hi Christine, I’m just wondering is petticoat really metallic on the skin? lets say like cheeky bronze (colour craft). Which 2 would msf’s you recommend getting for NC25?

Lisa Avatar

Hey Christine!! Have heard anything from future collections of So Celyon Mineralized Skinfinish being repromoted again???? I just love that one, its my most favorite!! Love to have a back up of it!! Can’t imagine running out of it!! LOL thanks….

Onjel Avatar

I found my So Celyon at a CCO. Its funny because i had the choice betweeen Stereo Rose and So Celyon. I wanted Stereo Rose but when i went back like a week later it was gone =/

Kallisto Avatar

hey girls why not mention to your comments the MFS comfort? it’s a great colour especially for summer it’s like a bronzer …

princess lolli Avatar

I already own By Candlelight (which on my pale self, looks awesome as a blush), Stereo Rose and Petticoat and I hardly need yet another bronzer/MSF, so I think I’m skipping these altogether.

Melissa Avatar

I am having trouble deciding which MSF I might like to try. I am an NW20, with reddish hair and am contemplating either Petticoat or Stereo Rose. Suggestions?

aradhana Avatar

for canadians out there interested in this collection…i was at the pro store on st.denis in montreal this afternoon, and the mua told me they’ve had the collection since last week!

Joanna Avatar

Hi Christine:

If I wanted to use a MSF (for example: stereo rose) as a blush, what brush would you recommend? Would a 168 be suitable, or does MAC offer something better for this kind of application?

aradhana Avatar

hmmm i only picked up stereo rose out of these, and now that i take another look at the swatches again i wish i had picked up comfort and petticoat as well!

oh well, i will have to try and resist…for now…;)

cmferret Avatar

i really hate how the veining in petticoat can be so diff in color from 1 to 1. i already have peticoat but its more on the peach side and not so much pink. im wondering if i should buy another one that has more veining in it?

Dawn Avatar

Just received my Petticoat, By Candlelight and Stereo Rose, and am very pleased with all of them (Comfort just doesn’t interest me at all)

There’s very little of the beautiful bright pink veining in my Petticoat, though, or the gold glittery stuff. Mine is quite a dark one.

I don’t have the luxury of being able to pick one out in a shop, though, as there are none that sell MAC anywhere near me, so I have to take pot luck buying online.

Beth Avatar

By Candlelight is the only one of these that I’m interested in. How different is the color from Rhapsody in Two mineralized blush? (I use Rhapsody as a highlighter, blending both colors together.). Just trying to decide if I need both!

Anna Avatar

Im a nw35.

I just jumped into the hype and bought stereo rose… would it look good on my skintone? Im considering getting candlelight also, but still unsure. I never bought a msf before >.<

Mai Avatar

I don’t know if its just me but does (a little bit of sunshine, mbd) and (comfort, msf) look pretty similar? If you had to choose just one which would it be??and why??I’m trying to make a decision before the launch tomorrow at my counter.Pls help.I’m a NC42.

Dee Avatar

Which MSF do you think would be the most versatile and wearable for everyday? I’m about a NC42, for reference. Oh and by the way, I think you accidentally included two pictures of you wearing Comfort? (:

Alice Avatar

Hi Christine, thanks for the swatches. But am I the only one who thinks the Petticoat swatch and the Comfort swatch look exactly the same? Did you brushed Petticoat over Comfort?

Stacey M Avatar

Comfort is so pretty but, I’m certain it would make me look like an oompa loompa. I’m totally jealous of your skintone Christine!

Debby Avatar

I am so torn between By Candlelight and Petticoat…I don’t use MAC foundation, but I’d guess I was an NW15, but I’m thinking if I’m delicate with them, they’d both look good!

LNU Avatar

Christine, whats the best way to apply the three mineralize skinfinishes/what brushes would you recommend/technique? I like the way it looks in your picture, and these are my first so I’m still experimenting! I have Stereo Rose, Petticoat, and By Candlelight! I’m an NC40.

Jess Avatar

do you know if any of these mineralize blushes/highlighters have the same ingredients as the mineralize skinfinish natural ? That one broke me out really bad !

Michelle Avatar

Some stragglers were found last night at Newpark Macy’s! Yeah! Try giving them a call at 10. They might still have the other 2 from the pack!

Teena Marie Avatar

Hi Christine!
Thanks for the swatches! I’m definitely going to try to snag Stereo Rose, but Petticoat looks very pretty! Do you think it might be too pink for an NC42? Or is Stereo Rose a much better match for everyday?

