Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Review, Photos, Swatches
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator ($24.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a softened, medium rosy copper with warm, golden frost and a luminous sheen. Becca Rose Gold (P, $38.00) is a cream. Sephora + Pantone Universe Marsala (LE, $25.00) is pinker. MAC Fairly Precious (LE, $30.00) is lighter. Becca Rose Gold (P, $38.00) is similar. Laura Mercier Spellbound (LE, $42.00) is pinker. MAC Cheeky Bronze (P, $30.00) is slightly warmer. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
The formula is supposed to “[apply] like a sheer powder but [feel] like a cream” with a “translucent wash of luminous color.” The coverage is buildable from semi-sheer to mostly opaque, though it seems to apply with medium coverage unless you use a very feathery brush. If you’re a fan of formulas like MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish, Estee Lauder Gelees, or NARS Dual-Intensity Blush, I think you’ll like this one, too. It has a similar feel: smooth with a dryness that’s not truly dry or powdery, but it’s very smooth and silky when applied to the skin. This is just shimmery enough to give a noticeable sheen on the skin, but it is a step or two below a true frost, so it is hard to overdo and doesn’t emphasize pores. It is blendable on the skin, and this one can work as a blush or a highlighter, depending on your skin tone (I use it as a blush/highlighter hybrid on my skin tone). On me, it wore well for eight and a half hours before fading slightly.
Ballerina
PPermanent. $26.00.
See more photos & swatches!
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
See, this is one of those brands I see (mainly at Utla) that I don’t know much about but doesn’t pull me in. This illuminator is beautiful though. I’d get it if I needed one! Haha. Christine, do you review much from Laura Geller?
I don’t!
I love it. This is the kind of color I need to bronze. Do you think it compares to MAC Warm Soul?
I think Warm Soul is more orange/brown, less shimmery – less copper/bronze overall.
Hi Christine! I’m not sure where else to post this…I went to twitter and tried clicking on your link to the new MUFE Artist Palette and when it takes me to your website, the screen goes white and there is an ad for Rotel Rockin Guac and there is no way to get out of that. There is no X to click off of it and it forces you to click on that, opens a new window, and still won’t take me to the temptalia site. I read that you have strict rules in regards to ads, and I just wanted to let you know. I am clicking on the links with a pc, btw. Thank you for everything you do!! 🙂
Hi Julie!
Thank you for letting me know! I am seeing a banner ad for this, but the whole site loaded (it behaved properly). Did you try refreshing? (possibly just a one-off) I’ll keep an eye on it and see if I can replicate it, though! By chance, did the ad look like the entire site’s size or was it more like a banner?
I’ve had this happen as well, and haven’t found a way around it. It isn’t just your site though, I’ve had it happen to me on Nouveau Cheap as well so it seems to be an issue with the advertisers and not your website.
That’s usually the problem (the ad code, not the publisher’s website) – I’ve loaded about 50 pages on Temptalia and haven’t had any issues – it just loads as a 970×60 banner (right under the navigation), but it doesn’t pop up/slide out/takeover or prevent the site from loading for me. I’ve reported it to the network, but without being able to replicate it, the process is longer.
What browser/device are you using? I’ve checked on PC + Firefox/Chrome/IE and iPhone + Safari, but maybe it’s on a specific device or browser combo.
Yeah it’s strange…the entire page turns white with a two inch square ad at the top. It only happened to me when I clicked a link from your Twitter. I was on my of with internet explorer. I did refresh, didn’t help, and I tried in another window too and got the same thing. It’s fine on my iPhone though.
Hey Julie,
Is it okay now? Let me know! They said they pulled the ad entirely.
Yes! It’s fixed!
Thank you!
This is really pretty. I had seen this on QVC a while back spattered in between an IT Cosmetics program and I kinda was..ehh,,don’t know much about it. A lot of the older lades were calling in and raving about it. So, I somewhat dismissed it. Not a bad price either. I will have to stick my fingers in it next time I am in Ulta for sure now! lol
It’s super, super similar to MAC Extra Dimension/NARS Dual Intensity formulations (I think Laura Mercier has also done it), if you’re familiar with either of those! 🙂
Suprisingly, I have never used either of those formulas! I am stock full of highlighters and need a breither right now after the Sephora sale and Tom Ford coming in! I loved that Josie Maran comact so much and my highlighter addction got me. I rdered all 3 formulas before the sale ended! I can esily check out the Mac and Nars products you mentioned next time I am in Nordstroms. I am not sure if The Ulta near me carries a full stock of Laura Gellar or not. I know they have some things. I do remember seeing this in QVC for a petty good deal. I am not really please with buying things on QVC though unless I am sure I am keeping it. I paid almost $7 in shipping to send those IT cosmetics Illuminating CC kits back. Kinda peeved me off because they say it’s free returns..it’s not.
