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MAC Shaft of Gold In Extra Dimension Skinfinish Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($35.00 for 0.31 oz.) is described as a “deep bronze.” It’s a medium, orange-brown with warm undertones and a frosted gold shimmer-sheen finish. NARS Craving (Right) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). bareMinerals The Many Splendors #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Jingle All the Way Bronzer (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Soft Serve (DC, $8.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Strip Bronzer (-, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). NYX Beach Babe (P, $6.50) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Magnetic Appeal (LE, $42.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Touch My Body (LE, $39.50) is more shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). MAC Perfectly Poised (Outer) (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Gold Dust (P, $68.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC Gold Deposit (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Here Comes Joy (LE, $34.00) is lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). MAC Strange New Worlds (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Fenty Beauty Rum (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Most Necessary (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). MAC Glorify (LE, $42.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). ColourPop Bae Area (DC, $12.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Becca Blushed Copper (DC, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). NARS Orgasm Fever (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Bronze Glow (P, $48.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The texture was incredibly soft, smooth, and finely-milled without being dry or powdery, which enabled it to apply with good intensity but still blend out easily along the edges for a diffused glow. The only downside was that it can emphasize pores if you aren’t careful, as the frost level is on the higher side. If you love more over-the-top highlighters that give a more metallic sheen to the skin, you may enjoy this formula, while if you prefer subtler highlighters, this might not be your cup of tea. The pigmentation was good, and you could easily apply less or sheer it out if desired. On me, the color lasted for eight hours before fading.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Shaft of Gold Extra Dimension Skinfinish

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder
On lips:
  • Chanel Rose de Lune Glossimer

62 Comments

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Dru Avatar

Tried Magnetic Appeal when it came out but didn’t pick up (bit too dark)…this may be a great alternative. But, I’m loving the Hourglass Bronze Light…which one would you choose for NC42 skintone (I like luminous subtle sheen)?

The Makeup Train Avatar

I love the blue tint on the packaging. Super cool!

This is a little OT, but I just wanted to say, Christine, that I really appreciate all your hard work and the professionalism I get from you. I’ve been reading your blog for the past 5 years (Chris25 is now Chris30 lol) and I can’t find anyone who is consistently thorough, dedicated, fair, considerate and impartial. I tip my hat to you. 🙂

Nancy T Avatar

Yep!!! It was really freaky back when he turned 27, because I was 27 when I had him. It was like: “Dayum! Where did half my life go so quickly??? And he’s now that same age??? When did this happen???” Just crazy, huh?

Ginny Avatar

Not the right color for me but I looove how frosty the finish is. Christine I feel scared for you if you are planning to review all, or even a percentage, of the MAC Holiday stuff.

BeauBlooms Avatar

Thanks for this review Christine! I was lusting hard after Shaft of Gold, but I own half the dupes listed. Nothing like a cold, hard dose of reality, LOL! I will purchase Oh Darling instead, since I must have an ED highlighter in this packaging. MUST.

IRockFaces Avatar

I thought this would make an awesome bronzer at first but after reading this review it seems like its more of a highlight for darker skin tones than anything. Love the packaging though. It’s so festive and cute.

Momo Avatar

This highlighter is a YUP! I love it! I must have it. I’ll be getting this and the other EDMSF from this launch. With MAC collections, I always buy only one item, but I’m living on the edge and buying two. Lol

Nancy T Avatar

Ooh, I really love this highlight/ bronzer! Good thing ( or maybe not? ) that I don’t own any of the listed dupes! The packaging is super cool! Seriously considering this for a lovely sunny glow ?

Fil Avatar

I need this!!! my magnatic apeal broke im still using it but love that color as higlighter. Christine are the glitters as fine as tthey in magnatic apeal?

Ash Avatar

I love this color it’s so warm. But I have blushed copper (looks similar) so I’m on the edge about buying for now. Since it’s warm I may pick It up. I’ve been trying to keep warmer colors in my stash lately they seem to flatter me better

Tracey E. Avatar

Looks beautiful on you, Christine. Is there anything that you don’t wear well? I’m looking forward to your review of Oh Darling Skinfinish in this collection.

jaz Avatar

I bought this today ! I was going to get both , but budget- and I didn’t like the way it looked on me. I can’t wait to actually wear it , and I hope it travels better than my becca highlighters

Monica Avatar

I’m about to purchase this, but .. My skin is SUPER light and fair. My MAC store had one of the two highlighters left in the entire store, and I thought I had made the store set aside Oh Darling, instead of Shaft of Gold. I’m picking this up on tuesday next week, but I’m so hesitant to whether I should purchase it or not.
I saw a girl on youtube, who also had fair skin, and she said she couldn’t use this as a highlighter what so ever. I’m thinking about buying Becca in champagne pop, or the new trio with highlighters from Becca instead of this. I’m so confused, haha!

Kausalya Avatar

Christine,

Do you think it will look good on a NC40 skin like mine? Would it be better as a highlighter or a bronzer? The nearest MAC store to my house has one in stock. I’m wondering if I must invest in this.

Vanessa Avatar

Christine, Do you think Shaft of Gold will be okay for someone with oily skin? I don’t want to look like a disco ball, but I do want to try wearing a highlighter. Just for reference, I’m a brown girl (MAC NW47/48).

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