Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder ($80.00 for 0.21 oz.) is described as a highlighter “infused with golden yellow shimmer.” It’s a yellow gold with gold shimmer and slight sparkle. Becca Champagne Gold (P, $38.00) is very similar, just more shimmery and more gold than yellow, but applied, they’re similar (just Becca is way better). Cle de Peau Gold (12) (P, $55.00) is lighter. Giorgio Armani No. 04 (P, $59.00) is a liquid. Chanel Routes des Indes de Chanel Illuminating Powder (LE, $80.00) is lighter. bareMinerals The Shining Moment (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery. Bobbi Brown Party (LE, $42.00) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

This is one of the more disappointing high-end highlighters I’ve come across, and while I don’t usually find Dior’s eyeshadows to be impressive, I usually have good experiences with their cheek and face products. The texture of the powder was dry, almost chalky, and it’s more yellow than it is really shimmery or luminous on the skin. The only thing about the powder that feels luxurious to command an $80 price tag is the compact, which is hefty, though it is thick and smaller in diameter than your average highlighter powder. The majority of the sparkle you see initially is an over-spray; there is still some gold sparkle within the powder itself, so it is subtler than it appears. I’m really frustrated by the texture, though, as the drier, chalkier consistency means less color payoff and shorter wear-time (six and a half hours)–but it just doesn’t feel like a luxury product. At least it doesn’t emphasize pores, and the included brush isn’t that scratchy.

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder

Dior Gold Shock (001) Diorific Illuminating Pressed Powder