I ordered four of the shades and the Cle de Peau team kindly sent a few others for me to try. There are quite a few stunning neutrals and while a number of you have mentioned all the neutrals look the same from the compact. Side by side a lot of them look really similar, but I can assure you there are noticeable variations in the swatches.
These Eye Color Quads have a super smooth texture that feels like silk. They have an almost bouncy texture to them. Each quad has a primer shade in the bottom left corner that feels a little thicker/creamy.
Pigment varies by quad but overall I would say colors run on the softer side but are buildable. I wouldn’t call the softness “sheer” since the pigment is pretty good, but some of the shades do take some building. I swatched these with a pretty heavy hand on top of the Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas Primer. On the eyes the shimmer isn’t as intense as in my arm swatches.
Beach Pebbles 2 is the most natural/neutral palette with a beautiful mix of tan, brown and pale ivory shimmer.
Starlight 7 is probably my favorite with the best mix of peachy pink champagne, tan brown, neutral cream primer and a soft but deep brown.
Warm Ocean Sunset 8 has the prettiest mix of softer pink/peach tones. The brown/plum is on the softer side when layered on top of the other powders, but it applies with more pigment on bare lids or with a damp brush.
Caviar Pearls 6 is a purple lovers dream come true with that stunning lavender purple, taupe and deeper cool brown.
Ocean Sunrise 4 is a cool-toned mix of tan and brown.
Coral Reef 5 is the most natural on my skin as the tones match my skin tone the closest. The shades pull more satiny matte than the other quads.
If you want a staple eyeshadow palette you can wear easily without a lot of effort there are lots of great options with the new Cle De Peau eyeshadow launch. Quality is great, color range is stunning, lots to love here. However if you want colors with high impact and ultra-rich pigment, I will say that I think these might be too sheer for you.
Quick note if neutral eyeshadows aren’t your thing there are some fun combinations with green, lilac, purple, pink and blue too.
The biggest downside for me is the price. I don’t know that I can call these worth the splurge at $110+ each (even though I splurged on 4). For the price and similar pigment the Dior 5 Couleurs, NARS Palettes or Charlotte Tilbury are a better buy.
Overall love the quality and colors. There seems to be a growing trend for refillable makeup whether it’s eyeshadow, foundation, lipstick etc. Having the refillable option isn’t really a big selling point to me. If these quads (compact and eyeshadow) were priced at the refill price I would be more inclined to give them a more glowing positive review. The price almost makes me feel like the Natasha Denona or Pat McGrath Palettes are a steal.
Cle de Peau recently revamped some of their lip products with the new Cream Rouge Collection and I’m thrilled to be able to share swatches of every single color today! I ordered a handful of shades when they first launched but it was thanks to Benjamin Puckey (follow him at @benjaminpuckey) who was so kind to send all the colors for me to try and swatch for you.
The formula is exceptional which is no surprise for Cle de Peau. What I liked about these the most is the hydrating finish. I swatched most of the shades on the lips and usually at the end of a lip swatching session my lips are pretty raw with the wiping and re-application. This time my lips felt even better afterwards. Coverage of the Shine and Matte formulas are full-coverage and smooth. Lasting power is very good although they are not budge-proof or transfer-proof. Sparkles have medium lasting-power and run sheer. The photos and swatches cannot do them justice – only in real life can you see the multi-dimensional shimmer and how the light catches each sparkle.
Cream Rouge Shine
The Cream Rouge Shine formula is my favorite. I love a good glossy lip and these are stunning. I would have liked to see more neutrals in the lineup, but those who love color or a bold lip will be thrilled with every single shade.
201 Calanthe Orchid is a stunning beige pink
202 Plumeria Apricot is a vibrant coral
203 Heliconia is a bright warm fuchsia
204 Maraca Ginger is a ginger red
205 Cuphea is a medium-deep red
206 Calliandra is a cool toned orchid pink
207 Musa Ornata is a bold deep pink
103 Legend of Rouge is their classic red
Above wearing:
Foundation Cle de Peau Radiant Cushion Foundation in O30 (older formula, new formula here)
The Cream Rouge Sparkles are stunning. They are sheer with a jelly like base but the sparkle is just beautiful I ordered one of each of these and like 303 and 304 the best. There is no gritty texture once applied, they feel smooth and I love how they feel.
