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MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish ($29.00 for 0.24 oz.) is described as a “peachy pink with gold shimmer.” It’s a light-medium peach with hints of pink and a golden shimmer-sheen. There is light peach, light-medium yellow-toned pink, and bronze. On my skin, it looks more peach, but in the pan, it seems more peach-pink. I would expect those with pinker undertones to see more peach-pink coloring (I have warmer undertones). Tom Ford Lovelust is darker, more coral. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess is very similar.   Mine did have a peach haze over the bronze vein, which didn’t go away with a quick swipe, so it seems like the peach color ended up slightly layered over the rest of the product. I don’t think it really affects the color, since each pan is a swirl of various colors, some with larger veins than others.

Light Year seemed to embody the characteristics that I see others rave about when it comes to Mineralize Skinfinishes. It has that glowy effect that’s just a little obvious but not over-the-top and bordering on disco-ball territory. It didn’t emphasize my pores too much (just minutely), and it was very blendable.  This is a lighter shade, so it’s going to be more like a highlighting blush on light to medium skin tones, and then more of a highlighter on medium to dark skin tones.

The texture is slightly powdery, though very soft, so I liked applying it with a stippling brush like the 187 so I could still get some color but not end up with a powdery finish.  (And of course, as with anything powdery, a spritz of water, or Fix+ if you’re a fan, will take down some powderiness.)  When I tested out the wear of this, I put it on at 6AM this morning, and it’s now after 1PM–it’s slightly faded but no separation after seven hours.

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish (Diffused Flash)

MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Light Year Mineralize Skinfinish (Studio Lighting)

69 Comments

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Cat G Avatar

It’s astonishing how you are getting all these reviewed up, thanks so much! So glad something out of this collection is getting an A rating! Light Year was of the reviews I was waiting for!

SarahAnne Avatar

This is so much prettier on your cheeks than I imagined it would be from the swatch; it went from kind of “blah” to looking really glowy and luminous, very brightening! Thanks for all your hard work getting these swatched, tested, and reviewed! 

Ani_BEE Avatar

You broke my will on the no buy for this one! I just hopping it looks good one me at the $38.42CAN it came to with tax but I rather try it out then pine for it once it’s gone.

Gina Avatar

YAY! This looks beautiful in the pan, AND on the cheeks! I was so excited for this, and I’m so glad it’s up to par. This is going to be my first Mineralize Skinfinish!

Rafaela Avatar

I’m sorry for the silly question, but I don’t get the concept of the MSF, how does it compare to a blush and to a highlighter?

Christine-Temptalia Avatar

It can be used either way – it depends more on the color of the MSF + your skin tone. A lot of them can be used as a highlighter but some can be used as a blush or as a bronzer. Light Year is more highlighting blush – so it can add some color but not a ton. Think Benefit Sugarbomb!

Nicola Avatar

So glad this one rates a little higher than the others as I had my eye on this one! I’ll be purchasing this one. Thanks Christine! Looks great on you, as always.

Temptalia Avatar

It’s not supposed to be in stores until July 5th Sandy Elle but you could call yours to double check. MAC doesn’t usually update bloggers if the launch date gets moved up!

Henny Yun Avatar

Christine, i have MAC’s beauty powder in Too Chic, is this one similar at all? im debating on whether i should get Light Year or Star Wonder skinfinish. please answer!

wwendalynne Avatar

It’s late and there’s not enough time in the day so it’s another after 1:00 a.m. excusion through Temptalia..  Had to comment on this product..  It is the only pick so far that has impressed me from this collection.  It’s gorgeous on you Christine! and I think it would be really flattering on most.  Still, I’m going to resist and not buy.  
 
Great reviews as always Christine!  I know we all appreciate your superhuman efforts!!

Lacey J. Avatar

Oh I wanted to get this… but I’m trying to keep my hoard in check and I have so much blush I am never going to get through! This looks lovely though, so lovely. I’m just afraid it will emphasize my pores and also I have a slight bit of bumpiness on my cheeks from battling acne and that probably won’t look so great! But I agree Christine completely looks like some kind of painting in this… and I’m wondering if it will give me the same effect :))

Laurin Avatar

you make blue eyeshadow look normal and what i mean by that is a lot of times blue eyeshadow is look at me i’m BLUE on people but on you it’s flattering and pretty

gabrielleB Avatar

i am in love with this shade! i am very pale (Nc15) and i hope i can use it as a blush when its released in the UK. but the only thing thats bothering me is on the photo of the back of the packaging it says ‘7g’ usually aren’t MSF’s and Beauty Powders 10g each? i just whipped out a few of mine and they all say 10g on the packaging. correct me if i’m wrong!

Lacey J. Avatar

I caved and ordered this at nordstrom.com after it sold out on mac. LOL. Still waiting for it. Hopefully it makes me look as amazing!

AbigailOD Avatar

Hi Christine! Need help: Do you (or anyone here) know or experience any dryness on the skin when using MSFs? My skin is usually normal but I’ve noticed some dryness and red patches on my cheeks after using MSF which I have in Gold Deposit and Light Year. And I believe I’m moisturizing enough, I use a serum and moisturizer. Saddens me because I just adore the colors!
 
Any recommendations to *fix* my situation? I’d hate for these products to go to waste. =/   Thanks in advance. Any input will help! =)

Christine-Temptalia Avatar

 @AbigailOD If you’re not sensitive to primer, you could try using a primer to essentially act as a barrier between your skin and the product, BUT red patches would make me a little wary of telling you to keep using it.  I haven’t heard of it happening, but this could be an allergic reaction and you wouldn’t want to keep using a product that you’re allergic to 🙁

AbigailOD Avatar

 @Christine (Temptalia) Many thanks for the input Christine! I’ll keep the primer in mind. Maybe it’s time to venture into it. Thanks again! =(  I hope I’m not *officially allergic because that will just break my heart.

AbigailOD Avatar

 @Christine (Temptalia)  UPDATE: Good news Christine! My skin is now coexisting very well with the MSFs (Phew!). I don’t know if it’s the brush, I gave in to the #188, and it is fab!  I finally figured out who the culprit was – the cleanser I was using about the same time I started using the MSF. Yay! So that was an easy fix. Just thought I’d share the good news!

Carla25 Avatar

hi christine, i need some advice please, I’m wanting to get either this shade Light Year or star wonder. I’m fair skinned, and was wondering if both of these would be okay to use, or would you just get the lighter one Light Year? Is Star wonder really bright?Many Thanks

Carla25 Avatar

 @Christine (Temptalia)
 Thanks Christine, helped me make my mind up! I’ve ordered Star Wonder as i do wish for more like a blush. & Its selling out so fast. (light year has just sold out in the last 8hours)

Carla25 Avatar

 @Carla25
 Hiya, Ive recieved my star wonder, and i love it so much, i might buy another before it sells out. Ive also just brough Light Year, can never have enough blush/highlighters!!

brigidbeauty Avatar

This is my favorite make up look on you that I have seen EVER. Gorgeous– you should always wear color on your eyes with these lovely light cheek/ lip combos… 🙂

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