Where I got it: I got this from Etude House while I was traveling in Hong Kong for HKD $130 which is about NZD $20.
What I got: This is Golden Ratio Face Glam in Gold from Etude House (also comes in Pink, but that is very similar to Benefit High Beam which I already have and LOVE!). Etude house is a Korean brand selling skincare and cosmetics. The prices are very affordable and the packaging is cute and sweet. Golden Ratio Face Glam is a double layer illuminator – top layer is a illuminating balm and the bottom is a liquid illuminator. Very much similar to Benefit’s High Beam but this has a gold undertone, while High Beam has a pink undertone.
How I find it: I would use this over foundation or BB cream, or just on my bare face when I just want some highlighting on my skin without any coverage. The applicator is quite different to Benefit’s liquid illuminators, this one has a plastic spatula applicator and every time I pull the spatula out, I need to carefully scrap off one side of the flat spatula to the rim of the opening (I hate making a mess of my makeup products, sometimes I wipe the rim and cap with alcohol wipes). Then I put a small dot of the product onto the back of my hand, never directly on my face because it is rather hard to control. The formula is quite fluid and you can see the shimmer is quite sparse instead of densely packed (like Benefit High Beam). However, Golden Ratio does give a good sheer illuminating that is not overly shimmery and sparkly. As for the balm formula on the top, I would use that when I have a smaller area to highlight/illuminate – i.e inner corners of my eyes, brow bone and under my lower lash line. I quite like the balm formula as it is easy to control and gives a really good illuminating colour that is a little less golden than the liquid form.
Left: Left side of my hand showing the balm formula. Right: right side of my hand showing the liquid formula.
Overall: I really like liquid illuminators, they make a big difference to my complexion and make my face look much more sculpted. When I am wearing minimal makeup (i.e. no foundation or BB cream), I will apply illuminator to my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose and I am recently liking the look of the ‘watery eye’ where I dot sheer illuminator/highlighter in the centre just under my lower lash line. It certainly makes my eyes pop and gives a more innocent look 🙂 The Golden Ratio does give a good gold-toned highlight, but tends to look a little shimmery and I think that is because the shimmer is not milled as finely compared to the Benefit High Beam. I prefer the balm formula at the top over the liquid as the liquid can be a little difficult to control as well and can get messy. But this bottle of highlighter is very versatile and this small bottle will last you a very very long time!
