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MAC Nutcracker Sweet Copper Face Compact Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Copper Face Compact
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Copper Face Compact

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Copper Face Compact ($35.00 for 0.32 oz.) includes a powder highlighter and blush. Both shades are repromotes, though Whisper of Gilt is one of those shades that many wanted to make a return. The Extra Dimension Skinfinishes are supposed to have 10-hour wear, while the Extra Dimension Blush formula is supposed to have six-hour wear.

Whisper of Gilt is a brighter, light-medium gold with warm, yellow-orange undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented with a soft, smooth, and finely-milled consistency; it actually felt smoother and less dry to the touch compared to the standalone version I have from the last release. The powder blended out better, and it was easier to get sheerer coverage, especially as I could use fan and feathery brushes with ease with the finer texture. The finish was more metallic when applied at medium or higher coverage, and it started to emphasize pores just slightly when worn at semi-opaque coverage. It wore well for eight hours on me. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Star (LE, $45.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). MAC Rosy Cheer (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop The Real Thing (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Rare Beauty Exhilarate (P, $25.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop On the Loose (PiP, $12.00) is cooler (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Flicker (Top) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). MAC Always One Jump Ahead (LE, $35.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Gold Bullion (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Dior Midnight Wish (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Estee Lauder Heat Wave (LE, $47.00)(100% similar). Laura Geller Gilded Honey (P, $26.00) is darker (95% similar). Anastasia Dripping in Gold (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). ColourPop Boomin' (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Hot and Heavy (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Dose of Colors Fuego (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Maybelline Molten Gold (P, $9.99) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). MAC Oh, Darling! (P, $42.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever #02 (P, $39.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC In the Spirit (LE, $42.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). LORAC Fearless (LE, $23.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Pleasure Model is a medium-dark, coppery orange with warm undertones and a satin sheen. The pigmentation was great–full coverage–while the texture was smooth but firmer, so it was easier to control the intensity if you wanted sheerer coverage. It applied well to bare skin, as the finish became more satin-like as I blended and worked the product on my cheeks. The finish was natural and did not emphasize pores. On me, the blush wore for seven and a half hours before fading. This shade is a repromote, and it seemed slightly more muted this time around but overall similar in color and tone. Milani Bronze Burst (P, $13.00) is lighter (95% similar). NARS Give It Away (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar). Flesh Beauty Glaze (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Chanel Canaille (89) (LE, $45.00) is darker (90% similar). Becca Songbird (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Makeup Geek Infatuation (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more muted (90% similar). MAC Love Joy (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). Chanel Elegance (370) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Bad Girl Gone Good (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). MAC Perfect Bronze (Right) (LE, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). Becca Blushed Copper (LE, $38.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Hooked (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Burnt Coral (390) (LE, $45.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Coppertone (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Jersey (80) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Flower Delivery (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Make You Mine (P, $23.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Voile (LE, $8.00) is brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Got Change (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Non-Fiction (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush

MAC Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush

MAC Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation
  • Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • MAC Dance Flowers Dance Eyeshadow
  • MAC Forward March Eyeshadow
  • MAC Pretty Dainty Eyeshadow
  • MAC Rabblerouser Eyeshadow
  • MAC Dark Lullaby Eyeshadow
  • Sephroa Cookie Crunch Contour Eye Pencil
On lips:
  • MAC Be Fabulous Mineralize Rich Lipstick

74 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Katherine T. Avatar

Oh dear, I already have 3 dupes for Whisper of Gilt, but I still want it, curious to see what all the fuss is about. And I have no dupes for Pleasure Model, so yay, I can justify getting this! Pleasure Model looks like a great terracotta shade for me

Karla Avatar

Nice duo, but wisper of gilt deserved it own packaging, not just being put there in a duo, it is one of the most sought after highlighters ever to make this kind of comeback ?

Angelic Mariposa Avatar

I have 4 Whisper of Gilt dupes not including Kiko’s Water Eyeshadow 208. Please convince me that I don’t need to buy the real thing just because it’s finally available!?!?

LaMaitresse Avatar

I’m no fan of MAC, but with a great rating, the gorgeous colours, embossing and cute packing, and extremely affordable price point, it’s a total purchase for me.

Deborah S. Avatar

Really beautiful colors and I don’t have either. I think the highlight may be too dark for my pale skin but my daughter is darker than I so think it will be great for her.

Chelsea Avatar

I already own Pleasure Model from the original release in 2013 and I own Oh Darling which I hardly reach for. I’m hitting pan on Pleasure Model and wish they released it alone and not with the highlighter. Unfortunately this will be a pass for me because I don’t want to buy the compact just for the blush 🙁

MELISSA LEGARE Avatar

Hi Christine,

Thanks for this great review…this so pretty and I am glad the reviews were good. I will me adding this to my collection. Did you also do a review on the other face compact as well? I must have missed that one.

Karen Avatar

I’ve been wanting to try Whisper of Gilt for a few years and i know that it was in a stand alone and highly desired. I was able to get it on pre-order and am really excited. I do wish that it was a stand alone this year and had it’s own unique packaging instead of the same as the Christmas collection. I am truly excited to get this even with my remarks I am fair/light skin tone so I don’t know if it will work for me or not. If not after seeing it in person I will gift it, I am just excited that I was able to get one. It looks lovely on you and the swatches are gorgeous too! As always thank you for your wonderful reviews I always refer your reviews as golden!

Bonnie Avatar

I ordered two of these from my closest MAC store and one of the peach compact. These are the only things I preordered bc they’re a must-have!!! 😀 Im sooooo happy they rated so well they’re gorgeous and I love all 4 shades!!!

Jennifer Avatar

Christine, this looks beautiful on you and thank you so much for the review!

I already have dupes for both–Laura Geller Gilded Honey and MAC Make You Mine blush, so how come I still REALLY want this?!!!!!

Based on your review, it looks like Make You Mine is a bit darker, cooler and less shimmery than Pleasure Model. I wear Make You Mine and Gilded Honey frequently, but always wish that Make You Mine was a bit warmer so maybe I CAN rationalize purchasing this–lol!

Do you think Make You Mine and Pleasure Model are different enough, or am I just wishful thinking??????

LT Avatar

Christine, I see multi color shimmer/glitter particles in the bottom part of the Whisper of Gilt swatch. Does Whisper of Gilt have multi color shimmer/glitter in it or is that fallout from some other product?

Jamie Avatar

I received this compact yesterday and I swatched the whisper of gilt next to oh darling from last year and I don’t see a difference. I’m curious if it’s the same as the original release of wog which I don’t own.

Chartavia Fuller Avatar

Christine, your eyeshadows look amazing might I add. I was so excited to see live swatches that I forgot to say this in my first comment. I love your blending and your eyes are very pretty.

anne-sophie warnauts Avatar

Oh crap, I bought it immediatly after it released but it seems quite dark. Do you think it’ll work for my skin? I’m porcelain in too faced born this way

charlotte Avatar

I’m desperate for this but it’s sold out everywhere in the UK!! P.S is anyone else getting a LOT of ‘naughty’ pop ups on here lately?? Everything I click takes me to porn, just in the last week or so!! it’s only happening on Temptalia so I know it’s not just me!!

Christine Avatar

Hi Charlotte,

I haven’t heard of that happening (you’re the first to mention it, and I haven’t seen any!), but if they are occurring, could you please take a screen shot and send to submit[at]temptalia.com? We don’t allow pop-ups at all, and we have categories like sex, religion, politics, etc. blocked through our networks.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!