Phytosurgence Solar Sheen Spectral Shine Radiance Balm Review & Swatches
Solar Sheen
Phytosurgence Solar Sheen Spectral Shine Radiance Balm ($26.01 for 0.25 oz.) is a medium gold with warmer undertones and a satin sheen. It had more opaque, buildable color coverage with a denser, almost stiff consistency that felt more powder-like than cream like until one really pushed and swirled against the product pan. It’s almost more like a creamy powder than a cream-to-powder based on my experience with cream-to-powder formulas (which feel like a cream initially and then dry down once applied).
It delivered a subtle glow, as marketed, that worked best over bare skin or a dewier, more emollient base (like tinted moisturizer or a radiant-finish foundation), and it softened and looked even better over time. When I tried it over a more matte foundation (like Fenty Pro Filt’r), it looked more powdery than ideal and took more effort to really diffuse and blend out compared to on top of bare skin or a more luminous foundation (like La Mer The Soft Fluid).
The texture was very interesting and the denser, stiffer nature of it worked better with a denser, more flat-topped brush to pick up product evenly. The effect reminded me of the softly luminous glow of sheerer, liquid highlighters but without any dewiness, just a gentle sheen. It lasted well for seven and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Tan (5.5) (P, $44.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Fuego (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Catrice Warm Embrace (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Pyrite (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Becca Topaz Flashes Gilt (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Bronze Nectar (003) (PiP, $60.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Sunglow (P, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Viserion (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Boomin' (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Frosted (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.01/0.25 oz. - $104.04 Per Ounce
It's supposed to be a "cream-to-powder formula" that "can be applied and treated like a pressed powder product." It is designed to give a "gentle veil of luminosity" rather than a "glow from space."
The brand recommends using a brush to apply it, though fingertips could be used; they say to avoid to pushing as it can cause the product to harden and become stiff over time. I liked using a denser, more flat-topped blush or highlighter brush for picking up and buffing product onto my skin with this formula.
It's an interesting texture, as it was, in fact, "dry to the touch" as they brand described. It felt more powder-like than cream-like, and typically, cream-to-powder has a creamier feel that dries down to a powder-like finish. Instead, these just had more glide than a traditional powder (and thus, no powderiness either).
They worked best on top of more hydrated skin or less-matte foundation, as I found that they didn't go on as seamlessly over medium-coverage, matte foundation--it looked drier and more powdery, though it softened and looked better after a few hours of wear. They looked particularly seamless, glowing but not overtly shimmery on bare skin and on lighter-coverage, dewier foundations (like a tinted moisturizer or anything with a more luminous finish).
The effect is really lovely for those who prefer a more hydrating/dewy base, whether that's bare skin or something else, though. It gives a "veil" of glow that delivers a subtle reflective quality that doesn't accentuate skin texture and really diffuses across the skin due to the more transparent base. They wore well for seven to eight hours before fading a bit.
Browse all of our Phytosurgence Spectral Shine Radiance Balm swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isododecane (and) Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Carnauba Wax, Boron Nitride, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol (and) Capyrlyl Glycol. May Contain: Titainium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77499, 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.
Ummm.. ewww..There certainly isn’t any pan appeal going on there, now is there?
Very radiant, natural looking glow with this one! I like it a lot, but I do have PML Bronze Nectar Highlighter in the trio.
Beautiful eye look
I’m gonna say what we’re all thinking: in the pan, it looks like a dry biscuit.
But on you, it does look very subtle and lovely. Just my kind of product as of now. It makes me curious, despite its appearance – this brand intrigues me.
These are really interesting because the brand is very forthcoming about it needing to be really heavily brushed to get product, but the way it applies, sits on skin, and wears is great!
Just what you said!