I have been searching for MAC’s Mineralize Skin Finish (MSF) in Stereo Rose for over 2 years. Sounds crazy, I know…. but since it was released in 2005 with the Goldplay Collection, I’d heard so many good things about it. When it was finally repromoted with MAC’s In the Groove Collection in 2010, it sold out so quickly that I never managed to get my hands on it, so my ridiculous search began. Since it was a limited edition item, it was no longer available for sale at MAC counters/stores or online. And, I was not about to pay $100 for it on eBay… gheez!! Lucky for me, someone on MakeupAlley wanted to trade me their brand new backup of Stereo Rose for my backup of a Perfect Topping, so my search finally came to an exciting end. It was finally mine.Was it worth it?

I love MSFs in general but there are a few of them out there that deserve special recognition (i.e. Petticoat, Perfect Topping, Lightscapade). These ones are unique and impart gorgeous flushes of colour or highlight that warrant the attention and hype they receive. There are other MSFs however, that are overly shimmery and as a result tend to emphasize pores on the face and “highlight” skin imperfections. Stereo Rose is unlike the latter, although I definitely wouldn’t pay the asking price online or drive around the country looking for it.

Most often described as a pinky coral powder that has a golden bronze sheen, Stereo Rose has no glitter/shimmer and is incredibly smooth when applied to the skin. It is a lot more pigmented than I expected it to be, which I don’t mind, since I use most of my other MSFs as highlighters and this one is more of a blush. As a blush, it gives a nice pop of colour and sheen to the cheeks. It may be a bit too dark for those with porcelain or fair skin. Nonetheless, it’s definitely a gorgeous, warm, coral / pink blush with dimension and if it is ever repromoted by MAC again, I would recommend that you check it out for yourself.

2010 Release of Stereo Rose MSF with In the Groove Collection