Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles ($58.00 for 1.05 oz.) is supposed to “capture light to create a more luminous and even skin tone.” It does this through a combination of “beige, purple white, gold, and two pinks.” It’s a soft, pale pink with a dusting of white sparkle and a satin-matte finish. MAC Rosy Outlook and Chanel Star Dust are pale pink blushes but both are less highlighters than they are blushes. Guerlain Perles du Dragon is more luminous. Guerlain Perles de Nuit is also more luminous. In the tin, it did seem somewhat similar to Perles du Paradis, but I had almost no visible payoff, so it’s hard to say if they really are similar. See comparison swatches.

Surprisingly, when applied more heavily, it gave my cheeks a soft flush of pink (even on my medium complexion). Otherwise, it brightens and softens the skin in a very subtle, barely-there way as most Meteorites do. I feel like this is a product you either love or hate–you’ve had the Kool-Aid or you moved right along. If you’re looking for a traditional highlighter, you’re better off looking elsewhere as Meteorites, generally (including this one) are subtle. If you wear really, really matte foundation or set heavily with a matte powder, this is a product that breathes life back into the finish of the skin by giving it a natural luminosity that’s not shimmery or sparkly.

Champs Elysees is less luminous compared to recent limited edition iterations, but it still does add luminosity to the skin though just not enough to really live up to its description. It seemed to brighten more than other shades, and made me look more awake. It seems to wear well for eight and a half hours, and it doesn’t impair the wear of my foundation or blush in any way.  Though Meteorites Perles are gorgeous in their tins, the effect (in my experience) doesn’t change too much from shade to shade, and I would imagine that the impact might be more noticeable on fairer complexions.

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles

Guerlain Champs Elysees Meteorites Perles (with Chanel Controversy on lips)