Main Image – Courtesy of writer
Most of us love a dewy, glowy skin look, and it’s something I’ve been trying to nail for a while now. But I always worry I will end up looking like an offcast from Twilight when I step into the sun (“This is the skin of a killer, Bella”) – IYKYK.
One product that’s been doing the rounds on TikTok caught my eye for its glowing results (sorry) and hydrating formula – Saie’s Glowy Super Gel All-Over Illuminator £22 from Cult Beauty UK /$28 from Saie US). This multipurpose all-over illuminator is adored by beauty lovers, editors and celebs alike, with everyone running to get their hands on this viral glow-inducing gel.
Now, this product went seriously viral a couple of years ago, and I’m slightly late to the party. But, it’s a testament that I still see reviews popping up on my FYP for this gel, so I wanted to see what the fuss is (or isn’t) about.
I live in a warm climate where the majority of days are sunny and, in my opinion, a glowy illuminator is the perfect accessory for tanned skin. Who doesn’t want to look like some sort of Greek Goddess when the sunlight shines down on their cheekbones and collarbones?! I know I do.
And while I like highlighters and I’ll always use one if I’m doing a full makeup look, Saie’s promises to be the perfect illuminator when used alone, under makeup, on top of makeup, and on the body – a true multi-use product.
So, let’s see if this dewy gel can really give me a glow from within – without the sparkle.
Image – Courtesy of writer
The product details
Famed for its no-makeup makeup essentials, Saie combines skin-loving ingredients with efficacious formulas to dream up the Glowy Super Gel (30ml), a lightweight liquid with multipurpose powers like priming, highlighting and delivering dew. It comes in three shades – Roseglow, Sunglow, and Starglow – and I’ll be trying out the Starglow shade.
The brand says that this Glowy Super Gel “melts into the skin and diffuses effortlessly for a dreamy dewy gleamsans any glitter. A true multitasker, it works well alone to achieve that lit-from-within glow, as a primer underneath makeup, cocktailed with complexion staples for a luminous touch *and* you can even stipple it on top of foundation for maximum highlighting impact.”
This is everything I’m looking for and more. Not to mention the skin-loving ingredients the product is enriched with “like brightening vitamin C, moisturising papaya seed oil, hydrating glycerin and barrier-boosting squalane oil!” That’s right, skincare as you shimmer.
It’s formulated with 75% water, making it super hydrating, lightweight, and dewy, and there are various ways it can be applied depending on the look you want to achieve. It can be worn under your makeup for a glow radiating from within, it can be mixed with your makeup or moisturiser for added luminosity, or you can even apply it on top of your foundation for a brightening effect.
This is also available in a mini size in the brand’s Mini Glowy Super Gel Duo which includes a 15ml bottle of the sunglow shade and a 15ml bottle of the limited edition warm glow shade.
Image – Courtesy of writer
First impressions
I applied one pump of the product onto the back of my hand and I was really surprised at how lightweight and easy to smooth out it is. Considering it’s called a gel, that’s the formula I expected. This feels (pleasantly) like a thin moisturiser.
I was a bit dubious that this would be too pearly for me, that’s how I’d describe the look of the product when it comes out of the pump. But, once smoothed out, it’s seriously understated, with no glittery or shimmery flecks (perfect for me), but a slight glowy veil.
It feels a bit sticky (but very hydrating) after a minute or so on the skin, which made me pretty excited to try it as a primer underneath makeup since I imagine my base will grip onto it and make it last longer.
There’s no strong scent except a slight floral one which I imagine comes from the rose essential oil, but it’s not overwhelming.
Image – Courtesy of writer
My results
I’ve been itching to try this as an illuminator and primer under my makeup, so I applied one pump (a little goes a long way since the formula is thin) onto the back of my hand before smoothing it over my cleansed and moisturised face – and WOW.
A minute or so later I grabbed my mirror and took it into the daylight to see the results. I’m seriously impressed that there are no flecks of glitter, no pearly white finish, no shimmer, and no casting. I usually apply Benefit’s powder highlighter on my brow bone, cupid bow, and the tops of my cheekbones, however, sometimes I feel like it can look quite harsh even with a lot of blending, so I like the idea of applying this all over the face for a full glow.
