Here are some of my thoughts and swatches on the MAC Surf Baby Skinsheen Bronzer Sticks, Careblend Pressed Powders and bronzing powders. If you want to check out my reviews on the MAC Surf Baby Eye Shadows, Crushed Metallic Pigments and Powerpoint Eye Pencil, click here. Do check out MAC Surf, Baby: My Paradise Cheek Powder Swatches and Review for my thoughts on the new cheek powder.
Also check out Surf, Baby lipglass, lipsticks and Suntints SPF 20 liquid lip balm swatches and review HERE.
For Surf, Baby Eye Shadow, Crushed Metallic Pigments and Powerpoint Eye Pencil swatches and review, CLICK HERE.
Skinsheen Bronzer Sticks:
Gilty Bronze, Tan-Tint
Swatches and review after the jump
L-R: Gilty Bronze blended, Gilty Bronze swiped, Tan-tint blended, Tan-tint swiped
L-R: Gilty Bronze blended, GB swiped
L-R: Tan-Tint blended, Tan-Tint swiped
These are new bronzers from MAC, and they are reminiscent of the NARS Multiples that come in chubby tubes as well. These new Skinsheen bronzer sticks are not of the same formula as that of the cream bronzers from MAC. The bronzer sticks are stickier/tackier, and the stickiness makes it a little more difficult to blend compared to the cream bronzers. Just a word of warning: Do NOT swipe the product on your cheeks directly from the tube, or you will apply way too much product. This is very pigmented and creamy, so a little goes a long way. I like to use a small duo-fibre brush (like the MAC 188) and swipe it across the tip of the tube before applying on my cheeks. Using clean fingers would also work. Just swipe your finger on the product and apply on face and blend. This is why the bronzer sticks are so convenient - you can easily throw this in your beach bag and apply - you don't need a brush.
I really made sure that my swatches of the bronzers were shot under direct sunlight because they are obviously to be used outdoors (preferably at the beach or pool), so you can really see how they look on the skin in broad daylight. Tan-Tint is my favorite. It is a soft suntan bronze that reminds me of my favorite MAC bronzer, Weekend cream bronzer. Tan-Tint is just a shade deeper than Weekend, but still very nice on the skin. As I had mentioned, Weekend is not as sticky as the Skinsheen bronzer stick, so the former is easier to blend. This is why I prefer the cream bronzers in compacts to these new Skinsheen bronzer sticks, although they also work well for me.
Gilty Bronze is quite pretty - it is a coppery bronze with gold shimmer and is perfect for a wide variety of skintones. If you love shimmery bronzers, this is for you.
All in all, I like the versatility, portability and convenience of the Skinsheen bronzer sticks. They are travel-friendly, you can tote them in your purse with no brush needed for application. Just make sure you apply it sparingly with your finger and not swipe directly from the tube.
Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder:
Lush-Light Bronze
L-R: Skinsheen Bronzer Stick in Tan-Tint, Studio Careblend/Pressed powder in Lush-Light Bronze
If you are not into cream bronzers but want some warmth to your skin for summer, check out the Studio Careblend/Pressed powders. I have one of the two bronzer variants, and it is Lush-Light Bronze, a mid-tone rosy pink brown that looks red bronze to me. I like this one because it applies evenly on the skin without being patchy/splotchy, and it glides like a dream on the skin. Very smooth and silky. Definitely easier to blend than the Skinsheen bronzer sticks.
Bronzing Powder:
Refined Golden Bronzer
I still have my Refined Golden from the To The Beach collection of last year. I gave my other Refined Golden in the regular packaging to my mom, and she looked great wearing this. I am not using it as much as I used to because I feel that it is a tad dark on me for now, but maybe I can use this when I get a tan in the summer. It is described as a "finely spun golden with soft pearl finish".
Here is a swatch of Refined Golden along with other products from the To The Beach collection:
As for Solar Riche, it's been repromoted in at least three collections, but I am kinda surprised I don't have it. Maybe it's because I already have way too many bronzers? Or maybe because the description turned me off: "mid-tone deep orange brown". Who wants to look orange? I will post swatches once this collection is out in stores (officially May 26th, but rumor has it that it will launch next week instead).
All in all, these are legitimate bronzers you can use to enhance or create a gorgeous sun-kissed look for summer. As to which product to get, it is just a matter of preference. I prefer cream bronzers so I will probably use the Skinsheen bronzing sticks more, but if you find them not easy to use/blend, the Cremeblend/Pressed powders are quite appealing as well.
The Shades Of U Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Note: Media samples were provided by a representative for consideration. All opinions are completely mine.
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