MAC Rose Gold FX Hyper Real Foundation Review & Swatches
Rose Gold FX
MAC Rose Gold FX Hyper Real Foundation ($31.00 for 1.00 oz.) is a medium peach with warm undertones and a fine, gold and pink pearl. It had sheer to medium, buildable color coverage with a thin, watery consistency that had enough substance that it spread well over skin without lifting base products or sheering out too easily. It still mixed well with liquid foundations or moisturizers for all-over glow. I didn’t notice that this changed the tint of my foundation, just made it dewier in finish. This shade was very “my-skin-but-better” when applied on top of my bare skin or over foundation as it blended in with my actual skin tone. It seemed to have slightly finer pearl compared to some of the other shades and didn’t have quite the same level of shine. This shade stayed on well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Smashbox Gilded Rose (LE, $39.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Maybelline Molten Peach (P, $9.99) is more shimmery, more pigmented (90% similar).
- ColourPop Zoom (LE, $12.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson (LE, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Starlight (P, $44.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Clinique Nude Glow (P, $27.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Melonade (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- NYX Narcissistic (P, $9.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Spotlight (LE, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$31.00/1 oz. - $31.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "weightless liquid highlighter" that has a "refined high-pearl finish" that wears for "eight hours." It can be "layer[ed] under foundation" or applied "over foundation as a highlighter." The consistency was smooth, thin, and had a touch of slip to keep it from feeling like water but was still easily mixed into foundation and moisturizer, applied on its own all-over the skin (like a primer), or dabbed on top of high points of the face to highlight. The latter I liked using fingertips or putting a touch on the back of my hand and swirling a synthetic brush in, then tapping onto the high points and using the edge of the bristles to diffuse the highlighter onto my skin.
It had semi-sheer, buildable coverage, depending on how much was used and how it was applied. It added noticeable luminosity when layered under foundation or mixed with foundation (assuming one did not layer a full coverage, matte formula on top!). They had a very skin-like luminosity--natural, glowing, but not overtly shimmery and definitely didn't emphasize my skin's natural texture. The formula dried down in 10-15 seconds and stayed on well for eight to nine hours on me (when worn as a standalone highlighter).
Browse all of our MAC Hyper Real Foundation swatches.
Ingredients
Looks Using this Product
Rose Gold FX
LELimited Edition. $31.00.
MAC Rose Gold FX Hyper Real Foundation
MAC Rose Gold FX Hyper Real Foundation
MAC Rose Gold FX Hyper Real Foundation
MAC Rose Gold FX Hyper Real Foundation
MAC Rose Gold FX Hyper Real Foundation
This is so totally natural on you. It catches some light, but does not scream ‘Nice HL!’ It looks as if you have utilized a cadre of skincare spa professionals for a week of intense treatment. Does not look like cosmetics at all! Gorgeous on you.
Thank you so much, KJH! 🙂
I’m looking at this as a perfect mixer to add a bit of luminosity to my Lancome foundation! With my shade being a rather odd one, I’m imagining that this won’t alter it much, if at all. Just adding glow.
I bet it would work well that way! Definitely don’t think it would tint or change color.
These really remind me of the becca liquid highlighters! Very pretty.
Much more impactful!
Do you think this shade work well for someone nw20-25?
It depends on the effect you’re going for!