Physicians Formula Pearl Butter Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
Pearl
Physicians Formula Pearl Butter Highlighter ($10.99 for 0.17 oz.) is a soft white with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented and yielded a smooth, high-shine finish on my skin. The consistency felt slightly wet to the touch, was creamy and smooth, and easy to work with on my skin (both over bare skin as well as over foundation). The added slip helped it slide over my skin with ease without losing intensity or coverage. It never made my skin look more textured. The highlighter wore well for nine hours on me before fading slightly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Fortune (LE, $23.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia Snowflake (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Glowing Pink (001) (LE, $58.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- OFRA Glazed Donut (P, $29.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Glossier Moonstone (P, $22.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Looxi Beauty Celestial (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Catrice Icy Glaze (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Strobe White (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Jouer Ice (PiP, $24.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Luminous (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% 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, Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, 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, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Carbonate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, 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.
I love that there are products at this price point that perform so well!!!
Hm, looks a loooot like the Makeup Revolution Strobe Highlighter. Coincidence?
The formula/texture is completely different. Also, Laura Mercier’s had a similar raised, swirled pattern for a few years at the very least š
Physicians Formula has been doing this pattern as far back as 2007, if not earlier, so I would say it is a coincidence.
I have this one and love it! I recall some YouTube people being initially confused/disappointed (maybe just surprised?) in these. Probably because they are wildly different in texture vs the butter bronzers and blushes. As a side note, that lip color is beautiful on you!
Do these Butter highlighters have the same scent as the Butter bronzers?
It’s similar to me but less noticeable.
It’s gorgeous! I love that even though it’s technically white, and the glow coming off of it is, the base isn’t lightening your skin in a weird chalky way! But alas, I do have Fenty Metal Moon for a similar type of effect. Yet still different…. enough?
How would you say it compares to Becca SSP in Pearl?
You can compare any two in the Swatch Gallery or under “Compare Any Two,” which is on this page!
While this product is not for me (wrong color, too metallic), I just have to say I love when a ‘budget’ brand nails it. Good for them.
This is so beautiful and it is awesome that it has a perfect score!
I think I need to find this one if they are still selling it in store. Only saw them in a pop-up display at Shoppers Drugmart a month ago. lol
They’re on the revamped endcaps! I’ve been seeing all the new line at SDMs here in Ottawa.
Once again i am verified that highlighter is a product u definately don’t need to pay a lot..drugstore brands do h.lighters perfectly…mostly 10 bucks and under…like this one..
Sounds great Iād love to try the pink one. I lived the one I got from Essence cream to powder smaller round case. They sadly discontinued it is so pretty I wanted a backup. Too late. Wonder how close this is to it. Hate when they discontinue a great item just to make more experimental stuff.