301 Sweet Nectar
302 Mokara
303 Medinilla Magnifica
304 Ohia Lehua
Cream Rouge Matte
Last we have a look at the Cream Rouge Matte which is a lightweight airy almost whipped matte. These also offer full coverage and apply smoothly with a flawless finish. There is one neutral which I love Chocolate Cosmos. All the other shades are very bright and bold. They feel very comfortable on the lips.
111 Chocolate Cosmos is a muted dusty beige
112 Ixora Peach Delight is an electric coral peach
113 Hibiscus Rosa is a warm red
114 Flame Lily is a berry red
115 Cordyline is a dusty mauve
116 Lantana Camara is an electric bright coral
117 Flamingo Flower is a bold warm red
118 Pink Perfection is a bright pink
119 Vriesia is a cool bright pink
120 Currant is a purple plum
121 Strawberry Rhubarb is a deep red
103 Legend of Rouge is a classic red
Four of the shades swatched on the lips:
Overall this is a beautiful launch with exceptional formulas and colors. My favorites are all of the sparkles, Calanthe Orchid, Calliandra, Cordyline and Chocolate Cosmos. At $50 each these are extremely pricey but the formula is top notch after several days of wear my lips do feel more hydrated and smooth.
I have a luxury beauty roundup featuring my favorites from Cle de Peau Beaute. They have so many beautiful high quality pieces many of which I consider to be tried and true staples. Today I’m partnering with Nordstrom to round up my top ten beauty picks I think are worth the splurge. I purchase and restock most of my Cle de Peau products from them and have for years, especially their bases. All of my personal favorites and the shades I use discussed below.
Below wearing the Radiant Cushion Foundation O30 and Radiant Liquid Rouge Shine in Sepia
Above left to right: Brilliant Enhancer, Radiant Corrector for Eyes, Concealer
1) Brilliant Enhancer
The Brilliant Enhancer comes in one shade which is a sheer pearly highlight. It has a click pen applicator with a brush tip and provides the most natural looking liquid illuminator I’ve ever seen. You can use it anywhere you want to add brightness or a highlight. I find using it on the eyes, cheekbones or even under eyes under concealer gives the skin a very soft radiant effect. It’s sheer and glowy and never looks overdone. I will sometimes click dispense product onto the back of my hand first and then use my fingertips to apply on the face although the brush works too!
2) Radiant Corrector for Eyes
The Radiant Corrector for Eyes is ideal for brightening or concealing dark circles under the eye area. It has a brush applicator and has a less opaque formula compared to the stick version making it easier to blend for under the eye area. It goes on smoothly and has good coverage without looking heavy. I use the shade Ochre.
3) Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer
The Concealer in Ochre is the best opaque formula I’ve tried for a full coverage concealer. I’ve used Almond in the past but Ochre is my best match now for my Florida tan. I warm up a little bit from the stick with my finger before patting and blending on the face. It is versatile for spot concealing, to cover redness around the nose or to cover redness under the eyes. It has SPF 25 which was introduced sometime last year. To me this newer version is just as good as the original version.
4) Radiant Cushion Foundation
The Radiant Cushion Foundation in O30 is the only foundation I currently use from the line. I do want to try more formulas but many of my old favorites have been reformulated. This cushion has medium to full coverage with a very natural luminous glow. I love that it looks radiant without being too dewy. Skin looks smoothed out and healthy and stays put all day without budging. It has buildable coverage but still feels lightweight.
5) Cream Blushes
The Cle de Peau Beaute Cream Blushes are newer tries for me. I cannot believe I did not discover these sooner! They’re creamy pots that have the most beautiful powder dry down. I’m not the biggest fan of cream blushes because they’re often too dewy for me but these are hands down the best I have EVER tried. I have two shades right now in 1 Cranberry (one I’m wearing in this post) which is a soft rose and 2 Pale Fig (brighter warm pink). I have the other two on my wishlist to order soon. They blend so beautifully into the skin and are the longest lasting cream blushes I’ve tried. They look natural but give a perfect amount of color. You can apply with fingers easily or a small cream blush brush. A little bit goes a very long way.
