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Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Skin Liquid Illuminating Emulsion Review, Photos, Swatches

Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion
Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion

Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion ($52.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is a light-medium rosy pink with warm undertones and fine, pink and gold shimmer. Urban Decay Fireball (P, $28.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Laura Geller Ballerina (P, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Wild Rose (LE, $46.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Chanel Ensoleille (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Dior Rose Glow (005) (P, $50.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Looxi Beauty Venom (P, $7.50) is more shimmery (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Sublimate (Illuminate) (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Anastasia Oyster (P, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Dragee (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Halo Gorgeous (P, $5.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). NARS Relentless (LE, $26.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Sunset Glow (P, $48.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Dior Rosewood Glow (05) (P, $50.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Makeup Geek Starlight (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Peachgasm (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Pinkgasm (P, $38.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Paradise Lust (Top) (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Anastasia Sassy Grape (LE, ) is cooler (80% similar). Anastasia Starburst (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The Celestial Skin Liquid Illuminating Emulsion is supposed to be a “weightless highlighter” that “stays put for “12 hours” that can be used as a “primer, foundation, or even a highlighter.” It has a thin, liquid-like consistency that’s more watery than it is substantial, so it mixes well with a variety of products without adding heaviness. I’m a big fan of using this type of product mixed with moisturizer or liquid foundations for an all-over glow. I reviewed the original shade, Celestial, years ago here, and I recently noticed the brand released two more shades, Starlight and Sunlight. The formula is very subtle as a targeted highlighter, but it works well patted onto cheekbones, down the nose, above the cupid’s bow, and so on, if desired. There’s a soft sheen and dewy finish that’s apparent but doesn’t move around my base products easily. The brand says 12-hour wear, which I don’t get; it added maybe an hour of wear time to my base products when mixed in, and on top of bare skin as a typical highlighter, it lasted a solid eight hours. I don’t expect that one needs to collect all three shades; this is ever-so-slightly more pink-toned and less golden, so it may suit those with pinker and redder skin tones a bit more than the original Celestial. Worth noting, the liquid version is pinker and not quite as peachy as the powder version.

Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion
Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion

Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion
Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion

Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion
Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion

Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion
Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion

Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion
Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Illuminating Emulsion

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation
  • Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • Chantecaille Eye Colors (Seashell
  • Triton
  • Starfish
  • Lagoon)
On lips:
  • NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick

40 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Mariella Avatar

Whoo-hoo! Off to take a look! Will you be posting/have you posted dupes (duh – I should just go and look). Also, are these in a palette or individual shades? The Chatecaille palettes (4 pans) are a scary amount at Holt’s (the only place that carries them, I think) and too far from my home in any case (I am terrified driving on the highway).

Katherine T. Avatar

This one is too warm and pink for me, love your look here! Curious about those Chantecaille shadows – I don’t have anything from them.

Maria Avatar

Looks very pretty. It reminds me of Tom Ford’s Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust except Fire Lust is definitely more peachy and this is more of pink/peach.

Gilbert Avatar

I bought the powder version a few weeks ago and i accidentally used a heavy hand. Haven’t tried it out again since i rarely highlight. Should of used my Mac 188. It’s a nice color tho and so is the liquid version.

BonnieBBon Avatar

YAY! Thank you for reviewing this, I was just lusting over it but couldn’t pull the trigger when I hadn’t heard anything about the quality. I’m so excited to see this and it looks great on you. So does that new audacious lipstick !

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