Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Nudey Tuesday: MAC Golden Lariat Mineralize Skinfinish Review & Swatches

Repurchase: No
Price: $35.00 (0.70 oz)
Product: 22/25
Packaging: 3.5/5
Value: 10/10
Overall Grade: B+
I bought MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Golden Lariat during the Wonder Woman preview party about two weeks ago (I know, lagging!) Previously, I've had bad experiences with MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish products but I figured I'd give it one more go for the sake of Wonder Woman. The two gorgeous shades (Pink Power and Golden Lariat) don't hurt either.
The Packaging: The gigantic Mineralize Skinfinish comes in a huge red and blue case with a MAC and Wonder Woman logo on the lid. The rim around the lid and inside pan are done in gold which is a nice touch against the bright red and blue. The downside is that there's no mirror -something that would really help during quick touch ups and last minute applications.
Above I placed it next to a MAC Fluidline. You can see just how big the Mineralize Skinfinish really is!
The Product: The value is truly amazing. MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes are generally $28 and contain 0.35 oz (already a large amount of product) but this contains double the amount at 0.70 oz for only $35.
The Mineralize Skinfinish consists of 3 shades -a bronzer, highlighter, and blush. It has to be a known fact now that MAC isn't my favorite when it comes to quality but I do like their prices and the cool, creative collections they put out. With that being said, I do think they did a good job with Golden Lariat. The bronzer and blush have good color payoff and apply fairly smoothly. The blending was pretty easy as well with the help of my favorite brushes (the trusty MAC 168 and Sonia Kashuk blush brush.) It did apply slightly patchily due to my dry skin (a cold can really kill your skin) so just remember to moisturize in advance!
On the downside, the highlight shade left behind only shimmer on my medium skin. Also, the highlighter, blush, and bronzer only lasted about 3 hours tops with no base. The highlight shade was the first to go -then the bronzer, followed by the blush.
If you look at the ingredients, you'll notice that mica is listed first which made me extremely weary of using it. Products containing mica usually break me out and make my skin itch but I took a chance anyways 1) Because I love the shades and 2) For the sake of writing a good review. Well, it did make my skin burn and I did break out in tiny bumps after one use. However, don't let my bad reaction steer you away from buying the product -my skin is just really sensitive to mica.
(I did not base the product grade off of my reaction with this product because other people who aren't allergic to mica will not have the same problem.)
The Color: The shades are very golden and somewhat orange-y but don't be afraid! Prior to actually applying this on my face, I thought it would leave me looking like an Oompa Loompa but I was wrong. The shades go well together and made me look perfectly sunkissed -not like I'd gone overboard with the self tanner. Fair-skinned beauties might want to stay away while ladies with medium or darker tones should definitely give this a try.
  • Highlighter- Pale yellow gold shimmer
  • Bronzer- Deep, slightly orange-y, suntanned bronze with minor shimmer
  • Blush- Orange-y peach with golden sheen and shimmer
Swatches..
Above (no flash) from left: Highlighter, Bronzer, Blush
Above (with flash) from left: Highlighter, Bronzer, Blush

On the face!
I couldn't capture this "perfectly" as I haven't figured out which setting is best yet for FOTD and full face shots. It looks really pretty in person. Don't mind the dry lips and my sickly looking face -I gave this a test run last week when I was ill. (Also, I didn't blend all the way because I wanted you to be able to see the different shades.)
 
Overall: This is a good product if it works for you. I absolutely adore the shades in Golden Lariat but I had to return it because the formula really irritated my sensitive skin. It's not wearable for me but if it was, I'd rock this all summer long. The awesome value doesn't hurt either.

Where To Buy: MAC

6 comments:

  1. You really don't need to add all the disclaimers about your face, lips, etc..I think you look beautiful & that is a gorgeous product. Too bad it doesn't work for you, I have to be careful with mica as well...which is in so many things these days!

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  2. The lid on the packaging of this reminds me of the plastic thingy I put to keep catfood tins fresh, lol you probably don't know what I am talking about.

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  3. I saw these MAC Wonder Woman collection today and really wanted them all!!! LOL. I wanted to just choose some items and not all. Which ones do you reccommend? I was thinking of a lipstick but when I saw these Mineralize Skinfinish and the size of them they are to die for!

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  4. that looks really pretty on you! i am so addicted to bronzers, blushes, and highlighters, so this is really amazing...the packaging is pretty cool too but that sucks it doesnt have a mirror...sorry it didnt work out for you!


    Beauty Bag 411

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  5. haha the colors and the design make the compact look like a fisher price toy, it's really cool!

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  6. i've been so tempted about this for the time i saw some swatches over on temptalia. but now that i see a review i'm glad i didn't buy and i don't want them anymore. yey, more money for other stuff :P. just bought a bunch of dresses for like 8 bucks a piece so i need to stop this month. i have also spent a lot ofmoney on medicine and doctors since i have been sick so i need to stop now

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