Step Bright Up (Light)

MAC Step Bright Up (Light) Extra Dimension Skinfinish Trio 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.

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.

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.

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.