Milani Holographic Beams Stellar Lights Highlighter Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Holographic Beams
Milani Holographic Beams Stellar Lights Highlighter Palette ($13.00 for 0.42 oz.) includes a beige with a pink-to-violet duochrome sheen, iridescent bluish-white, and a rich orange. I wish they had opted for a cooler plum or lavender instead of the orange, as it would have made it a cool-toned complement to the Rosy Glow trio (which is definitely all warm-toned!). I liked the trio, and all three shades were easy to apply and blend out, but two of the three shades weren’t “richly pigmented” as described.
Holographic Beams
PPermanent. $13.00.
Unicorn Dreams
Unicorn Dreams is a pale beige base with pink-to-violet shifting pearl. The texture was drier and somewhat powdery, though it seemed to apply rather well to my skin and did not appear chalky in practice. It had a more luminous finish that wasn’t as metallic as the other two shades in the palette. The pigmentation was medium, somewhat buildable, and stayed on well for seven and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Becca Pink Pyrite (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Clionadh Ohm (P, $12.50) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Rose (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Essence Be My Spacelight (P, $4.49) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Flying High (P, $10.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Pink Heart (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Disco Queen (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, less pigmented (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Whimsy (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tarte Believe (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Becca Love (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
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The formula is supposed to be a "micro-milled, buildable powder that blend[s] seamlessly and leaves a luminous finish" that is also "richly pigmented," so based on their description, it seems that they're likely referring to the finish being buildable (more and more shimmery) while the color itself is more pigmented. The texture of the powders was generally soft, a little dry but not dusty or chalky, and they were blendable and left behind a finish from luminous to metallic, depending on the shade. Some of them felt more sparkly and looser while others felt smoother and had finer shimmer particles. The pigmentation ranged from medium to mostly opaque, and I didn't have any issues blending out any of the shades. The formula lasted for seven to eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Milani Stellar Lights Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Mica (CI 77019), Talc, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphogopite, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide -/+May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) Red 40 AL Lake (CI 16035), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007).
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.
Unicorn Dreams
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Make Believe
Make Believe is a pale, bluish-white with iridescent pearl and subtle sparkle. It worked particularly well to layer over other blushes, as it gave them a cooler, violet sheen. The highlighter had medium pigmentation that was buildable to semi-opaque coverage with two to three layers. The powder was soft, blendable, and just a touch dry to the touch, but it looked flattering on my skin as it was glowing but not emphasizing. This shade started to fade noticeably after eight hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Becca Aquamarine (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Stellar (P, $18.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Unicorn Elixir (P, $9.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Celestial (P, $20.00) is more pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- Kaleidos Moon Cruiser (P, $14.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Blue Ice (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Holographic Glow (006) (P, $50.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Dior Pearlescent Glow (03) (P, $50.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Milk Makeup Icy Blue (LE, $30.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Looxi Beauty Wicked (P, $7.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be a "micro-milled, buildable powder that blend[s] seamlessly and leaves a luminous finish" that is also "richly pigmented," so based on their description, it seems that they're likely referring to the finish being buildable (more and more shimmery) while the color itself is more pigmented. The texture of the powders was generally soft, a little dry but not dusty or chalky, and they were blendable and left behind a finish from luminous to metallic, depending on the shade. Some of them felt more sparkly and looser while others felt smoother and had finer shimmer particles. The pigmentation ranged from medium to mostly opaque, and I didn't have any issues blending out any of the shades. The formula lasted for seven to eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Milani Stellar Lights Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Mica (CI 77019), Talc, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphogopite, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide -/+May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) Red 40 AL Lake (CI 16035), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007).
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.
Make Believe
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Otherworldly
Otherworldly is a rich, medium orange with warm undertones and a golden, metallic finish. It was richly pigmented and had a soft, lightly dusty texture that was blendable and easy to work with on my cheekbones. It yielded a nice, luminous glow that was shiny but did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. The highlighter wore well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Gold Deposit (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Milani Glowing (P, $10.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Coucher de Soleil I (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Rose Cliff #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Golden (P, $12.99) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Gradient Glow (P, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #17 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Fuego (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Glo Getter (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Gold Addict (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be a "micro-milled, buildable powder that blend[s] seamlessly and leaves a luminous finish" that is also "richly pigmented," so based on their description, it seems that they're likely referring to the finish being buildable (more and more shimmery) while the color itself is more pigmented. The texture of the powders was generally soft, a little dry but not dusty or chalky, and they were blendable and left behind a finish from luminous to metallic, depending on the shade. Some of them felt more sparkly and looser while others felt smoother and had finer shimmer particles. The pigmentation ranged from medium to mostly opaque, and I didn't have any issues blending out any of the shades. The formula lasted for seven to eight hours on me.
Browse all of our Milani Stellar Lights Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Mica (CI 77019), Talc, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphogopite, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide -/+May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) Red 40 AL Lake (CI 16035), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007).
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.
My favorite shade in the trio is Otherworldly, no surprise there! But since I fully intend on buying Nars Coucher de Soleil, and that has a super close dupe, I’ll skip this trio.
WOW, that’s surprising for drug store!
The orange is beautiful, but it does seem like an odd choice with the pink and blue. I agree with you that a lavender would have made a much better choice. A white, pale gold, or light green would have all worked, too.
I bought this from my local Walmart a little while ago it was the last one on the shelf and after a week of owning and using it once the pink Unicorn Dreams and purple Make Believe powders started breaking apart. I think they are beautiful highlighters but the consistency of the powder is very soft so it is very fragile and prone to shattering. I tried to put them back together with alcohol but they are so soft they keep falling apart. Just wanted to let anyone that was interested know that I had this problem.
Oh no! Mine were shipped to me from Milani, and they didn’t pack it that well but mine didn’t shatter, thankfully!
When I bought it the palette was not in the section that is was supposed to be in. It was sitting at the bottom of the shelf so I don’t know if someone has dropped it before I purchased but it looked like it was in good condition when I paid for it and when I got it home. I saw both palettes at a different Walmart yesterday so if I can find my receipt I may exchange the broken one and see if I still have issues because I think it’s an impressive drugstore highlighting set.
So strange! I would have expected mine to arrive busted, lol!
If it weren’t for the Nars Coucher, think i’d be in on this one. A cool shade might indeed have been more appropriate, but orange def rules, and no dupes in stash. I like the no gold! Orange would offset some of my blush faves perfectly. Maybe if it gets to Ulta.
I probably already have covered the bluish to purple/lilac highliters with my Royal Calyx and Lilac to Reality WetnWild shades and they are beautiful! So instead of Milani I would go for NARS. I often wonder how good these shades look on me being pale but they are so much fun to play with and do love them and use them from time to time with a matching top usually but I’m more into the pinkish or coral shades more suitable to my skin. I’m afraid of the blues and lilacs looking as if I got beat up so I wear very slightly but they are pretty! Lol! Oh! Stila has some gorgeous lilac ones but all I got from swatching was plenty of glitter and barely visible color. So again, ?? to my beloved WetnWild! ?
I love the two lighter shades! How pretty! Especially for a drugstore palette!