How to Makeup by Mario Softsculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum

When I went into Sephora seeking advice on my first full face of makeup, I knew about all the products and general how they should be used, maybe even owned some but, never really worked up the courage to try them. I was being a bit close minded or OCD call it what you want. I was wanting to get a set of products all from the same brand, I wanted them to match. Which to be fair is a realistic ask! However there are tons of products on the market and not all products within a brand are always superstars.

I told the beauty advisor helping me I was new to bronzer and wanted something easy to use. She suggested the Makeup by Mario Softsculpt Bronzing and Shaping Serum.

I found a few things exciting about this bronzer. First is that it's a lightweight serum texture. Being an esthetician I'm not into heavy makeup products that are going to feel thick on the face. The formula features hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Other unexpected skincare highlights include caffeine to reduce puffiness, peptides (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7) for skin strength support and, Boron Nitride for a soft-focus finish look.

Second feature that was exciting about this bronzer is that you can either pump product out like a skincare product or, there is a hidden doe foot applicator inside the bottle. I prefer the doe foot for more precise product control.

Style Notes

For this "How to" I'll be demonstrating how to use this bronzer to warm up the complexion with a bit of color while also adding a subtle contour effect. Since this formula leans a bit on the warmer size it won't be suited for a true sculpting contour but it will help to add mild dimension to the face.

Skin Prep

This bronzer can be layered over foundation or worn on bare skin. Prep your skin with your choice of skincare (I like the NEOGEN Snail Mucin serum) or makeup primer.

Placement

Using the doe foot applicator place three dots starting just under the apple of your cheek in an ascending diagonal line just below the cheek bone. Dip back into the bottle for each side of the face. Dip back in for product and add a fourth dot near where your jaw hinges under the previous three dots.

Dip back in for product and place dots at your temple and five dots 1/2 inch away from your hairline. Dip back into the bottle for more product as needed for the forehead area.

Blending

I'll alternate between a couple different brushes for blending bronzer and I'll often use the same brush for blush during the same makeup sitting. I suggest a medium density and medium sized face brush or, one of the similar size and density with an angled cut.

To blend do not swipe, pat and push the bronzer into the skin. Use a stippling motion repeatedly patting product into the face. Pat directly on top of the earlier dots and on either side of the dots For an even blend.

If you overwork the product you will blend away most of the color. Blend until satisfaction then stop. Swiping will cause over blending and loss of color which, may be useful if you are finding yourself with any hard lines. I tend to blend my cheek area downwards and my forehead area upwards with light swiping motions.

Building Color

Should you want more color you may repeat the previous process again or use a blush to help enhance your look. Here I’m showing a before image, an after bronzer and, when I have done my makeup and added blush and powder.

Additional Notes

This bronzer formula also has light reflecting properties and will give you a luminous skin like finish. Also found in the formal is silica which helps to absorb unnecessary oil on the skin. There are also a couple preservatives (Phenoxyethanol and Sodium Benzoate) in this formula but personally I feel those are essential to this particular product not growing mold one week after opening.

If you want to purchase this item buy directly from Makeup by Mario to more intentionally support the artists behind the brand.