MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Apres Chic: Stereo Rose Returns!
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish ($29.00 for 0.32 oz.) is described as a “coral with golden bronze shimmering nuances.” It’s a coral with subtle pink tones and a champagne-gold shimmer. I think the blush gallery for corals is bursting at the seems, as over the years, brands have caught on that a large lot of us are coral fiends. MAC Born to Love is pinker, less shimmery. Buxom Luvitate is softer, more of a sheen than a shimmer. Tom Ford Lovelust is pinker, less metallic. Chanel Tweed Brun is more orange.
I reviewed Stereo Rose back when it was re-released in 2010, and it was hard to get then, because it was such a huge re-release. In 2010, it sold out in minute of going online–I had to go to my local store (at the time) to purchase it in-person! This time around, while still coveted, there is plenty of stock available. I don’t own the original version, only the 2010 and this version.
Mineralize Skinfinishes can vary quite a bit, which is the nature of the product; the right (or wrong) mix of veining can make or break a shade. There are some who only purchase in-store so they can pick the exact veining mix they desire! The one I purchased this time around has a bit more pink in it, but it still blends out to about the same color when swirled and applied altogether. It has a high-frost, almost metallic finish to it–for something less reflective, I suggest using a stippling brush like MAC’s 187 and applying with a light hand–so reflective that it manages not to emphasize pores.
On me, it lasted for six hours before starting to fade and get a bit patchy, which is about what I tend to get with MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinishes. The texture is soft, not powdery, and finely-milled. Stereo Rose is also nicely pigmented, so there’s no danger of it not showing up on darker complexions, but it can easily be used and blended on even pale skin tones. I can see why this was a huge hit when it initially launched; I think we have a few options available nowadays, so it’s not the holy grail of corals for all any more.
Stereo Rose
LELimited Edition. $34.00.
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish
Really, really pretty on you but it’s too warm toned/orange for my colouring.
It always turns so red/orange-y on me. I love it in the pan, swatched, but never on me–too “burnt to a crisp” to my eye (on me).
I had the same problem — gorgeous in the pan, SAFETY ORANGE on my face. I actually sold mine to someone after trying it twice because I just couldn’t get it to work.
It is really pretty! I am glad coral blushes are in and have been in for a while, they are gorgeous!
I’m glad I skipped on this. I can see MANY people loving and coveting this, but I am vampire pale and this will look insane on my skin tone with the amount of sheen it produces. Better on warmer skin tones.
It’s pretty, but I won’t be picking it up. It’s got too much sheen for me and I like more pink with my coral. I got Chanel’s Malice for Christmas and I’m loving it!
Is MAC Redhead similar to Stereo Rose?
Redhead is lighter, less pink/red — it almost looks beige-like when blended together.
no thanks i’ll just pick up silk natural version of it instead and save me some money
It’s funny, I remember it being so much less shimmery. It really doesn’t seem half as enticing this time around. Wet n Wild Mineral Bronzer in Amber Glow is said to be a dupe – I’m not sure about that, but the Wet n Wild is one of my favorite blushes. I don’t think it’s that high shine though.
Hi, I hace NC41 skin tone, do you think which one suits me better, porcelain pink or stereo rose?
Stereo Rose!
do you think the more veining in the color causes it to be more of
an orange color? the one I purchase hardly has any veining and I’m thinking of switching it with one with a bit more veining but not to sure on what the outcome would be. Also is the veining just on top of the first couple of layers?
I think it can definitely contribute to it! The veining should go all the way through 🙂
Hi Christine! I just have a question… I purchased this and noticed my particular MSF doesn’t have a lot of gold veining. Ive been debating on taking it back to exchange. Is this a good or bad sign? My pan is mainly coral. Btw thanks so much for all your reviews I always check your page before buying. 😉
Hi Erika!
It really depends on your preference! Some prefer more veining, some prefer less. If you want yours to have more shimmer, you might want more veining!
Is this gonna be at counters?!
This was supposed to launch at counters on 12/26!
