Lumière Sculptée de Chanel Highlighting Powder ($72 for 13g/0.46 oz) is the star product of the Chanel Holiday 2011 collection and in my mind the star highlighter of the season. This highlighter comes in a large black compact with an angled brush. The embossed pattern is a beautiful work of art and is simply to die for. In the compact I initially saw a luminous beige soft gold but depending on how the light hits the palette, you can see soft flashes of pearly pink. Do note that the beautiful sparkle that you see in the first photos is only a sheer layer overspray. Had the beautiful shimmer been consistent throughout I would have deemed this back-up worthy. Underneath (what the real product is) is still luminous and glowy but much more subtle and subdued. Swatches, comparisons, and descriptions below. First a few shots of the palette. As you can see when the light hits the sparkle the palette seems to just glow from within.
Once the overspray is removed this is what you see:
Still even with the overspray removed, you can get a beautiful pearly shimmer (this is applied heavily):
Comparisons to some other highlighters with multiple comparison shots so you can see the difference in shimmer. The Lumière Sculptée de Chanel Highlighting Powder has the most finely milled luminescence. The others either have more frost or a bit more sparkle. I love the complexity of the Chanel because it’s not a pure champagne, gold, beige or pink but rather a mix of all the colors. Still it manages to be soft and refined.
Overall thoughts: I wish the overspray wasn’t an overspray but I still really love this. On my face the palette looks chalky on first swipe but blending gives a beautiful subtle glow. This one blows Guerlain’s Holiday 2011 highlighter out of the water but I still prefer the ones I have in my current stash. I prefer the Pearl Glow over the Lumière Sculptée de Chanel Highlighting Powder but I still really like the new one for holiday. I highly recommend you try this in person before deciding to pass. On my skin the Lumière Sculptée de Chanel Highlighting Powder is very sheer simply because of my skintone. I suspect on darker skins there will be more of a contrast and show up better. On fairer skins I think it will be beautiful as well. I actually prefer this one on the eyes as an eyeshadow because it shows up better for me.
For holiday I’m not even going to look at Cle de Peau’s (the price point is pure insanity) but I am curious to see what the MAC Glitter and Ice Shimmer Powders will look like. Guerlain’s pressed highlighter is nice but not a must-have due to the sheerness. Bottom line I think Chanel’s is the best so far for this season.
great post , i have chez chez lame i adore.
How does this highlighter compare to the Chanel Ombre Tissues Beige?
ahhhhhh MUST acquire the chanel highlighter. Thanks for posting!
Nina – Beiges is very different in texture and finish. It's whiter and more shimmery. HTH!
This is sooo gorgeous. Thanks for the lovely photos! I had wondered how it would compare to Pearl Glow — your comparison swatches are always so helpful! 🙂
this is the prettiest EVER!
Thanks for the detailed photos, you can really see the details, it's very beautiful, how does this compare to NARS highlighters such as albatross?
soooo pretty!!
This is such a beautiful holiday item. Both the complex highlighter color and the imprint are so pretty. I certainly gazed at your photos quite longingly!
The only question that keeps lingering in my mind is— what is the imprint inspired from? It seems like an old world culture, but I have no idea which, if any!
Hi Dovey,
According to Chanel, the pattern was inspired by one of Coco Chanel's belt buckles. I'd love to actually see the belt buckle. I bet it was stunning.
The Chanel one looks the best.
Thank you for the comparison to Pearl Glow. So far that's my favorite highlighter ever.
Thank you for the comparison to Pearl Glow. That's my favorite highlighter ever.
hmm… a belt buckle? I thought it was Inca or Mayan inspired! 😉
In comparison to Pearl Glow, this one seems to be much better value at 13g vs 3.5g
This is actually like the Kevin Aucoin Celestial Powder.
Do you think the Guerlain Parure de Nuit is more of a finishing powder than a highlighter?
This highlighter is stunning, like a work of art! Chanel never fails to impress! I'll definitely be on the look out for this 🙂 xo
I love highlighters! I do have Pearl Glow though and while in the swatches the Lumiere Sculptee de Chanel looks prettier to me, I'm glad to know that you prefer Pearl Glow. I'll have to visit my fav Chanel store and check it out 🙂
Beautiful swatches! Is Pearl Glow still selling in store?
Hi Sabrina! I have a question. I have Chanel Pearl Glow already [I lovee it] but I've wanted to get the holiday highlighter. Are they different enough to justify having both? I'm such a sucker for LE Chanel. xP
Always love your reviews by the way! Such an enabler hehe.