Kevyn Aucoin • The Celestial Powder: Candlelight • Pressed Powders

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MissusJones on 4/19/2013 12:40:00 AM more reviews by MissusJones

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Curly   Eyes: Blue    

Ok, this powder is amazing. I only recently ventured into the world of highlighting powders and while they have become one of my obsessions (they're so darn gorgeous!!), some work and some don't work on my skin. I'm 35, have some larger pores around my nose and forehead, and some fine lines in the sub orbital region. I've found that many powder highlighters tend to highlight these (and other) imperfections...this one by Kevyn Aucoin does NOT accentuate pores and fine lines. It is beautifully finely milled, soft, and the texture is what I would imagine the finest, most beautiful pixie dust to be like! Ok pardon the fairy tale reference, but this stuff is so pretty...it's not glittery or coarse at all like some highlighters can be, it's just a sheen of gorgeous glow. The name describes it perfectly, it's like a soft wash of candlelight over the face. I use it on my cheekbones, Cupid's bow, bridge of nose, chin and forehead. It picks up light perfectly and gives almost a soft focus effect to my face. The kicker is, when I first bought it, I thought it looked drab in the compact so I stashed it away till one day I decided to try it out...I use it religiously now, it is a definite staple in my makeup collection and probably my favorite highlighter (and I have a ton! LOL). The packaging is classic KA, dark reddish brown lacquer compact that feels sleek sturdy and not the least bit flimsy or cheap. I love that his packaging is often timeless, classy, and high quality without being bulky. The brush included is definitely usable, but I find a powder or angled blush brush works best for me...it's a matter of taste. IT'S TOTALLY worth the money, but I really didn't think the price was too outrageous considering the quality. Definite thumbs way up!!!! Love love love!!!!!

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CosmoGirl3 on 3/14/2013 6:13:00 PM more reviews by CosmoGirl3

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Okay so I was hesitant to purchase this product because of the price, but I had read great reviews on it, also this is the same highlighter Khloe Kardashian's makeup artist uses on her, & got it online from Nordstrom for $42.00, steep price but here is what I think of the product. SO... I must say this is what a highlighter should be all about. This is the highlighter many other competitors, even high end even like NARS are trying to replicate. Kevyn got it right first though. I use this highlighter EVERY single day. A little will do you, so the powder will last a long time. It can be applied under eyes or in corners to wake up the eyes, on the t of the forehead looks beautiful in photos or bridge of nose or wherever you want a little extra attention. Just as the name depicts, Candlelight, gives a very ethereal light from within kind of glow, even mimicking that pregnancy glow which I got a lot of when carrying my LO but not oily or shiny looking, very natural looking especially in photos comes out GORGE. People will look at the photo and notice you have a little extra glow but will not know what because it looks SO natural, bringing out natural beauty. I'd say for anyone serious about makeup this is something you should definitely have in your makeup arsenal and worth the money because you only need a little bit. Very rich product and suitable for any skin tone/type. I'm NC42 & even on tan skin looks beautiful. The only thing I wish was different was maybe the packaging, while it is a beautiful royal red color, in my personal taste I would prefer something slightly more modern looking but that's just me, overall an excellent product, worth the money!

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beautycouture on 2/27/2013 6:01:00 PM more reviews by beautycouture

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This gives that glow. There is NO glitter which makes skin look perfect and naturally luminous. Although pretty pricey, this is my favorite highlighter to date. A little goes a long way. Don't use too much because it is extremely concentrated. The best places to use it are on the top of your cheekbones, cupid's bow, and underneath the brow bone.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Lydia07 on 2/19/2013 4:30:00 PM more reviews by Lydia07

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Why does the best highlighter I ever found have to cost a fortune? I really really like this product. As I said, I only use it on my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose as highlighter but it acts exactly as the other reviewers and the name says. It gives a soft glowing sheen to skin. Nothing obvious at all or over shimmery. Im not a fan of the packaging. There is only a small amount of product and the rest of the room in the package is for the brush which is just one of those little brushes most blushes comes with. I can also picture the hinge breaking though not sure why. Still, the quality of the actual product is superb.

