Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio Review, Photos, Swatches
Holiday 2016
Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio ($30.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a trio of highlighters (which may be more like highlighting blushes on some skin tones). All three shades are available in the permanent range, should you only be interested in one of them. I love that Laura Geller put out a trio of these–as I love the formula–but wish the packaging was more substantial and thinner; it is flimsier cardboard (I don’t mind cardboard usually) and is much thicker and larger to accommodate the brush. The formula of the three shades is fairly consistent with the standalone versions; the only difference was the ones in the palette were a touch softer and easier to pick up in the pan. The “problem” with the formula is that it’s supposed to be sheerer, and they’re more pigmented than sheer.
Value
- Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator: $26.00 for 0.16 oz. or $162.50/oz.
- Total Value: $34.13
Holiday 2016
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Get a shade-by-shade breakdown of this palette, along with individual photos and swatches.
Ballerina
Ballerina is a medium, rosy copper with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had mostly opaque, buildable pigmentation with a soft, smooth, and blendable consistency that sat well on the skin without emphasizing pores or the natural texture. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Parasol (LE, $10.00) (90% similar).
- MAC Stride of Pride (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Kosas Contrachroma (High Intensity) (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Dior #003 (LE, $53.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bae Area (DC, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Gilded Glow (P, $48.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Any Wonder (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #20 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Marsala (LE, $25.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Becca Rose Gold (LE, $38.00) is cooler (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.16 oz. - $162.50 Per Ounce
The Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator formula is supposed to give a “translucent wash of luminous color” that can be used all-over or as a highlighter with a powder-cream hybrid texture. The consistency was denser but smooth and had no powderiness in the pan. The powder applied well to bare skin, blended out easily, and sat well on my skin. Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
The biggest “downside” to the formula is that they’re really more pigmented than described. I think they’re easy to use as a semi-sheer product with a lighter hand, but without adjusting one's tool or technique, they tended to apply at more semi-opaque to opaque coverage. To me, the formula would be better described as having medium, buildable coverage.
Browse all of our Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator swatches.
Ballerina
PPermanent. $26.00.
Gilded Honey
Gilded Honey is a bright, light-medium gold with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. The pigmentation was good, just a bit shy of opaque, with a smooth, blendable texture that was easy to apply and work with on the skin. Despite the shiny finish, it did not emphasize my skin’s texture or my pores. This shade wore well for eight and a half hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Boomin' (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Frosted (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Gold Bullion (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Medium-Nude (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Holly Gold-head (LE, $4.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bigger and Better (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, more muted (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever #02 (P, $39.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Whisper of Gilt (P, $44.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia So Hollywood (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Heat Wave (LE, $47.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.16 oz. - $162.50 Per Ounce
The Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator formula is supposed to give a “translucent wash of luminous color” that can be used all-over or as a highlighter with a powder-cream hybrid texture. The consistency was denser but smooth and had no powderiness in the pan. The powder applied well to bare skin, blended out easily, and sat well on my skin. Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
The biggest “downside” to the formula is that they’re really more pigmented than described. I think they’re easy to use as a semi-sheer product with a lighter hand, but without adjusting one's tool or technique, they tended to apply at more semi-opaque to opaque coverage. To me, the formula would be better described as having medium, buildable coverage.
Browse all of our Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator swatches.
Looks Using this Product
Gilded Honey
PPermanent. $26.00.
Peach Glow
Peach Glow is a light-medium peach with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. I found that the version in the palette had less large sparkle, so it actually sat better on the skin than the permanent version I have. It had semi-opaque, buildable color payoff, so it wasn’t what I’d call a “translucent wash” by any means, but some might prefer the greater pigmentation anyway. It lasted nicely on my cheeks for eight hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Crafty (LE, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Soleil d'Ambre (Highlighter) (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Winter 2018 (Highlighter) (LE, $60.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Eclat du Desert (LE, $80.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Maybelline Molten Rose Gold (P, $9.99) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Goody Two Choux (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- By Terry Light & Tan Vibes #3 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- bareMinerals The Brilliant Sunset (LE, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Girl Next Door (PiP, $36.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Sunset Nectar (LE, $48.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.16 oz. - $162.50 Per Ounce
The Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator formula is supposed to give a “translucent wash of luminous color” that can be used all-over or as a highlighter with a powder-cream hybrid texture. The consistency was denser but smooth and had no powderiness in the pan. The powder applied well to bare skin, blended out easily, and sat well on my skin. Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
The biggest “downside” to the formula is that they’re really more pigmented than described. I think they’re easy to use as a semi-sheer product with a lighter hand, but without adjusting one's tool or technique, they tended to apply at more semi-opaque to opaque coverage. To me, the formula would be better described as having medium, buildable coverage.
