If You Want OMG Skin, This Cult Product Will Leave You Flabbergasted

Welcome to Deep Reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market's most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are truly worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, completely uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations.

The majority of our Deep Reviews will feature our editors' honest, ultra-hot takes on entire product categories or multiple products from a particular beauty brand, but every so often, we'll sprinkle in a special single-product format called Honestly, I Love It. As the name suggests, these reviews will hone in on one standout beauty formula our editors quite literally can't shut up about. This time around, I'm highlighting the MAC Strobe Cream ($36).

There are two types of people in this world: Those who will wait patiently for anything and those who, like me, are entirely impatient. It's a real problem for me. I can never wait to get my clothes tailored, cookie dough stands absolutely no chance in the fridge for 24 hours, and I'd rather pay an embarrassing amount of money to have my order arrive sooner than wait for free shipping. I'm not happy about it, but in my defense, my impatience has made me surprisingly skilled in finding quick fixes, especially when it comes to beauty products. And right now, the MAC Strobe Cream ($36) tops the list.

Let me clarify a few things: I'm a self-proclaimed glow chaser and have tried every type of illuminating product under the sun. I can honestly say the Strobe Cream's glow-inducing powers are unmatched. It's essentially a moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and luminates with iridescent particles. It can be applied all over or on specific features, and the end result will make everyone jealous of your skin.

Arguably, what I love most about Strobe Cream is that it looks good no matter how I apply it. On most days, I use it before my face makeup, but on weekends when I'm feeling extra lazy, I'll wear it on its own. It might be cliché to say, but it really does give me that lit-from-within glow that I strive for. I've tried so many similar products, many of which have way too much shimmer or pill on my face, but nothing compares to this.

The million-dollar question: Is it makeup or skincare? While it's formulated with skin-loving ingredients including botanicals, vitamins, and green tea, the answer depends on your skin type and the level of strobing you desire. If your skin is dry, this product will add a radiant glow but may not provide as much hydration as you want, but the moisture may be enough for someone with an oilier complexion.

Strobe Cream comes in three shades: Pinklite, Peachlite, and Goldlite. Each have pearl shimmers that match the shade name. Pinklite is the original and works well on lighter skin tones, and Goldlite and Peachlite work great on medium to deep tones. I thoroughly enjoy all three, but I currently can't get enough of Goldlite.

What's the inspiration behind the cream?
"The original inspiration was to be able to mimic backstage lighting techniques on skin." — Michelle Clark, global senior artist, MAC

What do you love most about it?
"I love that it's a quick fix! It delivers an instant radiance to the skin that makes you look like you are glowing from within." —Tonya Brewer, celebrity makeup artist

Is it makeup or skincare?
"Strobe Cream is a cult-classic product that certainly makes you question if it's makeup or skincare because it is so versatile. I would say it really depends on your skin type and the level of strobing you are trying to achieve. If you are dry, it may not be enough moisture for you on its own, but it will absolutely give you an illuminated, glow-giving sheen when it's added on top of your moisturizer. If you tend to be more oily or live in a hot climate, it might be all you need. It will boost hydration and add enough moisture to keep your skin feeling nourished without a greasy feel and provide the radiant luminosity we all desire. My pro tip is to add spot-lit flashes of light to the high points of the face by tapping it in with my fingers or a slightly damp beauty blender." — Clark

Is skin prep still needed?
"I still prep skin with a moisturizer when using Strobe Cream on a client. The great thing about Strobe Cream is it can be used alone, and it will brighten dull skin. Strobe Cream can also be combined with your daily moisturizer, which is my personal favorite to achieve hydrated, glowing skin." — Brewer

What makes it unique?
"This formula is unique because it's a fast-absorbing, luminous moisturizer doubling as a liquid highlighter that brightens and clarifies your look with iridescent particles. It is superpowered with potent botanicals, nutritious vitamins, and a mega dose of green tea that will transform tired, dull skin immediately. It can even be mixed into foundation or worn alone for that 'I just got a facial' skin vibe." — Clark

Do you have any application tips?
"My preferred application is with my fingers unless I'm mixing it with my foundation—then I like using a buffing brush. I love using Strobe Cream during my daily skincare routine, especially when I'm going makeup-free and I want to achieve natural, glowing skin. When doing so, I apply my moisturizer, serum, and sunscreen first. Then I apply the Strobe Cream to the high points of my cheekbones using my fingertips to gently press into the area. When I'm wearing foundation, to keep my skin looking dewy I mix a pea-sized amount of Strobe Cream with one pump of foundation and use a brush to buff it into the skin. I also love using it on my collarbones and shoulders when I'm showing more skin. I love continuing the glow on the body—good skin doesn't stop at the face." — Brewer

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