Sleeper Hits: MAC Next to Nothing Bronzer and MAC x Selena La Layenda Highlight

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Both of the products I’m raving about today are limited edition products. I know that if you like what I have to say about these products that you won’t be able to buy them, but fear not, I am going to give you some alternatives.

These MAC products have become some of my favorites to use regularly. I consistently set aside products to use in a makeup bag so that getting ready is easy. So as I was getting ready the other day, I noticed that I didn’t want to use what I had set aside and went to grab this MAC bronzer. Then, on Thursday, as I was about to use the Laura Mercier Roseglow Highlighter (swatched and reviewed here), I decided to use the MAC Extra Dimension Highlight from the Selena collection instead. I wanted to see which of these two highlighters accentuated texture less since the MAC had been a go to before I bought the Laura Mercier. After that, it dawned on me that I have been grabbing these two products over other items a lot. I never really expected either of them to be such staples.

MAC Electric Wonder Next to Nothing Bronzing Powder in Sun Soaked Strip (LE)

Electric wonder was a limited edition collection from MAC from summer 2019. MAC describes this shade as a warm light red brown. The formula was advertised as being a “natural luminous finish giving a soft-focused, believable glow.” I personally wouldn’t call it luminous, but I agree with the rest of their description. There is a natural finish that gives me a healthy glow.

Alternative 1: Becca Sunlit Bronzing Powder, $38.00 (at least until clearance sales pop up)

Unfortunately, this is the closest formula alternative to the MAC Next to Nothing Bronzer that I have personally used. Becca is going out of business, so while there is inventory still available at different retailers, you won’t be able to repurchase in the long term. So, if you aren’t opposed to that idea, you still have the chance to get your hands on this bronzer. It has a 24 month shelf life after it’s been opened, so that’s plenty of time to enjoy it.

I did a post about continuing to show love to your limited edition and discontinued items, so if you need encouragement to do just that, please check it out.

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Alternative 2: Zoeva Radiant Bronzer-Highlight ($26.00 @ Ulta)

I have not personally tried this product, but I remembered it from a window shopping post I did in the past. Based on the description, I was thinking it would be a similar formula. I was able to find a review on Youtube from Afrodite by Olympia showcasing the Zoeva Radiant Bronzer.

She also owns the Becca Sunlit Bronzer in Maui Nights and compares it to the Zoeva Radiant Bronzer in Lumi 0.6 (the deepest shade). Her first impression seemed to be that she was reminded of the Becca bronzer during application, but she points out that it emphasizes texture more than Becca. However, if you don’t have texture issues where you apply bronzer, it may still be worth checking out.

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Alternatives 3 (Satiny Matte Finish): NARS Matte Bronzing Powder ($38.00)**

Although this is a matte bronzer, it leans more satin once blended on the skin. Every time I use this bronzer there is just something about the formula that gives the skin a healthy glow. I did swatch this next to the NARS traditional bronzer formula in Punta Cana if you want to check that out to see how it compares. You can find that by clicking here.

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Alternative 4 (Matte Finish): Coloured Raine Bronzer ($16.00)

Maybe you want the healthy, smooth look that the MAC Next to Nothing Bronzer gives, but you are someone that can’t stand any sort of sheen to your bronzer. In that instance, I would suggest the Coloured Raine Bronzers. If you are interested in my full review of this you can click here.

MAC x Selena Extra Dimension Skinfinish in La Layenda

MAC describes this shade as a “rich gold pearlescent highlight.” The formula is described as being a “liquid-powder highlighter, with prismatic reflections.”

I’m surprised every time I use a MAC extra dimension skinfinish. I tend to stay in the lane of subtle highlights and this formula is pretty high shine bordering on metallic if you apply enough. Yet somehow, my texture doesn’t get emphasized. The MAC x Selena version is no different. MAC La Layenda does emphasize more texture than the new Laura Mercier highlight that I’ve been loving, but only by the tiniest bit. If I wasn’t examining my face so close, I don’t think I would have noticed a difference.

Alternative: Any MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($38.00)**

This one is much easier to give you an alternative to since the formula itself is permanent. I’ve personally tried Whisper of Gilt and Superb and experienced the same high shine finish. I do think that the buildable nature of this formula may cause some colors to emphasize texture as they are built. Whisper of Gilt, for instance, is the most reflective on my skin tone (that I’ve tried) and it does start to pick up on texture if I add too much. So depending on the shade and your skin tone, your experience with texture may be different.

If you’d like to see Whisper of Gilt, I swatched that in my original MAC x Selena La Reina post and you can find that by clicking here. MAC currently offers the Extra Dimension Skinfinish in 7 permanent shades for $38.00.** They also continue to release new shades in this formula in their limited edition collections.

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What are some unexpected favorites that you’ve discovered lately? Let me know in the comments below.

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