Author: Nikki

I thought it’d be helpful to swatch some of MAC’s transition shades side by side since it can be hard to see the undertone differences on the website. These are shades I find suitable for my skin tone (Estee Lauder 4W4). The brand does offer both lighter and darker colors than what I have swatched here, so if nothing here suits your skin tone, all is not lost.

Swatches, top row: MAC cork, saddle, brown script, and soft brown

Swatches, bottom row: MAC texture and uninterrupted

Swatches: MAC brown script, swiss chocolate, and bougie babe (LE)

I know that Bougie Babe was a limited edition shade, but anyone who does have it may want to know how it compares to some of the permanent shades. All of the shades swatched with the exception of bougie babe are still available in the permanent range. The refill pans like the ones pictured cost $8. The shade brown script can only be purchased as a refill pan. However, if you want other shades in a regular compact, they are $19.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sticking around. You can check out my Brands A-Z index if you want to know what products I have posted about in the past.

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

The wanderlust list is my way of enjoying and using items I already own. I hope to encourage myself and others to use some of the products we have rather than being so quick to buy something new. If this concept interests you, you can check out the other versions of the Wanderlust List below.

• The Wanderlust List #1 (Natasha Denona Bronze Palette)
• The Wanderlust List #2 (Uoma Black Magic Poise Palette)
• The Wanderlust List #4 (Sonia G Cheek Pro Brush)
• The Wanderlust List #5 (Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick)
• The Wanderlust List #6 (Gucci Glow Powder Gel Highlighter)

Instead of buying the Becca Light Shifter Veil Finishing Powder, I’m revisiting some powders that I already own from Laura Mercier, MAC, and NARS.

As a dry-skinned person, satin or luminous powder is always intriguing. When I saw Becca release this powder, I was going to purchase it as soon as it made its way to Sephora. I’ve talked with Lili (a fellow blogger that you should check out if you haven’t) about it and I talked about it again in a Monday Edit. I still think it looks promising, but the more time that passed, the more I realized that I already have powders that have a similar finish.

So the powders pictured above are the Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder (shade 5), the MAC Studio Waterweight Pressed Powder (shade dark), and the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder (shade sunstone). All of these powders leave a satin to luminous finish on the skin and don’t cling if I have dry patches. It is important to keep in mind that if you do not have dry skin and need oil control in your setting powder, these may not be for you.

Buying anything from MAC Cosmetics can be intimidating because of their vast range. The brand has many more shades of red than I have to show you, but I hope it’s still helpful to see some of the shades side by side.