MAC Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder ($35.50 for 0.35 oz.) is a new product in the upcoming Wash & Dry collection. I wasn’t a fan of the Studio Sculpt Shade & Line Eyeshadows, and these aren’t winning me over, either. The texture is stiff, thin, and hardens incredibly easily; I had to jab at the pan’s surface with a metal spatula to get enough visible color for swatches. It’s this texture that is the real bane of this product, because I couldn’t get color out of this with a brush as a result. I don’t have any official descriptive information regarding the new formula, and I can only make some generalizations that it probably has the same type of technology behind it as the eyeshadows and the permanent Studio Sculpt Defining Powder. If I get more specific information, I may adjust the review (e.g. if these were intended to be ultra sheer). For now, I’m reviewing these based on the descriptions of the previously released eyeshadows and current Defining Powders and looked for these to have: “medium buildable coverage” that will “blend easily and comfortably” with a “silky and cream-like” texture.

I’m not sure if it these are limited edition or permanent (most likely limited edition), and as soon as I find out, I’ll be sure to update this post (for now, I’m marking them as limited edition).

MAC Delicates Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder ($35.50 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “neutral deep bronze with fine gold shimmer.” It’s a muted, medium-dark brown with soft, warm undertones and a golden shimmer-sheen finish. In order get color payoff for a swatch, I had to scrape off a layer of product with a metal spatula. The surface hardened noticeably after using it three times (once to swatch, twice to apply to the face). The texture is very thin and stiff, which made it difficult to dislodge color from the pan. Applied, it doesn’t look bad, and it has a nice, satin-matte finish that doesn’t look flat but isn’t luminous, but unless you’re very fair, you’ll need to pack it on with five or six layers (I used eight just to get it to show up in photos). The powder that I did manage to apply lasted for seven hours before fading. It’s actually blendable once you get it on the brush, so it’s such a shame that it is pressed so firmly. Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light (P, $50.00) is warmer, yellower. Dolce and Gabbana Desert (P, $51.00) is more matte. Urban Decay Naked on the Run Bronzer (LE) is lighter. Too Faced Spice (LE) is more shimmery. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil (P) is more matte, cooler-toned. MAC Nude on Board (LE, $30.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Golden Rinse Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder ($35.50 for 0.35 oz.) is described as a “light brick reddish bronze with fine shimmer.” It’s a light-medium tan brown with subtle, warm undertones and a barely-there, satiny sheen. The texture felt smooth to the touch, but it was extremely stiff and firmly packed into the pan, so it was a challenge to grab pigment from the powder without scraping off layers or jabbing a rough brush against the surface. The powder itself, once loosened, has a very silky feel that is blendable and sits beautifully on the skin–but getting it on the skin is frustrating. With how firm the powder is, coverage is very sheer, but turned into a loose powder, it is more medium to full coverage depending on application. Applied, this shade wore well for seven hours on me. Guerlain #03 (P, $53.00) is darker. Dolce and Gabbana Desert (P, $51.00) is slightly darker. MAC Matte Bronze (LE, $70.00) is darker, matte. MAC Scone (LE, $25.00) is darker, matte. MAC Aphrodite’s Shell (LE, $33.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Delicates Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder

MAC Delicates Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder

MAC Delicates Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder

MAC Delicates Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder
** I had to scrape off a layer in order to get color payoff to show on my arm.

MAC Delicates Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder

MAC Golden Rinse Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder

MAC Golden Rinse Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder

MAC Golden Rinse Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder

MAC Golden Rinse Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder

MAC Golden Rinse Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder
** I had to scrape off a layer in order to get color payoff to show on my arm.

MAC Delicates (your left) | Golden Rinse (your right) Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powders