I have one. Used for 3-5 times and I will send it to anyone free of cost … Let me know …
Sorry didn’t work for NC42
Send it to me please 🙂 my email is michellemlova@yahoo.com XOXO
Glad to see the swatch for it! I heard a lot of people raving about it in the past so I knew I had to buy it, even before seeing the swatch. I got mine online since I didn’t want to go shopping IRL for it! I’m excited since I think it’ll look great on me LOL
Very pretty! It looks very lovely on your skin tone. I can see why it’s popular, though I’m personally going to pass. I have two coral blushes in my personal collection, and both push the boundaries of warm-toned about as far as I’m willing to go. 😛
Got mine this time around.
Just got my first Stereo Rose yesterday and I couldn’t be happier! The color is beautiful and really makes my cheeks pop! I also wanted to thank you for all the hard work that you do for us readers. I come to your site everyday and trust your honest reviews! Don’t know what I would do without Temptalia!
Glad you got yours and love it, Melissa!
Thank you! 🙂
Yay! Got mine this time! Can’t wait to use it. Thanks for reviewing! xoxo
It’s really beautiful in the pan, and on medium/dark complexions… but not for me: way too shimmery, and even a bit too pigmented, I think! I’m going to stick to my Coralista, which is MY holy grail coral blush: easy to apply light, buildable, sheen but not shimmer.
This is what I call “being cheap” Makeup companies do this all the time….decrease the amount and raise the price. Old Sterero Rose was 10g. This is 9gram. IT is their method of cost saving. EL brands tend to do this.
That is why I always says the first ones coming out is the best.
Is this similar with with NARS Luster?
Luster is more orange!
is this similar to Center of the Universe?
Center of the Universe is even more orange.
looks really pretty on your cheeks 😉 cant wait to get it… will have to wait a bit longer, I live in mexico city :,(
I got mine in the mail today and it’s texture surprised me! So soft, nice quality. It is probably the most shimmery blush product I own now but it’s fun and I even like it with my winter pale (N20 approx.). Glad I picked it up 🙂
*its texture. I am a grammar nazi, especially to myself ha!
I personally love Stereo Rose and I hope everyone who wanted to get this in the past is able to get it this time around :)!
Don’t forget, the price of this has also gone up to $29 and they reduced it’s size to 0.32oz and 9g. I was wondering if there are any other noticeable difference between this one and the older versions?
i don’t get why this product is so popular? i don’t really like it! in 2010 i went to check it out (because of the hype) it’s really nice but not something i would spend 30€ on
Do you think this will look good on NW45?
Yes!
I really like this! Howndoes it compare in color and texture to Benefit’s Coralista?
CORALista is pinker, less metallic/shimmery.
I was actually expecting this to be much more pigmented. It looks so intense in the pan, but I had to use a dense blush and a few layers to get actual color out of this, not just shimmer (and I’m just NC20-25). I guess I’m spoiled, because I’m so used to tarte blushes where you just need the tiniest tap of product.
Bought Stereorose after reading so much about it, but didn’t want to get my hopes up since I didn’t like centre of the universe nor the warm soul mineralized blush…although I loved fresh honey. Have to say Stereorose was a pleasant surprise! For me, it’s not a ‘OMG, must have colour,’ and it definitely looks pretty in the pan. Also wanted to give a shout out to Christine for all the comparisons, I almost always check your blog before purchasing/deciding to purchase something, and for comparisons! You’re even making me think about the Guerlain Rouge G’s, which I’d never have considered even two years ago, lol :p
How does it compare to Giorgio Armani 02 Blush
I don’t think I have that!
Hi Christine – on your right cheek are u ONLY wearing stereo rose – if so what brush did you use to apply it? have u also used any other colour to contour? assuming youre wearing parure gold foundation ?
thanks
No contour, just Stereo Rose. I probably used the 187 or 116! I’m not sure what foundation I wore here, but it was probably Guerlain Parure de Lumiere. I usually don’t wear Parure Gold in photos and save it for special occasions!