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Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites Review, Photos, Swatches

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

You Have to Try It to Appreciate It!

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites ($58.00 for 1.05 oz.) is a “harmony of six shades of pearls in an intense, iridescent monochrome palette.” It is supposed to “cloak the face in incredible radiance” with “pale pink and beige [to] even out the complexion” and “white and gold [to] illuminate” as well as “plum and rosewood [to] brighten.”

When applied or swatched, it’s an iridescent pale shimmer-sheen. It’s very subtle and true-to-form as far as Meteorites go. Meteorites are best described as an illuminating powder, which isn’t as shimmery as your typical highlighter, or as a finishing powder. The effect of the pearls is your-face-but-better; it’s something that’s hard to detect visually, but it’s that something extra that instantly brightens, softens, and adds a soft glow to the face. It’s the difference between a smile and a smile that reaches your eyes.

It’s when I wear one of Guerlain’s Meteorite products (pearls or pressed) that I most often see comments about my skin looking better, nicer, or that I look like I have a “glow.” I dusted it lightly on cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, and above my cupid’s bow in the photos below. I could still detect the slight glowy sheen after eight hours. Because the effect is subtle, it can be worn as a finishing powder and dusted all-over the face rather than to add a subtle highlight to certain areas of the face.  I wore again all-over and felt it added an extra hour or so of wear to my foundation.

The one thing about Meteorites is that as lovely as they look in the metal tin, they tend to look very similar on.  It’s also not necessary to own every. single. one. that comes out from a practical standpoint. There are many who collect them as much for the product inside as for the distinct packaging.

This is one of the harder products to review, because it’s hard to capture exactly what it does that makes it such a worthwhile product.  It’s pricey, but you’ll get a ton of product for your investment–a whopping 1.05 oz.–and one tin will last you quite sometime, even with regular usage.   It is violet-scented, and it’s not a subtle fragrance, but it is the same one common to Guerlain’s powder products.

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites
Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites

138 Comments

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Ani_BEE Avatar

I like last year teal tin better (or was the years before?) but these really don’t have much in the way of colour just glow. I still prefer the Guerlain Parure de Nuit pressed powder over the Meteorites for some reason.

Kates Avatar

Are you wearing the OCC marion lip tar in the photos above? It isn’t listed under “what makeup are you wearing?”, but I think it looks lovely. The lighting in the first photo makes it look a bit more peachy.

Laura Avatar

I’ve been so tempted by your reviews of these! They sound like they would be an even better replacement for my favorite highlighting powder that was discontinued years ago.

What kind of brush do you use to apply it as a highlight?

Lucia Avatar

Beautiful. I would love to see an “before and after” FOTD, where you show a finished look without the meteorites, and then the same look with the meteorites applied.

Anne Avatar

These ones just look lovely… I currently own 3 meteorites (Teint Beige, last summer’s Pucci and the Pucci ones from some years ago), yet I don’t consider myself a meteorites collector. However, I really like these ones and will definitely get them. At first I thought I would only get these, then I saw Turandot quad and knew I was getting at least 2 items from this collection.

I agree with you meteorites last ages!!! I got my first ones (Pucci) in 2007 (I think) and I still have plenty. What I do now, is to take a couple of balls in a small container to carry in my purse for touch-ups, so I don’t have to take the big container with me. I also mix from my different meteorites and I think I get a nice result 🙂

Anne Avatar

I bought a travel-sized container kit some months ago and I found there was a small round container (1 1/2 in diameter). I guess that was meant for creams or scrubs, but since I use gel-like moisturizer, I thought it was a best to put some meteorites in there. I can send you a pic if you want 🙂

Anne Avatar

Yay!!! Someone else does takes along!!! 😀

What a great idea using a mineral foundation tub!!! I was looking for something similar since I wanted to take some Ben Nye Banana Powder with me. But, I guess I’ll leave it for later since I carry my meteorites now 😉

Anna Avatar

My make up obsessed brain did not register the “not” in the sentence “It is not necessary to own every single one” at first.
Guerlain is defiantly one of my favorite brands. I already own one of these but from a different collection and it has lasted for years so will pass on this one.

blueraccoon Avatar

Meteorites are on my list of “Things I Want Badly” but I can’t decide if I want these or just the regular ones; I don’t really think I need both. Is there that much difference between the Teint Rose and the Perles du Dragon?

