Kevyn Aucoin Sahara The Neo Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
Sahara
Kevyn Aucoin Sahara The Neo Highlighter ($58.00 for 0.74 oz.) is supposed to contain the brand’s famous Celestial Powder in three shades: Candlelight, Starlight, and Sunlight. The formula definitely doesn’t feel quite as finely-milled or as silky as the standalone Celestial Powders, but the bigger difference is that Candlelight and Starlight are both much, much warmer and less luminous in this palette (Sunlight was very similar). The texture not being quite as luxurious as the individual shades was only something I noticed by feel, not so much when I applied it to the skin, blended out the powders, and wore them. If you like warmer, more bronzy highlighters, you’ll probably enjoy this compact.
Sahara
PPermanent. $54.00.
Candlelight (Sahara)
Candlelight (Sahara) is a light, golden peach with warm undertones and a soft sheen. It had rich color payoff with a soft, powdery texture that kicked up quite a bit of excess in the pan but blended out easily and managed not to look dry on once applied. It was a lot less luminous compared to the standalone powder (both older and newer packaging), and it was much darker/yellower: put it this way, they were different enough that I had to give this a unique name as the dupes would be completely off. This shade lasted for eight hours on me before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Flush (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Zoeva Liquid Clock (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty The Afternooner (Highlighter) (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Nude Glow (Top) (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Happy Face (P, $30.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Luxurious Beige (LE, $82.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Cover FX Sunlight (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Capri (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer (PiP, $24.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment (Original) (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$44.00/0.11 oz. - $400.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to give "an angelic glow" that can be applied all-over or just where you want it most. It is a luminous, powder highlighter that strikes the right balance between being noticeable without emphasizing the skin’s natural texture. The shimmer is fine, while the powder is silky and smooth. The pigmentation varies from shade to shade but all shades I've tried have blended out well and lasted around eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder swatches.
Ingredients
TALC, MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ALUMINA, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) MICA, TALC, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ALUMINA, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, TIN OXIDE. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) MICA, TALC, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
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.
Candlelight (Sahara)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $44.00.
Starlight (Sahara)
Starlight (Sahara) is a light-medium peachy brown with warm, orange undertones and a soft sheen. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that applied easily to the skin, as the powder was very soft and blendable. In the pan, the powder had a more powdery, dusty texture and kicked up a lot of product in the pan, but it did not appear dry or dusty on my skin. Again, the color wasn’t similar to my standalone Starlight powder: the palette version is much, much warmer and a lot less shimmery. The color in the palette is lovely but not at all like the Starlight I know. On me, the highlighter stayed on for eight hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Suqqu Yawakouki (05) (P, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Bubbly (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fire (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Secretive (19) (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Warm Gold (20) (P, $58.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Style Cast (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Milani Dayglow (P, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Kosas Velvet Melon (High Intensity) (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Clinique Golden Glow (P, $27.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Caresse (180) (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$44.00/0.11 oz. - $400.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to give "an angelic glow" that can be applied all-over or just where you want it most. It is a luminous, powder highlighter that strikes the right balance between being noticeable without emphasizing the skin’s natural texture. The shimmer is fine, while the powder is silky and smooth. The pigmentation varies from shade to shade but all shades I've tried have blended out well and lasted around eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder swatches.
Ingredients
TALC, MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ALUMINA, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) MICA, TALC, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ALUMINA, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, TIN OXIDE. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) MICA, TALC, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
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.
Starlight (Sahara)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $44.00.
Sunlight
Sunlight is a subdued, medium-dark brown with golden shimmer. The color payoff was great–it was totally opaque–while the texture was soft, lightly dusty, and blendable on the skin. It yielded a smooth sheen that was glowing but not emphasizing. I found that the color in the palette was very comparable to the single I have of Sunlight, so that was a nice find. I noticed signs of fading after eight hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Kevyn Aucoin Sunlight (P, $52.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- CoverGirl Bronze (200) (DC, $9.99) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Tropical Days (P, $48.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Park Ave Princess (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Becca Topaz (P, $38.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Global Glow (P, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Highlight #3 (PiP, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Sunlight (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- elf Summer Fridays (P, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Go With the Glow (P, $5.99) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$44.00/0.11 oz. - $400.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to give "an angelic glow" that can be applied all-over or just where you want it most. It is a luminous, powder highlighter that strikes the right balance between being noticeable without emphasizing the skin’s natural texture. The shimmer is fine, while the powder is silky and smooth. The pigmentation varies from shade to shade but all shades I've tried have blended out well and lasted around eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder swatches.
Ingredients
TALC, MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ALUMINA, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) MICA, TALC, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ALUMINA, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, TIN OXIDE. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) MICA, TALC, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
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.
Too warm and orangey for me, but glad it scored well for those interested. Kind of disappointed the colors are different from the singles, but you could bronze the entire body with this much product!
I am bummed that they seem quite different (well, two of the three) – inconsistency is super annoying!
Very Pretty! Yesterday I picked up my package with the Neo Limelight; haven’t had a chance to try yet. I wish they had made the compacts smaller and therefore a bit more affordable. If the price were lower, I would be tempted by this one as well… totally wear this as a summer blush.
Smaller would have been great – these are huge!
If they had been the same formula and shades as the regular version, I would have been verrry much inclined to at least consider this. But no, not with the inconsistency between the permanent versions and this.
I agree, Nancy! I think it would more versatile if they were consistent in color, too.
Looks like Sunlight might be my kind of glow, lovely.
Sunlight is nice!
This is so gorgeous! It’s even prettier than the lavender one! I’m a sucker for novel products like these but the price!
It is a nice alternative to Limelight if you like warmer tones!
I’m kind of disappointed that they are claiming that these are the Celestial highlighters when the colors and formula are different 🙁 I mean, I guess they can still be good product, but I was expecting the Candlelight and Starlight I know and love.
Same, Julia! They don’t have the same feel, but even more important is at least having similar coloring!
gah I wish this was cooler, those kind of face sculpting things always seem to overpowering for my pale skin and this is quite lovely!
Darn!
I think these would look too warm on my fair skin.
It’s possible!
from what you wrote Christine, this sounds right up my lane! I love shimmery/sheeny bronze-y shades on my cheeks!
I like this!
Yayy!
Lovely shades and it’s good to contain all three colours into the mix.
They are pretty together!