MAC Extra Dimension MSF in Double Definition

I am a total sucker for the MAC Extra Dimension Mineralize Skin Finishes, so when this year's collection came out, I picked up all three of them.  The first I'm reviewing is the Extra Dimension MSF in Double Definition.

(natural light)

Unlike last year's Extra Dimension MSF collection, this year, the MSFs are split into two separate colors.  I absolutely love this.  While I really, really like last year's inaugural collection of Extra Dimension MSFs, I just think that having two colors per pan makes them so much more versatile.

(day bulbs)

The top half of the Double Definition MSF compact is a very metallic frosty warm gold color which I think is exactly the same color as last year's Whisper of Gilt (there are side by side swatches below).  The bottom half of the Double Definition MSF compact is a much darker, bronzy color.  The texture is quite different from the top half.  While the bottom half isn't matte, it is certainly not frosty either.  It does have a lovely metallic sheen, but much more muted than the top half.  

When you mix the top half and the bottom half, you get a more metallic, frosty finish, but the color is still very bronzy.

The lighting isn't great here, but I assure you that the top half of Double Definition is the same color as Whisper of Gilt.  Below are swatches of the top half of Double Definition next to Whisper of Gilt in both natural light and under day bulbs.  They are the same color.

MAC Extra Dimension Mineralize Skinfinish in Double Definition contains 9 grams of product and retails for $30.  MAC online is sold out, but some counters still have product available as do some online retailers.  Nordstrom still has some of the MSFs.

On the whole, I love this product, but it is a bit of a niche product.  As highlighters, the Extra Dimension MSFs are certainly not subtle.  You can sheer them out, but even then these pack a punch.  But they are gorgeous.  Personally, I get more mileage out of them as eyeshadows.

Overall: 10/10

Review: MAC Skinfinish in Whisper of Gilt

Next up in my series on highlighters is the MAC Skinfinish in Whisper of Gilt.  It is Limited Edition (sorry, but keep an eye out for my next giveaway).  It came out in MAC's Extra Dimension collection that launched at the beginning of April 2012.  It's sold out at MAC online, but as of this blog post, you can still get it at Nordstrom online and I'm sure some MAC counters still have it.

The entire Extra Dimension collection is a new formula from MAC.  The Official blurb from MAC about the collection and the Skinfinishes in particular:

A liquid-powder highlighter with prismatic reflections that sculpts, highlights and models the face. The cool, creamy near-fluid formula creates a luminous, well-defined finish. Wears 10 hours.

Whisper of Gilt is described by MAC as "a light soft white with shimmery sheen".  It definitely has a shimmery sheen, but I don't think I'd categorize it as a soft white.  It's gold.  A lovely gold.  But gold.

I took 2 swatch photos below.  Again, I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to photograph highlighters.  There is a heavy swatch on the right and a sheered out swatch on the left.  I think the heavy swatch in the second photo is truer to color, but the sheered out swatch on the first swatch is truer.

The product goes on smooth.  I was a little afraid that the first time I swatched it, that the pattern would be demolished, but it's surprisingly firm.  I'm not buying the marketing bit about "cool, creamy near-fluid formula".  It felt like a powder.  A nice powder, but a powder nonetheless.

The internet tells me that this formula is probably if not an exact copy of the Estee Lauder powder gelee formula, then at the very least a really close copy.  The MAC Extra Dimension skinfinishes have the bonus of being much larger and cheaper than the Estee Lauder powder gelees.

I think this is a beautiful highlighter.  It is a lot more of a true gold than many of the highlighters I own, so I am happy to add it to my collection.  The pan contains a TON of product and I seriously have no idea how I could even hit pan on this, much less use the entire thing.  I am curious to see how the new formula holds up over time since I will definitely have this for a while.

The pan contains 9 grams of product and retails for $29.

Overall:  7/10