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Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator Review, Photos, Swatches

Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator
Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator

Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator ($28.00 for 0.32 oz.) is described as a “shimmery bronze hue.” It’s a light-medium, yellow gold with warm undertones and a frosted, metallic finish. Laura Geller Gilded Honey (P, $26.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC TheBlonds (LE, $41.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Hourglass Lucent Strobe Light (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Dior Glowing Nude (002) (LE, $58.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Frosted (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Natasha Denona Medium-Nude (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Oh, Darling! (P, $42.00) is warmer (95% similar). Anastasia Bubbly (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Reflects Gilt (Top) (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Estee Lauder Heat Wave (LE, $47.00) is lighter (95% similar). NARS Frenzy (Left) (PiP, )(95% similar). Becca Opal (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Becca Royal Glow (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). NARS Instant Replay (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Milani Sunglow (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Gold Ore (P, $39.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Becca Creativity (P, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte Spotlight (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Bigger and Better (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Rare Beauty Flaunt (P, $22.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. 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. So Hollywood had good color payoff that was mostly opaque but could be applied with a lighter hand for sheerer coverage or blended out for less intense color/finish. It has a high-shine finish that looks nearly metallic on the skin, so this is a formula best suited for someone who likes a bold highlight. I was surprised, but it didn’t emphasize pores for me; almost like it was so reflective that the pores appeared smoother as a result. The texture was soft, smooth, and didn’t feel dry or dusty, while the wear was eight hours for me.

See more photos & swatches!

Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator
Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator

Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator
Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator

Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator
Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator

Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator
Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator

Anastasia Starlight Illuminator
Anastasia Starlight Illuminator

Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator
Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator

Anastasia So Hollywood Illuminator
Anastasia So Hollywood 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

55 Comments

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Nicole Avatar

Oh I’m loving this one! So, The “where to buy” tab says it is available at Sephora. Sephora does not have this as of now and form the comments form yesterday’s review, I’m gathering these will be exclusive to Macy’s?

Nicole Avatar

No worries! Just trying to figure out the best shipping route. Then I noticed the peach and Riviera and figured I’d better wait. I’m likely going to want all. But, going to have to prioritize these with all the goodies coming out. 2 would be free shipping though! (;

Nancy T Avatar

I think this shade would work better on me than the one from yesterday! I do have a weird tendency to go for those lighter highlighters even though I realize that they’re not the most natural looking on my C4.5/ Medium Honey complexion! My bad, LoL! But I do buff them out very well.

Amina Avatar

That’s quite pretty… I can’t really spot any shimmer particles( which make my acne prone skin look worse for wear) so this might work for me …Hope the formula is consistent throughout the series
Thanks Christine !

Ash Avatar

How shimmery is this compared to nars Frenzy?
I have Frenzy. And I’ve been wanting opal. Unlike most people I actual like the shimmer, which of the 3 had the most shimmer? Or is the most flattering

Chelsea Avatar

I just seen this and the other two posts you made for two of the other ones. I was so excited for these and now I’m kind of on the fence. They look so shimmery they’re almost metallic. I might get these in the future but I’m not rushing for them right now. Bummer. 😐

Unaiba Avatar

I so love it. I have medium skin tone which one of these two highlighters ‘starlight” and ‘so hollywood’ do you recommend for my skin tone?

kate Avatar

Am I the only one that didn’t like this highlighter? I purchased it based on other reviews that said it will make you glow without looking shimmery or having glitter particles in it. once I applied it the only thing i could see is small glitter particles all over my cheeks. I don’t understand the hype, i was really disappointed.

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