You don’t need to pay close attention to the latest beauty trends to know that dewy skin is in.
Spearheaded by the likes of Hailey Bieber, as far as our complexions go, the glowier, the better - so kiss goodbye to mattifying finishes and radiance-curtailing textures.
Gucci’s beauty collection is always at the forefront of the latest buzzed-about cosmetics agenda. Much like the fashion arm of the iconic Italian house, it plays a huge part in setting the aforementioned trends. So if you needed any more of a sign that luminosity is here to stay, you only need to look to its latest launch, the Illuminateur de Beaute.
This is the first liquid highlighter to join Gucci’s line-up and there is just one universal shade. The brand is likely best known for its floral fragrances housed in beautifully-adorned botanical-embellished bottles or lipstick with pigments as sought-after as its packaging. As far as base products go, there are two types of liquid foundation with a full coverage or natural finish, a cushion foundation with SPF and powders, but this is its first foray into the glow-giving product type.
With a droplet applicator, this product is designed to be multiuse. First and foremost, the hugely nourishing formulation brings instant hydration. Next comes the illumination. This is created with a combination of ultra-fine luminous pearls and black rose extract.
The lightweight texture can be applied directly onto bare skin, combined with primers, mixed in with foundation or as the finishing layer to your base products, bringing with a healthy, lit-from-within finish no matter your skin type.
But does the highlighter live up to the ES Best test? We put the Illuminateur de Beaute through their paces to find out.
Buy now - £37, John Lewis
Ellie Davis, Shopping Editor
I must admit, I am huge fan of Gucci’s beauty offering. The Gucci Mascara L’Obscur is one of my favourite ever eye products and one of very few makeup products that I’d consider a desert island essential. So I set my expectations high as I embarked on application of the Illuminateur de Beaute.
The texture looks thick and admittedly gloopy as soon as you remove the dropper applicator. While the bottle is adorned with the signature coral and gold detailing that gives a luxe impression, the dropper does not seem to work in a case of style over substance where the actual way to impart the formula is through a wipe approach.
The formula, however, is very lightweight as soon as you glide it over the complexion. It has a subtle rose gold sheen that is incredibly flattering on my sun-parched skin, giving an immediate bronzed glow. It’s almost serum-like in its thinness but is buildable so you can easily control the level of illumination. It sits nicely under or over base products without balling, enhancing any dewy look with a just-left-the-beach finish.
Saskia Kemsley, Shopping Writer
My first response to being handed the, albeit gorgeous and sparkly Gucci Beauty Illuminateur was – is it just the one shade? The universal highlighter comes in a singular, peachy-beige toned hue with some gold swirly and shimmery flecks throughout. I have very fair skin, so I was immediately concerned that the highlighter would give me a strange, streaky look once applied to the high points of my face.
Nevertheless, I actually found it difficult to notice any effects at all. The finish is described as ‘natural’ – but it is so natural that it becomes an almost entirely unnecessary product. I don’t love an obvious highlighter, but the lack of effect provided by the Gucci Illuminateur was a little bit disappointing, especially given the fact that the 12ml bottle costs £37.
In order to see whether I could achieve a more significant effect, I applied slightly more product to my eyelids as a sort-of liquid eyeshadow. Though I did ultimately like how this looked, it was not the initial purpose of the product in the slightest. Ultimately, the Gucci Illuminateaur is something I might pick-up if it were in my makeup arsenal, but is pricey for a barely-there highlighter.
Gucci Beauty Illuminateur de Beauté Liquid Highlighter
Buy now £37.00, John Lewis
