Melt Cosmetics Genesis Digital Dust Highlight Review & Swatches
Genesis
Melt Cosmetics Genesis Digital Dust Highlight ($39.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a medium-dark, pink-coral with warm, golden shimmer throughout. It had rich pigmentation in a single layer, though the firmer, denser consistency made it easier to use a lighter hand with it to achieve more buildable coverage if preferred. The powder was firm without being stiff, so I could pick it up with a brush, apply and blend out the color easily. The finish was luminous but didn’t emphasize my skin’s natural texture, and the powder could be layered for a more intense finish, as described. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me before I noticed any fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- theBalm Hot Mama (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Beach Bum (P, $25.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Vibrant Coral & Golden (PiP, $38.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hit Rewind (P, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever 11 Golden Orange (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Extraordinary (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Haus Labs Fire Opal (P, $40.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pinkgasm (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Jet Girl (82) (LE, $49.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Papa Don't Peach (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$39.00/0.28 oz. - $139.29 Per Ounce
The brand doesn't have a great description of the highlighter formula generally, just descriptions of each shade. The lightest shade--Stargazer--is described as "buildable" but the other two are silent with respect to pigmentation, and the lightest shade was quite pigmented. Since there was no general description, I'm holding the formula to the average powder highlighter's claims--pigmented, long-wearing, and blendable, except Stargazer, which I would expect to have "buildable" pigmentation. The formula has a denser, firmer texture, but it never felt stiff nor was it difficult to blend out on the skin. The coverage was semi-opaque and buildable with a high-shine to metallic finish. All three lasted eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Digital Dust Highlight swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Glycerin, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Xanthan Gum, Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
STUNNING! I would have absolutely gotten this, however I do have CP Drop Of A Hat, plus a few of the much lighter highlighters that are listed as dupes. $’s saved, I suppose.
I do want to try melt someday if the prices were lower. That is beautiful.
I feel like their highlighters are more expensive than they should be (based on Melt’s other prices!).
Ugh, this color is like catnip to me, I love it so much. I do NOT need another product in this color! It looks totally dreamy, though…and I have to say that the imprint really shows off the glitter beautifully in the pan.
haha, same!!
I’m such a sucker for a coral rose gold! Stunning. Can’t wait to use it as a blush.
A beautiful shade, stunning effect, but quite expensive. However, if this one highlighter really worked for you, you would not need any others.
Christine and anyone who’s tried both Genesis + Melt’s Amelie eyeshadow: Do I NEED this if I already have Amelie as well as Charmy from Sugarpill? I want it but I’m trying not to buy anything I have dupes of. It’s so beautiful and tempting but is it a much better formula on cheeks than those eyeshadows/pigments?
I think the finish is going to be more intense with the actual highlighter than the eyeshadow or Charmy (which I think might have more base pigment than this vs. shimmer). I don’t know that it means you need this, though.
I feel like this is one of those colours I’m really drawn to. I love it as a blush. I do have Drop of a Hat and Vanessa’s Vanity Sweet Heat that seem to be duplicates. Maybe someday I’ll get it if it’s on a deep discount ☺️
I’m not a highlighter person, but this just caught my eye!!! Wow, nice! Thanks!
This reminds me a lot of Nars Orgasm. It’s gorgeous!