Veracious Product Review: Cle de Peau Luminizing Skin Enhancer #12

Hi, everyone! If you peeked at my last post, you'll know that I had a bit of a splurge moment at the Cle de Peau counter late last year. The brand is as luxurious as it is expensive (ouch!), but the products are undoubtedly beautiful and (when purchases are made on rare occasions) totally worth the splurge. The most visually stunning item from my haul comes in the form of the Luminizing Skin Enhancer #12. I mean, look at this thing! 

The Cle de Peau Beaute Luminizing Face Enhancers come in frosted silvery gold boxes with shiny silver highlights. Quite sophisticated! 

The highlighter compact comes in a soft suede pouch with the Cle de Peau logo on the bottom corner. 

Upon removing the pouch, the most gorgeous compact is revealed. The top is textured and mirrored, like a multi-faceted gem or an icy treasure. It's really unlike any other compact in my collection!

The highlighters can be purchased on their own (stored in a plastic clam shell), but I decided to pick up the compact as well, as it is so stunning and (as you'll see below) includes quite a nice brush. 

Even more unique that the compact is the product itself. As you can see, the Luminizing Skin Enhancers are multifaceted and feature a few distinct hues in a mosaic-like pattern. Seriously, have you ever seen a powder so beautiful?!

When you purchase the compact along with the highlighter, you also receive a mini brush designed to be used with the product. It's quite soft and is a very nice size for sweeping across targeted areas of the face. 

Here is a closeup of the highlighter itself. The pattern and textures are quite intricate and there are four different hues in the mix. Shade #12 features portions of gold, peachy beige, soft ivory, and shimmery white. 

This is what #12 looks like swatched on my inner arm, applied heavily, then more lightly. As you can see, it appears as a predominantly golden yellow tone with an icy shimmer throughout: 

And here are a few shots of the Luminizing Skin Enhancer #12 on my cheekbones. I included multiple views to demonstrate that the finish varies slightly under different lighting and at different angles. At times it takes on a subtle sheen and, under brighter, direct light, there is more obvious sparkle. 

And now for a full breakdown of the costs and benefits of this beaut of a highlighter:

Pros:

• Gives a flattering glow that is not frosty nor overly glittery
• The texture is sheer, lightweight, and buildable, so you can add just a touch of glow or layer for more ka-pow!
• The formula wears evenly without fading for 10+ hours
• This does not accentuate the fine lines around my eyes unlike other highlighters I've tried (sorry, Mary Loumanizer)
• #12 gives a lovely golden warmth to the skin without being overly yellow
• The design of the product is beautiful and unique
• The compact is elegant, weighty, and sturdy without being too bulky

Cons:

• This golden hue may not be as flattering on cooler-toned complexions (but there is a shade in the range with pretty pink undertones). 
• Yeah, the price. Along with the compact, this was over $90 CAD. Silly, I know. 

My overall verdict? This highlighter is gorgeous! From the packaging to the finish, every element of the Luminizing Skin Enhancer #12 is glamorous, yet elegant. Is this twice as good at $40 highlighters on the market? Not quite. Do you need to spend this much money for a sophisticated glow? Definitely not. But if you are looking for a luxurious highlighter with beautiful, unique packaging, a dreamy lightweight texture, and a subtle, illuminating sheen, look no further! 

What's your favourite highlighter at the moment? What was your most recent beauty splurge?

Thanks for reading! :)