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Clinique Golden Glow Uplighting Illuminating Powder Review, Photos, Swatches

Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder ($27.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and a sparkling, gold shimmer-sheen finish. bareMinerals The Premiere (LE, $26.00) is lighter (95% similar). Kosas Papaya 1972 (High Intensity) (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Milani Dayglow (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Miss Liberty (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Pumpkin Spice Latte (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Starlight (Sahara) (PiP, $44.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Lumiere d'Artifices Beiges Illuminating Powder (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Zoom (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson (LE, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Yummy Cookies (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Tock (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). bareMinerals Joy (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Warm Gold (20) (P, $58.00) is lighter (90% similar). Sydney Grace Pumpkin Spice Latte (P, $9.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Kill (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Cle de Peau Sand Beige (13) (P, $55.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Morning After (PiP, $12.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Chantecaille Sunlight (LE, $45.00) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Most Necessary (P, $8.00) is darker (85% similar). ColourPop Fire (LE, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder is supposed to be a “sheer illuminating powder” that gives skin a “candle-lit, radiant glow” that can be used alone, as a finishing powder, or as a highlighter. While Nude Glow was subtle and sheer, this shade was not; it had semi-opaque coverage, which was buildable to full coverage with two layers, and it was noticeably shimmery on the skin–I can’t really imagine most wanting to use this as an all-over powder. If you’re looking for a soft, warming highlighter (or highlighting bronzer, perhaps) and like some sparkle, this might work on fair to medium-dark skin tones. The texture was soft enough that it was blendable on the skin, and it didn’t emphasize pores, but it is a little drier overall where some of the sparkle separates from the color itself. On my normal-to-dry skin, the color lasted just over eight hours before fading.

Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Golden Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation
  • Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • Too Faced Totally Cute Eyeshadow Palette
  • Urban Decay Scorch Eyeliner
On lips:
  • Smashbox Pretty Social Be Legendary Lipstick

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