MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter ($29.00 for 0.31 oz.) is described as a “soft peachy nude.” It’s a champagne beige with a little hint of rosiness and a champagne metallic sheen. While I didn’t review Estee Lauder Illuminating Powder Gelee (by the time I was ready to photograph it, it had already sold out), it is exactly the same as Superb. I could not detect a single difference between the two! MAC Redhead is a little pinker and has a whiter sheen, not as warm. Bobbi Brown Rose Gold has more of a frosted finish. MAC Rose Ole is peachier.
Again, fans of Estee Lauder’s Powder Gelee formula will love these–not just like–because I couldn’t find real differences between the two. So far, MAC’s formula seems to wear a little longer for me. I’ve never used the original Powder Gelee Estee Lauder released (I left it brand new, until I did the comparison swatch in this post!), so I couldn’t tell you how long that wore on me for–I just know that Topaz Chameleon was more like seven to eight hour wear, whereas Whisper of Gilt and Glorify both hit the eight hour mark with the majority of the product still intact (just some fading around the edges).
Superb has a soft, dry texture that’s really smooth. It will feel different than other powder products, but it’s not quite the same texture as a baked product (like MAC’s Mineralize line). There’s a high-shine metallic finish that reflects light really well and smoothly, and the real surprise is that it manages not to emphasize pores or skin imperfections much–it will call more attention to it than a lower-sheen product, but for something with as strong as a sheen here, it’s very little emphasis. More or less, it’s the kind that’s worth trading off for really dewy, glowy cheeks.
This shade is the most universally wearable shade out of the three–it will work well on cool and warm, light and dark complexions. I also suspect that with the comparison swatch to Estee Lauder’s powder, which sold out extremely quickly, it will be snapped up in a heartbeat–especially since this is much more affordable than Estee Lauder’s.
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter
Estee Lauder Illuminating Powder Gelee (Original) vs. MAC Superb
Wow Christine, this is so beautiful! Can’t wait to get my hands one of those!
Great review (as always!). Thanks for that! 🙂
Oh wow, and it’s like double the size of the Estee Lauder Illuminating Powder Gelee too! Ugh, I may NEED to pick this up!
I know, sad stuff 🙁 Well, sad for those who bought the original!
I don’t what to think how much it would have cost me too get the original in Canadian dollars with the markup taxes and shipping fees in comparison. T-T
Hihi is this colour similar to crystal pink msf ( when blended together )?
Superb seems a little warmer to me – but maybe if you used more of the center shade and less of the outer shade you could dupe it? http://www.temptalia.com/mac-semi-precious-crystal-pink-mineralize-skinfinish-review-photos-swatches
OMG!! So excited for this one!! It looks exactly as the Modern Mercury one! I missed out on that one and kicked myself for it but now I can get this one and have the same product 😀
Thanks so much for this review and for comparing the 2 😀
What kind of brushes do you recommend for using pressed powders such as this highlighter and the MAC pressed blot powder?
116, 134
My favorite!
Amazing! It definitely going to be one of my picks 🙂
I know you have recently changed the way you take pictures and we all really appreciate the huge effort you put on the blog, just a suggestion though: the new lighting and full face shots are looking kinda washed out, it’s a bit hard to appreciate the colors IMO. I think the best lighting by far is on What We’re Wearing, Vol. 056.
Keep up the awesome work!
That’s the lighting that people were asking me to change – that is what I have always used previously! Sigh!
yes please go back to the previous lighting please
I could see every little detail of product, now it’s so diluted
Which lighting do you prefer, Christine? Just curious. I honestly think both lighting options look just fine. This new lighting seems a little more true to life, IMO, and it doesn’t seem washed out to me. I feel like the new lighting set up looks brighter and more crisp, but not washed out. Did you prefer the old lighting?
I like the old lighting overall, because you see all the details – from shimmer to texture – particularly for swatches. For full face photos, it can go either way, but for close-ups, I still prefer the diffused flash, just because you can see each particle of shimmer – you can see dimension, what color the shimmer is, etc. but with natural light, you lose a lot of that!
