Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites ($80.00 for 1.00 oz.) is described as a “frosted light, radiance, and iridescence.” It’s a translucent, gold-shimmered beige with a luminous sheen. Guerlain Teint Beige (DC, $58.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Guerlain Perles de Nuit (LE, $60.00) is cooler (95% similar). Guerlain Mythic (P, $59.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Guerlain Teint Rose (DC, $58.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Snowglobe (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Guerlain Perles du Dragon (LE, $60.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Hourglass Incandescent Strobe Light (P, $40.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented (90% similar). Chanel Jardin de Camelias (LE, $80.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Cle de Peau Delicate Pink (14) (P, $55.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Laura Mercier Highlight 01 (P, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Too Chic (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Dior Luxurious Beige (LE, $82.00) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar). Guerlain Perles de Legende (LE, $65.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Guerlain Parure de Nuit (LE, $67.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Guerlain Teint Dore (DC, $58.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Natasha Denona Light (PiP, ) is more shimmery (85% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight (P, $44.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). NARS Rêve Salé I (LE, ) is more shimmery, more pigmented, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Meteorites is a cult-favorite, and I fully expect this one to fly off the shelves–despite its wallet-crushing price tag–because it’s one of the better ones released in the last few years. It’s packaged well with a plastic, snowglobe-like container that has a flattened bottom, so it will sit without rolling, but the top of the lid has a lightly frosted, translucent covering that shows the metallic gold design through it. It’s not cheap cardboard like a more recent release, and the amount of product you get is more in line with the Meteorites of years past. That being said, Meteorites are one of those products that some can’t live without and others apply and can’t figure out why anyone likes them at all. They’re best described as a finishing powder; if you think of them as an overt cheek highlighter, you’ll likely be disappointed. This year’s holiday edition has fine shimmer that creates a luminous glow when dusted all-over the face, but it can be built-up slightly for a more targeted highlight (it’s still not over-the-top). As you might expected, the effect on the skin is not substantially different between versions of the Meteorites except slightly in tone (often only visible on some skin tones). The powder adds enough luminosity to breathe life back into very matte foundations while blurring the skin slightly. The pearls give off product without having to jab at them, and they do just fine with even softer brushes and don’t kick up a lot of excess product. When I applied more heavily on my cheek bones (easier to see how it degrades over time that way), it lasted well for eight hours.

See more photos & swatches!

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites

Guerlain Perles des Neiges Meteorites