I am so glad that I managed to get this as a trial size before I brought into the hype surrounding this strobe cream. Actually had 2 trial sized, 1 I purchased and another as a free sample. So I really gave this a try but still failed to fall in love with it, or actually able to get by with it.
Packaging, of the sample these came in a sized to go tube of opaque pearl white tube with black screw off lid and the famous MAC logo detailing in black print. The tube was the size of my palm and I was able to apply to my face in it's entirety for 4-6 applications.
Formula, the cream is a slightly thicker than normal day cream with a soft opal sheen to it with a pearly white, cream and pink beaming through the cream, just a subtle nod to a shimmer but nothing too over the top like a glitter infusion. A small amount covers my rather chunky round face so it goes a long way, it seems to expand with the warmth of your hands as you apply. There is no initial problems with the cream, no fragrance or sticky mess upon your hands.
Once applied to the face though, things start to happen. Number 1 having a pale face to begin with then adding a cream designed to illuminate and bring a glow to it, turns you into a ghost! My skin had a soft veil of glow that as I rubbed became more apparent and so did the texture change form a nice massage able cream to a sticky, tacky glop!
Once applied makeup my concealer was forever running and my foundation finish just looked patchy. I appeared to be 3 shades lighter so transparent and even after applying colour I still remained looking sickly. This might work for those who have a darker complexion but for me it was a big fat no go! The change in texture upon my face I chalk up to my skin type of having oily areas and dry areas, the cream must have been reacting with my oils and creating the tacky surface and then not hydrating the dry bits left my foundation patchy.
Wouldn't purchase the full size and don't see the hype in the product to be completely honest. Maybe I had too high of hopes.
I was pretty damn excited to try this product. It has a massive hype surrounding it and even the BR beauties have written rave reviews. I decided that a trip to Wellington was the perfect excuse to hand over my $67 in return for a healthy glow that would have everyone complimenting my skin.
I tried this product every way I could think of. I applied it underneath my foundation, mixed it with my foundation and applied it on my cheekbones over top of my foundation. I couldn't see a thing. There was no magical glow, no healthy sheen, and it seemed nobody else saw anything either.
I stopped using this product not just because it didn't do anything for me, but because it interfered with my makeup application. My makeup just wouldn't sit well on top of it, and I would end up with patchy foundation.
I'm also not a fan of the packaging. Although it is sleek and scream 'MAC,' it was very hard to squeeze the product out and too much product was dispensed every time. You also can't see when you are getting low. Because the tube is quite difficult to squeeze, I question whether the last remnants of product will be able to be squeezed out.
Perhaps my full coverage foundation just won't let the glow shine through. Perhaps it just doesn't suit my normal/combination skin that isn't dull or flat. Perhaps, unlike everyone else, I just can't see the glow that is created by the strobe cream.
I was expecting the MAC strobe cream to make me look extra healthy, bright and glowy and I saw no difference. I certainly prefer to use powder highlighters to achieve my glow.
Tips: This product is available in a smaller size if you would like to try it out before purchasing the full size.