Physicians Formula Champagne Butter Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
Champagne
Physicians Formula Champagne Butter Highlighter ($10.99 for 0.17 oz.) is a light-medium gold with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a smooth, creamy consistency that was slightly wet to the touch in the pot, but it did not feel wet once I applied it to my cheek bones. I liked using my fingertips for application, as it remained blendable and easy to work with that way, but brushes or sponges could be used (the latter will yield the most subtle of finishes). It had a strong, noticeable shine but did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. It wore well for nine and a half hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Gold Coasting (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Gold Bullion (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Apricot in the Act (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Vieve Holy Chic (P, $37.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Hot and Heavy (LE, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Twilight (P, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Milani Champagne d'Oro (P, $10.99) is more shimmery, more muted (95% similar).
- MAC Light of the Party (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Essence Be My Sunlight (P, $4.49) is darker (95% similar).
- Becca Royal Glow (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$10.99/0.17 oz. - $64.65 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "cream-to-powder" texture that has "one-swipe blendable coverage" with a finish that will "smooth skin texture" in addition to highlighting it. It has a spongy, creamy texture that has slight wetness to the touch, but it has the thinner, more powder-like feel of a cream-to-powder product when worked with (whether using fingertips, brushes, or sponges) and not a thicker, true cream texture. The added slip helped the formula blend seamlessly over my cheek bones while retaining coverage and minimizing any disturbance to my foundation/base products. They worked well over bare skin or on top of liquid foundation or powdered foundation in my experience. The wear time ranged between nine and 10 hours on me. They were scented with a beachy, coconutty scent, though I didn't notice it once applied.
Browse all of our Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Isononyl Isononanoate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Vinyl Dimethicone / Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Alumina, Silica, Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance / Parfum, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Carbonate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica, 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.
What an interesting formula… I don’t think I’ve ever tried anything from the brand.
That’s one very beautiful, glowy highlighter. It has a softness to it that gives a natural glow to your face. BUT; it’s the lipstick you have on that’s giving me a case of the lemmings! That shade is perfection.
What a gorgeous shade, with a great rating and reasonable price.
This did really well! Looking forward to seeing reviews of the other shades!
Will this work on NW50/55 skin tone you think?
I think there are others that might be more “flattering,” but it really depends on what look or effect you’re going for – would you wear it alone, etc.
This one looks great! Christine, will you be reviewing the two newer butter bronzer shades? Been wondering just how darker they are compared to “light bronzer” and “bronzer”.
You’ve made me very curious by saying that a sponge would be a more subtle finish. I think I’m going to start playing with sponges more.
This looks really pretty on the skin!!