Make Up For Ever 13 Ivory Star Lit Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
13 Ivory
Make Up For Ever 13 Ivory Star Lit Powder ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light-medium gold with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. I noticed some more obvious sparkle/micro-glitter in this shade, but it didn’t look overtly glittery on the skin. It seemed so metallic that it made the cheek area appear smooth rather than emphasizing the skin’s natural texture.
The texture of the loose powder was still incredibly silky and finely-milled, despite some of the larger shimmer/sparkle in it. It had semi-sheer, buildable coverage dry, and it was fully opaque with a lightly dampened brush. What I noticed was that opaque coverage was definitely achievable with dry application, it just took more product initially. I did, however, find it more blendable when I used it dry, particularly when I used it as a cheek highlighter. The color lasted for nine hours as a highlighter on my cheeks and eight hours on my lids as an eyeshadow. This shade also showed up well over a few different types of lipstick finishes (not just matte lipsticks).
The Star Lit Powder is supposed to be an “ultra-fine” loose powder that can be used to “highlight eyes, lips and cheeks” either wet or dry to “customize intensity and luminosity.” The powder was finely-milled, smooth, and very soft across all the shades I tried in the range, and the pigmentation was mostly opaque even dry, though damp application made it more concentrated and adhere strongly to wherever it was initially applied. Overall, I felt a little went a long way, so even though there was not much product in the container, it would still take many uses to finish it.
It took a few applications to figure out the best way to apply it as a highlighter on cheeks, as the opening is rather small and the product quite concentrated, so I often found myself with very strong, distinct stripes of highlight across the cheekbones that took some buffing to blend and diffuse out. It was better to lightly tap the brush in the opening, and then dab it in the interior of the lid, which had the effect of diffusing and dispersing the loose powder better throughout the brush. This yielded a glowing effect that still produced higher coverage but took the work out of blending it out. On the eyes, it was easier to get full distribution onto a brush, as eye brushes are smaller, but if you wanted a sheer wash of color, I would recommend the same technique as I used for applying it as a cheek highlighter with a fluffy eye brush.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Summer (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Fire Crystal (PiP, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Hourglass Champagne Strobe Light (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Sunburst (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Butterscotch (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Fiji (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Authentic (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Hourglass Gold Flash (P, $42.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Cover FX Moonlight (P, $42.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Anastasia White Sand (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.04 oz. - $525.00 Per Ounce
The Star Lit Powders can be used to “highlight eyes, lips and cheeks” with an “ultra-fine loose powder” that can be used “wet or dry to customize coverage intensity and luminosity.” While checking the weight on these, I noticed that the weight differs from shade to shade; this one had a mere 0.02 oz. while others ranged from 0.03 oz. to 0.09 oz. I also noticed that it appears the brand identifies what area you can use a shade on by listing an icon on the back of the jar in the shape of a pair of lips, an eyeball, and then a face (presumably for cheeks).
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Star Lit Powder swatches.
Wow, this is REALLY reflective. Christine, it is SO helpful that you’ve explained the ways you’ve found to use this most effectively. The rest of us – who might be put off by one or two tries and frustrating results – really get to benefit from your “experimentation”. Many thanks for letting us share in what you learn with new products like this one.
I felt like it was one of those products where that initial application makes you go, “Whoa!” but it was easy to correct the second time (less really is more).
So radiant! Lovely.
Glad to hear it!
What kind of brush / tools would you recommend is best for applying this product? It looks a little tricky to not make a mess and still apply quickly / effortlessly!
I used a tapered highlighter for cheeks, regular dome-shaped eyeshadow brush for eyes!
This is pretty, but more golden than I thought it would be. I still think I might like it, but only on my lids.
I feel like if you only ended up using this on the lids, you could probably dupe it for less!
Very good point, Christine! Thank you 🙂
Wow! That sure is metallic! I love it and would love this as both an eyeshadow, and as a *very* lightly applied highlight on myself. What’s nice is that this is neutral enough for warm and cool skintones.
It has some shine!
I love how glowy it is!! I want it!!
Yayyy!
Hmm, this Ivory is more like a light gold, very pretty, will swatch in store to see if I “need” it
Keep us posted, Katherine! 🙂
That looks pretty crazy on the cheeks.
It is quite metallic!
Thank you for this in depth review. You sound excited by the product. I love your eye look. Finally. thanks for the brush tip for application.
My pleasure, Elaine! 🙂
Very pretty, sparkly look for evening, I would say.
It is a fun look!
I really like this shade!! It looks great on you christine!
I’ve never been a fan of super-shiny highlighters, but this is oddly appealing to me.
Hi Christine! I’ve been eyeballing these since they appeared on Sephora’s sight. I really enjoyed your review on it. I am still on the fence regarding this particular color though. In your opinion would it suit MAC NC44 skintones?
I think it could – I feel like it doesn’t have a strong white base, but it is “cooler” in a sense, so it may be more contrasting/noticeable – does that make sense?