Since I can’t resist a new highlighter (and who can, right?!), I purchased these during the first launch and have been testing them for quite a while now. I promise you that if you didn’t get these the first time, it will be worth the wait when the restock goes live. If you’re a highlighter addict like me, you will absolutely fall in love with these!
So without further ado, I give you Skin Frosts!
*** If you would like to check out my post for Siberian Gold Skin Frost, please click here ***
They all apply best with a small-ish, preferably tapered, somewhat dense, fluffy brush like Anastasia’s A23, Real Techniques Setting Brush (the one with the pink handle), or MAC’s 133 Brush. Used dry, they give you anything from a light, subtle glow up to something more intense, depending on how much you apply and layer the Skin Frost. Another way to get a softer, more natural highlight is to use a dry, fluffy fan brush like a MAC 184 (from MAC Pro or online). Fan brushes will actually provide the widest range for levels of color payoff and coverage, depending on how much product you get on them and whether or not you use it dry or damp.
If you want that mega glowing, almost metallic, goddess-from-another-planet type of highlight, you can spray your brush with something like MAC’s Fix + Spray AFTER swiping your brush through the highlighter and picking up a good amount of product… If you spray your brush first, your brush may be too damp and you can end up with that icky crusty buildup on your highlighter that will make it difficult to use later on. That’s not something unique to these highlighters though, it will happen with any type of powder that you use a wet brush with.
Pro Tip: You can multitask with these! Need an inner corner highlight for your eyes? Pop on the same Skin Frost you used on your cheeks! I use these as eye shadows all the time and I’ll even pop a little bit onto the center of my lips after applying lipstick for a glowy pout without using a gloss.
All of these are available on the Jeffree Star Cosmetics website and they sell for $29 each. They contain 15g / 0.53oz of product, so they’re absolutely massive and a really good value… In comparison, the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector’s contain 8g / 0.28oz of powder and go for $38, while the Laura Gellar Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator’s contain 4.5g / 0.16oz and sell for $26. The closest high end highlighter, value wise, is MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish, which contains 10g / .35oz and costs $32.
The Skin Frosts are all out of stock as of right now (end of July), but according to Jeffree’s Instagram, there will be a restock of Peach Goddess and King Tut on Thursday, August 11th at 10am PST, and four new shades will also be launching at that time… There’s another shade, Mint Condition, that I did not purchase, so I’m sorry but that one won’t be in this review. I hope to get it eventually, and I’ll be sure to post it when I do!
In addition to these being huge and a great value, the packaging is also really nice. It’s made from a sturdy, bright pink plastic and has a mirror inside that’s the full size of the compact! On the outside, the logo is printed on the lid in a very pretty, metallic pink that looks super cute and classy. Luckily, I haven’t dropped one of these yet, but I’m assuming that due to the soft formula, the powder could potentially be fragile, but that’s how it is with most highlighters. One thing I noticed, and appreciated, is how quickly my order processed and shipped, and how thorough they were with their packaging… These highlighters were wrapped in SO much pink bubble wrap and tissue paper, I think the apocalypse could have happened and my skin frosts still would have survived!
Now for the individual reviews!
As I mentioned earlier, Skin Frosts have a very buttery texture and glide right onto the skin with little to no blending required when using the proper brush (the ones I suggested are the best I’ve found, and trust me, I have a billion brushes). Coverage and color payoff are fantastic, but the fluffier the brush, the less you’ll get of either. I find that to be a good thing though, because it makes it easy to customize your level of glow. Wear time seems to be pretty much all day… These don’t fade easily or quickly unless you’re out in some serious heat and humidity, but the rest of your makeup is probably melting off at that point anyway! If I apply a Skin Frost around noon, it’s still there by midnight. With Ice Cold, it can begin to fade about 6 hours after I’ve applied it, but only a little, and it actually ends up looking prettier because it just melts right into the skin, giving the glow a softer, sexier, more magical appearance.
Overall Rating: 5 / 5
Application: 5
Coverage: 5
Color Payoff: 5
Texture: 5
Wear Time: 5
Packaging: 5
Dupes: MAC’s Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish is very close, but has a cooler, more pastel undertone and not as much pigmentation. Becca’s Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone has the same type of warm, golden tone, but is a little bit darker. The Balm’s Mary-Lou Manizer also has the same undertone, but is darker than both Moonstone and Ice Cold. Becca’s Opal is darker and has more of a pink undertone… So I think it’s safe to say that Ice Cold is very unique!
Peach Goddess has the same texture as the other Skin Frosts, so it’s a very creamy feeling powder that applies easily. As I said though, the color payoff and coverage may take a heavier or damp application or more layering with this shade. Like Ice Cold, this shade looks beautiful all day with minimal fading… All of that said, when I’m more tan, I tend to reach for Peach Goddess more than any other highlighter because it looks so good with the warmer toned blushes I use during summer! Even if I don’t wear much makeup, this is easy to pop on as a highlight and eye shadow to give my face a little bit more life.
Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5
Application: 5
Coverage: 5
Color Payoff: 4
Texture: 5
Wear Time: 5
Packaging: 5
Dupes: In the pan, MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish in Cheeky Bronze looks very similar, but the texture feels different and it’s not quite as glowy, even if the color is close. Global Glow MSF is darker and less pink, and has some thicker gold shimmer particles in it. MAC’s Soft & Gentle MSF is pretty close, but a little lighter and less rosy toned. Becca’s Champagne Pop is lighter and peachier, while Opal is lighter and has a more golden undertone. Laura Geller’s Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Peach Glow is the closest dupe I’ve found, but it’s the tiniest big lighter, even though the general color and undertone are very much alike.
I’m happy to say that the super smooth texture is the same with all of the Skin Frosts. It’s nice to have so much consistency in a product! As far as color payoff and coverage go, like I said, King Tut is the most versatile of the three shades and can be applied and blended out lightly, or really built up to look just like it does in the pan. This shade wore well on me for a solid 8 hours before I noticed any fading, probably because it’s so pigmented, but when it does begin to fade it’s like the others and still gives you a glow, but becomes slightly softer. Now just wait till you get to the dupes… I know some of you diehard MAC fans are going to be VERY happy 😉
Overall Rating: 5 / 5
Application: 5
Coverage: 5
Color Payoff: 5
Texture: 5
Wear Time: 5
Packaging: 5
Dupes: Okay so this is the best part… When applied lightly to moderately, King Tut looks a LOT like MAC’s Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish that was limited edition! Whisper of Gilt is just a little lighter, but they’re SUPER close. Another Extra Dimension Skinfinish that’s even more similar to King Tut is Oh Darling, which was limited edition and released during the 2015 holiday season. MAC’s Global Glow Mineralize Skinfinish is a little deeper bronze toned and has bigger shimmer particles, but it’s the closest dupe I can find that’s permanent… Of course, being quite pale most of the time, I don’t personally have many golden toned highlighters to sit here and compare King Tut to, so if you know of any awesome dupes, feel free to post them in the comments below!
Awesome review! Unfortunately, I happened to receive a broken King Tut. But it’s beautiful, and thankfully rubbing alcohol didn’t kill its mojo hahha – but I did notice that it emphasizes pores on me!
I heard that quite a few people did, but I know he was willing to send people new ones!
I’m in India. Lol. Such a misery. UGH. Also, I’m not taking sides on the KvD and Jeffree Feud. I’ll just stick to buying products that I think are amazing. Are you on Instagram?
I don’t take part in any type of social media drama, I just use the makeup and review it! And yeah, it’s lesley_makeup
I’ll follow you on there.