Pat McGrath Champagne Gold Sublime Skin Highlighter Review & Swatches
Champagne Gold
Pat McGrath Champagne Gold Sublime Skin Highlighter ($65.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a lighter, rosy copper with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer, though the intensity of the finish was more buildable–when layered, it could get to near-metallic.
The powder was very smooth, dense and slightly firmer without being stiff or difficult to pick up with a dry brush, and it had a particularly finely-milled, almost cream-like quality when it was applied to my skin. There was no powderiness in the pan, and the highlighter looked smooth and luminous on my skin without emphasizing texture. It had a soft, pinkish color that was visible on my skin tone and a subtle, peachy sheen. It stayed on nicely for nine hours before fading visibly.
As a note, the pot has a twist-off lid, and the component itself is exceptionally heavy (in weight)–in line with the Mothership Palettes where there’s a distinctive weight to them.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Whimsical Ride (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Morning Glory (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Mesmerize (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Superb (P, $42.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- OFRA Blissful (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Pink Riviera (LE, $50.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Modern Mercury (LE, $65.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Andalasia (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Allegro (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Transcend (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Love the effect on your skin, very flattering in you! The lipstick too is stunning on you! Great combo!
Thank you, Francesca!
This is soooo pretty. I wish it came in another shade in this exact tone, but one or two shades lighter so it would work better for me. But I bet it would be a lovely blush topper.
Same here, it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Wow – that is really pretty.
This one has a gleam to it that is out of this world! It is perfection for my skintone, too. So, why would I seriously hesitate to get it? Two reasons; 1.) Price. With some very expensive, and very unexpected, vet bills, I just cannot spend with the same wild abandon I did a year ago, 2.) The weight combined with the screw off top is a recipe for disaster with my clumsy hands. I’ll wind up dropping it on my foot, I just know it.
Sorry to hear bout your kiitty Nancy. Our pets are our family. It’s hard to take anything hurting them😢
So I love this highlighter. It could also be described as a glowy blush.
I have a strong suspicion her blushes will have this same amazing glowy formula. if she ever decides to release them 🙂
One of the dupes is EL Modern Mercury and I have the pristine original I kept and bought a backup during the summer. Very pretty, though.
I have been waiting to see a review of this highlighter. I am at make up overload and do not need anymore eye shadow palettes. I purchased the 3 pan and LOVED the bronze and gold shades but found the pink shade to be powdery, I also panned the bronze/gold quickly. If this is similar to the Bronze and Gold formula I will be OVER JOYED!!!
This one is a beauty. I think it is too dark for me to use as a highlight but would be a super pretty blush/blush topper. I so wish I could see it in person but may just have to take a leap of faith. I do have the EL Modern Mercury but I like the look of this on your skin better than I do on my skin, and on your skin from when you reviewed it. Definite maybe, LOL!
This highlighter is very pretty and I love the shade colour and finish.
Funny name! Gold Champagne and it seems to be neither, but that’s lots of brands. The thing I like best about beautiful Christines reviews is to read the color description. It’s the first thing I look at. Internet pix can be different than real life.
It’s pretty but nothing I need. I do like the packaging.
I agree. Gold Pink Champagne?
This is out of topic but have you try their Sublime Perfection Setting Powder?
I am a big fan of Urban Decay – NAKED SKIN Loose Finishing Powder (it is SO SMOOTH), since it is discontinued, I have been looking for an alternative. Wondering if you have any recommendation, thank you!
I tried it but wasn’t impressed to switch to it for long-term!
Thank you for the honest opinion! I am gonna skip this and keep looking then : )
Debating between this one and the Charlotte Tilbury! So difficult to choose — definitely don’t need both, but they’re both gorgeous. I’m leaning towards this one JUST because Pat’s packaging is to die for.
I love this look. The highlight is stunning. What brand and colour is the lipstick you are wearing, I love it so much. Thank you
Ugh. This is soooo pretty. One of my favorite types of tones in highlighter, but sadly it’s way, way, way out of my budget.
The packaging and press design are GORGEOUS and this caught my eye above all the other holiday releases. Alas, it’s too damn dark for my skin and I don’t need to spend that money on a glowy blush I’ll barely wear.
Couldn’t bring myself to pay this price even with the heavy pot and beautiful finish, especially since I’m not in need for a highlighter and not particular into them. That said, like the idea of the heavy container. Is it metal?
It seems metal to me, but I think a lot of the weight is being added (like inside the component), so I’m not sure — I didn’t go try to test with a magnetic or anything!
Thanks! I’m sure those who purchase it will be satisfied with it being heavy. I was simply wondering as she seems to be moving towards more sustainable materials.
This also reminds me of Becca Rose Gold
It looks very similar to Bobbi Brown Tawny Glow. In my experience heavy makeup is very hard to move for travel or to store… and also was a Surprise that PMG didn’t use Italy as a manufacturer, instead Taiwan/China. This is a pass me, very expensive for a dupable product.
I could see that! Definitely has a similar look, especially if you go sheerer. It didn’t quite feel like a traditional gel-powder formula to me, so maybe that is why?