I think you should stick to what you think shows the product off best, and if that’s the old lighting then stick with it. You have the products in hand, so you can tell better than we can if the pictures appropriately reflect the product. I do appreciate that you listen to all our jabber and try to make us happy, but someone’s always going to complain.
I just want you to know I really, really appreciate all the work you do for the blog!!
It’s my intention to try and do both – so that’s why the full face has the more natural lighting, but the actual swatches on the skin and close-up are still using a harsher light source so it will pick up the details 🙂 I’m trying to do both with lip swatches, and the upcoming MAC Reel Sexy collection is the first one I’ll be doing it for – so we’ll see how it goes!
I like the pose in the full-on face picture. The natural light, and the fact that we can see one cheek full-on and the other one from the side with the light reflecting on it. Not sure how it would look with eye or lip products, but I do like it for cheeks!
Could you wear this as an eyeshadow? If not, do you know of any dupes? Thanks!
I don’t know if you can safety-wise, but from a texture/feel standpoint, I don’t see why not. You could try the Sweet Heat shade from this launch – it’s a little peachier.
I have used the Estee Lauder ones as eyeshadows & have been fine & have realy sensitive eyes. I know they’re not technically the same, but thought was worth a mention!
Christine, how does it compare with msf by candlelight? Thanks!
By Candlelight is warmer, peachier, a little lighter, and has some pink in it – http://www.temptalia.com/mac-in-the-groove-collection-mineralize-skinfinish-review-photos-swatches
Christine do you think these powders will be suitable for the eyes?
I don’t know if they’re safe for eyes or not, to be honest!
i NEED this
So MAC is releasing three collections on the same day? Ohhh boy, I’m going to be so broke the day after…
I’ve never tried the EL gelee. Is Superb anything like Guerlain’s Cruel gardenia in texture, finish, or colour?
Yes, it would be similar! Gardenia would be pinker though 🙂
Thanks!
Which would you recommend as better for a NC20/25 skintone: Cruel Gardenia or Superb?
Hi Christine,
Since asking my question I’ve found out that Superb is darker and more peach than Cruel Gardenia. My motivation for was asking your thoughts on which is better for my skin because I don’t know if I should keep and use my unopened Cruel Gardenia or go with Superb. Ultimately I don’t need another highlighter, but I’d like to go with the formula and colour that suits me best. 🙂
Superb is probably more flattering, because it is a little warmer.
Thanks! You gave me “permission” to release my Cruel Gardenia to someone who can appreciate it more. I think I knew it all along… that the shimmer was going to be too much for me in the long run.
Take care, Christine. 🙂
oops. I meant to say that
I knew that *the pale colour and* the shimmer of CG were not going to suit me in the long run.
Hi, if you want to sell your Cruel Gardenia, I have been looking for one!
Nordstrom now has some in stock online.
No prob 🙂
omg! amazing
Quite beautiful! I may try to grab it, even though it’ll probably sell out before I even get a shot. 😛
First time in a long time I’ve liked a product from a mac collection!
That looks really pretty. Too bad I don’t really find myself ever using highlighter. I have one from the drugstore that I used on my wedding day and that’s pretty much it.
I’m not surprised that the two are similar since they are the same company.
Hi Christine,
I own Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous (ps), do you think they’re similar?
I really don’t want to skip this one, but also I don’t want to own dupes. My only option at the moment is online shopping so I really rely in swatches.. Temptalia I should say LoL
Thank you for our hard work!
It is very similar for me to skip it! I found the pictures at another blog! Thanks
You could definitely skip Superb if you already have Rose Rendezvous!
I picked this up today at the local Pro Shop and it is gorgeous!! It doesn’t emphasize pores as you’ve noted and gives the most beautiful glow!
I was really hoping I could skip this one.. *sign*…
I passed MAC store earlier and kinda skipped this whole collection, but when I saw your review, I literally run back to a counter and bought this. Luckily there are 2 MAC counters within a block of my house
I thought it wasn’t out in stores until April 5! Hmmm… I’m tempted to go to MAC now. 😀
I live in Singapore. I’m not sure how is it that we launched this first, because usually they will launch about a week after US launch
Sweet Heat eyeshadow from this collection looks the same to me as this highlighter. Could you tell me what the difference is? It seems one could get the less expensive eyeshadow instead.
