Guerlain Meteorites Rainbow Pearls*

*Press Sample

The phenomenon of the Guerlain Meteorites continues to amaze me. These magic balls (ballz) seem to either win people over with their blurring and perfecting effect or leave people wondering what they're missing when they don't notice a difference when used. I feel like you'll either be in one camp of another and it makes me wonder if there is a placebo effect of some kind. The latest Meteorites Rainbow Pearls (LE, $71, 25g) has a magical property I did notice though.

The Rainbow Pearls contain six different color balls but it looks like I managed to miss one when digging around in the metal tin.

Green: Anti-Redness

Fuchsia: Revives

Sunny Yellow: Anti-Dullness

Pearlescent White: Reflects Light

Champagne: Illuminates

Rich Coral: Enhances

Combined together, the pearls are supposed to enhance and give radiance to the face. The online description suggested its meant to be used as a finishing or highlighting powder but can also be used to set. It is supposed to "fix makeup and improve hold". During my initial explorations, the swatches revealed a very shimmery effect under light which made me hesitant to use this all over my face in high density so I've been applying the powder with the RT Duo Fibre Face Brush. 

I hoped to capture some of the shimmer in the "Outdoor" photo but it doesn't quite come off on camera, the shimmery is pretty fine. The final result on the face, when used with a low density brush,  disperses the shimmery very thinly and I don't look glittery or shiny in person. That is the magic property of this edition (if not all editions) of the pearls. Somehow, even though I see the shimmer in a mirror when I apply it, I don't look at all shimmery to anyone else.  This shade also helps add a bit of warmth to my winter foundation as my skin transitions into summer.

I have also used a flat paddle foundation brush to apply this as highlighter. Even when brushed on in this way, there really isn't a strong color to the powder. When all the pearls combine, you somehow end up with a translucent shade of shimmer that's only apparent when it catches the light. 

Do you need this? I don't think so. It's a nice-to have that's sort of fun and maybe a fancy insurance policy on special days. I wouldn't use this to set my foundation but I like to finish off my makeup. with this. The shimmer gives off a subtle radiance effects (placebo?) and the way it plays and interacts with light makes this a pretty nuanced product but the price tag will be pretty steep for most of us to bear.

Are you a fan of the Guerlain pearls?