Brenda Avatar

Petticoat looks really beautiful and I absolutely love the glow it gives your skin Christine, but sigh, I read the comments and with the veining variations in each one and the issue of shimmer overload, I don’t know.
I’ve never tried an MSF and am terrified of the mineralize products because my skin does not handle shimmery powder well at all! It seems to get rough after a few uses and I really don’t like how it looks. I’m more of a shaping/sculpting with matte or satins… I’m getting old:/

Tekoa Avatar

I think By Candlelight is very pretty. Petticoat I already have (thankfully). Comfort would be too orange for my skintone. I plan to be at MAC in the morning right after the doors open to get Stereo Rose. Do I think its that amazing? No, mostly I’m doing it for the Aquiring Challenge factor.

ellie Avatar

Thanks Christine for doing all these swatches. I really appreciate that you put a full face swatch. This really helps us get an overall view of how the product would look like. Also, i noticed that you put a ton of effort in reviewing and swatching all these new items from this huge collection.

Annie Avatar

Hey, just wanted to say I just checked nordstrom.com and they have available to order, but it says it won’t be shipped until 7/30. I placed an order because the two mac counters around me are all pre-sold out. I hope it doesn’t get canceled because that’s happened to me before from another online site.

Christy Avatar

Love these! I got Stereo Rose & Comfort, while I have Petticoat and By Candlelight from previous launches. I hope you get Stereo Rose Christine! I think you’ll love it 🙂

Anitacska Avatar

Ugh, Comfort is terribly orange, isn’t it? It’s one of the MSFs that never appealed to me. Usually pretty much anything looks great on you, Christine, but Comfort looks way too orange. Glad I didn’t bother getting it. 🙂

Diane Avatar

Christine, do you think they will get more by candlelight in stock? Mac pro was sold out early am yesterday? Or do they just run out and that’s that?

apfelwinter Avatar

Dunno, I don’t like Petticoat and Comfort, judging by the photos. However, By Candlelight looks lovely, this is the so-called “healthy glow” what people would like to get. The others are really disappointing.

aradhana Avatar

christine,
when you took the photos of yourself wearing the msf’s, did you apply wet or dry? i was wondering because i never seem to get that kind of intensity from my msf’s, though i don’t have those particular shades. (although my skintone is also deeper, so that could also be why.)

aradhana Avatar

it will be interesting to see how stereo rose looks on you — it has a verrry subtle effect on me (i wore it over dolce vita blush today)

unrelated side note: i went to sephora the first time in YEARS (i just moved back from the uk), and i was in heaven!

JayJay Avatar

I finally understand all the hype about Stereo Rose.

I was in denial about how gorgeous it truly was.

I went to my counter this morning, to pick up some Digi Pops stuff, and to check out the rest of In The Groove in person. Now, I don’t think a lot of people know that there’s a counter at that particular location, they always have le and dc products there, ages after it’s sold out everywhere else. I’ve gotten some great finds there. But, I digress.

I expected to see a lineup for Stereo Rose, when I showed up at opening time. There wasn’t one. I was in shock. I was the only person at the counter, except one other person that just came to pick up her presale stuff. The artist and myself were talking about Stereo Rose, and both of us agreed that we didn’t see what all the fuss was about. She had received one for herself, but hadn’t opened it yet. They had 4 on the shelf, and none were spoken for.

Then, the phone started ringing. The two other counters in my city were sold out, as was the freestanding store. They were all calling this counter to see if they had any. Then, customers were calling in a panic to see if they could have one put on hold. Within 5 minutes, 3 of them were on hold, and the other one was just sitting there by it’s lonesome.

I went to swatch some of the blushes, and then saw the MSFs there, taunting me. I thought to myself “Why Not?”. I swatched Stereo Rose first, and immediately, I started shaking, and waving to the artist to come over. It was the most gorgeous golden coral colour that I think I had ever seen. It had such a beautiful sheen, almost a duochrome. The light just danced across it! The artist grabbed my hand, and declared “OHMYGOD!” She then went on to say that she goes nuts over anything coral.

I fell in love with it, but alas, I know it would look horrible on my pasty white skin. I wanted to buy it so badly, but I knew that someone darker than me would wear it so much more beautifully than I would. I even thought, if I tried it, and didn’t like it, I could sell it to someone else (without marking it up!). But, I let went with my head, not my heart. I left my counter with a bag full of goodies, including By Candlelight, which will look so much better on my skintone. I left the last Stereo Rose sitting there, waiting for someone to take it home, and cherish it.

With that, I hope that everyone that truly wants one was able to get it.

Sorry my story is so long. I don’t really have anyone in real life to share these experiences with.

opolka Avatar