Phytosurgence Astral Ablaze Spectral Shine Radiance Balm Review & Swatches

Astral Ablaze

Phytosurgence Astral Ablaze Spectral Shine Radiance Balm ($26.01 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, golden copper with strong, warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer, though the denser, almost stiff, consistency worked best with a moderately dense brush or a fingertip (though the latter isn’t so much advised!).

It had more of a powder-like feel and application, just without any powderiness as there was some creaminess to it; the creaminess came through more if I swirled my fingertip on the pan’s surface a few times. The product applied well to bare skin and on top of a dewier base, but I found it wasn’t as compatible with more matte foundations as it didn’t glide on as well–it didn’t lift up the foundation but didn’t go on as evenly and required more layering/buffing. This shade stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Kosas Helios (High Intensity) (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
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Glossier Play Deep Copper (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
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View Swatches

Formula Overview

$26.01/0.25 oz. - $104.04 Per Ounce

It's supposed to be a "cream-to-powder formula" that "can be applied and treated like a pressed powder product." It is designed to give a "gentle veil of luminosity" rather than a "glow from space."

The brand recommends using a brush to apply it, though fingertips could be used; they say to avoid to pushing as it can cause the product to harden and become stiff over time. I liked using a denser, more flat-topped blush or highlighter brush for picking up and buffing product onto my skin with this formula.

It's an interesting texture, as it was, in fact, "dry to the touch" as they brand described. It felt more powder-like than cream-like, and typically, cream-to-powder has a creamier feel that dries down to a powder-like finish. Instead, these just had more glide than a traditional powder (and thus, no powderiness either).

They worked best on top of more hydrated skin or less-matte foundation, as I found that they didn't go on as seamlessly over medium-coverage, matte foundation--it looked drier and more powdery, though it softened and looked better after a few hours of wear. They looked particularly seamless, glowing but not overtly shimmery on bare skin and on lighter-coverage, dewier foundations (like a tinted moisturizer or anything with a more luminous finish).

The effect is really lovely for those who prefer a more hydrating/dewy base, whether that's bare skin or something else, though. It gives a "veil" of glow that delivers a subtle reflective quality that doesn't accentuate skin texture and really diffuses across the skin due to the more transparent base. They wore well for seven to eight hours before fading a bit.

Browse all of our Phytosurgence Spectral Shine Radiance Balm swatches.

Ingredients

Isododecane, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isododecane (and) Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Carnauba Wax, Boron Nitride, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol (and) Capyrlyl Glycol. May Contain: Titainium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77499, 77891).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.