Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Bronzing and Shaping Serum Review
3 Editors Have Strong Thoughts on Makeup by Mario's Bronzing Serum
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There's something about having a bronzy, sun-kissed glow that lifts our mood instantly and makes us feel a little spunkier as we go about our day. Whether it's from the actual sun or a faux glow doesn't matter. That's why were always excited to test out new bronzers — especially when they come from one of our favorite makeup brands: Makeup by Mario.
The brand recently launched the Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Bronzing and Shaping Serum ($36), a liquid bronzer that can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the skin. It features a dual applicator with a pump and a doe; the pump applicator can be used if you want all-over warmth, while the doe foot can be utilized for precise application and "targeted" sculpt.
There are seven different shades available: fair, light, light medium, medium, medium dark, dark, and dark deep. The key ingredients include hyaluronic acid to hydrate, as well as vitamin E, an anti-inflammatory.
The product is available for purchase starting May 15 on the Sephora app and on May 16 at Sephora and the Makeup by Mario website. To see whether or not it was worth the hype, we asked three editors with different skin types and tones to test the new liquid bronzer and share their honest thoughts. Keep scrolling to read their full reviews.
Makeup by Mario Bronzing Serum in Shade Medium
"I'm a big fan of Makeup by Mario. I fell in love with its blush last year and I'm obsessed with the eyeshadow palettes, so I was excited to test out this bronzing serum. I've been using the same bronzer for ten years, and while I figured I'd probably like but not love this product — it turns out I was wrong. I'm utterly in love with it. I'm a huge fan of no-makeup makeup, and this is the perfect product to apply to my skin when I feel like I need to add the tiniest bit of color to my face. I also have dry, acne-prone skin, and I found that this didn't break me out or cling to dry patches. It felt hydrating, smooth, and silky all day long. I already know this is going to be an on-repeat product for me this summer and beyond." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
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Makeup by Mario Bronzing Serum in Shade Deep
"I've wanted a makeup product like this for so long that I actually contemplated creating my own makeup line. Thankfully, Makeup by Mario has done it again, creating my dream bronzing serum that offers a hint of color, perfect for a no-makeup makeup look. It also works as a base that you can set with a true bronzing powder. Everything about this product screams innovation, from the silky, lightweight texture to the packaging with two applicators. There is nothing like this on the market right now, and I hope he never discontinues it." — Ariel Baker, associate beauty editor
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Makeup by Mario Bronzing Serum in Shade Light
"I'm one of those annoying people who doesn't wear foundation, only concealer to spot-correct, but I still like adding some color to my face. I'm diligent about keeping my face out of the sun and exfoliating regularly, so it's often a few shades lighter than the skin on my body (which is allowed to occasionally see the sun and is regularly slathered in self-tanner). This bronzing serum in the shade light is the perfect solution for me. Two pumps cover my entire face in a light, faux tan with a glowy, no sparkly, finish. It's hydrating but not greasy, and it helps the rest of my makeup products layer on beautifully. The brand also earns major points for the innovative dual applicator, which I've never seen in this type of product. I'm obsessed!" — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
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Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.
