Pat McGrath Galactic Sun Divine Blush + Glow Palette Review & Swatches

Christine — Sun, 17 Oct 2021 19:00:00 +0000

Galactic Sun

Pat McGrath Galactic Sun Divine Blush & Glow Trio ($52.00 for 0.37 oz.) includes two blushes and one highlighter; all three shades are available individually, if preferred. The colors were fairly consistent compared to the standalone versions, though Desert Orchid looked lighter and a little warmer when initially swatched, but once on, they seemed to end up the same.

For reference, Pat McGrath blushes are available for $38.00 each and contain 0.34 oz. when sold individually, bringing the cost per ounce to $111.76; the highlighters retail for $48.00 each and contain 0.16 oz. or $300.00/oz. The brand doesn’t note whether the blushes weigh more than the highlighter in the trio, and I’d guess that while it may take up the same space visually, the highlighter weighs less despite volume looking otherwise.

With each product being equal in weight, then the palette contains $27.56 worth of blush and $37.00 worth of highlighter for a total “value” of $64.56. Taking a total guess, I’d estimate each at closer to half their normal weights, so the highlighter would be closer to 0.08 oz. ($24 worth in the palette) and the blushes a combined weight of 0.29 oz. or $32.41 worth of blush for a total “value” of $56.41. I think the palette seems priced right, and each one has plenty of product for many uses less than the cost of two shades individually.

Ingredients

Galactic Sun

LELimited Edition. $52.00.

9.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

9.5

Texture

Longevity

Application

94%

Total

Divine Rose

Divine Rose is a muted, medium-dark rosy pink with soft, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The texture was soft to the touch, finely-milled, and blendable with a smidgen of powderiness in the pan but it sat well on bare skin. It had medium to semi-opaque, buildable color payoff, which was closer to as marketed. This shade showed signs of fading after nine hours of wear.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Chanel Quintessence (440) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
ColourPop Coast to Coast (DC, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Violet Argente (Blush) (LE, $60.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
ColourPop Birthday Suit (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Sydney Grace Time Stops (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
LORAC Caribbean (LE, $23.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
ColourPop Enchanted Mirror (LE, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
ColourPop Vogue (LE, $12.00) is darker (85% similar).
NARS Impassioned (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Giorgio Armani Cool Mauve (50) (P, $38.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$38.00/0.34 oz. - $111.76 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be "featherlight, long-wearing" that "build effortlessly from sheer to subversive." The blushes are available in two finishes--demi-matte and satin pearl--and range from more muted to more vivid in color. The biggest "downfall" of the formula was that it was rather pigmented than buildable, so one could use a lighter hand to get more buildable coverage, but I found I had to use a light to moderate hand to ensure I didn't over-apply each shade.

The consistency was smooth, silky, and lightly creamy to the touch; it was a touch powdery in the pan but had more slip than most powder blushes on the market, but it was definitely a powder-based formula. The product applied well to bare skin as well as over foundation, as it diffused well along the edges without picking up base products.

The satin pearl finish was luminous but not overtly shimmery, so it did not emphasize my skin's natural texture. They wore around nine hours on me before fading visibly.

Browse all of our Pat McGrath Divine Blush swatches.

Ingredients

Talc, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethiconol Stearate, Magnesium Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Hexylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 7 (Ci 15850), 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.

Divine Rose

PPermanent. $38.00.

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

93%

Total

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid is a medium-dark peach with warmer undertones and a satin sheen. It had semi-opaque, buildable color coverage with a soft, silky-smooth texture that was blendable and easy to work with. The color seemed to be less intense initially–lighter and warmer–than the standalone I had, but one applied and blended out, they seemed indistinguishable. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading a bit.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Dior Charnelle (459) (P, $48.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
Stellar Beauty Eclipse (P, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Essence Satin Love (P, $2.99) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
ColourPop Construct (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
By Terry Tropical Sunset #6 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
NARS Body Talk (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Chanel Elegance (370) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Cover FX Warm Honey (Left) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Becca Amaretto (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Liberation (Right) (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$38.00/0.34 oz. - $111.76 Per Ounce

The satin pearl finish was luminous but not overtly shimmery, so it did not emphasize my skin's natural texture. They wore around nine hours on me before fading visibly.

Browse all of our Pat McGrath Divine Blush swatches.

Ingredients

Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethiconol Stearate, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Myristate, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140).

Desert Orchid

PPermanent. $38.00.

A-

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

91%

Total

Golden Nectar

Golden Nectar is a light gold with strong, warm undertones and a shiny, metallic finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which easily built up to full coverage if desired. The texture felt silky to the touch to the point where it was almost cream-like with its glide (without being powdery or thick). It lasted well for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

ColourPop Got Glow (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Pat McGrath Nude Nectar (LE, $48.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
Urban Decay Spotlight (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Pat McGrath Golden Moonlight (P, $48.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Milk Makeup Blitzed (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Pretty Vulgar Glow Up (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Happy Thoughts (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Sweet Peach (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Beach Party (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Candied Peach (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$48.00/0.17 oz. - $282.35 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have an "ultra-reflective finish" and "silken feel" to give a "high intensity glow." The texture felt more emollient, almost wet to the touch, though it was distinctively a powder-based formula in practice.

It had mostly opaque, buildable color coverage with a very thin, lightweight texture that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with ease. The finish was "high intensity" but didn't emphasize my skin's natural texture. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading a bit.

Browse all of our Pat McGrath Divine Glow Highlighter swatches.

Ingredients

Golden Nectar

PPermanent. $48.00.

9.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

96%

Total

Pat McGrath Galactic Sun Divine Blush & Glow Trio

Pat McGrath Divine Rose Divine Blush

Pat McGrath Desert Orchid Divine Blush

Pat McGrath Golden Nectar Divine Glow Highlighter

Pat McGrath Galactic Sun Divine Blush & Glow Trio

Pat McGrath Divine Rose Divine Blush

Pat McGrath Desert Orchid Divine Blush

Pat McGrath Golden Nectar Divine Glow Highlighter

Temptalia

Pat McGrath Galactic Sun Divine Blush + Glow Palette Review & Swatches

Galactic Sun

Ingredients

Galactic Sun

LELimited Edition. $52.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Ulta, Pat McGrath, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Divine Rose

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Ingredients

Divine Rose

PPermanent. $38.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Ulta, Pat McGrath, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Desert Orchid

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Ingredients

Desert Orchid

PPermanent. $38.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Ulta, Pat McGrath, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Golden Nectar

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Ingredients

Golden Nectar

PPermanent. $48.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Ulta, Pat McGrath, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)