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seacolourr on 2/19/2013 12:09:00 AM more reviews by seacolourr

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

OH MY GOODNESS. HOLY GRAIL. This is a must have guys! I never thought I would fall into the routine of using a highlighter daily and I still can't believe I have. I've never enjoyed highlighters, and I always found them to be an unnecessary step that was less interesting than blush and bronzer. I have purchased countless highlighters, including the infamous Dior Amber Diamond and was left hugely unimpressed. I never had a highlighter that made me want to go for the extra step in the morning and put it on until now. Candlelight is an amazing yellow-toned satin finish powder with a slight sheen that blends into the skin and looks beautifully natural. The texture is so soft and buttery, it feels like a cream. I lovelovelove this product so much. Such a must have. I'd definitely recommend it five times over the Dior Amber Diamond no matter what skin tone, or type you have. I really think this is a truly universal powder. I know that term gets thrown around a lot but I cannot see this product looking bad on anyone.

My routine for this is as follows: After I apply my bronzer/contour and blush, I take this with a synthetic Real Techniques Contour brush and follow the contours of my cheek bones on top of the blush, and then I sweep around and put some on the apples of my cheeks. Then I sweep some on the bridge of my nose, my cupids bow, on top of my eyebrows (where they arch), and then sweep the rest under my eyes for a little extra brightness. A little goes a long way so while the price is steep, it's definitely worth it.

For reference: I am super sheet-of-paper pale, and this doesn't seem to look bad on me; However, this is a yellow toned powder, so if you tend to avoid yellow tones, maybe this would be something to pass on. Also, I have oily skin and I do not find that this emphasizes that or my pores at all, which is very unique.

Please, if you're in the market for a highlight go for this! I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed!

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al218 on 1/2/2013 10:58:00 PM more reviews by al218

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

GORG.

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Staceyy on 12/26/2012 11:32:00 AM more reviews by Staceyy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I had been looking for the perfect highlighter for a long time and I can honestly say that THIS IS IT!
It has some sparkle to it but it mostly makes you look like you're "glowing from within".
I absolutely LOVE it! Look no further. This is the BEST highlighter out there. It is worth every penny.

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cinderelka90 on 11/28/2012 1:13:00 AM more reviews by cinderelka90

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I had to write a review on this bec i finally found the Perfect highlighter. I was looking for a long time for a highlight that just gave a gleam, with no additional color, no sparkles, no glitter, but noticeable in one swipe, not chalky, not powdery/flaky, gorgeous glow. wow, thats pretty specific. I found nars alabatross too yellow, bb shimmer bricks shimmer attack, benefit (all beams) too colorful, the list goes on and finally 42 bucks later: candlelight. my only complaint is the packaging is a little annoying bc if u have other ka products then you have to turn over each one to find what you want (the blushes, bronzers etc all have exact same package) the brush was pretty much useless imo. I use my coastal scents fan brush or a flat top mini contour brush. perfection. hopefully it'll last forever

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*TOP REVIEWER* LadyKolie on 11/8/2012 2:26:00 PM more reviews by LadyKolie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Skin tone and Type: nc/nw 7-10 (just as reference, I cannot actually use Mac foundations) or Nars Mont Blanc. I have Acne prone, extremely sensitive, combination, oily skin. I have a lot of topical and internal allergies/ intolerances.


This is one of like three Highlighters I have found that DOES NOT contain bismuth oxychloride. I have had to turn down highlighter after highlighter for this reason. So it is a huge Plus that this is a shade of highlighter I can use, but also that it is a formula that will not tear up my skin.


The color is more Champagne than yellow or pink, which very much compliments my skin tone. I like the product itself. It isn't chalky, but when I use my brush it seems to get powdery. Which basically means it kicks up powder that I cannot use, so I feel like I am losing product even when I gently pat my brush in. The packaging closes securely. However, I am not a fan of how big the packaging is compared to the amount of product, and the brush is a joke and a waste of plastic. Literally cut the packaging in half and drop the price because it is simply wasteful. Considering the Price, it's a little hard to drop that much money on a highlighter. I do not need a highlighter, honestly, because of how pale I am, but I rather enjoy them. I actually do like the product itself enough to purchase again.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