Browse all of our Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator swatches.
Peach Glow
PPermanent. $26.00.
Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio
Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio
Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio
Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio
Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio
Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio
Laura Geller Holiday 2016 Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Trio
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Gilded Honey Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Gilded Honey Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Gilded Honey Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Peach Glow Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Peach Glow Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Laura Geller Peach Glow Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
Oh man the products are beautiful. I would love all three. Great price too. But, I’m trying to be more and more particular in my purchases to limit my spending, or spend smarter. The packaging is going to deter me here. Too bulky. Too bad they didn’t take a cue from the permanent packaging on these, which is fairly compact.
The packaging could be so much slimmer!
Oh ugh.. this is tempting. I love Ballerina as a blush in the summer.
Ballerina is amazing <3
This is sooo pretty! I really want to try some of Laura Geller’s products…
I hope you can try some of her products eventually!
I’ve never tried laura geller s highlighters..onlyher blushes which are so amazing.. how would compare the highlighter swirls to the Bobbi brown shimmer bricks? Which one is smoother and intense
Bobbi Brown has a stronger and larger shimmer size, so it looks more metallic on the skin.
I have never tried Laura Geller Highlighters before. This trio looks beautiful! Maybe I will buy this set or 1 of the individual pans, not sure. When does this come out? I don’t seem to find it anywhere online. Didn’t see it on Ulta or Laura Geller’s site.
It’s on Nordstrom 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Sooo pretty. Wish this were available near me! Because, of course, having just got that Estee Edit palette with the highlighers in it, I really need more highlighters/illuminators. But I would love the chance to try Laura Geller.
Laura Geller has some good products! I feel like it is a quiet brand – solid but you don’t hear too much about it!
So pretty!! I’m already have LG Gilded Honey, and love it (one of my top faves), but it’s nice to get 3 highlighters in one set, would be a handy to grab in the morning or for travel.
It would! Easy to mix and match, too.
I may buy this just for this version of Peach Glow! I love it. I already have the other two in singles. One problem is my drawer is busting over with highlighters and if this is bulky that may be an issue.
You might be better waiting for a LG sale then, Nicole!
Good idea!
This is really beautiful and I love all of the shades. I assume that the pans are not removeable so not sure how travel friendly this would be but it sure is pretty.
Definitely would doubt them being removeable!
If I wasn’t so duped out in these shades, I’d possibly get this. I say “possibly” because the description of the packaging sounds way less than sturdy. Therefore, not great at protecting the 3 highlighters. Eh, that’s alright, I do have Whisper Of Gilt, CP Butterfly Beach and MAC Cheek Pollen (BB and CP look AMAZING together, BTW!).
The packaging should keep the powders from breaking, but it could get dinged around, and if you have dupes, easy skip! LG has good sales from time to time, so you could always grab one later on (since the individuals are permanent).
When and where will this trio be available?
Have been meaning to try these out since a while now.
I got mine from Nordstrom! I believe it is exclusive to Nordstrom.
Too shimmery for me but still, what a pretty palette!
It is!
I like this a lot!!! Pretty and not a bad value! I do wish the brush didn’t add so much space to the packaging though.
I agree! I wish they had kept the brush separate, so the palette would be smaller.
How easy/hard do you think it would be to depot these?
I really have no idea if they would be depottable!
This is a pretty good set, with the choices all being of great value. I think these shades would suit most skintones.
I agree!
Swatched in person and they are stunning. Gilded Honey is a Whisper of Gilt dupe and you can actually get it! Lol
And cheaper 😉
This is a really nice kit for the price point. 😉
I loved everything except the packaging, lol! I’d rather a much slimmer trio.
I felt the same way about the Becca Champagne Glow kit. lol
Wowwwwwwwwwwwww …. sooo getting this , havent tried anyyy of the shades so this is an awesome deal 😀 😀
It is a great deal!
Very pretty and tempting. I like how glam it is without being over the top.
I sort of want this because I already have charming pink, and this would let me try all of the others, so that should be a win… but man oh man do I hate cardboard packaging. Especially bulky cardboard packaging. I’m not a fan of spending mid-range prices on something that (externally) feels cheap; I want the whole thing to be pretty!
btw, how’s the brush? If they say the set is worth $80, and there’s just $35 of product, they’re attributing an awful lot of value to the brush alone! hmm…
I’m really surprised you gave this such high marks considering what a horrible value it is. The products is nice I’ll admit. But the pan size was so horrible I returned mine
I don’t include price or value in my rating – the metrics are written right there on the Glossover on what I look for/rate 🙂 I think my readers are smart enough to buy based on what they can afford/feel is a good price, since value is very subjective!
You are getting more for your money (just accounting for the Gelatos, excluding the brush value), so I wouldn’t call it a horrible value though?