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 an opaque, buildable paint cover with a denser, almost stiff consistency that felt more powdery than creamy until you really pressed and swirled against the product pan. It’s almost more of a creamy powder than a cream-to-powder based on my experience with cream-to-powder formulas (which initially feel like a cream and then dry after being applied).
It delivered a subtle sheen, as marketed, that worked best on bare skin or a dewier, more pliable base (like a tinted moisturizer or glow foundation), and it softened and looked even better over time. When I tried it over a matte foundation (like Fenty Pro Filt’r) it looked more powdery than ideal and it took more effort to really diffuse and blend than it would on bare skin or a more luminous foundation (like La Mer The soft fluid). T
The texture was very interesting and the denser, stiffer nature worked better with a denser, flatter brush to pick up the product evenly. The effect reminded me of the soft glow of transparent, liquid highlighters, but without any numbness, just a soft sheen. It was a good seven and a half hours before something faded.
CONTINUE READING: Formula overview for details on general performance and properties (such as fragrance).
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Formula overview
$ 26.01 / 0.25 oz. – $ 104.04 per ounce
It is said to be a “cream-to-powder formula” that “can be applied and treated like a pressed powder product”. It is designed to create a “soft veil of luminosity” rather than a “glow from space”.
The brand recommends using a brush to apply, although fingertips can also be used; They say to avoid squeezing as it can cause the product to become hard and stiff over time. I liked using a thicker, flatter blush or highlighter brush to pick up the product with this formula and buff it onto my skin.
It’s an interesting texture as it actually “feels dry” as described by the brand. It felt more powdery than creamy, and cream-to-powder usually has a creamier feel that dries to a powdery finish. Instead, they simply had more lubricity than a conventional powder (and therefore no powderiness).
They worked best on hydrated skin or a less matte foundation, as I found it didn’t go as seamlessly over a medium coverage matte foundation – it looked drier and more powdery, although it softened and looked a little better afterwards Wear hours. They looked particularly seamless on bare skin and on lighter opaque, dewy foundations (like a tinted moisturizer or something with a lighter finish), bright but not overtly shimmering.
The effect is really nice for those who prefer a moisturizing / dewy base, whether it’s bare skin or something else. There is a “veil” of sheen that provides a subtle reflective quality that doesn’t accentuate the skin’s texture and actually diffuses across the skin due to the more transparent base. They wore well for seven to eight hours before fading a little.
Browse all of our Phytosurgence Spectral Shine Radiance Balm samples.
ingredients
Isododecane, meadowfoam oil, hydrogenated polyisobutene, isododecane (and) acrylate / dimethicone copolymer, stearic acid, carnauba wax, boron nitride, silica dimethyl silylate, phenoxyethanol (and) capyrlyl glycol. May contain: titanium dioxide (CI 77891), mica (CI 77019), iron oxide (CI 77491, 77499, 77891).
Disclaimer: The ingredient lists are available from the brand (or retailer) at the time of publication. Please always check the product packaging, if any, the applicable ingredient list for the product you purchased, or the brand or retailer website for the most up-to-date list of ingredients.
