Maybelline Molten Gold MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
Molten Gold
Maybelline Molten Gold MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter ($9.99 for 0.24 oz.) is a brighter, medium gold with warm, orange undertones and a metallic sheen. It’s supposed to have a “chrome effect” that can be applied “lightly for a subtle glow” or built up for a “bold melted metal look.”
It was quite pigmented in a single layer, though the consistency was soft and pliable, so it was easy to control the amount of product picked up on a brush to get sheerer coverage. The texture was smooth to the touch, soft enough that it was a touch powdery in the pan, but it did not look dry or powdery on the skin. On the cheekbones, it had a noticeable glow that did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. If you wanted really over-the-top, traffic-stopping glow, just spritz your brush (after picking up the product) with a bit of water or facial mist; I found that the texture of this shade was particularly workable damp but is often a trick that can be used with a slew of powder highlighters. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading slightly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Becca Topaz Flashes Gilt (LE, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Salé (-, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior Transatlantique (LE, $58.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Infatuation (LE, $45.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Milani Golden Quartz (PiP, ) (95% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Gold Addict (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Fearless (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Side Piece (LE, $26.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Ibiza (P, $38.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Oh, Darling! (P, $42.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$9.99/0.24 oz. - $41.63 Per Ounce
It’s supposed to have a “chrome effect” that can be applied “lightly for a subtle glow” or built up for a “bold melted metal look.” The texture was soft, smooth, and blendable that was delightfully creamy to the touch, but it was still more loosely pressed (without being powdery), which made it particularly easy to apply with a slew of brushes.
For subtle coverage, I’d recommend a light hand and a tapered highlighting brush or a fan brush with a moderate hand. It had opaque coverage–not buildable as described, which was really the only downside to the product–that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with little effort. The shades typically wore for around eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Maybelline MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Diisostearyl Malate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dimethicone / Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Mica, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492 / Iron Oxides.
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.
Wow, the finish and sparkles are quite pretty! Except for their lipsticks, I haven’t bought anything from Maybelline for years, have been disappointed by their shadows/blushes/face powders, but this looks promising
I really liked this, even though it didn’t score perfectly! I wish they had more shades.
That is pretty, the price is right and it doesn’t have carmine. I’m going to get one for eye shadow!
Yay!!
It looks really good on you, Christine. It goes really well with your skintone, I guess and with the rest of your makeup as well. A soft, beautiful look.
Thank you, Helene! 🙂
I LOVE the tone and sheen of this!!!
Whenever it FINALLY shows up here in CAD. I will 100% be picking it up!!!
I can’t wait for you to get it, Shannon!
This is really pretty, but it would definitely be too dark for me! I love the way the swatch looks though!
I hope Maybelline will bring out more options in powder highlighters as I feel there should be no need to resort to high en powder despite me love Becca, MUFE and Dior highlighters. lol
Me too!! I was surprised they didn’t at least go pink and gold.
This looks really beautiful. Good value too.
I had this in my hands today at Walmart. So pretty but I couldn’t justify another highlighter,lol. I have several of the dupes. So good that I left that beauty for others, the last one too.
Not Bad!
Definitely not, especially if you don’t care so much about the specificity of some of the claims!
This blends into the skin so beautifully. In my bathroom mirror, all I can see are a few sparkles, so I never thing it’s showing up, but when I get in my car, I check my face, and it’s there in all its beautiful glowing glory It definitely adds a highlight shimmer, but it does’t scream for attention either. I love it!