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Anastasia Riviera Illuminator Review, Photos, Swatches

Anastasia Riviera Illuminator
Anastasia Riviera Illuminator

Anastasia Riviera Illuminator ($28.00 for 0.32 oz.) is described as a “sun-kissed coppery hue.” It’s a medium-dark, taupe brown with warm, rosy undertones and a metallic sheen. Tom Ford Beauty Moodlight (Candlelight) (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Fenty Beauty Sand Castle (PiP, $36.00) is darker (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Tawny Glow (P, $48.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Friction (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Nude Glow (LE, $46.00) is warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Modern Mercury (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Anastasia Tourmaline (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop The Golden Child (LE, $8.00) is warmer (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Pink Quartz (P, $46.00) is darker (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Stone Cold (LE, $36.00)(85% similar). MAC Superb (P, $42.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Sydney Grace Pure Joy (P, $9.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Just in time for fall, Anastasia has a powder highlighter available in four shades (I will review all of them). The formula is supposed to “impart a lit-from-within glow,” and they are a pressed, powder highlighter that is similar to products like MAC In Extra Dimension, NARS Dual Intensity Blush, Estee Lauder Gelee, and so forth. Riviera was richly pigmented, and it could easily be applied as full intensity or sheered out for less color coverage, though the finish was pretty shiny. It stopped just short of emphasizing pores on my skin, but it you are more conscious of your pores, you may want to see if you can try it before you buy it. The texture was smooth, soft, and finely-milled and just blended beautifully over the skin. This shade lasted for eight and a half hours on me before fading.

See more photos & swatches!

Anastasia Riviera Illuminator
Anastasia Riviera Illuminator

Anastasia Riviera Illuminator
Anastasia Riviera Illuminator

Anastasia Riviera Illuminator
Anastasia Riviera Illuminator

Anastasia Riviera Illuminator
Anastasia Riviera Illuminator

Anastasia Starlight Illuminator
Anastasia Starlight Illuminator

Anastasia Riviera Illuminator
Anastasia Riviera Illuminator

Anastasia Riviera Illuminator
Anastasia Riviera Illuminator

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • Sephora Welcome to My Loft Eyeliner
On lips:
  • Charlotte Tilbury Amazing Grace Matte Revolution Lipstick

56 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Nicole Avatar

I knew his was going to happen! I love all of them so far! This is so pretty! I’m really happy they are permanent. But, I don’t get why ABH doesn’t sell everything at Sephora. Oh well, this has my name on it for sure.
It looks stunning on you btw Christine. You always manage to rock a highlighter and bold lip like nobody’s business! 😀

Christine Avatar

ABH doesn’t send me any info, so the only info I have is based on their site/Macy’s. They did not call out that these are limited edition on their site, contrast with the last eyeshadow palette, which is limited edition and is noted as limited edition on their site. I listed all dupes I could think of in the post above regardless of brand!

Wendy Avatar

This is illuminator/blush topper is beautiful Christine, and it looks so pretty on you. I’ve just tried Sephora.com, Amazon.com and Net-a-Porter.com but none of these had this. Do you know when it will be available to purchase on these sites? Thanks so much!

Nancy T Avatar

Ok, so I know how I oohed and ahhed over the first 2, but this one is just WOW. Probably way more wearable for my complexion than that first one, too. Yep, I tend to go a *bit* too light with my highlighters and into highligher abuse territory as such, LoL!

nicole o. Avatar

this is beautiful !

i love the art deco design .

i’m very tempted to purchase this & peach nectar for my birthday , but i’m hearing it’s going to become permanent , so i might just wait .

Olivia Avatar

I had to return riviera. No doubt it was beautiful but on my skin tone it was just too dark. It was like putting a light metallic bronzer on my highlight bits. I don’t like the idea of blush toppers.

BonnieBBon Avatar

Oh!My!Word! I love you Riviera ….I really really do. I want to bring you home and introduce you to my family and friends. I think you are beautiful and we can have a lasting and meaningful relationship.
Love, Insane Beauty Product Junkie

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