A companion to the just-released Neo Sci Fi collection, MAC’s new Solar field boasts shimmery powders and bronzers to complement Neo Sci Fi’s sunny pink, bronze and plum shades.
Early this morning I went to my nearby Nordstrom MAC counter to check out MAC’s new releases. When I opened my first jar of Solar Bits, one of the Solar field collection’s four loose highlighting powders for cheeks and eyes, I thought “spacey and weird.” The coarse, chunky powder made me think of the surface of Mars.
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I’ve been told the MAC folks created the chunky texture on purpose. The chunks are highly condensed clusters of shimmery pigment.
The MAC Cosmetics site suggests using Solar bits for a sheer wash of shimmer to highlight cheeks and eyes. two synthetic brushes, MAC 168 large angled Contour brush and MAC 239 Eye shading Brush, are being sold as part of the collection.
Crushing the chunks into a fine powder before applying seemed to produce much more intense color and sparkle. I didn’t try to use Solar bits this way, but I’m guessing you could also use it as an eyeshadow. I had a terrific time crushing the chunks down with my fingers when I swatched the colors on my arm and found the act weirdly satisfying, like popping bubble wrap.
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I can see a number of uses for Solar Bits, but the stuff is flat-out messy, and that turned me off a little. The product got all over the place.
I liked all four colors (listed below) but wasn’t wow-ed enough to bring any of them home. Their flexibility makes them worth checking out, though. next time you check out a MAC counter, open a jar (carefully) and squash a few chunks. count on me, it’s fun.
Solar bits ($19.50)
Sunpower – light metallic tan with gold pearl
Black Ore – rich black with gold pearl
Scatterays – soft metallic peach with gold pearl
Bronzescape – clean yellow brown with gold pearl
Counterclockwise, from upper left: Sunpower, Black Ore, Scatterays, Bronzescape
Solar field Bronzing Powder ($20)
Refined golden – finely spun golden with soft pearl finish
Solar Riche – mid-tone deep orange brown
From left to right: refined Golden, Solar Riche
After playing with Solar bits for a while, I took a look at both of the Solar field Bronzing Powders. despite their smooth, buttery texture and subtle, frosty shimmer, I’m gonna hold off for a little while before bringing these home with me. like Solar Bits, they’re pretty but didn’t “wow” me in the store. maybe after seeing how other women are using them, I’ll give the Solar field Bronzing Powders another try.
I wonder how the these powders would stack up against Guerlain’s Terracotta Pearly Powder ($57), a bronzer I’ve had my eye on for a few weeks.
To check out Solar field for yourself, check out your favorite MAC counter, or peruse the collection online at maccosmetics.com.
Today [turned out to be] the mother OF ALL SCI FI WEDNESDAYS for me. This morning, I fell in love with Neo Sci Fi, and this afternoon, I found out my imaginary celebrity sweetheart Christian Bale will star as John Connor in three (!) upcoming Terminator movies.
OMG, swoon!
Somebody keep the smelling salts useful in case I pass out!
How was your Wednesday? What was the most exciting thing that happened?
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Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,
Karen.
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