Guerlain Birthday Candle Pearls Meteorites Pearls Review, Photos, Swatches
Birthday Candle Pearls
Guerlain Birthday Candle Pearls Meteorites Pearls ($62.00 for 0.80 oz.) is a translucent, satiny powder with flecks of small, but more noticeable, shimmer throughout. The amount of shimmer was still sparse, so it still worked well for all-over application but was a little more noticeable compared to other Meteorite variations if applied more heavily to the higher points of the face.
The 30th anniversary edition of the Meteorites Pearls is supposed to “warm your complexion and bring radiance to all skin tones” with “gold pearls to fight dullness, pink pearls to reveal glow and champagne and white pearls to reflect light.” The powder, like most of Guerlain’s products, has a violet scent, though it was subtle and I did not personally detect when applied to my face, only when I initially opened the jar.
According to Guerlain’s current copy for the product, the powder can be used to “fix make-up and improve hold,” which I find to be fairly minor in practice–maybe an extra half hour but a true setting powder would do more. In the past, it has been described more as a finishing powder than a setting powder, and I think that is a more accurate description of this powder. It has often brightened my overall look slightly, breathed a little life back into my skin if I’ve gone too matte, and the like. No matter how you describe it, though, Meteorites Pearls are subtle and are designed that way, and for some, it will be a product that calls to mind a story of the Emperor with No Clothes.
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Teint Rose (DC, $58.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Teint Dore (DC, $58.00) is less pigmented (95% similar).
- Guerlain Summer Edition (2015) (LE, $65.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Gold Pearl (LE, $65.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Guerlain Perles de Nuit (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Guerlain Perles du Dragon (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Guerlain Clair (02) (P, $65.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Perles du Paradis (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Guerlain Rainbow Pearls (LE, $65.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Teint Beige (DC, $58.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Ingredients
I’ve been using this powder for about a month now and I love it. I use it after foundation/concealer and then sweep a little mattifying finishing powder over my T-zone and the sides of my face to add more dimension. It’s fantastic! And the metal tin was a huge welcome surprise as I thought Guerlain had switched to heavy cardboard packaging. Total win.
I loved this powder so much, I bought the anniversary addition of meteorites from Sephora (if for nothing else, that perfectly rounded mother of pearl packaging.) They were described as ‘mattifying’ but the iridescence was way over the top. It reminded me of Kevyn Aucoin’s new setting powder ombré compact; nothing matte about it, just a pretty highlighter. Brands are getting very loose with the term ‘matte’ nowadays lol.
Guerlain has been using tin more lately, but it seems to vary from release to release, too (like one holiday’s pearls was plastic). Glad you’re enjoying it!
Uh this one must be pretty subtle because I’m not seeing any difference on the before and after!
All of the translucent ones are subtle to me by design. I think one of the only ones that may show up more visibly were the blush pearls since those were pink!
Christine your makeup look in these photos is gorgeous in combination with the earrings your wearing.Very summery❣️I’m going to have to try that Dose of Colors Mintea Matte Liquid Lipstick it is very nice on your skin tone.
Thank you!
Because I like a subtle finishing powder that won’t compete with my highlighter, I really love this! Catch is; in the arm swatch, I noticed a lightening effect. Not sure if this would give my skin an ashen appearance or not?
It doesn’t lighten on me, and for swatches, in order to get anything to capture, it is still a heavier application than one would apply to the face.
Oh, duh! I’m a doltz! ?How come my brain didn’t compute this factor into it is beyond me…I scare myself sometimes!
Yeah, I tried to sheer it out but if there’s nothing there, then there’s nothing for the camera to focus on either, lol!
They look lovely, but close enough to the permanent Clair that I don’t feel I need them. Plus the Clair offer me a bit of color correction with the green and lilac pearls.
I think this is typically a product that people who like their makeup to be bold or very noticeable will not enjoy – although it would help bring life and dimension back to a face that looks very flat because of full coverage foundation. I personally am an addict, there’s no other product that makes my skin more beautiful while remaining so subtle that it’s almost invisible like the Meteorites.
I agree, Lulle — I think for some, it’s a necessity, and for others, they don’t understand why anyone would purchase them to begin with!
Over the years, one thing I can agree on is that one does not really NEED every edition they release but I’ll always have at least one!
So pretty and femme, my inner pink princess just clutched her hands together and squealed.
Aww!
I think this is definitely something I’d like to see in person before actually purchasing! The pictures probably don’t due it justice! 🙂
I think that would be a great way to check them out!
I love my meteorites and use them daily. I think I currently have 4 shades. I also love the scent. I will always have them on hand.
Awesome to hear it!
To be honest, I can’t quite see the difference between the before and after – so the effect must be subtle. But I know it has a huge following, so it must work for lots of people.
It is subtle for sure!
Holy what the bfg! 30 year anniversary? Seriously? I’m still using an original, as in, when there was only one. Guess I really don’t use up powder products appropriately, and it’s not that I don’t like it….maybe just too subtle for my then taste. Prob better get on that. Not like I never use it, either. I just neglect it for far too long. Better start to use it daily, if I want it done before I die. Seriously. This was a big awakening. No wonder I never bought any other iterations.
Amazing how time flies sometimes!
Good call to use what you got, though 🙂
How do these compare to the Houglass ambient light powders? I keep skipping these because of the price, but I really do love the Hourglass powders I have. This edition is making me feel I might need to try the meteorites.
The Ambient Lighting Powders have a similar effect on the skin but have more powder to them, so they might not be as translucent as the Guerlain Meteorites – I feel like the Ambient ones are better as a dual-purpose setting/finishing and these are better for finishing.
Would you be interested in maybe doing a tutorial for the eye look you’re wearing here? It looks absolutely stunning!!
Sorry, I don’t make tutorials!
I hate myself for wanting to buy this just for the cute as heck packaging ??
It is pretty!
I’ve been eyeing the Meteeorites for years and years and still haven’t bought even one little jar. I do think I need to spend some little time investigating what they have to offer in Sephora soon.
You are good at resisting temptation!!
I barely see it on you but I think it might be the color/foundations you wore. I think it might be a god send for pale people though. Just a hint of perkiness in the winter without really imparting color.
I don’t think it’s the foundation – it’s really supposed to be translucent, so it shouldn’t add coverage 🙂
Love how these look but apart from the presence of shimmer how do you find these (or the other meteorites) compare as a finishing powder to hourglass ambient lighting powders?
Maybe one day I will try out these meteorites. Mainly stopping in to say these earrings are freaking gorgeous!