Dior Universal (001) Backstage Glow Face Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Universal (001)
Dior Universal (001) Backstage Glow Face Palette ($45.00 for 0.35 oz.) contains two highlighters (first row) and two blushes (bottom row) with all four shades having a shimmery finish that’s supposed to be “easy-to-blend” and “highly-concentrated” that can be “worn alone or blended together.”
Universal (001)
PPermanent. $45.00.
Strobe White
Strobe White is a bright white with very subtle, warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, soft texture that was dense and firm but not stiff to work with (more in the vein of not being powdery). I expected a stronger finish on my cheekbones, but it seemed to get a bit lost as I blended out the edges, so it needed to be layered to get more noticeable shine. The highlighter blended out easily and wore well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- The Estee Edit Snowlit (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Lit (P, $20.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Camelia de Plumes (LE, $76.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Catrice Icy Glaze (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Snow (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Snowflake (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Luna (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Physicians Formula Pearl (P, $10.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Winter Falls in LA (LE, $4.99) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Burberry No. 01 White (P, $68.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
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The formula is described as buildable from "a natural healthy glow to an intense luminosity." The brand goes on to list a slew of finishes--metallic, intense, shimmery, and glittery--though on the actual product, a few shades listed as "intense" online were listed as "sheer" on the label.
A lot of the "buildable" characteristic is tied to the glow/finish, which is common with the gel-powder hybrid formula that the brand is using, but the brand isn't as clear with respect to actual pigmentation. The brand's online promotional images show fully opaque "swatches." Worse, the actual pigmentation varied from shade to shade quite a bit, though they tended to be more medium to opaque, often buildable if they weren't fully opaque.
The texture was more of a smooth, slightly firmer formula that wasn't stiff to work with, but they did work better with a more moderately-dense brush or something with a larger surface area (to pick up product more evenly) when patted into the pan.
Browse all of our Dior Backstage Glow Face Strobe Powder swatches.
Strobe White
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Strobe Gold
Strobe Gold is a soft, light gold with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. It had opaque pigmentation with a smooth, moderately dense texture that didn’t have any powderiness but was still easy to pick up with a highlighting brush. It had a moderate shine on my skin, which didn’t emphasize my skin’s natural texture, but the shine could be intensified by layering the color. The highlighter lasted for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Frosty (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Goody Two Shu (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Too Faced Blessed (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Authentic (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Bliss (LE, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Some Kind of Wonderful (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Becca Moonstone (DC, $38.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Selfie (P, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Gator Wings (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Boujee Call (DC, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is described as buildable from "a natural healthy glow to an intense luminosity." The brand goes on to list a slew of finishes--metallic, intense, shimmery, and glittery--though on the actual product, a few shades listed as "intense" online were listed as "sheer" on the label.
A lot of the "buildable" characteristic is tied to the glow/finish, which is common with the gel-powder hybrid formula that the brand is using, but the brand isn't as clear with respect to actual pigmentation. The brand's online promotional images show fully opaque "swatches." Worse, the actual pigmentation varied from shade to shade quite a bit, though they tended to be more medium to opaque, often buildable if they weren't fully opaque.
The texture was more of a smooth, slightly firmer formula that wasn't stiff to work with, but they did work better with a more moderately-dense brush or something with a larger surface area (to pick up product more evenly) when patted into the pan.
Browse all of our Dior Backstage Glow Face Strobe Powder swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Silica, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tin Oxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopherol. May Contain (+/-): Ci 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 15985 (Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Ci 45410 (Red 27, Red 27 Lake, Red 28 Lake), Ci 73360 (Red 30, Red 30 Lake), Ci 77007 (Ultramarines), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), Ci 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens), Ci 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), .
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.
Strobe Gold
LELimited Edition.
Blush Pink
Blush Pink is a muted, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a moderately dense, smooth consistency. It looked a little dry in my arm swatch, but I didn’t notice any application issues in practice, as the blush applied evenly, built up well, and blended out well along the edges. This shade stayed on well for eight hours before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- Dior Pink Gold (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Love Glow (Diamond Powder) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Forget Me Not (LE, $8.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Barbe a Papa (P, $32.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Euphoric (50) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Undefeated (LE, $30.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Lightgasm Pop Blush (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Cool (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Rayo (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Don't Flutter Yourself (LE, $4.99) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Blush Pink
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Blush Bronze
Blush Bronze is a medium-dark brown with subtle, warm rosy undertones and a metallic sheen. The more I blended out the color, the rosier and more “burnt” it became (in a good way, I swear!). The texture was smooth, dense and not at all powdery, but it was easy to pick up with a typical blush brush. It applied evenly and blended out with little effort, though there was slight emphasis of my skin’s natural texture. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Seductive Beauty (Bronze) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Do Not Disturb (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Takeover (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Santos (LE, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Flicker (Bottom) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Glo Up (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Sephora Costa Rica (P, $17.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Cognac (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Glow With It (P, $42.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Sesso (Bronzer) (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
While it does look like a very solid, well performing cheek palette, these shades seem very easily dupable.
One thing I will throw out there, is that this Blush Bronze is EXACTLY the depth and richness that MAC x Aaliyah Baby Girl Bronzer ought to have had! I tried mine out yesterday. It only warmed up my skintone, but added no color. However; it DID cause Essence Satin Love blush to give my cheeks a gorgeous “fresh from the beach” look!
These are certainly very pretty but I just can’t seem to get very excited about them.
I am a sucker for Dior. Thankfully, I am trying to stay on my no-buy which is really just a low buy. I do love the shades in here, though.
Blush Bronze seems like an odd inclusion. It’s apparently supposed to be a blush but I have a hard time imagining it actually working as a blush for anyone, and it’s too shiny to be a contour or bronzer for most people. I feel like a deeper mauve or berry shade would have made more sense. Otherwise I can see how this would be a convenient little palette for a makeup artist or someone who wants a streamlined makeup kit.
Beautiful product – so expensive though. But it’s your lipstick that has me interested…..love that combination of Heatwave and 100 degrees from UD
It’s undoubtedly pretty and the quality is there but I’m strangely “eh” about it. I might to have to check it out IRL. It reminds me a little bit of the old Skin Shimmers – I might dig mine out and have a play.
That lip combo is a stunner on you though!
Your lipstick combination looks like a warmer T.F Hiro lipstick. Beautiful!
Ooo so pretty!
unbelievable!! such a knock off glominerals/glo skin beauty (they are sold as glominerals here in sweden) shimmer brick highlights in gleam: https://www.gloskinbeauty.com/shimmer-brick#. the shimmer bricks are easily the best non-texture-emphasizing highlighting powders, so unassuming but so, so great!
Christine, would you say the texture is similar to the Dior air luminizer? I bought that as a treat. While it was ridiculously expensive, I find myself reaching for it every day. The only thing is it’s so much product. I’d rather have smaller pans and more colours- exactly like this.
Yes, it’s similar – I think these are a little softer overall, though, and more metallic/sparkly.