I hate paying for shipping/return shipping! 🙁
Me too! I’ll buy more stuff just to not pay shipping ,lol! But,it’s stuff I’ll use anyway.:)
I’ve always been kinda meh about this brand. It doesn’t pull me in at all. Idk what it is about it that I find kinda off putting.
This looks nice. I still don’t have the desire to buy it though.
I can’t recall the last time I was interested in a Laura Geller product until I saw these highlighters, but I am a fiend for a good highlighter… and I do like that these are more affordable than a lot of the versions I’ve seen!
That packaging looks pretty cheap. I once saw her shut down a caller on QVC who tried to offer some constructive criticism. I have never bothered trying out her products (and don’t intend to).
In other news, my Make-up forever nude palette comes in today. I just wanted to thank you for putting out all those swatches side by side when you posted the press release for the palettes ont he last day of sale. That really helped inform my decision to purchase. 🙂
Oh no! That is awful to hear 🙁
Hope you love your palette, Sonia!
Oh! I’m sure I will. I’m gonna play with it today. I am actually surprised at how big the pan size is. I know you did the math for us but I am not that great at visualizing numbers. I need to see something in flesh to see it for what it is. you were so right about this palette being a good value! The nude palette looks very posh! It feels well curated and perfect for a fail safe polished look. 🙂
This is too warm and shimmery for me, but looks good on you. Glad it got a good rating, I tried some Laura Geller products in past and wasn’t too impressed -their baked foundation and baked blush looked too frosty on me, and a lip color turned orange on me, so I’ve been staying away
Oh no, orange? That sucks!
Way to dark for me but so pretty!
I love the sheen!
Ordered!
I am really happy with my other Laura Geller products, so I’m sure I’ll like this one. Great shade with the perfect amount of sheen!
I was impressed! 🙂
The name of this and the way it looks just makes me want to eat it! It looks like chocolate mousse or something of the sort.
Haha!
It’s kind of a brand I never look at -but I find this very pretty! And $24 seems like a good price for a good highlighter!
I don’t know when was the last time I saw it in a store, lol!
It’s beautiful! Probably better for when my complexion has more color to it but I definitely like. I don’t buy much Laura Geller either but I was really impressed with her new liquid lipsticks which I recently reviewed. So lightweight! 🙂
Ooh, nice to know!
I noted this one You on your Tom Ford look post and I thought hells yeah.. exactly, it makes a fantastic summery highlighter blush hybrid. Co-incidentally, I’m wearing it today and it puts me in mind of the Becca Beach Tints. Nice product!
Bonus: it does not pull orange on me whatsoever.
Nice!! I can definitely see what you mean. She really nailed the shimmer level in it.
This looks really pretty on you Christine! I think this is a touch too dark and warm for me to pull off on the face, but the finish is just lovely. I have to ask, what are you wearing on your eyes here? Your eyes are really popping!
Here you go!
On face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation, Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder, Tom Ford Pink Glow Eye & Cheek Palette. On eyes: Tom Ford Pink Glow Eye & Cheek Palette, Sephora Girls Night Out Eyeliner. On lips: Tom Ford Sweet Spot Lip Color Sheer.
Oh, that is just beautiful! Too dark for me, though. I have a vanilla-colored baked highlighter from her that I like, though the sponge applicator that came with it was cheap, rough and useless. I don’t think I’ve tried anything else from her brand. It’s one of those ones I see and go, “Meh.”
No sponge tip this time, lol!
That’s lovely. I like the swirl pattern too, a nice change from the usual dome of a baked product.
That’s true 🙂
Oh, please, Christine, do review the gilded honey!
It looks great on you. She makes it in a lighter shade “Gilded Honey” that I’ve been thinking of buying. I use one of her bronzers, which is soft and sheer. I love it 🙂
Thanks, Valerie! 🙂
Interesting. I was very excited for the Gilded honey but found it disco ball glittery and kinda dry.
Really? That is too bad! I have Gilded Honey as well but didn’t have any issues with it being glittery or dry 🙁
Laura Geller cosmetics, especially the baked products, are one of my favorite lines, very underrated (or rather undiscovered in most cases). They were in Sephora briefly a few years ago, then were pulled from the store, I suspect because people just hadn’t used the products. I have many, many Laura Geller baked products from her website and love them all. The face primers are all very good as well, if you use a primer.
If you had to recommend three specific shades, which would you recommend?