Becca @ The Beauty Sample Avatar

I’m definitely one of those people that can never decide if this is completely necessary or not…I’ve swatched it and played with it at counters, but never applied it directly to my face, so I guess that’s why I’m so unsure. They sure are pretty though…and I HAVE heard many a good review on these…and this probably is the most appealing one I’ve seen so far (I know you’ve said before that they all look pretty similar once on the skin, but I much prefer the lovely, pearly pinks and plums in this one to those ones that contain blues and yellows, etc. That’s just my preference in color palette though). I think I may just have to splurge on this one! 😀

Lisa Avatar

This review encouraged me to try a face highlighter in one of my Too Faced palettes. I tried it and I looked extremely shiny and glittery which I didn’t care for. I always loves the way that your complexion looks. Your foundation has a beautiful glow about it. Will this product add a beautiful glow? I recently switched from Bare Minerals foundation to liquid MAC because the loose powder always made my skin look dry and sat in my lines. I love the liquid foundation but my face looks sort of flat and very matte instead of slightly dewy. It no longer has that mineral glow that I love. I’m so worried about spending this much money and then ending up with a glitter bomb all over my face. Do you think this will add a glow without the glittery look that the Too Faced highlighter did to my face?

Christine Avatar

Oh, yes – this isn’t glitter at all. Most face highlighters are more shimmery, so they’re not necessarily appropriate for all-over. You could try a stippling brush and lightly dusting, to see if that helps diffuse it some. A lot of times I finish with Guerlain’s pressed Meteorites.

Sasha Avatar

Another thing that might give you the glow is a different foundation. If you’re able, I’d suggest trying to get a bunch of samples of other foundations while you go through your mac foundation to find one that gives you a dewy effect. Some foundations are more matte for people like me who are oily and some have a satiny or dewy finish. You could also try something like mac’s strobe cream or an illuminating lotion (aveeno has one) underneath your foundation to give you a glow.

Mariella Avatar

I’m marginally tempted by this but as I’ve already got one Guerlain highlighter (not Meteorites type – it’s the Cruel Gardenia, which is somewhat different but still works as an all-over brightener) and in consideration of the price, I’m probably going to pass on this (but if anyone wants to give it to me as a gift, I’d be a very happy recipient, indeed).

Mariella Avatar

I just wish it had come in a better package! I’m always nervous about gashing the daylights out of it when I put the lid back on. Permanent would be good too – I honestly wonder why they didn’t make it permanent (but I feel the same way about the similar product from – I think – Laura Mercier; these babies sold out so fast you’d think they’d all realize they’ve got a winner on their hands and make it a permanent fixture in their line)

Alison Avatar

Its a shame that it doesn’t work like that. Its the same with Chanel Topkapi, and Estee Lauder Violet Underground. People went CRAZY for them. Why NOT make them permanent!?

Wwendalynne Avatar

This is definitely a love it, but leave it.. I already have 2, one beige and one white..If I mixed the two together, it would actually look like Perles du Dragon. Not enough difference to warrant a purchase for me.

Academic Girl Avatar

This is the first review that has tempted me to buy the ballz!

For those of you who have the pressed Meteorites, how are the balls different?

Wwendalynne Avatar

I do not have any pressed ..just two tins of multicoloured loose and shiny big ballz, small ballz, and glowy medium ballz *snarfle* Anyhow else have some pressed ballz for AcademicGirl for comparative purposes???

Luna Avatar

Are these exclusively LE for the states? I live in France and the product doesn’t seem to show up neither on Sephora nor on the official site of Guerlain… Nordstrom seems to detect region and no success there either. *sad face*

Z Avatar

I want it for the tin. :/

I’ve got a meteorites, actually, that I purchased on sale from Sephora last year. At first I was enchanted with the packaging, and even the smell (having never smelled it before so it didn’t give “old lady vibe”), but let down after the first use. It didn’t seem to do *anything.* But, then I began to notice that *every* time someone complimented me on my skin or “looking especially pretty today”, it was when I used the meteorites. Every time, without fail. I could wear exactly the same makeup, with the same complexion, two days in a row and illicit a compliment on the day of the meteorites.

Despite having crushed my frivolous girl budget in an attempt to reign in my makeup stash, I really, really, really want to get this. Even though I don’t need it. *rolleyes*

Wwendalynne Avatar

While we are on the topic of highlighters.. I wanted to add that Illamasqua has reformulated and released their Gleam product which did not receive very good reviews following the Aug/12 release. Not trying to put in a plug for Illamasqua Gleam over Guerlain Meteorites btw since they are miles apart in their style and formula, but I was impressed nonetheless they actually listened..

Carrie Avatar

I started out wearing these as a highlighter but now I find I use it as a finishing powder. They really do add that je nais se pas to your look that is so subtle but just -there-

Love the tin on this! If I didn’t have my current pan I’d probably grab this!

nik Avatar

Hi Christine, I would appreciate if you could suggest which Meteorites would be good as a finishing powder for a NC 40-42 shade? Would you recommend this or Teint dore? Thanks a million!

