Guerlain Happy Glow Pearls Meteorites Pearls Review, Photos, Swatches
Happy Glow Pearls
Guerlain Happy Glow Pearls Meteorites ($74.00 for 1.0 oz.) is a soft, pink-tinted white base with fine pink, gold, and lavender sparkle over a semi-matte finish. The Meteorites Pearls formula is supposed to “delicately color-correct and illuminate the complexion” with the brand’s typical violet fragrance.
Though I don’t recall it being marketed as a setting powder (always more of a finishing powder), Guerlain’s website says to use it all-over the face to “fix make-up and improve hold” under directions and that it can be used to highlight the face as well. This particular combination of Meteorites did seem to have more substance–more powder in a way–so I could see how it might work as a setting powder. In fact, this season’s Happy Glow Pearls seemed to blur my skin just slightly without making it appear totally matte like some setting powders might, though I would not describe it as illuminating or luminous either. There was less noticeable sheen or luminosity to the powder and more in the way of visible sparkle. The problem I had was that if I really pressed it into the skin like I would a setting powder, it sometimes left a whitish cast against my skin tone. If I applied it more like a finishing powder (more lightly dusted), I didn’t get any cast. It only extended the wear of my foundation by a half hour, which is shorter than most setting powders for me.
I normally like a lot of the Guerlain Meteorite Pearls, but this one just had such minimal impact compared to past versions (including their permanent ones). I think as a setting powder, it falls even shorter.
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Gold Pearl (LE, $65.00) is warmer, lower quality (95% similar).
- Guerlain Summer Edition (2015) (LE, $65.00) is less pigmented (95% similar).
- Guerlain Carousel (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Guerlain Birthday Candle Pearls (LE, $65.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Guerlain Clair (02) (P, $65.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Guerlain Rainbow Pearls (LE, $65.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Perles de Legende (LE, $65.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Guerlain Electric Pearl (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery, warmer (80% similar).
- Guerlain Perles de Nuit (LE, $60.00).
- Guerlain Perles du Dragon (LE, $60.00).
- Guerlain Perles du Paradis (LE, $65.00).
- Guerlain Teint Rose (DC, $58.00).
Ohhh, I’m disappointed to see that this one got a B! I ordered it a few days ago and still waiting for it to arrive. How much sparkle are we talking exactly? I’m about N15, lean cool and so I’m not too worried about the whitish cast (or should I be?) But discoball shimmer is a big no for me…Is it Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder level shimmery or more toned down?
(As an aside, I bought the Happy Glow blush despite some initial reservations and I adore it…it’s such a lovely English rose sort of flush. I was worried about it being too pink-pink but it’s so natural and flattering on me. Brilliant concept – I hope Guerlain does more Météorites blushes!
There isn’t a TON of sparkle, but it’s larger sparkle, not just pearl or shimmer, IMO!
Emily , How are you liking the pearls you got ?
I like them a lot – definitely glad I got them! The shimmer is there but it’s extremely subtle, definitely no glitter particles! Basically, you get a lovely soft focus glow that is a bit more apparent than the permanent Météorites Pearls provide (i have them in Clair). I don’t think they’re an absolute must -buy – especially if you have the permanent Météorites, they may feel a tad redundant. But I like the extra luminosity and hazy effect I get from these – I’ alternate between them and the pearls iin Clair. My only caution would be that I think these might look potentially ashy on darker toned complexions. I’m on the paler end of the spectrum (somewhat lighter than N15) and I think these are likely to look best on fairer skin tones.
Oh, and the packaging is very nice, especially if you like the snow globe style! It also includes a nice fluffy powder puff too , complete with a ribbon 🙂 Thumbs up from me!
Disappointing Guerlain! And I love the Meteorite products usually!
Me too, Cat! 🙁
What a sad shame! In that case, I’ll pass on this.
There’s some money saved!
The biggest problem I have with this version is the inexplicable price jump: they’re $74 vs $60 for the Holiday edition! The fact that it’s slightly bigger (1 oz instead of 0.88) doesn’t justify $14 more in my opinion, it’s a product that is really hard to finish even when used regularly (I have a permanent shade of Meteorites that I bought 10 years ago). On top of that, the packaging looks bulky and lacks some sort of embellishment to make it special – the Holiday tin was truly stunning. It’s a pass for me!
I don’t even understand how Guerlain prices the Meteorites – they are always all over the map!
Sounds like the original would still be my best bet.
I think it would be!
I have to be honest, I don’t see any noticeable difference. This seems like an Emperor’s Clothes product.
I think that a lot of the effects of finishing/setting powders are subtle where differences get lost unless you’re looking up close or it’s your face and you’re looking at it, because you’re more familiar with the texture and how it can look normally.
So, not very functional…But SUPER CUTE.
Haha!
Hey
If you tap the brush, the annoying glitters come off and the fine powder remains.
What brush do you use? I tried your suggestion, but I didn’t have them come off, though I wouldn’t say they’re annoying – more of a preference 🙂
I use Chanel big fluffy powder brush. I tap it until there is no visible large glitter on the hair. Maybe I bang not tap… but I do realise my three white glitter balls are not all on the top layer and they don’t sit in the mid of the tub. That’s probably why I don’t pick up so much glitter in the first place. I don’t think the other balls have glitter
Hmm, it’s a bit hard to tell in the photos, but perhaps that is the purpose of the product. But reading your comments makes me think that it really doesn’t add much value. I think I would skip this product.
It is definitely a subtle product – one where you can see it more in person, I think.
Easy pass, then. I had these in my cart but the potential white cast is a no-go.
Haven’t really had that issue with most Meteorites!
*swoon* I know it doesn’t do DO very much, but it’s just so pretty to look at.
I did not see you commenting but I saw some comments on instagram saying that this version of the meteorites would have had less product (bowls) than the previous versions and that Guerlain would have raised the bottom of the packaging so they would look fuller both in this and in the holidays’s version. What are your impression about this?
I look at the weight – it includes 1.0 oz., which I believe is a typical size for Meteorites, though they do vary.
Thanks for your answer Christine. What I would like to know is if you noticed any apparent reduction in the amount of balls in this product comparing with the previous versions. Thanks again.
Hi Ilka,
I have no idea – I have never counted the number of pearls in a container before. I look at the weight, which tells you how much product is in the container.
Ok, thanks again Christine!
The packaging doesn’t scream luxury to me. I like winter 2015 orb better. Or the blue Vodianova one despite the obvious sparkle. Also I hate their smaller balls shape. Lots of them crushed so badly when I bought them! I don’t like my jar of meteorites full of sparkle dust, especially considering the high price compared to my edible glitter dust at kitchen. 😉
This is hella expensive for something so mediocre. Guerlain needs to watch their step – they can’t simply trade on their “name” and “exclusivity” – there has to be something there to back up and maintain that. Some of their new releases (some of the eye shadows, for example) have been pretty bad and this Perles doesn’t look any different from some products you can get in the drug store for 1/4 the price (or less!).
I wish my local Sephora carried Guerlain. Id love to see these in person. I love the original clair pearls and I was hoping these would give more of a healthy pink glow. Maybe on my fair skin theyd be more pink, but the sparkle kinda turns me off.