Kosas Helios Color and Light Palette Review & Swatches
Helios
Kosas Helios Color and Light Palette ($34.00 for 0.32 oz.) includes a muted orange blush paired with a warm, light-medium gold highlighter. This is the lower intensity duo, so it was intended to have sheerer, more buildable coverage, which was accurate for both shades. The texture was slightly tackier with the highlighter (true of other highlighters in the same formula) compared to the blush, but both applied well and blended out evenly on my skin. They both lasted eight hours on me before showing signs of fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.32 oz. - $106.25 Per Ounce
Each shade in the range has two levels of color intensity; each shade has a "High Intensity" version, which offers "double the pigment" compared to the regular shade (which has less intense, more "buildable" coverage). The formula is supposed to offer "easy-to-apply, blendable" blush that is paired with a "complementary" highlighter with.
In my experience, the High Intensity version offered greater pigmentation but also offered a more saturated take on the color scheme; it felt more like making a certain color combination work for both lighter and deeper complexions rather than just doubling up on the pigment. The regular shades were semi-sheer to medium coverage and were buildable. The High Intensity shades were definitely higher coverage and typically ran semi-opaque to opaque.
The consistency was creamy with moderate slip and felt like a traditional cream brush (wet to the touch, emollient, and thin). They applied well to bare skin as well as over foundation for the most part, though a few shades could have been more foolproof to work with over base products. The more shimmery shades (like highlighters) felt slightly more emollient compared to more cream-finish shades (like blushes).
As they're a creamier product, they sheer out and blend quite well during application, so one often needs to pat on a second layer to amp up the coverage (rather than applying more heavily) if higher coverage is desired (less necessary with High Intensity shades).
The formula dried down for the most part but didn't look totally flat or matte. As a result, they didn't slide around too easily during wear on my skin. Most shades started to show signs of fading after seven to eight hours of wear, which is average most cheek colors for me.
Browse all of our Kosas Color and Light Palette swatches.
Ingredients
Helios
PPermanent. $34.00.
Helios (Blush)
Helios (Blush) is a medium, more medium orange with a soft, satiny sheen. It seemed more pigmented initially, but it was prone to sheering out and spreading out as a thinner layer of semi-sheer coverage, which was more in sync with what the brand claimed. The coverage was buildable to more medium to semi-opaque coverage with a second layer. The consistency felt emollient, creamy, and thin without being tacky, and it dried down for the most part. It wore nicely for eight hours before showing signs of fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- elf Bahamas (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- elf Isla del Sol (P, $7.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Zoeva Burning Up (P, $11.80) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop So Cosmo (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Underclassman (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Summer Fling (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Floret (P, $15.50) is more shimmery, lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Linda (LE, $39.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Peach Face (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- NARS Ambition (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
Each shade in the range has two levels of color intensity; each shade has a "High Intensity" version, which offers "double the pigment" compared to the regular shade (which has less intense, more "buildable" coverage). The formula is supposed to offer "easy-to-apply, blendable" blush that is paired with a "complementary" highlighter with.
In my experience, the High Intensity version offered greater pigmentation but also offered a more saturated take on the color scheme; it felt more like making a certain color combination work for both lighter and deeper complexions rather than just doubling up on the pigment. The regular shades were semi-sheer to medium coverage and were buildable. The High Intensity shades were definitely higher coverage and typically ran semi-opaque to opaque.
The consistency was creamy with moderate slip and felt like a traditional cream brush (wet to the touch, emollient, and thin). They applied well to bare skin as well as over foundation for the most part, though a few shades could have been more foolproof to work with over base products. The more shimmery shades (like highlighters) felt slightly more emollient compared to more cream-finish shades (like blushes).
As they're a creamier product, they sheer out and blend quite well during application, so one often needs to pat on a second layer to amp up the coverage (rather than applying more heavily) if higher coverage is desired (less necessary with High Intensity shades).
The formula dried down for the most part but didn't look totally flat or matte. As a result, they didn't slide around too easily during wear on my skin. Most shades started to show signs of fading after seven to eight hours of wear, which is average most cheek colors for me.
Browse all of our Kosas Cream Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Microcrystalline Wax, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, C10-18 Triglycerides, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax; Caprylyl Glycol, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, [+/ -: Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (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.
Helios (Blush)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Helios (Highlighter)
Helios (Highlighter) is a light-medium gold with strong, warm undertones and a soft, metallic finish. It had semi-sheer, buildable coverage–best applied in thin layers and letting each layer dry down–with a smooth, lightly emollient texture that was a smidgen tacky but wasn’t prone to lifting up my base products. The highlighter applied evenly over bare skin or on top of foundation. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Nudelight (Bottom) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Duchess (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Electric Look #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Maldives (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Becca Prosecco Pop (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Lancome Sparkling Peche (P, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Apricot in the Act (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fairest of All (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Celestial Fire (P, $38.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Goldgasm (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
Each shade in the range has two levels of color intensity; each shade has a "High Intensity" version, which offers "double the pigment" compared to the regular shade (which has less intense, more "buildable" coverage). The formula is supposed to offer "easy-to-apply, blendable" blush that is paired with a "complementary" highlighter with.
In my experience, the High Intensity version offered greater pigmentation but also offered a more saturated take on the color scheme; it felt more like making a certain color combination work for both lighter and deeper complexions rather than just doubling up on the pigment. The regular shades were semi-sheer to medium coverage and were buildable. The High Intensity shades were definitely higher coverage and typically ran semi-opaque to opaque.
The consistency was creamy with moderate slip and felt like a traditional cream brush (wet to the touch, emollient, and thin). They applied well to bare skin as well as over foundation for the most part, though a few shades could have been more foolproof to work with over base products. The more shimmery shades (like highlighters) felt slightly more emollient compared to more cream-finish shades (like blushes).
As they're a creamier product, they sheer out and blend quite well during application, so one often needs to pat on a second layer to amp up the coverage (rather than applying more heavily) if higher coverage is desired (less necessary with High Intensity shades).
The formula dried down for the most part but didn't look totally flat or matte. As a result, they didn't slide around too easily during wear on my skin. Most shades started to show signs of fading after seven to eight hours of wear, which is average most cheek colors for me.
Browse all of our Kosas Cream Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Microcrystalline Wax, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, C10-18 Triglycerides, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax; Caprylyl Glycol, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, [+/ -: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491)]
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.
Looks like a very good quality duo, but I much prefer the High Intensity version for myself. This one runs just a little too light and sheer for me.
These two shades are definitely not my cup of tea. On my fair complexion with cool/neutral undertones, I think these would look really odd!! I do think they sound nice though. Maybe down the road I will pick up a few of the pinker/rosier shades.
This is pretty but I have a similar colors. I’m going to pick up Kosas pink intense duo when I can use my 15% off at Sephora.
I bought this when it was released on Kosas’ website in November 2018. While I enjoyed it, it went bad before the 6-month use-by date on the package. I tend to carry stick/potted cream products with me since they are easier to apply, and unfortunately, this one went bad more quickly than expected (or that the package said it would, though I imagine that is assuming the product stored in a cool, dark, dry place, even though the brand sort of markets itself on the ease of use and quick application which to me implies makeup on the go.)