6) Intensifying Liquid Eyeliner in Black
I tried some eye makeup basics based on rave reviews and they 100% live up to the hype. The Intensifying Liquid Eyeliner has two tips, one short and one long. It is the best liquid eyeliner I have ever tried to date and has surpassed all my other favorites. I love that you have two options to control the thickness of the line. I also think the formula has the perfect density and fluidity to dry quickly so it doesn’t bleed at all.
7) Perfect Lash Mascara in Black
Another eye makeup product I ordered recently was the Cle de Peau Beaute Perfect Lash Mascara. I purchased it on a whim as I was curious to see if it lived up to the hype. Few mascaras do it all for me but this one worked out perfectly for everything I wanted. It adds volume, holds the curl, doesn’t smudge and the curved brush makes application easy. I like that the brush is dense enough to coat my lashes with just a few coats. I will definitely repurchase!
8) Radiant Lip Gloss
For lips one of my favorite gloss formulas is the Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Lip Gloss. They have a cushiony feel and beautiful shine without that sticky finish. They are sheer so I recommend layering on top of a liner or lipstick if you want more coverage. My favorites are Warm Crystal, Charm, Dream Stone and Star Dust. They have a tiny amount of shimmer to make the lips look lush and full.
9) Radiant Liquid Rouge Shine Liquid Lipstick
Above wearing Sugar Jelly
The latest lip launch from Cle de Peau Beaute is their Radiant Liquid Rouge Shine Liquid Lipstick. They also launched a matte version which I tried as well (swatches of my picks below) but I’m partial to the shine version. They’re glossy high pigmented liquid lipsticks with the most juicy looking colors. I picked four and hope they launch more colors in this formula! Sepia is a perfect nude, Sugar Jelly is a baby pink, Delicious Dream is a juicy soft red pink, Bird of Paradise is a gorgeous orangey coral. I like mixing the colors as well. (My shine and matte picks swatched below.)
10) Face Cotton
Last but not least is the Cle de Peau Face Cotton which has been one of my go-to’s for years. They’re thick and plush and hold the shape. They won’t disintegrate with toner or makeup remover and they don’t leave fibers on the skin. I repurchase it constantly and my most recent haul I bought the Cleansing Foam Set which has the cotton in it along with some other skincare products. It is 100% worth the price for me.
That wraps up my Top 10 Cle de Peau Beaute favorites! I have tried some of their skincare items but for me the highlights are some of their makeup products. I really want to try their current Serum since I used to be obsessed with one of the older formulations.
You can find the full line of Cle de Peau available at Nordstrom. They often have nice Gift With Purchases available, especially during Bonus Point Events. I recommend checking it regularly if you plan on stocking up on anything!
What are your favorite Cle de Peau Beaute products? Do you have any tried and true skincare items you recommend?
Thank you Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. All products purchased and selected by me.
I have a Cle de Peau Beaute haul roundup today with some hits and misses on what I’ve been testing. I’ve been a long time fan of their Concealer Stick (both original and new formula) and some of their lip products but this is a brand I haven’t explored much recently. Much of the makeup I’ve purchased over the years has been reformulated over the years including the twist up click lipsticks, some eyeshadows, foundations etc. With all the other launches and new brands popping up I haven’t kept up with this line although I really did like their Radiant Lip Gloss and splurged on all the colors at the beginning of the year. In today’s haul roundup:
Lip Glorifier ($40 for 0.1 oz, also sold out everywhere)
Up first is a look at two of the Cle de Peau Beaute bases, the Radiant Cushion Foundation and the Radiant Corrector for Eyes. I give both of these a thumbs up, I think these are probably the only two items I hauled I think are truly worth the splurge.
The Radiant Cushion Foundation is a beautiful medium coverage cushion with a natural slightly luminous finish. It’s lightweight but has a hydrating feel. Coverage is perfect for me: medium and dewy but not greasy looking. There is a puff that comes with the compact designed to apply just the right amount of product, but I still prefer using a beautyblender. I was thrilled to find a match with O30 because the shade range is limited to just 6 colors. It does pull a little more on the neutral side and I’m more olive, but it works for my skin right now without any adjusting needed. It oxidizes slightly which actually works in my favor right now. I’m quickly losing my tan this winter but I still have some color.
