Clionadh Bellona Highlighter Review & Swatches
Bellona
Clionadh Bellona Powder Highlighter ($12.50 for 0.21 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy copper with subtle, warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. The texture was smooth, lightly creamy without being too dense or too thick, so it picked up well with a myriad of brushes and applied evenly to bare skin. It seemed to stop just short of emphasizing my skin’s natural texture.
It had opaque color coverage in a single layer, and I’d say a little went a long way, so I’d recommend using a lighter hand or a less-dense brush to get the more buildable coverage as described by the brand. This shade lasted well for eight and a half hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Shooting Star (LE, $8.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Allegro (P, $9.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Dose of Colors Bathe (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Tawny Glow (P, $48.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Rose on Ice (P, $28.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Modern Mercury (LE, $65.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Morning Glory (P, $9.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Out of Quartz (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever 15 Golden Pink (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Morphe Boom (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$12.50/0.21 oz. - $59.52 Per Ounce
There's not much that describes the formula other than it has a "soft, buildable application." They tended to be quite pigmented--semi-opaque to fully opaque--with soft, smoother textures that weren't too dense nor too softly-pressed into the pan. For sheerer or more buildable application, I'd highly recommend using a lighter hand a less-dense brush to do so.
The texture was typically smooth, slightly dense and a bit thicker than most powder highlighters on the market, so they often needed to be really buffed and diffused on the skin. The finishes were often more intense, leaning toward metallic, and occasionally, they emphasized my skin's natural texture when worn at higher coverage levels. They wore between eight and nine hours on me for the most part.
Browse all of our Clionadh Powder Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides, +/- Ultramarines, +/- Chromium Oxide Green, +/- Ferric Ferrocyanide, +/- Bismuth Oxychloride, +/- Manganese Violet, Zinc Stearate, Calcium Carbonate, Kaolin, Silica, Allantoin, Magnesium Stearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone
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.
These are all so pretty. I love the shimmering effect. I feel like Clionadh is going to be getting a lot of my money in the future!
I think I kinda love this one! Only problem could be emphasis of krinkles that are beginning to rear their ugly heads.
Sometimes I find setting powder before or after can help soften!
It’s a beautiful shade and I think on fairer skin tones it could be used as a blush. It looks lovely on you Christine.
Yes, definitely could work as a blush!
Such a beautiful color on you Christine!
Thank you, Brenda!