Beauty Care: Phytosurgence Fresh Fog Spectral Shine Radiance Balm Review & Swatches

Fresh Fog

Phytosurgence Fresh Fog Spectral Shine Radiance Balm ($26.01 for 0.25 oz.) is a very pale white with subtle warmth that yielded a ultra-finely milled pearl sheen to skin. It was almost like a “matte” highlighter but still gave off a sheen, it just wasn’t overtly shimmery nor dewy.

Opaque coverage
Firmer, stiffer texture (as designed/marketed)
Best with denser brush and heavier hand
Buffed onto skin evenly without lifting up base products
Long-wearing (8 hours)

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

Top Dupes

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Urban Decay Luminous (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
NYX Moon Glow (P, $6.99) is cooler (90% similar).
Tarte Believe (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
Glossier Moonstone (P, $22.00) is cooler (80% similar).
Burberry No. 01 White (LE, $68.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).

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Possible Dupes

These are likely to be very similar shades based on our duping algorithm.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Spotlight (P, $42.00).

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.