Mac released limited edition double ended sticks which are described as multi-use sticks that you can use for highlighting, contouring, bronzing or adding a pop of color. The Mac Studio QuikTrik Sticks come in six different shades with a good variety for every skin tone.
The formula of the Studio QuikTrik Sticks is described as a creamy formula that is sheer enough to provide subtle but also buildable coverage. It feels very creamy when applied to the skin and blends effortlessly, leaving you with a beautiful dewy finish. I like that the creams are sheer because you don’t have to worry about over applying and you have more control with how much pigment you want, but they’re also buildable and you can achieve more intense looks.
I received four shades to test out in:
Softly Does It/Tight And Tawny (very light pink shimmer/light taupe)
A Latte Sheen/Semisweet (light copper with gold and silver shimmer/muted golden bronze)
Bare End/Earthnut (light golden champagne shimmer/muted medium beige)
Miss Cupcake/Tomato (soft pink peach with fine gold shimmer/vivid bright coral)
I like using cream face products because they’re super quick and easy to use plus they look more natural on the skin. Since these have more of a dewy finish they will be excellent for people with dry to normal skin. If you have combination skin I would say that you can get away with using them but you will probably have to set them with powder, otherwise they will not last as long on the skin.
Most of the shades that I got are highlighter and bronzer or contour duos. The bronzer or contour shades are perfect for adding some warmth to the skin or using as contour shades that will never look fake or over done. The highlighter shades give a subtle almost wet look to the skin which comes off beautiful. I like to use them on their own for the daytime but also as a base for powder highlighters.
The only shade that I got that has blush shades is Miss Cupcake/Tomato. Miss Cupcake reminds me of a prettier version of Nars Orgasm blush and since it’s a cream it appears more glowy and dewy on the skin. Tomato is your perfect summer shade when you want to add some subtle coral flush of color to the cheeks.
Swatches L to R: Softly Does It/Tight And Tawny, Bare End/Earthnut, A Latte Sheen/Semisweet, Miss Cupcake/Tomato
As you can see by the swatches they’re all very pigmented but as soon as you blend them, they leave a nice subtle color on the skin. If you have fair to light skin I would recommend going with Softly Does It/Tight And Tawny. You will get a great cool toned highlighter and a contour shade that is perfect for sculpting the face. Bare End/Earthnut is great for light to medium skin tones. Instead of a contour shade you get a nice warm bronzer and a very pretty champagne highlighter.
For medium to deep skin tones A Latte Sheen/Semisweet is excellent as a bronzer and a coppery highlighter shade. And the shade in Miss Cupcake/Tomato will work for most skin tones because you can sheer out the creams and apply them as subtle or as pigmented as you would like.
The Mac Studio QuikTrik Sticks are available at maccosmetics.com and selected stores and they’re priced at $32.
*PR Samples