Below with one layer of the cushion foundation applied all over the face with a beautyblender sponge. It lasts for hours on me, I do need to touch up with some powder mid-day but I didn’t notice any separating on my normal skin. I have not tried any of the other Cle de Peau foundation formulas in years so I cannot compare the cushion. It’s very lightly scented but did not irritate my skin (AmorePacific and Sulwhasoo by comparison are heavily fragranced).
I already featured the Radiant Corrector for Eyes in Ocher in my recent Concealer Roundup but wanted to mention it again because I think it’s an excellent formula for concealing and brightening. It’s not as opaque or matte as the Stick Concealer which makes it more ideal for under eye concealing. I highly recommend it!
Up next are the Luminizing Face Enhancers. I had some shades from years ago but I believe they are now discontinued. I splurged on a few more (all at different times). 15 Golden Apricot is a light peach, 16 Almond is a mix of champagne and soft light brown, 17 Lavender is a cool-toned mix of pale ivory, lavender, pale pink and mint. I have such mixed feelings about these because they’re so sheer and natural looking, I can barely see them on my skin. They meld nicely with the skin and once applied skin truly looks radiant in the most natural way possible. For the price of $95 per compact I don’t think these are worth the price. I do understand they’re meant to be natural and enhancing, but for me $95 for sheer and barely visible just isn’t worth it to me. I don’t know why I talked myself into buying again because I originally thought they were too expensive when I first bought these.
For holiday they launched a Stick Highlighter in Light Me. I ordered it sight unseen because the packaging looked so beautiful! This is a similar concept to the RMS Living Luminizer which I am not a fan of (I might be the only one on the planet who doesn’t like it). The Cle de Peau Stick Highlighter gives a very natural luminous sheen. It’s light and sheer and makes the skin glow, but once you blend out with the fingers the color pretty much disappears. The price is also steep. I think I might just be too tan/dark in skin tone to be able to wear this one. If you have fair skin I can see it being more visible or flattering on. If you have this on your wishlist I’d recommend ordering soon, it’s sold out almost everywhere but still available at Bloomingdale’s and Cle de Peau.
For the lips I tried the new Holiday Lipstick Cashmere in Follow Me #504 and two of the regular Lipstick Cashmere colors in #101 Pouty and #102 Song Bird along with the Lip Glorifier which is pretty much sold out everywhere and a little hard to find. I have two semi-hits and two misses with these.
The Holiday Lipstick Cashmere in Follow Me is also sold out pretty much everywhere, but I hope I can ease your mind if you really wanted it and missed out. It’s a gorgeous peachy pink neutral with a creamy velvety feel but it was semi streaky. The color did not last long on me at all and since it sold out I did try to dupe it. I found quite a few similar options which I’ve swatched below. Lasting power was pretty mediocre with this color – I kept it on while arm swatching other products and in 30 minutes it had already faded noticeably and started to separate. Not ok for a $65 lipstick!
The good news is that the regular Lipstick Cashmere lineup is better for lasting power and finish. #101 Pouty is a pretty neutral nude pink and #102 Song Bird is the perfect medium rose. Both glide onto the lips smoothly like soft velvet and they have a semi matte finish. If I had not tried Pat McGrath’s MatteTrance Lipsticks I would have given the Cle de Peau lipsticks an A rating, however Pat McGrath has set the bar so high for me – I don’t think it gets better than her mattes for pigment, texture and lasting power. The formula between Cle De Peau and Pat McGrath aren’t quite the same though so I don’t know that a comparison is fair. I do think hands down you should save your budget for anything Pat McGrath because the quality of her line is phenomenal and she’s also having a sitewide sale on her website. Because her lipsticks are so good I feel like almost everything else I’ve tried ranks a B to B- or lower by comparison.
Last but not least is the Lip Glorifier. It’s marketed as next level amazing but I think it’s just ok. It’s good but has a very similar concept to the Dior Addict Lip Glow. It’s a light pink balm that has a slight tingle and slightly pink tint. It adds a pink glow and color to the lips but in a very natural way. It made my lips full and smooth and lush. I do think the Dior Lip Glow is a classic that can’t be beat, if you’re going to find a color transforming balm Dior is the best one I’ve tried. Cle de Peau’s is also very nice but for the price and size Dior wins hands down. I give this a semi-miss because of the super small size and the fact that I don’t think it’s quite as revolutionary or unique as I expected.
