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Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer Review, Photos, Swatches

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer ($71.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is supposed to “camouflage blemishes and discoloration” with “pearlescent extracts to capture and reflect light and blur the appearance of fine lines.” Guerlain says that it can be used under makeup or on its own (after moisturizer). It’s an illuminating or radiance-enhancing primer that gives skin a more luminous finish without being shiny (or even dewy).  It extends the wear of my foundation by an hour and a half to two hours, which just means everything looks better for longer.  The consistency is lightweight and so easy to spread and blend out on my normal-to-dry skin, so it really does look good and feel good when worn over moisturizer without any foundation on top, and it can also be mixed in with tinted moisturizer easily.

After reviewing Les Ors, which was a limited edition primer for summer, many readers asked how it compared to the one of the permanent primers (there are two!), so here I am with a review! The biggest–and most obvious–difference is in the tint or color. This one is pink-based, so it’s more neutral and doesn’t really tint the skin, only adds very, very fine pearl all-over the skin. Les Ors is distinctly peachy, so on very fair skin, it could add a slight tint as well as radiance. The glow is slightly warmer, even on my medium complexion, as compared to the Meteorites primer. Both are lightweight with gel consistencies that absorb quickly and dry down without any shininess. The finish is decidedly luminous–not sparkly, glittery, or even shimmery–so it enhances the natural look of the skin rather than emphasizing pores or imperfections. They’re both the same price and size, and there was no visible difference on my skin tone, but on very fair or really cool/warm complexions, there might be a more perceptible difference.

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

39 Comments

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Lizzi Avatar

I bought this a few months ago. You need to use a very thin layer of it. Otherwise it’ll ‘bead up’ when you apply any other face products. It’s great and I recommend it, but a little goes a very long way.

Nicoco Chanel Avatar

Hngh, don’t tempt me. I keep wanting to try this despite a) being broke and b) generally hating non-matte finishes on me. :|a But it’s so pretty…

Amber Avatar

Wow! I remember your other post about the Summer one and loved it! Too bad they are too $$$ for my budget. I just love the luminous glow they give your skin. Thank you so much for posting this!

Mariella Avatar

Christine, I’m confused. Is this the original or another new product? I bought it a few years ago and returned it but the one I had didn’t look as pink as the one here – if I recall correctly, the “balls” seemed to be 2 or 3 shades of light creamy pink and beige – . As I say, it was a few years ago so maybe I’m remembering it differently.

Madeline Avatar

All these name make this so confusing… I wasn’t even aware there was a Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer and a Meteorles Perles Light Diffusing Primer. I got a sample of one of these from Sephora a while back and I loved it, but the name on the sample bag is a worn off and smudged and now I dunno which is the one I liked! Sigh. 😛

Joanna Avatar

I know what you mean, Mariella. I remember seeing this primer in stores years ago (before I was into Guerlain) and I recall the pearls being a few different shades of pastels. Not as bright as the Meteorites pearls, but I thought there was some variety other than just pink pearls.

Virginia Avatar

Yes, this one is different. The original is just Light Diffusing (the beige one) and this one is Light Diffusing Perfecting (this pinker one). This one is supposed to help even out skin tone. You can see on Nordstrom.com that they offer both (along with the Ors).

I really like this one! I received a sample last year, and it really does make my skin look for luminous and flawless. I want to buy it at some point in full size, perhaps when Sephora has a sale.

yellowlantern Avatar

I’ve tested this a few times it really does make the skin look luminous and it doesn’t make my skin feel oily. I liked it a lot, but for me it wasn’t quite worth the price tag. I think if it were $50 or less I’d have considered it more.

Katie Avatar

Hi Christine! I was wondering if you have changed your policy on rating skincare items which includes makeup primers..? You have rated this primer, but in the past (e.g. Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer review) you did not give it any rating. Will past reviews be fixed and given a rating such as this one? It would make it that much easier to compare! Love all that you do! Your are one busy lady with quite possibly the best job in the world 😀 Keep it up gorgeous!

Christine Avatar

Hi Katie,

Neither are supposed to have grades, so they have been removed. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! 🙂 We will not be going back to older reviews and adding ratings, because it’s very, very time consuming (I tried to do so, but it was taking about 15-20 minutes per post, because I have to essentially re-read my review, cross-reference with current reviews for that formula to make sure the ratings are consistent, and go back to my rating system in its entirety and assess out points to be in line with the current rating system). Basically, my time is better spent writing new reviews than it is just to update old reviews since a lot of products no longer are available!

Thanks so much! I appreciate you reading and enjoying the site! 🙂

Priya Avatar

How does this compare to Burberry Glow primer? it looks to be the same concept, just wondering if similar or different interms of color, texture, longetivity. Thx in advance!

Veronica Avatar

Very pretty. I think I’d probably reach for Burberry’s Fresh Glow before this, but I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews for it otherwise, so I’ll have to keep it in mind.

On a side note, one of the bloggers I follow uses this in her routine, and she is extremely fair – NC/W5 fair – and has never mentioned any problems with it adding a tint to her skin. It may diffuse enough to be negligible.

Eileen Avatar

I’m NC15 and Météorites Les Ors gives me just a hint of a honey toned glow. It’s been perfect for summer. It adds a bit of warmth without being obvious or looking contrived.

Veronica Avatar

Oi, yes, I just realized on a rereading that L’Ors is the one you were talking about. Whoops. XD I’m an NC/W15 currently, and having swatched it at the counter, I do see it adding a very mild tint to the very fair. Maybe more so on a us cool-toned folk, as it’ll clash with our natural coloring.

Amanda Avatar

I don’t really understand this product, its a primer so its supposed to be worn under foundation. Would that not make the light-diffusing effect sort of pointless? Or can you still see it under foundation?

Wwendalynne Avatar

Have this and wear it every day. Just as a note. I tried this with my inaugural wear of the new NARS creme foundation this morning and I’m not sure what went wrong since this primer is absolutely flawless with every foundation I own, a very extensive list. Anyhow, the NARS cream foundation balled up on my skin.. quite hideous. I don’t know if I was in too much of a rush and didn’t let the primer dry down properly, but it really really surprised me and took me aback since this product has worked amazingly with every foundation in my stash and this has never happened before. Will have to give the pairing another go when I have more time at my disposal.

Christine Avatar

I was trying this this morning – Had purchased 2 sample sizes on EBay – when the bottle fell on the bathroom floor and shattered. A split hesitation: should I scoop the lovely pearlescent beads and apply some on my face? Then the vision of a blood-smeared face imposed itself. Lucky I still have 1 mini bottle…

Anita Avatar

This primer was recommended by the Guerlain sales person considering I have very oily skin. She said that the L’Or primer was moist rich and it would not do any good to my skin.

Yes, this is wonderful to put on your skin, is water based so my skin stays matter after application. The sad thing is that it doesn’t even my complexion nor add any brightness, maybe because my medium skin tone (I’m Doré Naturel in Parure de Lumière foundation). Also, this didn’t prolong the wear of the foundation nor it helped to minimize my pores.

Is very sad because it didn’t add anything useful to my makeup but is very luxurious and lovely. I’m sure that those who have the right skin type for this product would enjoy it immensely.

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