Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder ($59.00 for 0.38 oz.) is described as a “multidimensional powder [that] flatters all skin tones by diffusing light and minimizing imperfections.” There are three colors within the palette, though you could certainly use them in any combination. Practically, it’s easier to use the highlighter on its own, and then using the two more contour-hued shades together, as an average-sized blush brush doesn’t fit well into a single stripe without getting a little of what was next to it as well. The palette comes with a gold overspray, which will last a use or less, so I brushed it off entirely before swatching or using the powder. I wore the lightest shade as more of a highlighter with the less shimmery, more brown-ish shades as a blush and contour, respectively, and the highlighter seemed to fade faster than the others–at around seven hours–while the other two lasted a bit longer but not for a full eight hours. The powder is quite generously-sized, though, at 0.38 oz., but the performance could be better across the board.

Close-Up #1 is a pale, shimmering white with a subtle, cool, almost gray-ish, undertone. It had fairly good color payoff, but the texture was a little powdery, and it may be chalky against deeper complexions. I applied this to the cheekbone (with the other shades below as more of a contour), and it was very reflective, almost metallic, and did somewhat emphasize pores. Urban Decay Naked (P, $29.00) is more sparkly but the two are similar. Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight (P, $44.00) is warmer. NARS Albatross (P, $29.00) has a stronger gold sheen/cast. Chanel Lumiere Sculptee de Chanel Highlighting Powder (LE, $72.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.

Close-Up #2 is a medium brown with soft, warm tan undertones and a satin finish. It had decent to good color payoff, and the texture was soft and finely-milled and not too powdery. This will be a better fit for lighter skin tones than mine as it really disappears on my medium complexion. Too Faced Spice (LE) is darker. NARS Laguna (P, $36.00) is darker. NARS Madly (P, $29.00) is rosier, darker. MAC Sun Dipped (LE, $30.00) is darker. See comparison swatches.

Close-Up #3 is a golden, medium brown with a pale, yellow gold sheen. It had so-so pigmentation, but the texture was on the more powdery side. It’s soft, blendable, and easy-to-apply, though. Too Faced Spice (LE) is darker. MAC Gold Go Lightly (LE, $28.00) is warmer. MAC Sun Dipped (LE, $30.00) is redder in tone. Illamasqua Disobey (P, $26.00) is more matte, warmer. See comparison swatches.

For your reference, I also included swatches of the two brown shades blended together as well as all three shades together! The similarities in color with the two brown shades made them look almost like the same color, depending on the lighting, and the sizing of each component doesn’t lend itself to really individualized use.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder – Browns blended

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder – All blended

Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up (302) Lightshow Luminizing Powder