Step Bright Up (Light)
MAC Step Bright Up (Light) Extra Dimension Skinfinish Trio ($39.50 for 0.31 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio of lighter-leaning highlighters. Two of three shades had more medium, buildable coverage, which was what brought their ratings down somewhat, and most of the brand’s past releases in this formula have been fairly opaque. Otherwise, the three highlighters applied evenly to bare skin, blended out well, and lasted for eight and a half hours on me.
They have a gel-powder hybrid formula, which means the powders can feel almost “stiff” to those who haven’t tried this type of formula, but they work well with moderately-dense, slightly more rounded brushes and deliver particularly seamless powder on skin such that they look almost cream-like as a result.
Ingredients
Lights on Lavender
Lights on Lavender is a pale, pinky-lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a luminous sheen. It had nearly opaque color coverage that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with ease along the edges for a subtle glow that wasn’t emphasizing of skin texture. The powder was smooth to the touch, firmer but not stiff to work with, and easy to use. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Laura Mercier Obsession (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Hemisphere (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- JD Glow Synopsis (P, $16.50) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Holographic (Right) (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Wet ‘n’ Wild Halographic (P, $5.99) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Chill Pill (P, $7.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Rocket Science (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Violet FX (LE, $31.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Wild Phox (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Get Lit (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$37.00/0.31 oz. – $119.35 Per Ounce
The Extra Dimension Skinfinish formula is supposed to give “the perfect glow to the skin” with a “creamy powder formula” that wears for “10 hours.” It’s a powder highlighter that I’d describe as a moderate to intense highlighter, and they come in varying hues with some that might work as highlighting blushes/bronzers are on some skin tones and true highlighters on other skin tones. In general, the formula is very pigmented, blendable, and wears around eight to nine hours on me.
Browse all of our MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, C12-20 Acid Peg-8 Ester, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
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.
Freeze
Freeze is a pale, yellowy gold with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had medium, buildable pigmentation, though it seemed a little more opaque when I worked with it on my cheeks rather than my arm.
The consistency was moderately dense, smooth, and firmer but not stiff, so it picked up well with a moderately-dense brush. The powder applied evenly to bare skin and blended out beautifully. It stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- ColourPop You’re a Trip (LE, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Light #3 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Sin (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- LORAC Daylight (P, $23.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Glad You Came (PiP, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Light #1 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Persona Laguna (P, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- OFRA Moondance (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Wonder Who (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Hourglass Champagne Strobe Light (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$37.00/0.31 oz. – $119.35 Per Ounce
The Extra Dimension Skinfinish formula is supposed to give “the perfect glow to the skin” with a “creamy powder formula” that wears for “10 hours.” It’s a powder highlighter that I’d describe as a moderate to intense highlighter, and they come in varying hues with some that might work as highlighting blushes/bronzers are on some skin tones and true highlighters on other skin tones. In general, the formula is very pigmented, blendable, and wears around eight to nine hours on me.
Browse all of our MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, C12-20 Acid Peg-8 Ester, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
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.
Freeze
LELimited Edition. $37.00.
In the Spirit
In the Spirit is a medium, orangey-gold with strong, warm undertones and a luminous finish. The texture was slightly firmer, denser to the touch, but it wasn’t stiff, which ensured I had no trouble picking up product and applying it to bare skin for a blended, seamless effect. It had medium, buildable pigmentation that lasted well for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- ILIA Starstruck (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Gamma (P, $18.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Becca Royal Glow (LE, $38.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- OFRA Bali (P, $29.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Looxi Beauty Centerfold (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop The Real Thing (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Golden (P, $28.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Highlight of the Day (PiP, ) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Whisper of Gilt (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Crique (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$37.00/0.31 oz. – $119.35 Per Ounce
The Extra Dimension Skinfinish formula is supposed to give “the perfect glow to the skin” with a “creamy powder formula” that wears for “10 hours.” It’s a powder highlighter that I’d describe as a moderate to intense highlighter, and they come in varying hues with some that might work as highlighting blushes/bronzers are on some skin tones and true highlighters on other skin tones. In general, the formula is very pigmented, blendable, and wears around eight to nine hours on me.
Browse all of our MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, C12-20 Acid Peg-8 Ester, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
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.