VB10 on 10/22/2012 11:09:00 AM more reviews by VB10

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Ok, I would rather spend money on product than packaging particularly when small unuseable brushes are included. That aside this gets totally fabulous reviews everywhere, indeed I haven't read a single neutral, let alone negative, comment about it. So, I'll be first:
I was very excited about this arriving due to the great reviews, particularly focusing on it's highlighting rather than glitter based characteristics. Also, its champagne tint which I hoped would be warming rather than obviously white or pink like other such products.
I am very very fair, and just a light dusting resulted in me looking like a child with dry crusty food around their mouth on my cheeks.
I am certain this works for many people. I am too pale for it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* browneyessmiles on 9/23/2012 8:24:00 PM more reviews by browneyessmiles

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is so finely milled and the perfect glowy, go with any makeup you have on color. I'm NC20-25 yellow/olive toned. I LOVE this. So glad that I took the plunge.

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Techers on 8/9/2012 12:33:00 PM more reviews by Techers

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Other    

LOVE this. I was using Benefit High Beam, but this has replaced it. Simply the best "lit from within" natural look! I use it along the top of my cheekbones. It just takes a tiny bit, so while it is outrageously expensive, it will last a long time.

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*TOP REVIEWER* sharonshizzz on 5/20/2012 12:51:00 AM more reviews by sharonshizzz

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

NC25 Asian here.

Is it possible to fall in love with a makeup product? Because if it is.. I believe I have. Now.. I have been on the search for an amazing highlighting product for a long long time. I've used everything from MAC something or the other to Nars albatross to Philosophy's color or grace to many many more. They were either all too showy for me, too subtle, not long wearing enough, or didn't match my skintone. This gem however.. omg.. is just heavenly. It looks white in the pan but has subtle hints of gold.. just enough to look natural for my skintone. I would completely recommend this to any yellow or olive/golden toned ladies but am not sure how the gold undertones in this product will work for my pink toned ladies out there.

Packaging: Hate it. The useless sponge makes the packaging unnecessarily bigger than it has to be and KA packaging in general looks ugly and cheap to me.

I bought this online after hearing many raves on this on MUA's makeup board (thanks girls!) and was just transfixed by myself after applying it to myself for the first time. It gives this beautiful, lit from within glow and is just subtle enough. It doesn't shimmer, it GLOWS in a very beautiful, etheral way and gives your face an angelic, candlelit quality. My bf who is very oblivious to makeup walked in on me and commented that I looked "pretty and glowy" :P Love love love this and will buy over and over again.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* curlycuesue on 2/19/2012 9:01:00 AM more reviews by curlycuesue

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I was searching for a powder highlight that wasn't too white or too glittery, and this is it. It's a nude-y, champagne-y color that imparts a subtle sheen. I use the brush (which isn't too bad, albeit a bit scratchy) to apply it to my upper cheekbones and down the center of my nose. I tried to turn this into a multipurpose highlighter by applying it to the inner eye corner, but unfortunately, it made the area dry and kinda flakey. Nonetheless, this highlighter adds some dimension to my face, and provides a soft, elegant, candlelit glow.

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jc2729 on 5/16/2011 11:12:00 AM more reviews by jc2729

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I had been looking for a highlighter for a few weeks before I bought this product. I ruled out liquid highlighters since most of them had ingredients that would most likely break me out. I was originally going to buy Nars Albatross or Nico but when I tried them out in the store they looked chalky on my skin, and then out in the light they looked too sparkly. Candlelight is practically invisible (I'm nc20) unless you have light shining on you, and when you do it looks like a subtle sheen/glow. It is perfect for everyday wear! Since I get oily I use a lot of mattifying products but this keeps my face from looking too powdery and flat. Love it! The only bad thing is the price, so when I beauty.com was having a 20% off sale, i took it as a sign to splurge on this product =)

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bunnybooty on 8/9/2010 12:22:00 PM more reviews by bunnybooty

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! It's like having your own lighting guy follow you around making sure you're lit up in just the right spots. I bought it during sephora sale (like $11) 2 months ago and wish I bought 10 more. I've tried so many highlighters and while I like the look of them, pores and pimple marks get in the way of looking finished but this product doesnt make my pores look huge or make me look greasy. Honestly girls, prescriptives magic, benefit, cover girl, whatever has nothing on this.

