Beauty Care: Phytosurgence Cosmic Cinders Spectral Shine Radiance Balm Review & Swatches

Cosmic Cinders

Phytosurgence Cosmic Cinders Spectral Shine Radiance Balm ($26.01 for 0.25 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with moderate, warm undertones and a gentle sheen. It had more opaque color coverage that adhered evenly to bare skin and blended out with ease. I found it worked as well on top of a more emollient/dewier base (like La Mer The Soft Fluid) but tended to look a little cakey when applied on top of a more matte foundation (like Fenty Pro Filt’r).

The product had a denser, stiffer feel to it in the pan, and the creaminess was more apparent if one swirled a fingertip into the pan more heavily. The brand recommended to use a brush over fingertips as the latter could cause the product to stiffen over time, and I’d agree; a brush was most foolproof and ensured the product didn’t get too compacted over time. For working over a matte foundation, though, I felt like I needed the warmth of my fingertip over a brush, but a brush was my preferred method for working on top of bare skin or over a dewier base.

It delivered a barely-there glow, which was as intended, and never emphasized my skin’s natural texture as a result. The product seemed to become more seamless after an hour or so of wear, even over matte foundation. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading noticeably.

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

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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.