MAC Faerie Whispers: Iridescent Pressed Powder in Sparkling Rose

A few weeks ago, MAC launched their Boxing Day collection called Faerie Whispers, inspired by — you guessed it — fairies: "Let your innocence roam free. Transcend seasons with charmed hues inspired by the secret, wondrous world of fairies." There is a total of 24 products, of which 17 are new and limited edition, four are re-promotes, two are permanent, and one is new and will be added to the permanent range. Faerie Whispers sees the launch of one new and limited edition shade of Iridescent Pressed Powder, which is simply described as "an iridescent powder providing a shimmering sheen." Each powder is housed in a regular black mirrored compact, contains 8 grams of product, and retails for $26. 
Sparkling Rose
Sparkling Rose

Sparkling Rose is a light neutral-warm peach-tinted champagne beige with a sparkly champagne shimmer-sheen. This is a re-promoted shade from 2013's Stroke of Midnight collection, and is limited edition. It has a soft, finely-miled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has medium pigmentation and semi-sheer to semi-opaque colour pay-off. It is warmer and less metallic than Soft and Gentle, and lighter and less metallic than Global Glow.

I've always wondered why MAC discontinued Iridescent Powders from their permanent range, because they're such beautiful, soft highlighters without veering into metallic territory like the Mineralize Skinfinishes. Sparkling Rose was actually originally launched in the Cool Face Kit from 2013's Stroke of Midnight holiday collection, so I'm really glad they re-released it as a stand-alone product because it really is a gorgeous, universally-flattering highlighting shade. It's not too light so it won't look stark on dark skintones, and it adds a gorgeous luminous glow on fair skintones. Plus, it's not too gold or orange, so it will work on both warm and cool complexions. This one is soft and blendable and never looks cakey or powdery, and it doesn't emphasize skin texture the way a more metallic highlighter would. Oh, and the best part? MAC lowered the price on these to $26, making them one of the most affordable highlighting powders in the luxury cosmetics market right now.