For those who like Follow me and are bummed it’s sold out, swatch comparisons below to a few similar options. The finish isn’t going to be the same because the Lipstick Cashmere is velvety, but you can get a similar color by trying any of these options:
Button cuff sweater worn from Loft (runs true to size).
Overall I do think Cle de Peau offers some beautiful high quality products. I know many fans are die hard loyal to the products and skincare so I hope I don’t offend fans with my less than stellar review. I think there are definitely good solid items to choose from. I think their Facial Cotton and Face Puff are excellent and worth the splurge even though there are cheaper alternatives that are just as good. I found prices for this line too high for me and I do not feel this haul was not worth what I spent. I’ve happily purchased and splurged on many things to review for this blog but in this case I feel the $800+ cost would have been better MUCH spent on things like the simplehuman large pro wide sensor mirror or Diptyque Advent Calendar instead. Or even the Dyson Air Wrap Styler that many of you have been asking me to review (however it seems to be sold out everywhere).
The Cushion Foundation was my favorite out of all the things I tested but the extremely limited shade range is so disappointing, not to mention the fact that it doesn’t even come with a refill. There are other brands that have expensive cushions but I do appreciate that some of them come with a refill which makes the splurge feel a little better. I think the Radiant Corrector for Eyes is excellent but also think the shade range could be improved.
I had high hopes for the lipsticks and while they’re not bad, I think there are superior formulas out there at lower price points. Same goes for the highlighting powders and highlighter stick. I’m going to keep trying with the highlighter stick – I keep reading so many good reviews on it, I’m determined to make it work for me. All this said I do think they offer some good pieces perfect for the beauty lover who wants something very understated and naturally glowy. I know not everyone wants super bold or intense shimmer, sometimes it’s nice to have more natural options. I’m all about natural but found these too natural even for me.
If you love the brand I’d love to hear about your favorites! It’s been a while since I’ve looked into the new launches so if there’s anything you think is an absolute must let me know in the comments.
Cle de Peau Beaute just launched several items for spring and the new Radiant Lip Glosses ($36 each for 8 ml/.25 oz, made in Japan) caught my eye immediately. There are eight shades of gloss all with a radiant and glowing theme that reflect light with subtle shimmers. It’s been a while since I’ve bought any makeup from Cle de Peau although I regularly restock on their Facial Cotton and love their Loose Powder Puff. The last thing I bought lip-wise was the Radiant Rouge Liquid which I thoroughly enjoyed and based on that fact decided to splurge on all of the new Radiant Lip Glosses that launched for spring.
The new Radiant Lip Glosses are cushiony glosses that have a very smooth non-sticky finish. There is a very slight hint of a soft floral scent but it’s a barely there kind of scent so those who prefer scent-free lip products will still be able to wear them. Based on the arm swatches online I expected medium coverage. On me these are sheer to medium, but definitely pull more on the sheer side. Each shade has some degree of reflective shimmer – some are more sparkly than others but every one has a very natural looking sheen.
The eight shades include gem-inspired names:
1 Rose Quartz – pale pink with light gold and light pink flecks, basically clear
2 Warm Crystal – medium iridescent warm beige with silver sparkles
3 Charm – soft rose with a very natural pearl quality
4 Pink Aura – light warm peachy pink with pink and silver sparkles
5 Dream Stone – coral pink cream
6 Rose Pearl – cool toned pink pearl
7 Star Dust – brighter pink with pink shimmers
8 Fire Ruby – sheer red
They come with a sponge tip applicator that has a twist. The wand itself is semi flexible so it molds to the curve of the lips. I love the formula in the sense that it feels comfortable and hydrating. No irritation or peeling the next day after use. I do wish the pigment was kicked up a notch as the colors are gorgeous! But since I have pigmented lips 1 through 4 pretty much look the same on me. The closest thing I can think of in terms of formula is the Chanel Rouge Coco Glosses but the Cle de Peau ones are sheerer, more cushiony and not quite as thick.
As far as lasting power goes they stay put pretty well but as with any sheer formula it’s not going to last for hours and you’ll need to reapply. I just finally tried one of the Lipsticks and the formula is AMAZING! If you’re looking to splurge and love Cle de Peau Beaute, I’d say maybe buy one or two of the glosses but save your pennies for the Lipstick or Radiant Liquid Rouge.
