MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder
MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder ($23.00 for 0.21 oz.) is described as a “soft taupe matte.” It’s a medium-dark, slightly cool-toned brown with a matte finish. NARS Paloma Contour (P) is slightly warmer. NYX Taupe (P, $5.00) is cooler-toned, grayer. NARS Madly (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, slightly warmer. NARS Douceur (P, $29.00) is rosier, lighter. MAC Harmony (P, $21.00) is warmer, redder in tone. Burberry Earthy (P, $42.00) is redder in tone, slightly shimmery. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Sculpt has long been one of my favorite contouring powders, and it’s one that I personally reach for as it is the right balance of color, tone, and depth for my skin tone (NC25/NC30). It can be purchased in pan form for $16.50, as it is part of the permanent Pro range, which is available to all online (and if you live near a Pro store or don’t mind ordering over the phone, you can also get it from Pro stores). There are also four other shades available in the Sculpting Powder range, if Sculpt doesn’t seem like the right fit. I have them all, and I’ve always loved them, just that Sculpt is “the one” for my coloring, so I haven’t used the others often. The texture is soft, smooth, finely-milled, and blendable (so key for a contouring product!). It wears eight hours on me before starting to fade.
Sculpt
PPermanent. $16.50.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder
MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder
MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder
MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder
MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder
MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder
I will get this for sure! I’ve been wanting to buy it at the Dalllas Pro store for awhile now, but I want it in its own packaging. I have enough Z Palettes as it is.
Kind of a bummer that they no longer sell it in the compact!
I completely agree!! I want to buy Pro blushes without having to make a palette.
I’m dying to get my hands on one of these sculpting powders since everyone seems to love them a lot! The packaging makes is extra awesome to have/collect as well!
Hope you can try it, Stephanie!
Amazing photos, looks such a nice product!!
Thanks, Alice!
Is it really the same product as the one you reviewed here? http://www.temptalia.com/mac-cosmetics-sculpt-shape-review-swatches-product-photos
The Sculpt shade looked much more cooler-toned in your previous review, and in this one it looks really similar to MAC Harmony (which I have), much warmer (and for me it’s like “the cooler, the better”, as I’m quite pale and with cool-toned complexion).
Hi Paulina,
It is the same, but you’re referencing a photo that was taken 7 years ago as well, so I use a completely different lighting source, set-up, camera, editing software, computer, monitor, color balancing system, etc. so that today’s photo is more accurate than anything I shot 7 years ago!
Thanks for your reply, Christine! That’s actually really good news for me and my wallet, cause it means I won’t be buying this powder haha 😉 It’s a bit too warm for me, so I’ll stick to my Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder 🙂
I’ve always wanted this!! How would you say it works on NW15/NW20 skin?
I think it works 🙂
This looks perfect on you! x
Thanks, Louise!
I have sculpt and I love it. It’s a dupe of Make up for ever #2 sculpting duo as well.
Nice to know! Thank you for sharing, Judith!
It’s so unfamiliar to see you without a smile on your face. 🙂
Not a fan of those types of photos except for contouring, since it shows the cheek hollow area the best!
I really hope I’ll be able to snag this when it’s available. I’ve always wanted to try it but would like it in a compact. I don’t really care for the packaging though; too bad this wasn’t released with the alluring aquatic collection.
Fingers crossed you can get it, Lisa!
Wow, you’re eyes are really lovely! Never really noticed or maybe the nuances are more visible in this photo!
Thank you, Maddie!
Every other MAC product is getting A grade from you!! 🙂
Which is a nice change of pace compared to the last two or three years!
Oh, this one I like!
Yay!
I’ve always loved Sculpt!
Me too!
Christine, I’ve been looking for a contour powder like this for the longest time but I think this one is not dark enough to contour my skin. Do you know of any other matte contour powder that’s a little darker than this one?
NYX Taupe is darker, also cooler-toned.
Thank you for your response! But I used to own Taupe in the past and it didn’t really show up as a contour on me either. I’ll keep looking for a darker one. I’ll check out Guerlain Terracota since you gave it such a high rating. Thanks again!
Hmm. From there, maybe MAC Shadowy or Definitive? Those are both in the Sculpting Powder range but darker than Sculpt.
Thanks! Will check those out
Im for sure getting this along with the 168 brush 🙂
Have fun contouring!
This is the one thing I’m super stoked for in this collection! Do you know how much it costs in Canada?
$27.50
thanks!
wow Christine… you look so beautiful with natural make up 😮
Thanks, Tea May!
When I do not see you smiling in a photo, it rather freaks me out.