I have a few things from Laura Geller. I have a Blush-N-Brighten in Down to Earth that I really like. Luminous, not dry, and the color is beautiful. A few eyeshadow liners too and I like the quality. Sure, it markets to older women—the color lays down nicely but it is worth a trip to Ulta to check it out. Glad you did a review on this.
It sits very nicely on the skin!
Christine, I really love the Eye Rimz Baked Wet/Dry Eye Accents in Hocus Pocus and Potion. On her website, Potion looks awful. It’s a nicely pigmented purplish color. Hocus Pocus is an awesome green. I also had the Sugar Free Matte Baked Eyeshadow Duo in Biscotti/Toast, which was a real basic neutral duo and again, the texture was nice and buttery and nicely pigmented. I liked it better than the my neutral Dior 5-pan. I’m glad you did a review. I need to revisit the line. I did have one of her powder foundations years ago, while I was still pretty oily and I loved the formulation. It doesn’t just sit on top of the skin but I wanted a better color match. I’m going to take myself to the store. There’s a lot more product now.
PS, I also like that eye shadow duo more than the formulation of my Bobbi Brown mattes!
Thank you, Veronica! I’m definitely going to pay more attention to Laura Geller!
Gorgeous! I’ve never used anything by Laura Geller which isn’t saying much because there a lot of makeup brands I haven’t tried 🙂
You’re not alone! I don’t think there’s a huge online following compared to some other brands.
One more thing. Her line was out with the baked products before any other line I can think of.
She was definitely early on in the baked trend!
Hi Christine,
Have you tired the new Laura Mercier indiscretion highlighter? I just picked it up today from sephora! 🙂
My question is how does it compare to this highlighter and the Laura Mercier highlighter in spellbound?
Thanks,
Vivi L.
It’s exactly the same as Spellbound.
Thanks Christine
That is gorgeous and if it doesn’t contain carmine, I can totally see me getting one and using it as an eye shadow. I have the gold one and I love the texture and shiny (but not frosty shine) finish. I would love it as an eye shadow!
I think she has the ingredients posted on her site, or else on ULTA. I just got the products this time (no boxes) or else I would try to help 🙂
Every Laura Geller product I have tried has been awesome! I would love to try this as most of the more shimmery highlighters just emphasize pores and fine lines. Hate to hear about the experience the other chicka had! That’s too bad! I buy all my LG products at Ulta. Looks gorgeous on you, Christine!
What are your must-have Laura Geller shades, Cindy?
Why do these rose gold illuminators speak to me so?? They are so darn pretty, but then I’m not wearing my Becca Rose Gold. I don’t even know where it went, lol.
I’m right there with you! Rose gold, sign me up!
It looks really nice and I like how it adds a noticeable sheen without looking like a glitter fest!
Me too! It’s sooooo pretty!
Not a brand that I ever really thought about….until now! This highlighter is really nice and I love the kind of copper-bronze sheen it has! Nice to have for summertime. Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
My pleasure, Nancy! I’m such a highlighter fiend so when I saw these, I really wanted to try. Plus, $24 is really reasonable in the world of mid to high-end cosmetics.
I have a highlighter from LG that I absolutely adore, and this is beautiful. Will be purchasing !
Which one do you have, Chelsea?
The baked highlighter in French vanilla! Takes everything in me not to just smear it all over my face, its so pretty lol
Oh wow, it’s so luminous, I love it!
YAY! 🙂
This looks really, really nice! I love how smooth it is. 🙂
It’s so pretty and glowy on!
Her blushes are the best! The ones I reach for the most are Pink Buttercream, Dreamsicle, and Tropic Hues. I have her 20 Shades of Baked eyeshadow palette from the holidays and I use every single of of the shades. The darker shades make great eyeliners when used wet. The Balance and Brighten foundation looks a little muddy on me, but the Bronze and Brighten is fab. I’m very pink and the bronzer has no orange in it at all. I do also love the Eye Rimz eyeliners. You have to get them wet and creamy to apply and they stay all day. My other rec is the Invisible Spackle Eye Primer. Very creamy and not cakey at all. Eye shadows will stay all day on my very oily lids with this primer.
Thank you so much for all the recs, Kathy! 🙂
hi! wondering how this compares to Jaclyn hills champagne pop! thoughts!?!?
http://www.temptalia.com/submit-dupe?sbs=1&pid=194784&dupe=201593
Glad I found your reviews and pics!
Luv the illuminator color, your skin looks perfect and glowy w/o looking overdone,
Lit from within….
Very complimentary shade/tone on you.
My skin tone is much lighter with pink and yellow undertones, would luv a shade for my colouring too.
Thank you, Peace!