So...it was meant to be.

Last Friday - and I'm nearly certain - I was probably the first customer into my local MAC store. Literally. I left work at 10 and went straight there. Some may say obsession - I prefer the word "dedication".

And of course, the first words out of my mouth after an obligatory "Good Morning" (which 10am does not feel like morning to me anymore!), was "did you guys already sell out of Aphrodite's Shell" to which I was met with a "what the heck is that?".

HUGE rant alert here - In my years of retail, if something is being launched in your store...no matter how many different products there are...you know them. The names, information and all that hoohaw. I work backroom stock and merchandising - not even customer service - and if I don't know information about a launch in the company I work for? *shiver* It's been ingrained in my brain that something like that is a big deal. So I was a bit shocked that for the second time that month (the first time was with a permanent item - Patisserie) and with a completely separate group of people, I was met with blank stares and "wait, are you sure we sell that?".

"Are you sure we sell that?" Let that sink in for a moment. I'm just going to start with my phone pre-loaded to the product page on MAC's website for goodness sake! ¡'Ta Loca, "Are you sure we sell that?"!

*sigh*

Long story waaaaaay short - It obviously wasn't sold out and I was able to purchase it. And I feel quite strongly about it - like Gollum clutching it whispering "My Precious" kind of strongly...

As with about 90% of the rest of the collection, the compact is metallic and embossed with water droplets. It is literally gorgeous but please don't judge my fingerprints - because it is literally a fingerprint magnet. It is nearly the same size as an average Mineralize Skinfinish, but 1g less - which I'm assuming is due to the fact that this is only domed on one side rather than across the entire product.

The product itself is a work of art, really. The bottom half has a raised, textured wave in it, while the top half is imprinted with the MAC logo. This doesn't wear away very quickly either - I've been using the heck out of this and the only change I'm seeing is that the ridges in the waves are a bit less defined.

This is the first time I've tested the waters in the Extra Dimension formula from MAC. I now understand the hype. When you look at the powder itself, it really does look like it would be chunky and lacking of a smooth texture. Touch it. Apply it. This formula was one of those that I really did judge a book by it's cover and just assumed that it wouldn't be smooth. 

This stuff is like butter! MAC does call the Extra Dimension formula a "liquid powder" and I can kind of get that analogy because it is just so finely milled. It does have a sheen to it, so if you're not keen on glowy bronzers then this might agitate you. I have two categories of bronzers in my collection. The larger category - and the one that this one fits into - is that of bronzers that I use as a blush. I do appreciate the glow sometimes because since I have such oily skin and I do so much to mattify it, sometimes it is quite nice to put the glow back in where I want it to be. The other category of bronzers for me are those for contouring - which are usually completely are almost matte and tend to be cooler toned or taupe. This would not fall into that category - between the sheen to it and the general lightness and pinkness of it. MAC describes this shade as a "Golden Bronze with a touch of fine shimmer" which is pretty accurate - but I will say that this does have some pink to it that keep it from turning into an orange-y bronze. It is quite light and I would recommend this more for skintones on the lighter end of the spectrum. I was also quite impressed by the way this blended - it's literally kind of effortless and probably one of the easiest bronzers to blend that I've used in a while!

Am I done with Alluring Aquatics? My answer still stands; if it's still there - and by it I mean possibly the Extra Dimension Eyeshadow in Sea Worship (yes, I've refined my wishlist) - then, just repeat after me...if it's still there, it means it was "meant to be".

Review - Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched

It's no secret that I have quite fair skin. I range anywhere between a NW10-NW15 at MAC, Ivory from Revlon, etc. so bronzer and I have a strange relationship. I don't often wear it, as it takes a lot of work in both application and the search for an appropriate color for me to achieve a believable glow. Most famed bronzers that are "for all skin tones" are oftentimes only appropriate for contouring on my skin, but for me to actually use one in lieu of a tan is difficult. Until now, at least.

The product is packaged in a pot with a lid that twists off and the lid is completely transparent with the company's logo on it. The rest of the packaging is a plastic matte mint green that doesn't get dirty or hold fingerprints.

The actual powder is embossed with the logo as well, which is quite cute. There also isn't much wasted packaging, as the pan takes up the whole diameter. 

Subtly Suntouched is described by Pixi as a "medium honey tan" and is surprisingly less warm toned than most bronzers that I've encountered. This, alongside it's lighter hue, makes it actually incredibly flattering against my skin. This isn't a shade that you're going to apply in the "E3" technique - its too light to do much contouring - but it works phenomenally applied in the same area as a blush with a somewhat heavy hand, which is my normal manner of application, or applied anywhere on the face that would naturally be hit by the sun. Pigmentation is good, nothing lifechanging, but easy to work with.

The texture of this product is also quite great - it's very soft and finely milled, and buttery to the touch. Because of this, it blends very well and I feel like that is why this shade ends up coming off so natural looking.

Pixi boasts that the formula is infused with Vitamin E and that it will fight against free radicals, as well as Mica causing it to have a long wear time. It did have a quite decent wear time, which was the only measurable claim from the mere consumer level, but it makes me think that maybe if they're delivering on one front, they might be able to deliver on all three?

Overall;

Pros:

- Flattering, natural shade.

- Soft and finely milled

- Blendable

Cons:

- Could use a bit more pigmentation.

If you're super fair skinned, as I am - run, don't walk to your nearest Target and pick this up. For me to actually wear bronzer on a normal basis was unheard of, but this shade is so natural that it is just perfect for summer.

9.5/10

Review - Benefit Sun Beam

I'm not usually one for bronzer, in all honesty. I own very few of them, primarily for contouring purposes and can probably count on one hand the amount of times I've actually used bronzer to, well, bronze.

Seeing as how fair my skin is, Benefit Sun Beam actually works as a golden, glowy bronzing product on my skin, rather than just a highlight.

Note - I purchased this as part of the Coral My World kit which retails for $12 and includes the mini of Sun Beam and Coralista. Sephora is currently sold out of this item.

The applicator of Sun Beam is akin to all of Benefits tints and liquid highlighters; it has a brush connected to the lid that is a lot like a nail polish. The brush is a touch too thin for my liking, but it gets the job done.

On the left is a built up, unblended swatch, while the right is blended out. Sun Beam is a glowy, golden bronze. I appreciate the strong golden quality of this, as it refuses to turn orange against my skin, as most bronzers do. It does have the dewy sheen of the average highlighter as well.

Sun Beam is marketed half as a highlighter and half as a bronzer. For fairer skin, such as mine, you're going to be able to get some bronze from this without looking unnatural. The finish this gave me was a lovely, natural sunkissed look (which was great minus the sun!). However, on deeper skin tones I feel like this is going to be much more successful as a highlighter, because it is definitely on the lighter end of the bronzer spectrum. 

The application of this product was average for the type of product it is. The liquid formula tends to have more slip to it, so I apply this in layers - 3 dots along the cheekbones, blend and repeat. I do wish it would be a touch less watery just so it was a tiny bit easier to apply.

In terms of longevity, I did not find that this wore neither longer or shorter than my powder products of the like. There was no patchiness as it faded, it rather faded all together.

Overall - 

Pros:

- Suitable bronzing option for fairer skin tones.

- Dewy finish.

Cons:

- Brush is too small.

- Consistency is a bit too thin

I really appreciate the fact that this gives my skin a very subtle faux tan that looks quite natural. However, it will take me forever and a day to get through the size I have right now - I don't use it all too much - but if I ever need another one I will probably buy it in a kit rather than $26 for a full size.

7/10