I’m happy with my haul. I think the price point is reasonable, especially since these glosses are from Cle de Peau Beaute. As a gloss I don’t think these are must-haves simply because they the pigment level in real life doesn’t quite match the online swatches. Formula-wise though I think these are amazing. They are nourishing without that heavy feel. Lips feel very smooth and the finish is cushiony without any tacky feel. I think these are really nice glosses, if there was more color payoff they’d be 100% perfect to me, but I like the colors in the lineup.
I do think I’ll be reaching for these frequently in the upcoming months. However my heart still belongs to the Radiant Liquid Rouge and I’m hoping more shades will be launched in that formula.
For now with the new Radiant Lip Gloss, my top picks: Warm Crystal, Star Dust and Dream Stone.
Clé de Peau Beauté launched a new lip product for fall called Radiant Liquid Rouge ($48 each for 5.5 ml/0.18 oz). These are luxurious lip lacquers with medium-full rich coverage and a glossy sheen. The texture is smooth and once they set on the lips they thicken a bit into a more gel-like finish. I picked up four shades at the counter, neutrals/natural shades of course in 11, 12, 13 and 14. For those curious about the other shades in the lineup, Bubbly Michelle has the entire collection for fall swatched (8 lip colors total).
The Radiant Liquid Rouge comes with a sponge-tip applicator in a very sturdy tube. I’m not entirely sure what the base packaging is made of but it feels like it could be glass. The colors I picked are suitable for everyday wear if you like natural colors. They do have a soft perfumed scent but it’s not too strong. Lasting power wise they stay put relatively well for a liquid lip lacquer and fade evenly. They have a hydrating feel to them although I am not sure they have any skincare properties in them.
11 is a peachy beige cream. It does take a bit of blending and swiping on my pigmented lips to smooth out. I apply one layer, let it set, and then apply a second thin layer to smooth out the color. A lip brush can also help.
12 is a medium rose brown cream, on my complexion it pulls a bit warmer, but on my arm it’s more of a neutral kind of shade
13 is a cool shimmering rose. This pulls bright and slightly cool but has enough rose to balance out the cool undertone.
14 is a pinky peach cream. This is the only one I had issues with streaks but I suspect those with lighter lip tones or those who can easily wear these kinds of colors will have no issue. For me this is one of those super high-maintenance shades that contrasts with my natural lip tone and therefore looks streaky. I personally prefer the Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Tiny Pink which is similar but less streaky on my lips.
A look at the shades in sunlight to better show the colors:
Two sets of comparison swatches in an attempt to find dupes:
Out of all the shades I bought, I am most smitten with 11 the nude peach beige and 13 the shimmering pink rose. 12 is nice to have and I suspect better suited for fall due to the brown undertones. 14 is high maintenance for me – it takes a lot of work to get streak-free, but once it’s properly blended on my lips the color is really pretty. I don’t own a lot of Cle de Peau items – I tend to avoid the line because of the high price points, but I’ve been happy with everything I have tried from the line. The Cotton Pads are among the best I’ve tried (why I think so in this post here) and it’s one I will never stop buying (it’s well worth the splurge, although they have gone up in price since I reviewed them).
While at the counter I was seriously tempted by the new Luminizing Face Enhancer in Almond. It had a really pretty glowy sheen to it. I have a few other shades that I’ve bought and really like. I stick to my original assessment that I think the price point is just too much (even if you just buy the refills) but it’s one of those products I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with if you splurge. Given the vast number of highlighters I own I decided to pass.
As for the Radiant Liquid Rouge, I think one or two are well worth the splurge. The formula and pigment is top notch and I can’t really fault 14 because of my pigmented lips. As fall collections and launches start to trickle in, I’m sure there will be a number of new lip products coming out. Fall always seems to be the season for new lip formulas. You may want to wait a few weeks as September is just around the corner when most of the fall collections will be out.
I’ll be reviewing my picks from the Louboutin Loubilaque line soon, quick takeaway to compare the Louboutin vs Cle de Peau Beaute is that I prefer the Louboutin finish and coverage, but both are really good.