Sweet Heat is peach, Superb is beige!
well I rushed and bought Modern Mercury when it arrived here, about half a year later after every other country I bet..
If I knew Mac would make the same product merely a few months later I could save some pretty penny 🙂
And the thing is I HAVENT EVEN TOUCHED modern mercury, its too pretty!
I really love these! Are they similar to Cream Colour Bases or are they better performing?
They’re not really like CCBs – the textures and finishes are completely different!
would this be nice on nc30-35 for highlight? not at a bronzer or blush 🙂
Yes, this is really only going to work as a highlighter no matter your skin tone!
thanks so much for the review! do you know if this will be or is already availabke online? I looked on their website but i couldnt find it…
It’s on their website now – you’ll have to click the links in the post I posted today or search through each category.
Christine,
I have very fair skin with pink undertones. I have already purchased Cruel Gardenia but have not used it yet. Wondering your thoughts if Superb would be better for my skin tone and in giving me that dewy look I want to achieve. I definitely don’t need two highlighters that do the same thing so I would bring back Gardenia if it’s a better option. Thanks for your help!
I think Cruel Gardenia might work better for you since it has more pink undertones!
I’ve already ordered it. Can’t wait to have this! It’s exactly the kind of highlighting powder I have been looking for!
How does this compare to Mac sweet heat eyeshadow?
Sweet Heat is warmer on me!
Hi Christine,
Thanks for the great review. Just wondering, if this skinfinish/highlighter would work on NW20 skin? Thanks!
Whisper of Gilt!
Thanks so much!
I don’t own the Estee Lauder Gelee so I did pick up Superb after reading your review about the similarities between the two. It always seemed from swatches that the EL Gelee was a little more on the pink side but it’s darker and more bronze than I thought it would be. The EL Gelee swatches I have seen online might not have been the best, no ones are as good as yours. Are they really almost identical in color. Thanks
There is a swatch of them side-by-side in the post! 🙂
How is this compared to MAC Honey rose liquid powder. Which one would you recommend, Honey rose or Superb?
Also wanted to add I am MAC NC35 in skintone.
Superb has a much better texture and is more blendable!
How does this compare to Dior Amber Diamond?
Oh, very different – this is nowhere near as warm and it’s more pigmented.
this is so pretty! i didn’t get it the day it came out here in canada but i past by a mac counter the day after and asked for it and it was sold out! BUT i found this and immortal flower at another mac store near me! so glad 🙂
Christine,
How is this in comparion to Laura Mercier’s rose rondevous highlighter?
Laura Mercier’s is a bit warmer 🙂
Hey Christine, how are these different from Mac iridescent loose powders (such as silver dusk) ? just debating which one to buy
I honestly can’t remember what those are like!
It’s 5 days after the launch but Nordstrom still has Superb (and the other colors) in stock! I just picked it up an hour ago and I can’t WAIT to get it!! Thanks again Christine! 🙂
I actually went to Nordstrom today just to look at any MSF Soft and Gentle and ended up picking this up instead. I had no idea there was so much hype around this product so I’m so glad I got it because it looks like its going to be sold out soon. It looks so pretty! (NC30)
Sorry for pushing up this posts but stock still last here.
MA from M.A.C. picks up NC25 Foundation from the LIGHTFUL line for me, I guess I have similar complexion like you (lucky to have found a swatch blogger of medium skin tone, lovely. I always read your blog before going to the M.A.C. store).
Compared with the beauty powder Too Chic I own(seems pale pink if heavily applied), I just wonder if any of the Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter would work better for me as a highlight product. If so, I just can’t decide between Superb and Whisper of Gilt, considering the texture and black head/ pore emphasizing power. My skin is sometimes allergic dry particularly at the cheek area. And yes, I am yellow undertoned.
heya. this is probably too late and i have no idea if you’ll answer. but which one do you recommend between the superb and whisper of gilt for nc35-nc40 skin tone. i usually reach for peach blushes or colors similar to wet n wild’s mellow wine blush… thank you.
Whisper of Gilt!