Charlotte Tilbury Lightgasm Glowgasm Face Palette Review & Swatches
Lightgasm
Charlotte Tilbury Lightgasm Glowgasm Face Palette ($75.00 for 0.52 oz.) includes a pale gold highlight, light brown bronzer, peachy highlighting blush, and a gold-shimmered cotton candy pink blush. While my experience with gel-powder type formulas, including the Lovegasm palette (which shares the formula here), tend to have a firmer press (but no powderiness) and work best with moderately dense brushes (they are also hard to overdo unless you’re super heavy handed!)… this one went beyond that and entered into the territory where stiff/firm became negative descriptors. For two shades, I felt like they were pressed too firmly that it interfered with the ability to use the products easily with the blush being the hardest to use.
Ingredients
Lightgasm
LELimited Edition. $75.00.
Lightgasm Highlight
Lightgasm Highlight is a bright, pale gold with warm, yellow undertones and a sparkling sheen. It had medium coverage that was buildable to mostly opaque pigmentation in two to three layers. The powder had a smooth, firmer texture, but I didn’t have any issues picking up product and blending it out on my skin. I’d recommend using a moderately dense brush with this shade (your typical tapered highlighting brush would work fine–I’d just stay away from a fan brush). It stayed on well for eight hours on me before it started to show signs of fading.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Ur Glowing (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Sidechick (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Becca Vanilla Quartz (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- ILIA Decades (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Light #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Becca Vanilla Quartz (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Royal Icing (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, less pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Extra (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Sin (P, $26.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Kaja Toy Alien (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Carmine (Ci 75470)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Lightgasm Highlight
LELimited Edition.
Lightgasm Multi-Glow
Lightgasm Multi-Glow is a light-medium peach with warm undertones and fine pink and gold shimmer. It had good color coverage in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage. The consistency was smooth, firmer and denser so there was no powderiness, and it worked best with a slightly denser brush in order to pick up product evenly from the surface, which I find typical of this type of formula. The powder applied evenly and blended out seamlessly on my cheeks without emphasizing my skin’s natural texture. It lasted for eight hours on my cheeks before it started to fade a bit.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay NSFW (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Dior Nude Glow (01) (P, $50.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Nude Nectar (LE, $48.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk (P, $40.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Fair-Medium #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Sweet Peach Illuminator (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Tweed Beige (140) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lantern Fest (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Lunar Nude (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Xanthan Gum, Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Carmine (Ci 75470)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Lightgasm Multi-Glow
LELimited Edition.
Lightgasm Bronze
Lightgasm Bronze is a light brown with soft, golden undertones and a satin sheen. It had medium, buildable pigmentation but a very, very firmly-pressed texture–more so than I’d expect even for the gel-powder type formula. I felt like if it wasn’t pressed so hard, it would be more pigmented, as I was able to jab at the surface and get nearly opaque coverage applied ton my skin. The powder blended out easily, though, and there was a subtle sheen that wasn’t shimmery but was a step above semi-matte. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- MAC Baby Girl (LE, $28.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- LYS Beauty Motivate (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Los Cabos (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Saffron Sun (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- LYS Beauty Courage (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Sunkissed (P, $22.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Laguna (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Becca Bali Sands (P, $38.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Bronze (03) (P, $40.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Light Medium (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sorbitan Isostearate, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Xanthan Gum, Alumina, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Lightgasm Bronze
LELimited Edition.
Lightgasm Pop Blush
Lightgasm Pop Blush is a medium, bluer-based pink base with warm, gold sparkle. It had sheer coverage that was buildable, but the texture was very firmly-pressed and needed more than just a denser brush or heavier hand–I had to really dig into the pan and work the powder off the surface before picking it up with a brush. It seemed to soften slightly after a few uses but was still overly stiff/firm where I felt I was sacrificing ease of use for that seamless blendability that you often get with the gel-powder hybrids. The color lasted nicely for eight and a half hours before showing signs of fading.
Top Dupes
- Natasha Denona Pink and Golden Champagne (PiP, $42.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Beaming Blush (P, $42.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Angel Food (DC, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Pink Gold Glow (LE, $48.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Cover FX Blossom (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Maybelline Knockout (LE, $9.99) is more shimmery, more pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Lilac Geode (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Pink Delight (008) (LE, $50.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Dior Blush Pink (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Benefit Tickle (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Tin Oxide, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Xanthan Gum, Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Carmine (Ci 75470)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
There’s only one shade here that caught my attention at first, but it got an F rating! (I wouldn’t have paid $75 for four cheek colors, anyway.) But Pop Blush could have been so pretty. Oh well.