I have Sculpt and find the pro blush in Taupe is slightly different, but a better colour for contouring for me. I have neutral skintones and the taupe blush is softer, less dramatic even though the shade difference is minimal.
It’s hard for me to post them, lol!
Hmm, I’ve never tried/swatched this MAC range.. I wonder if they have one that’s good for cool vampires? (maybe closer to the Nyx taupe?).
I don’t think they have anything that’s quite as gray as Taupe!
I can’t wait to buy this. I should get 2. It looks perfect on you. I always used MAC Symmetry eye shadow for contouring, then never bothered to order it once it was discontinued in stores.
Thank you, Valerie! 🙂
You lips look AMAZING!!
Thanks, Shannon!
LOVE Sculpt! It’s a staple product for me. I also really have started to enjoy Shadowy for a more dramatic, nighttime contour. And, I gotta agree with others, so strange to see a non-smiling photo! Still look beautiful, though! 🙂
I remember I bought all the Sculpting/Shaping powders, but I really just use Sculpt, lol! I’ll have to make an effort to revisit the others!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Surratt products! I’ve been hearing such good things about the line from The Non Blonde.
Yay!
This is very soft and pretty on you!
Thanks, Fancie!
I have three MAC sculpting/shaping powders and I really like them: Shadester, Shadowy, and Lightsweep. Sculpt would seem like a nice addition 🙂
They’re really a great range!
I love colors like this, very multi-purpose. Can definitely see it working as a definition-giving blush, too on medium-to mid-dark skin tones
It’s easy to work with, too!
i keep wanting sculpt but I don’t have a palette to put it in so i’m not sure where i would put it 🙁 i wish it came in a potted form
Aww! 🙁
Oooh, you’re testing something by Surratt! Aww, the cool violet lipgloss looks basically clear 🙁 Such a roller coaster of emotions.
LOL!
You look super pretty in the pic Christine…the product looks good…:-)
Thanks, Rashmi!
How do you think this compares to Too Faced’s Milk Chocolate and Chocolate bronzers? I use those to contour and I’m hitting pan so I’d like to try something new. You look amazing btw!
Both of those are warmer, browner 🙂
I was super keen for this, but now I’m unsure. I think it will have to be an in-store tryout… which means paying Australia prices *gulp* I am very keen for a contouring powder though…
Maybe try it in stores, order it later? It is permanent, though now only available in pan form.
Good point…! 😀
I love the pro scultping powders, they’re a staple in my professional makeup kit!
Awesome!
I never really paid much attention to the sculpting powders, but this looks very nice!
They’re worth checking out!
Would this work well for an NC42 skintone? And I gotta ask, what foundation do you normally use, because it’s flawless! You look striking when you don’t smile, as well <3
Maybe Shadowy or Shadester for NC42.
I use Parure de Lumiere lately!
I’m all out of my NYX Taupe blush and I’m having trouble finding it in a store around me so maybe I’ll give this a try!
Let me know how it works if you try it!
Absolutely Stunning on you Christine !!! You are such a beauty !!
Aw, thanks Tarah!
Hey Christine! Im a NC42, do you think this powder would show up/or would be good for my skin, or should I try something darker?
Maybe Shadowy or Shadester!
Hi Christine, what shade would you recommend from the mac sculpting powders for nc40 skin?
Maybe Shadowy or Shadester!
Wow, that is perfect for you! I thing I missed my window on perfect sculpting powders with Chanel’s LE Notorious.
Aww!
Is it okay to apply this with my fingers? I tried it and a little goes a long way.
If that works for you, sure!
I remember you are not a huge everyday sculpting/contouring gal (unless that has changed?) so it is wonderful to know which your favorite is! I haven’t come across your review from years ago. And your skin, it looks amazing here!
I can live without blushes and highlighters, but bronzers/sculpting powders are my necessities. How dark is this from NARS Casino, Christine?
I used to contour almost every day, but now I don’t because I’m usually testing a cheek product, in which case I only wear that shade I’m testing on my cheek area 🙂 So I haven’t contoured on a regular basis for years!
I think Casino is darker than this!
Your reviews never disappoint! I’ve been eyeing this for a while 🙂
I’m also NC 25/NC30. what would you recommend: sculpt or hoola?
Sculpt!!!
It up on the US site 😀
Yay!
Do you recommend this for nc40? If not, what shade from the same line? This looks amazing on you!
Shadester or Shadowy might work better!
Hi Christine, I just started experimenting with contouring. Girl at MAC counter recommended to buy their powder matte blush in Harmony for this purpose. How does it compare to Sculpt? I’m Between NC30 and NW 25… Thank you!
Harmony is warmer – browner, less shadowy/gray. I prefer Sculpt still!