MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint

Most Helpful Positive Review

Learn It to Love It

One thing about me? I love tinted moisturizers. They are the linchpin to my skincare routine and the only real "makeup" product I use on a daily basis. So when I was offered the opportunity to review this product as part of a free sample program, I jumped on it. The instructions say to apply with ...fingertips, which is how I usually apply my tinted moisturizers, so when it arrived I dove right in and started applying after the rest of my skincare had been completed. The first thing you notice about this product is just how thique it is - almost like a water mixed clay. Because of its consistency, I found it was a bit reluctant to move/blend on the skin - a blessing for lasting power, a curse for application. I've watched several video reviews of the product since my first demo, and they all recommended using brushes for application, a sentiment I echo wholeheartedly. Upon first application I was not very impressed. There was an orange hue that I had trouble blending into my skin tone, and the way it interacted with my UV protecting primer created a whitecast that I've never experienced before. This made the shine look artificial as if it were sitting on top of my skin, rather than a natural part of my complexion. What I'll say about this product in general is that the dry down is key. Even after days of use, during which I felt I had gotten a better handle on how to apply the product, I felt dissatisfied with how I looked immediately after application. But 30 minutes after, once the product had dried? My skin was beautiful. And it stayed that way for the rest of the day - through naps, long walks in dry heat, all the way through my nighttime skincare routine. I was impressed by the staying power and the increasingly natural look it provided. It took a while for this product to grow on me, but once you learn how to use it. May not be as "easy" as other products, but worth the money if you have the time (and a brush).