Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector Review & Swatches
Medium Dark
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector ($34.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a medium, rosy brown with warm undertones and a satin sheen.
- Opaque color coverage (supposed to be sheer)
- Smooth, finely-milled consistency
- Blendable but harder to pick up an even color due to gradient design
- Long-wearing (eight hour wear)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Sweetie Pie (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Buxom Rooftop Tan (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Going Native (Bronzer) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Milani Glow (P, $8.99) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Hourglass Diffused Bronze Light (P, $52.00) is less shimmery, cooler (80% similar).
- Becca Bronzed Bondi (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Seductive Beauty (Bronze) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar).
- Laura Mercier Bronze (03) (P, $40.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.31 oz. - $109.68 Per Ounce
It's supposed to "perfect, illuminate, blur, and set" with a "radiant glow." Ultimately, it is supposed to be part bronzer, highlighter, and finishing powder. I'm not entirely sure why the range only has five shades when the coordinating balm has six shades. This formula is supposed to have "sheer coverage," but it was fairly pigmented and harder to get sheerer coverage given the need to swirl the brush in a circular motion to get an even layer of product.
The gradient design made it more challenging to get an even layer of color as some parts would be lighter/darker, depending on where one started. It might be more suitable to use the more bronzing side initially and then the lighter, more highlighting side as a secondary product. Otherwise, you'll want to do a good swirl and tap off excess, then apply, but sometimes it made it easy to over-apply product.
The powders had a smooth, finely-milled texture that wasn't too loosely-pressed into the pan but also not overly powdery. They applied evenly to bare skin and blended out well without emphasizing my skin's natural texture. The finish was more lightly luminous than radiant--definitely not an intense highlighter by any means. It performed and looked more like a bronzer with fine pearl to it. This formula wore eight hours on me on average.
Browse all of our Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector swatches.
Ingredients
SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, TALC, CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE, DIMETHICONE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, LAUROYL LYSINE, METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, SILICA, TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIETHYLHEXANOATE, BIS-BEHENYL/ISOSTEARYL/PHYTOSTERYL DIMER DILINOLEYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, SORBITAN SESQUIISOSTEARATE, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, TOCOPHEROL, CHLORPHENESIN, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, HYDROGEN DIMETHICONE, MICA, [(+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140)] TALC, MICA, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, DIMETHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, SILICA, TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIETHYLHEXANOATE, BIS-BEHENYL/ISOSTEARYL/PHYTOSTERYL DIMER DILINOLEYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, SORBITAN SESQUIISOSTEARATE, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, TOCOPHEROL, CHLORPHENESIN, [(+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)] CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE, MICA, LAUROYL LYSINE, TALC, CALCIUM SULFATE HYDRATE, SILICA, TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIETHYLHEXANOATE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, DIMETHICONE, METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, BIS-BEHENYL/ISOSTEARYL/PHYTOSTERYL DIMER DILINOLEYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, SORBITAN SESQUIISOSTEARATE, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, TOCOPHEROL, CHLORPHENESIN, TIN OXIDE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, KAOLIN [(+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Medium Dark
PPermanent. $34.00.
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector
I like the gradient effect of this bronzer, but it may prove difficult to use for differing skin tones because of its dual nature. The finish looked quite soft and subtle on your cheeks.
Since I’m not one for shiny, ultra luminous bronzers, I think I will pass. It is such a pretty shade, though, so who knows?
I’ve got Too Faced Sweetie Pie bronzer, which I dust all over for a bit of healthy colour in my face, so I’m “good” for a dupe. I realize it wouldn’t show up in photos at all, but I wonder how this product would work used more for its “bronzing” effect rather than applied as heavily as you have to apply it for it to show up in photos….just as a light dusting “in the places where the sun would hit” (as the saying goes…)
I could be mistaken, but I thought the brand stated that this product was for all-over color and to melt it into your skin (and not to specifically apply it like bronzer or contour). That’s how I’ve been using it – akin to how Auric glow lust or CT Hollywood flawless filter (clearly with different consistencies, but same overall effect).
You can use it as a bronzer, highlighter, and/or finishing powder per the brand!