Make Up For Ever 5 Frozen Purple Star Lit Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
5 Frozen Purple
Make Up For Ever 5 Frozen Purple Star Lit Powder ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is an iridescent lavender with cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It had less of a shift as it did a very strong iridescence and sheen, so it could still be used as a transforming powder on top of other products.
It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque coverage applied dry, which was buildable; I didn’t feel like it wasn’t pigmented when I used a blush brush to apply to my cheeks, but it was definitely more intense and took less product to get greater coverage with a damp brush. The texture was smooth, finely-milled, and sat well on the skin and did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. I noticed that the finish was really quite reflective, but only at an angle; if I looked at my husband straight-on, it was subtle, but as soon as I turned my head, it was like, “Whoa!” On the cheeks, it wore well for eight hours on me, and on the eyes, it lasted for seven and a half hours before fading.
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
- Makeup Geek Celestial (P, $20.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Wayne Goss Shimmer Pink (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Tarina Tarantino Diamond Dusk #1 (DC, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Guerlain Les Nuees #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Smashbox Techno (P, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Fyrinnae Unicorn (P, $7.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Soft Frost (P, $42.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Chameleon (DC, $6.99) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Fresh Ice (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Physicians Formula Iridescence (P, $10.99) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.08 oz. - $262.50 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.
I love how this looks on the cheeks! It creates an ice queen look that is quite seasonally appropriate.
Yayyy!
My thoughts exactly! I shivered when I saw the swatch, brrrr…..
Christine, this is literally an exact dupe for the MUFE product: https://www.makeupatelier.fr/en/sparkle/102-pearl-powder.html?search_query=white+purple&results=10
Only it’s much cheaper. I buy mine from Beautylish for $12 and they come in more shades than the MUFE. I really feel like MUFE ripped off MUA on this product down to even the packaging.
There are many alternatives to this type of product, in loose form, IMO 🙂 Make Up For Ever has had something similar in their Star Powders (but they have less shimmer, if I recall correctly).
MUFE’s in a circular jar with a large center hole in it (like Ardency Inn, Makeup Geek) – standard packaging, though, definitely not specific to MUFE and I’ve seen it used by a few brands.
I think I’m just baffled as to why they would even release these. It’s certainly not new or novel. I mean, I guess I’m glad the quality seems to be there per your review, for those that want to buy this brands versions.
Really pretty! I definitely need to try these!
Hope you can!
Why do I have a funny feeling that we are entering an even more duochrome-y/ iridescent highlighter trend than even last year? I really do like this shade! Now I feel torn between these and the KVD Alchemist palette, however.
It seems like it!
This reminds me of a better quality version of those unusual Colourpop highlights!!
I also prefer the yellow gold one (Does that even surprise you? 😛 ) but this one is beautiful!!
They are more intense! 🙂
I like this the best so far I think out of this new line up. I’d certainly use it as an inner corner highlight but that seems like it’s overly specific. If money grew on trees I’d do it!
Yay!
A really beautiful polished look it gives the cheeks.
It does!
It gives your face a beautiful glow. I like this one. All I own is MAC Lightscapade and an old MAC Silver Dusk loose. For only $21. I’m going to go for it 🙂 Happy New Year!
Thank you, Valerie!
It is lovely but I think I’ll get one of the cheaper dupes!
Sounds good to me! 🙂