Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight | The Peau de Pärla fam is expanding into this formula, and as soon as it was announced, it was on its way to me. (You might think that is an exaggeration, but hardly – I purchased it before starting work that day!)
For context, I have loved this formula for years now but have never felt that there was a perfect shade for me to get the effect I desired – increasing radiance, having a little bit of depth to add color and help meld things together, and without so clearly forcing me to go in the direction of a specific color family. While that is admittedly pretty specific and maybe high maintenance, for some reason I continued holding out hope. Secondly, Pärla is my favorite ever shade released of the Lit Up Highlight Stick, becoming an instant favorite in my collection and has to this day maintained its spot as my top shade in this product family. So when say I feel like this release was made for me – genuinely tailored to exactly what I was seeking – I think this paints the picture. And I’m so thrilled to confirm that I have no regrets.
For those unfamiliar with the Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter, it’s a thicker, firmer cream with a lot of luminosity but no visible glitter, and (at least in my experience) without emphasizing texture. While you can absolutely opt to use your fingers for application, I personally prefer a brush to get a really thin, seamless application. It’s the type of product where you can’t really tell where it begins and ends because of how readily it melts into your skin; however – and very importantly – it doesn’t disrupt the makeup underneath, instead just giving a really refined finish to wherever you’ve placed it. It’s also not a product that I would consider to be especially emollient as it does have a dry down and therefore doesn’t migrate.
I don’t consider it a highlighter as much as a complexion booster because of the pigment levels, but there are certainly shades that would work as a highlighter for those with deeper skin in comparison.
Super Loaded Tinted Highlight
Now for the shade – Pärla is described as an oyster pearl and was originally introduced in Holiday 2021 in the form of the Lit Up Highlight Stick. I don’t get oyster as much as I get a warm-leaning champagne, but it’s gorgeous nonetheless.
Super Loaded Tinted Highlight vs. Lit Up Highlight Stick in Pärla
It’s important to know that Westman Atelier shades are reimagined for different product types, so they maintain the “essence” of a tone but have different pigment levels and effects. Below is a comparison of Pärla in both formulas, where the Lit Up Highlight Stick is much more balmy, transparent, and emollient. Some of the shine comes from the pearl of course, but a lot of it comes from that gel-like base that doesn’t fully dry down.
Super Loaded Tinted Highlight Comparison
Of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without comparing the newest addition within this line to the others that I own. You’ll quickly see that Peau de Pärla is the most harmonious with my complexion. Peau de Pêche is far too warm and orange, and Peau de Santé has a gold flip that just doesn’t work for me within the otherwise flattering warm pink base.
Packaging
If the price didn’t give it away already, Westman Atelier definitely positions itself as a luxury brand, and I would be remiss to not mention both the good and bad aspects of the very luxurious packaging. In general, Westman Atelier products are weighted, and the Super Loaded Tinted Highlights are no exception – they have approximately the weight and size of a paperweight and come in a dust bag to protect the product from scratches, which is especially appreciated for shades such as this one where the compact is metallic.
While these aspects enhance the overall experience, I do have to mention that opening these is going to be difficult for anyone with grip strength issues. The compact is magnetized closed, but the lip in which you rest your finger to push open the compact is very small. Add in the smooth metallic finish of the compact, and it can be a bit challenging!
Final Thoughts
Peau de Pärla is the epitome of perfection for my personal needs from this formula, in short giving me the same effect that Peau de Pêche offers to so many, to the degree that I now intend to declutter my other shades. The formula is stunning across the board, I’ll just simply never reach for Peau de Pêche or Peau de Santé before Peau de Pärla, and it’s time they go to someone whose complexion is better suited for them.
I would love to know what you think of this formula if you’ve tried it, as it really is one of the more unique ones in my collection. Do you intend to pick up this new shade?
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