J.Q. Avatar

Hi, I was wondering if you could do a post about how to properly use and apply meteorites? I’ve never owned any Guerlain meteorites before because the whole concept of powder pearls seemed too complicated for me but after seeing your post, I’m seriously tempted to buy. Your skin looks great, like a nice healthy glow, not glittery or unnaturally shiny (:

Sil Avatar

I run in the other direction as soon as i read anything that sounds like “brightens”, because i have oily skin. But these are sooo pretty, that i have hope i still can buy them. Do yoy know if meteorites work on oily skin? Or do i keep running ;)?

Brjsmom Avatar

Love your reviews. Reading this reminded me I have meteorites in mythic 01! Just found them in the back of my makeup stash and put it on my cheeks. Remembered how much I love them….thank you:)

Jen Avatar

Any chance sephora will have these? I’ve never had pearls before so I think I want to pick these up, and I like this packaging better than the others.

Marina Avatar

I can’t agree all Meteorites look very similar on skin. I have 6 and they all are different, and THAT’s the reason i don’t get every single one out there, because some don’t look good on me.

carol Avatar

I recently purchased the d’azur one, and I was wondering if this will be more suitable for the fall rather than the d’azur. so what do you think?

missDeeBlue Avatar

Im a huge fan of Meteorites. My go-to product being Perles de Nuit. Now that stocks of this teal tin are depleating, would you say Du Dragon is a good ‘dupe’ for De Nuit? (I use De Nuit after pulling out the silver balls – unless its disco time)

abigailOD Avatar

Christine – I just want to thank you <3 for introducing me to a new found love in Guerlain. I thought it was a not-so-interesting brand (Shame on me!) until I saw all these amazing reviews. So, with that said, I treated myself to this and its brush among a few other things (GA Luminous Silk, Maestro and more MAC = my wallet hates me right now), before the big move to Germany next week.

Guerlain gives me the *romantic in cosmetics I didn't know I was craving for. Makes me feel more feminine, lady-like. Particularly this one, it makes you want to make time for it. Ahh, just love it! And the scent, divine!

Anyway. Since I'm new to the Guerlain arena particularly the Meteorites, this is going to sound silly.. as an all-over face powder, do you apply this after (just) your foundation or after everything (blush, bronzer etc.)? Thanks Christine!

Christine Avatar

Hey Abigail! I usually set my makeup at the very end, so after I’ve applied blush or bronzer or contours, so I’d apply it as a last step myself! 🙂

I’m happy you are loving your Guerlain pearls and brush! Sometimes a product that makes you feel like that is why it is worth the higher price tag!

abigailOD Avatar

You are so right about what matters at the end of the day is what and how a product makes you feel! =D

Is it okay to use this to set a blush that has a sheen/shimmer to it like, maybe MAC Margin, or the Extra Dimension Skinfinishes? Does the Meteorites “compete” with it? If that makes sense.

Can you pair it with a cream/gel blush as well?
Thanks so much for getting back to me Christine! =)

abigailOD Avatar

Amazing! Just what I was hoping to hear!

Which Guerlain foundation is your favorite (and) to pair this with?

I can just imagine how much business you’re bringing to these companies! How I wish (for you), that they can track down how much influence you have. <3 Know that Guerlain will always remind me of you. Thank you Christine!

Nina Avatar

huh…a before and after pic would be nice for comparison 🙂

I never understand this type of product..its just pretty to look at but people swear up and down that this is good.

I think this is a case of the emperor’s new suit for me

Nina Avatar

Yes I have in fact..once in the counter and once belonging to a friend of mine (one of the people who swears by this product)..I cannot see any difference though 🙂 – maybe I am one of the ignorant people?

Megs Avatar

These look gorgeous! Thank you for posting such in-depth review, I rarely purchase a beauty item without consulting one of your reviews.
Anyways, I am looking for a highlighter and I was wondering how the Meteorites and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks are comparable? Which one do you recommend?

Ana Avatar

Well, this review convinced me to get them. I bought them yesterday, they are pricey (around 62USD) but I’m quite happy with them. Did I need them? No, but, who doesn’t want something pretty and inspiring on their vanity? A plus is that they seem to set my liquid foundation just fine, I have very oily skin and it looks they keep my face matte for a longer period of time. Thanks Christine for the review, it helped a lot to make up my mind.

Jules Avatar

I’ve been wanting Meteorites for some years now. And this edition I just had to buy! It’s one of the finest beauty purchase I have ever made. I’m just in love with them and try to use them as often as possible. It’s true that the difference isn’t notable with bare eyes, but people will start to notice that you are radiating. And that is worth it!
I’ll buy the Teinte Rose version when Perles du Dragon is over. Thank you Christine for making me buy them. Your review definitely made me go out to the counter and take them home with me 🙂

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