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MAC Wash and Dry Collection High-Light Powder in Freshen Up: Before and After

April 30th, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

mac wash and dry collection
MAC Wash and Dry collection High-Light Powder in Freshen Up ($35.50)

In less time than it takes to throw a load of delicates in the wash (read: very little time; i.e. super fast), you can “freshen up” your cheekbones with MAC Freshen Up, the brand’s newest highlighting powder, coming soon as part of the Wash and Dry collection.

So, what’s the 411 on Freshen Up?

It’s a limited edition warm-toned highlighter housing three satiny shades in one pan — a deep pinkish coral, a peachy coral and a yellow gold. Bust it out to add shimmer and shine to your skin. Interestingly, the shimmery golden overspray that coats the entire pan sticks around for a surprisingly long time — this, compared to other oversprays that seem to vanish into thin air after a couple swipes. The shimmer dust here settles into the little holes and crevices in the pan’s design, so even after it looks like it’s all gone, my brush continues to pick up some of the shimmer.

mac wash and dry collection
MAC Wash and Dry collection High-Light Powder in Freshen Up, $35.50

How do you use it?

I sweep the powder on the high points of my face — my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, on my Cupid’s bow and just above my brow bone — where I want to catch the light. Wear the shades individually, like by loading a small tapered eye brush (like the MAC 266), and then applying, or use a fluffier blush or a highlighting brush to swirl all three colors together. In this pic, I’m wearing all of them swirled together.

(Note: if you’re a lighter lovely, you’ll probably also be able to use Freshen Up as a blush, too.)

How well does it work?

Here’s the deal: with more of a satiny sheen than the high-shine finish that many traditional highlighters have, these powders remind me of the Hourglass Ambients. It takes a second to realize, “Oh! Homegirl is wearing highlighter,” so they don’t reach out and slap ya silly, in other words.

It’s more like a gentle tap. LOL!

That said, if you like that kind of high-shine highlight, Freshen Up’s muted shimmer probably won’t do it for you. I happen to really like this level of shimmer, because I think it’s easier for me to wear than highlighters with a high beam, metallic-type finish. Those can make my combo skin look extra dry, and make my fine lines come out to play (which is not good).

As for wear time and blending, neither are bad. No problems buffing out the edges, and the formula stays put for at least 6-7 hours.

mac wash and dry collection
MAC Wash and Dry collection High-Light Powder in Freshen Up from the left: the coral, peach and gold powders swatched individually; and on the far right, a swatch of all of the shades mixed together

Who’d probably like it?

A lover of nuanced sheens and subtlety. 🙂 If you adore the Hourglass Ambients, and/or prefer highlighters that aren’t strikingly shiny, you’ll probably like Freshen Up. If, on the other hand, you live for bold highlights, you may be left wanting more.

Before

mac wash and dry collection
Before I applied MAC Wash and Dry collection High-Light Powder in Freshen Up

After

mac wash and dry collection
After I applied MAC Wash and Dry collection High-Light Powder in Freshen Up

Look for Freshen Up to freshen up MAC stores and counters when it arrives with the rest of the MAC Wash and Dry collection May 21 (May 14 online).

PRICE: $35.50
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition, part of the MAC Wash and Dry collection; coming May 14 to the MAC website, and May 21 to MAC counters and stores
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Wash and Dry Collection High-Light Powder in Freshen Up: Before and After / Originally published April 30th, 2015

There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: mac wash and dry

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

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Comments

  1. Charisma says

    April 30th, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    This is on my list since the PR came out and your photos just validates it for me. Thanks Karen!
    Charisma recently posted … Marc Jacobs In the Buff! Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Reviews, Photos w/ Swatches

    Reply
    • Karen says

      April 30th, 2015 at 8:21 pm

      You’re welcome, Charisma! I hope you love it. 😀

      Reply
  2. Rachel R. says

    April 30th, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    Ha, that would be more like a blush on me. It’s beautiful, though.

    Reply
  3. tirurit says

    April 30th, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    It is very beautiful, but for some reason it doesn’t really scream “you need me in your life!!1!” to me. It might look a tad whiteish? Dunno
    tirurit recently posted … Byly cream deodorant

    Reply
  4. Natalye says

    April 30th, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    I really love the packaging! it looks really pretty on you 🙂

    http://natalyepronio.com
    Natalye recently posted … My 100th Post! – Fixing Broken Makeup Powder

    Reply
  5. Agata says

    May 1st, 2015 at 3:39 am

    I kind of wish I liked it more! I love that it has three shades and the design is beautiful but I think it would be more a blush for me than a highlighter. It does add nice glow to your face though.
    Agata recently posted … Ulta is my Indulgence

    Reply
  6. Kiss & Make-up says

    May 1st, 2015 at 4:21 am

    I like it! It looks so unique and different!
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | Saintsco Bee Venom 24ct Gold Serum, Eye Cream, Mask & Lip Plumper

    Reply
  7. Kelly B. says

    May 1st, 2015 at 7:14 am

    This looks really gorgeous on you! I’m always looking for highlighters for summertime and this would be a perfect buy!
    Kelly B. recently posted … Korean Skincare Wishlist

    Reply
  8. Fancie says

    May 1st, 2015 at 9:07 am

    Okay now I’m confused lol. The swatches I’ve seen earlier aren’t nearly as gorgeous as yours. And that glow! I honestly didn’t think the shimmery overspray would last so I was immediately turned off by this but now it just may creep back onto my list. You are rocking that thang!
    Fancie recently posted … MAC Wash & Dry Collection for Summer 2015

    Reply
  9. LindaLibraLoca says

    May 1st, 2015 at 10:35 am

    This is soooo pretty! Too bad it is sold out online already.
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Favorite Face of … April

    Reply
  10. Erin says

    May 1st, 2015 at 11:03 am

    WOW, metallic-y!
    Erin recently posted … Vanedo Beauty Friends Sheet Mask Aloe

    Reply
  11. Daniel says

    May 1st, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    Wow!! It sure warms up your complexion! I like the golden glow!! I hope it reaches my country to snatch it 🙂

    BTW, I followed your suggestion and bought NARS’s Paloma for contour, I LOVE IT!! I also loved Stila’s Shape and Shade contour duo in Light 🙂 Maybe you’ll like it too.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 1st, 2015 at 5:58 pm

      Hi Daniel,

      I’m so happy to hear that you love Paloma! It’s a wonderful powder. Next time I feel the urge to carve out some cheekbones I’ll check out that Stila powder. 😀 Thank you for the rec.

      P.S. If you want to share a pic of you wearing Paloma I’d love to see it. You can email it to me here:

      https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/contact/

      If you’re shy, then no worries! 🙂 Happy Friday!

      Reply
  12. Meghan says

    May 1st, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    How do I get an avatar/account on here?

    Also I’m loving this highlighter! I wish that the orangey shade came as it’s own blush, I’m loving the swatch of it!

    Reply
  13. Nel says

    May 13th, 2015 at 6:09 am

    I have it and use it with the 127 duo fibre split brush and I just love this combo! 🙂 thanks for the review

    Reply

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About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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