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LeanneMM on 3/26/2010 4:29:00 PM more reviews by LeanneMM

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I came across the wonderful reviews for this product here, and decided to give it a try. I usually balk at paying this much for a product and was a bit shocked at how small the powder pan is when it first arrived in the mail, but I LOVE this product and will definitely re-purchase!



I've tried other highlighters in the past, but they have wound up looking way too shimmery on my 38-year-old skin. This imparts a nice, SUBTLE glean, and is definitely suitable for day wear to the office.



I've been using a small angled powder blush to apply it, and am still playing with where and how to use it. I've found it works better on top of my regular powder (Bobbi Brown's yellow shade loose powder) so that it sits on top and imparts that nice glow.


I just wish it weren't so darn expensive, but I can see this lasting a long time since, as some other reviewers mentioned, you only need a small amount and your brush just picks up the right amount of it.

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sparklehead on 2/1/2010 4:38:00 PM more reviews by sparklehead

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I wish after "Would you buy this product again?" I could select "YES, YES, YES! I'm fighting the urge to stockpile it now!" I was in love with this product from the first swipe of my brush.

Product: It's wonderful as a subtle highlighter but it definately can be built up for more highlight. My favorite way to use it is as a finishing powder all over my face. I don't know if you're supposed to do that but no one has told me I look weird haha! In fact, I've gotten compliments on my skin lately and I attribute it to the fact that I've switched to DiorSkin Nude liquid foundation with this to set it.

A lot of products claim to give you that "natural glow from within" but this powder is the real deal. It's very lightweight (you'd have to really try to get too much on your brush, it just doesn't pick up that way) and not even a little glittery. As others have said, it's kind of a champagne color, although the color doesn't show on my NC15-NC20 skin. Although its champagne colored it's not warm-toned, more neutral. I don't think the picture is that accurate on the color of the powder, on my computer it makes it look too peach. I think it would work for most skin tones and undertones (unless you're a DDD, then I'm really not at all sure how it would show up, would love to see someone expirament with it).

Price: I got this on a HauteLook sale for $17 so it was incredibly inexpensive considering how much I love it. I think it retails for $42, which is definately expensive, but after trying the product, is absolutely worth it.

Packaging: I'm not a huge fan of any of the Kevyn Aucoin packaging I own, and this is no exception. It's in an ugly brown plastic compact with gold accents that reminds me of the smell of cigars and is the color of fake wood siding in old grampa cars. The plastic feels cheap. It's not necessarily flimsy but I would be worried about it holding up if I tried to carry it in my purse every day. The compact has the pan with the powder and then a square below where the brush fits. You can't see it in the picture above, but In the area where the brush goes there are little round holes that go clear through the bottom of the compact so any extra powder drains out. I'm not really sure why the packaging designers thought this was a good idea - loose poweder floating around in my compact bothers me a lot less than loose powder draining out of my compact into my purse/makeup bag. If someone can explain why these holes are a good idea, I'd really like to know! I'm sure there was some rational thought process to adding them, I just don't get it.

I've actually found the brush useful for quick application or traveling. It's a small half-moon kind of brush, small but a nice size for either highlighting or trying to hit most of the face but it's not soft so you'll want to use your normal brush if it's around.

Overall: I wouldn't let the poor packaging steer you away from this product. They can package it any way they like because I'm still going to buy it!

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ankaz on 1/20/2010 3:25:00 PM more reviews by ankaz

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I absolutely adore this product. It is a highlighter I’ve been looking for all my life. It gives a nice glow without being shimmery or sparkly. I have Albatross by Nars, High Beam by Benefit, and other highlighters but this one is by far the best. I don’t like shimmer or glitter on my face.
A word of warning: when I apply it, it first kind of seats on my skin, but after a while, it just blends into it giving this perfect glow I’ve been after for such a long time.

8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Elissa on 11/6/2009 2:10:00 PM more reviews by Elissa

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

Really fantastic. I am addicted to this, personally, but also professionally (I am a mkp artist). There are alot of shimmery highlighters out there but this one is so subtle, the powder so finely milled, it doesn't look like makeup. Even in the harshest daylight, your skin looks soft and glowy. It photographs beautifully, as well.

19 out of 19 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No