One of the things I love about blogging is connecting with readers who are even more passionate about beauty, cosmetics and fragrances than I am. I’ve learned so much from others who have taken time out of their day to write me about their latest discoveries and loves. Clé de Peau Beauté is one brand that gets frequently mentioned in my inbox. I’ve avoided most of the items from the brand due to the high price points but after so many raves, I couldn’t help but finally check out the Luminizing Face Enhancers ($95 each for the compact+case, or $55 for just the refills). The Luminizing Face Enhancers are powder highlighters that come in a refillable prism-like covered gold mirrored case. There are currently four shades available in a pale white, silvery pink, gold and peachy-bronze.
I picked out #13 Sand Beige and #14 Delicate Pink at Neiman Marcus. The Luminizing Face Enhancers are finely milled super soft pressed powders each containing multiple shades of shimmer pressed together in a jewel-like pattern. It’s difficult to tell exactly how many different shades there are per compact, but there are at least four different colors pressed together. These come with a sheer veil of glitter overspray (which I’m not fond of) but once you dust it off you get a luminous powder underneath. Once applied on the skin the shimmer is visible but it provides a natural glow. I’ve applied on the cheeks, temples and eyes. These blend in with the skin extremely well. Some powder products can look like they just sit on the skin, but the Clé de Peau Beauté highlighter melds quite well giving a natural look.
For me these are too shimmery to apply all over the face, but they are not frosty. I like them as traditional highlighters. I would say the shimmer factor is light-medium, somewhere in between the shimmer of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders in Dim Light and Luminous Light, but with larger shimmer particles infused throughout.
#13 Sand Beige is my favorite. It’s the darkest option which might look more like a bronzer on fairer skins (anything lighter than a Chanel B20). On my medium olive skin the Clé de Peau Beauté #13 is the perfect natural golden honey highlight. It’s similar in color to Chanel Dentelle Precieuse not quite as shimmery as the Chanel (swatch comparisons below). The brush that comes in the compact is quite good, I’ve used it for touch ups, it’s soft and dense and picks up product well. I do wish it was bigger, but for a compact brush, it’s the best I’ve tried.
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#14 Delicate Pink is a cool-toned silvery pink on me. It’s on the pale side which contrasts with my olive skin. I’ve seen it on fairer skin tones and it makes the entire face glow. For me it’s something I use with a very light hand on the temples, on the nose, under brow bone (applied very softly) and it gives dimension to the face. It’s difficult to capture the luminous shimmer in photographs but this one gives the skin a perfect glow.
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Swatches below. The flash and light emphasized the shimmer particles, in real life they are more subtle on the face, I swatched these with a heavy hand to show the color and shimmer. When applied normally, the shimmer isn’t quite as pronounced as shown in the detail shot.
Many have reported these Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancers to be the best powder highlighters on the market. For me, there are so many different types of highlighters, I think finding the “best one” will depend on what you are looking for. Some highlighters offer intense shimmer or color like Mineralize Skinfinishes from MAC or Shimmer Bricks by Bobbi Brown. Others like Chanel Poudre Douce (discontinued shades like Rosee or Peche Tendre) or Dolce & Gabbana are highlighting powders that are designed to be use over the entire face. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders have a wide range of shimmer finishes and textures created for different skin tones to either warm up and bronze the skin, give a candlelit glow-from-within look, or create a diffused glow. There are also different skin types that look better with certain highlighters. There are highlighters that some will find enhance their pores, but on others that same product won’t. Depending on your skin tone, if you’re fair, certain shades will flatter you more than if you are darker.
So for me, when someone asks me “what is the best powder highlighter?” My answer would be “it depends.” I’ve been partial to Chanel, Edward Bess and Hourglass for highlighting powders. I’ve also always been a huge fan of MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes (even the frosty ones) for different looks.
To sum up my thoughts on the Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancers, I do think they are amazing highlighters. If you’re looking for a natural luminous glow that makes the skin radiate, adds dimension to the face, isn’t frosty and doesn’t emphasize pores, these fit the bill. They do come with a steep price tag which is why I’m reluctant to give a 100% glowing review. The quality of the product and packaging is there and I don’t see any other product on the market that can provide that same glow. The texture is finely milled and it glides onto the skin blending in perfectly. The $55 price tag for the refills is reasonable for me, but the $95 price for the powder + compact is just too much for me no matter how good the product is.
That being said, I’m very happy with both and I know I will be using both regularly. These are highlighters you have to try in person to really see how good the glow is. Have you tried Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancers? What did you think?
