I Tried Makeup By Mario’s New SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum

With the sun high over our heads and an energetic aura bouncing off of everyone you encounter, summer is all about warmth. Our seasonal makeup looks seek a similar feeling—we want bright colors, warm complexions, and—you know this one is coming—a whole bunch of glowiness.

While the sun can help with this all on its own, sometimes it’s a good idea to call in a backup—especially if you’re an SPF fan (you should be). On Thursday, May 16, Makeup By Mario is launching the SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum ($36), a multi-tasking liquid bronzer that can warm your complexion all over or sculpt and shape targeted areas. It’s that very specific and very gorgeous summer glow you’ve been aching for all winter, bottled at last.

Ahead, everything you need to know about the brand’s newest launch—plus our honest reviews.

The Inspiration

SoftSculpt was ultimately created as a surefire way to achieve Mario Dedivanovic’s signature natural, second-skin look.

“I wanted to continue to innovate in the category of bronzing, sculpting, and contouring,” the artist tells Byrdie. “We have a great range of contouring and bronzing products within our SoftSculpt collection, but I wanted to create a liquid bronzer that would give a very natural sun-kissed effect combined with skincare benefits.”

According to Dedivanovic, this product delivers his softest sculpt yet and is *perfect* for anyone new to contouring or looking for natural definition.

“We’re always leaning into the latest innovation, and SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum has a unique dual-applicator; the pump side is great for all over warming whereas the doe-foot applicator is ideal for more targeted sculpting,” he adds.”

The Formula

Beauty lovers know that Makeup By Mario already boasts a different SoftSculpt product: the OG SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer ($32). The two are related, surely, but there are differences at play here.

“I love our SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer and it remains one of my favorite products from the brand, but the formulas are quite different,” shares Dedivanovic. “Both products warm the skin and deliver a soft sculpt, but Enhancer is a creamy, balm texture with a dewy finish, whereas SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum is a liquid formula with a natural, second-skin finish. I love using SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum all over to warm and even out the skin, then use Enhancer to softly sculpt the features and give skin a beautiful glow where I want it.”

Made to be layered over foundation or used alone as a warming base, the new non-comedogenic serum also comes in seven shades and features a refreshing, cooling feel that hydrates and moisturizes with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. In a clinical test, it was proven to hydrate immediately upon application (love that) and keep your skin feeling moisturized for up to eight hours (love that even more).

How to Use It

While Dedivanovic is a major innovator in the beauty world, he’s also one of our most skilled makeup artists. Products tend to work best when you follow his application instructions.

“What I really love about this product is how versatile it is. If you want to create natural warmth all over the skin, use the pump side of the applicator and apply 1-2 layers depending on your desired bronze, then blend it with my F4 Brush,” he shares. “You can use it alone, on top of foundation, or even mixed in with foundation.”

And if you want to sculpt specific areas of the face? “Use the doe foot to dot the serum along the cheek bones, jawline, top of the forehead, along the nose, and gently blend.”

The Review

“I accidentally ignored Dedivanovic’s instructions, and used this under foundation as an all-over glowy base. That being said, I really like the result. It added a soft radiance to my whole face—no obvious glitter—and a very subtle warmth that got me in the mood for summer. I feel a little tired of all the glow boosters out there, but this one feels really innovative both in its silky blurring texture, and realistic bronze shade. I can’t wait to wear it alone for low-key summer days and as a sheer sculpt for hot nights ahead.” —Bella Cacciatore, news editor

You can shop the SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum on May 17 for $36 at makeupbymario.com.