It’s a shame – it’s a really pretty color on, and I was definitely able to build it up, but it needs to be more yielding!
It looks absolutely gorgeous on you, but I don’t have the patience to work that hard to get a blush onto my cheeks…especially for that price!
For the price, it should be better for sure!
I have this palette and I must say I really enjoy it. It gives a beautiful natural look, even tho it is subtle, still visible, but I am very fair so maybe that’s the reason why.
I use natural hair brushes and that works best for me with this formula, maybe for you as well?
Anyways, thanks again for a nice review and look!
I love the looks of this palette both visually and on your face. That blush shade is ?disappointing. I’m thinking about grabbing it and working away at tough surface layer because this would make a really great all-in-one travel palette for cheeks for a natural look for summer weekends away.
At least it applies/blends fine ON skin, so it’s more like you have to faff with picking up the product but once you get it on the brush, it’s fine. Obviously at this price point, that’s not anywhere near ideal, but I can see it not being a deal breaker for some (especially lighter complexions and those who prefer building up product anyway).
Agree..it’s too pricey given the performance and I appreciate your candour. I think I can work it.. remind me of this statement if I buy it and kvetch. ?
Your points were so helpful, Christine. I have the palette and I am in love with the pink blush shade. I went right in with a Hakuhodo dense blush brush and had no problems layering up.
Very natural with a gorgeous subtle sheen.. if you like sheer blushes and don’t mind building up product, and are not looking for a very obvious blush , the colour is super divine on light skin
Yay! So glad that they helped and gave you a good experience/what you wanted out of it 🙂
You got beautiful colour from the palette, Christine. I’ve heard others mention that the top surface on some shades needed to be worn away before the powders become softer, and that it’s important to use the right brush. My qualm with the palettes is that one is very light and the other is quite dark, with no middle ground.
How unfortunate. This is such a gorgeous palette and in the shades appropriate for my skin tone.
This one is so pretty, but very disappointing. When I watched Kelsey Briana Jai review both on YT, I could feel her frustration with the bronzer simply not picking up and distributing anything, but she did love the highlight and the pink/gold duochrome. I’m skipping this one entirely, though, because I have ND Pink Champagne and Nars Orgasm to give me that same effect.
It looks so pretty but I don’t like to fight with my makeup.
Dang, I did not see that coming! The packaging and layout of the products are so gorgeous, I thought for sure it would’ve reviewed better! Not that I would’ve paid $75 for it, but if it was an A+ I could have been swayed to think about it more. Christine, you’re always saving me money, I love it, thank you!
What a shame the last shade was so dismal, otherwise it would have been a fabulous blush/highlighter palette. It’s not worth the money for a dud shade in a quad.
I only wanted the palette for the blush. I love get to powder formulas, like the highlights from Pat McGrath works great on my dehydrated skin. Too bad, the blush looked so pretty.
I ment Gel to Powders.
I SO wish I had waited for your review to make this purchase as I was debating between this palette and the darker one but was concerned the darker would be too dark for my medium skin. I was SO underwhelmed and disappointed with this palette, the two highlighters are pretty but far from groundbreaking and I struggle to get the bronzer to show up on my skin at all, it really just sort of warms up my skin tone without any hint of bronzing, which surprised me since it looks rather dark in the pan. The blush was the biggest disappointment. I thought maybe the gold on top of it would be an overspray, but it isn’t and on my skin all I can see from this blush is a peach gold shimmer and zero of the pink pigmentation. If I try to build it up then all I do is end up with a check that looks gilded and overly shiny with gold. This is the first CT cosmetic product I have truly been truly upset with. I want to return it, but I am afraid that since I used it maybe 3-4 times they won’t accept a return, I don’t know how they define “gently used” in their return policy.
I get such a Benefit Galifornia vibe from the blush.
Ugh. I just saw this review after I bought this from Sephora online since the VIB sale is ending. Well, I hope the one I get isn’t too bad. At least I’m getting it at a sale price.