Pat McGrath Sublime Skin Highlighting Trio Review, Photos, Swatches
Sublime
Pat McGrath Sublime Sublime Skin Highlighting Trio ($50.00 for 0.42 oz.) contains three, metallic highlighters that are supposed to have a “gel-powder” formula that has a “silky smooth texture” and “buildable intensity” (with respect to finish). The three powders were very smooth, silky, and blendable with high pigmentation, and the texture did feel like a cross between a gel and a powder as there was no powderiness, but it didn’t feel wet either. The level of shimmer and shine could be built up by layering on more product. They lasted between eight and nine hours. They had a more “melted” look on the skin that I think made them appear more “lit-from-within” when worn at medium coverage.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Sublime
PPermanent. $50.00.
Iridescent Pink (003)
Iridescent Pink (003) is a pale lavender with a pink-to-violet duochrome shift paired with a sparkling sheen. It had good color coverage that was buildable to full coverage with half of a layer on top. The highlighter had a smooth texture, despite seeming to have a bit more of a sparkle to it, and picked up well with a brush despite the denser, more cream-like consistency. It applied beautifully to bare skin and blended out nicely without emphasizing my skin’s natural texture as it had a satin-to-pearl finish one layer, and with two to three layers, it was more metallic. The color stayed on well for nine hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Pat McGrath Iridescent Pink 003 (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, brighter (95% similar).
- Morphe Stardust (P, $14.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Soft Frost (P, $42.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Naked Cherry #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Laura Geller Diamond Dust (P, $26.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Pink Mist (P, $9.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Pinch Me (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Unicorn (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Becca Pink Pyrite (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Maybelline Purple (100) (P, $9.99) (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chondrus Crispus, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
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.
Iridescent Pink (003)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $60.00.
Fine Gold (003)
Fine Gold (003) is a bright, white gold with a silver-to-gold shift and a metallic finish. There seemed to be fine sparkle in this shade, too. The consistency was smooth and velvety to the touch with excellent pigmentation. It applied evenly to my cheek bones and blended out with little effort. The finish was luminous in a single layer and could be built up to more metallic with a second layer. The highlighter lasted for eight and a half hours on me before I noticed any fading.
Top Dupes
- Dior Strobe Gold (Glitz) (LE, ) is less pigmented (95% similar).
- Artist Couture Gold Digger (P, $27.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- LORAC Star Reader (LE, $23.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Ghostlight (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Sidechick (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Electrify (P, $20.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Holographic Lights (P, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Worth the Wait (LE, $49.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Halo (P, $17.25) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Becca Pearl Flashes Gold (LE, $34.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Alumina, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Mica, Glycerin, Tin Oxide, Silica, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chondrus Crispus, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
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.
Fine Gold (003)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $60.00.
Bronze Nectar (003)
Bronze Nectar (003) is a medium-dark gold with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. It was intensely pigmented with a smooth, velvety texture that was soft to the touch but not at all powdery. The color picked up well to a tapered highlighting brush and applied evenly to bare skin. It blended out beautifully and left behind a more metallic finish that was just shy of pore-emphasizing territory on my skin. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me before fading slightly.
Top Dupes
- MAC Glow, Baby, Glow (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Gold Bullion (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Anastasia Bubbly (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Becca Opal (P, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever #02 (P, $39.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Pyrite (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Artist Couture Conceited (P, $27.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Fuego (LE, $28.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Minted (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Nightlight (LE, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chondrus Crispus, Xanthan Gum, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Carmine (Ci 75470).
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.
I love the sound of the formula of these but the gold one is the sort of shade that always looks a bit sickly/almost jaundiced on me and the dark shade is one I’d have no use for either so that leaves 1 of 3 which makes this way too pricey for me 1 highlighter. This is often the problem I have with cheek/highlighter palettes. If the pink one were available on its own, I might give it a try.
these look similar to the stila heavens hue highlighters in texture- is that true?
No, they’re denser and much less spongy.
The formula sounds dreamy! Love the two lighter shades 🙂
The palette looks divine! I’m drawn to the Iridescent Pink shade in particular. So glad it rated well!
These all look pretty on you. I think the Fine Gold seems to have a bit of a blue undertone, which would not work well w/the veining I’ve got in my face. The Bronze seems way too yellow based for me too. I can see these three colors working for many other people though.
Are these at all similar to the formula of the single kits Pat McGrath released a few years ago? The colors look similar.
Sorry, I didn’t try them.
The pink and silver one look beautiful but I don’t like the gold one. It’s quite pricey for just two that I like. Hopefully the sticks look better!
Oh! I see the price is $50 as opposed to $68 – much more tempting! The highlighter-balm duo sticks are $48 versus $55.
I love the way these look in the packaging…like little planets!
I was surprised to see Precious Petals listed as a dupe because it is much more of a rose gold on me, not as yellow as Bronze Nectar.
Iridescent Pink is the only one I could see myself wearing from this trio. Christine, do you know how it compares to ColourPop Monster Super Shock Cheek? I couldn’t truly tell from the swatches.
These are so pretty! I wish they weren’t so expensive but they look like they might be worth the expense.
I’m really digging the glow on these! They actually do have as you stated, “a glow from within” effect. More and more, I’m finding myself drawn to this effect instead of glittery or very metallic highlighters. Began using my old Laura Mercier Radiant Matte Highlighter 01 again on the regular recently!
Hi Christine, I’ve been hoping you would review this, so thank you! I was just wondering if you think the lightest shade has a base pigment that would translate as looking like a white/grey stripe on darker skin, or would just be visible when the light hits it?
I think it has less white than some dupes for it have had, but it’s hard to tell. You might be able to find past reviews of someone with deeper skin for just that shade since I believe the lighter shade launched previously (but I never reviewed it).
When I first saw these highlighters I wasn’t interested because I could tell that 2 of the shades were not going to work on my super pale skin. I was fairly sure they would review well given that they are PM products. Then I saw Tara swatch and use them on her YT channel and she is about the same skin shade as me but with different undertones. She has been using the ones that don’t work as blush toppers and eye shadows. They swatched beautifully and I do like all of the shades so this is definitely a possibility.
Dreamy sigh!! So SO STUNNING.
People talk a big game about these highlights and I’m super please they’re released in this format – even if the only one I really want is Fine Gold. I am so happy you reviewed these!! They’ll probably go on my wishlist for a sale.
Wow these are gorgeous! So much more natural on the skin than in the pan. I might have to hunt down some dupes!
This is a beautiful highlighting palette, but I am wondering whether the first two shades are too similar to each other. The gold shade is lovely, but would it turn orangey on fairer skintones.
I bought this trio and I love it so much. It is beautiful on the skin. I think it is definitely worth $50. Its shimmery not glittery at all. Im Excited to get the balm duo and the lip fetiah. I am a little obsessed
I bit the bullet and purchased this. I had a $25 gift card so it didn’t hurt as bad. I have dupes for two of the shades, but the rating and the way it looked on your skin made me cave and get it even though I was not interested in it in the beginning at all.
I hope you love it, Jessica! Keep us posted.
Christine, your look is so beautiful! In addition to the makeup I ADORE your earrings. May I ask where you got them?
They’re from Kate Spade, but I got them a year or so ago and they’re no longer available!
Ah gotcha – thanks for getting back to me! 🙂