The brand claims that this product provides “that lit-from-within glow”, and I’d agree. Unlike other highlighters like Benefit’s powders or Drunk Elephant’s B Goldi, there’s not a speck of glitter in sight, no golden shimmer, and no strong pigment.
Without applying my makeup yet, I like how this makes my skin glow. In fact, I couldn’t stop slowly moving my face from side to side and admiring the dewiness in the mirror!
The only negative I have, and this is personal to my combination skin with acne scarring, is that I feel like it draws a bit of attention to the texture of my skin. We are all human with imperfections, pores, lines, and marks, so I can live with that, but I now want to try it with my normal makeup routine.
Before and after using the product. Image – Courtesy of writer
Used under makeup, it still illuminates through my base (I only wear around one pump of foundation and I apply a concealer to any imperfections or marks) and gives a glow. I also found that my makeup seemed to last longer throughout the day, so this is a great option for a glowy primer.
And applied on the body? It’s amazing. It gives a really subtle but healthy glow to my collarbones and shoulders, and when the sun shines onto it my skin looks healthier and dewier (honestly, the perfect accessory to wear with a strappy dress).
The only downside I can see with this product is that it might be too subtle for people who prefer a strong, more bronzed highlighter like D-Bronzi or the more pearly ones on the market, this one is very natural.
Before and after applying it to my chest – It gives a lovely glow. Image. – Courtesy of writer
What other users are saying
People seem to really rate this illuminator! One user on Cult Beauty writes “It gives a very subtle glow to the skin. It’s very light and non-greasy which is amazing. Perfect for minimal and easy makeup looks.”
While another says “It bought this seeing as it had the most reviews and I love it! It’s super light weight & easy to blend. Doesn’t leave you feeling greasy. I use under my makeup & then again on the high points of my face before powder. I’m not a fan of how big the bottle is as it takes up a lot of space in my makeup bag. I’ve just bought the mini duo set for travelling & taking to work.”
Plenty of reviews I’ve read have said this product is “worth the hype”.
However, as we know, not all products are loved by everyone. One disappointed user writes “Fine – but not amazing. Not better than the elf one I got for half the price.” Another says “Good for make up no makeup or every day makeup, it [sic] creamy with tiny shimmer and glitter on it, but I don’t love it that much i think there is better products than this”.
Evidently, you can’t please everyone! But in general, this product is enjoyed by all skin types and used in so many different ways depending on the desired effect – I really love that aspect of it.
The only thing I would agree with is that the bottle is clunky, however, I am known to decant products into tiny pots to take with me in my handbag and that literally solves issues with any large packaging. Or, you could go for the mini duo option mentioned earlier.
@thelipsticklesbians The @saiebeauty Glowy Super Gel takes me to a lightweight sophisticated shimmer fantasy. If I had to take an educated guess with my beauty product development hat on, this super interesting gel texture likely requires some type of vac seal inside so the pump could properly evacuate the formula, giving it that unique finished packaged look. I have a lot of illuminators I know, love, and use, and all for different reasons. But, the Saie has my heart because of how fresh and weightless it feels on skin, while also not over delivering on radiance in a way that can actually accentuate texture vs deliver an ambient backlit glow to the skin. I use the super gel all over my face and layer foundation right on top. It’s been my preferred way to use her personally. If you love Elf’s Halo Glow, Charlotte’s Flawless Filter, or the Kosas Glow IV, this is definitely worth a swatch the next time you’re in Sephora to try! #makeup #beautytok #saiebeauty #saieglowysupergel #sephora #beautyproductevaluationsbyalexis
Overall value for money
I think this is definitely worth the money. For £22.00/$28.00 you get a huge amount of product so I feel like this will last me a very, very long time considering a little goes a long way.
There are some cheaper products on the market, such as Elf’s Illuminating Face Primer and NYX’s Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator. However, I have yet to find a highlighter that is as natural-looking on the skin as Saie’s.
The takeaway
Would I buy this again? Well, with the amount of product you get in the 30ml bottle, I might not have to buy it again for the next few years! But, in all seriousness, yes I would. I like the slightly floral scent, it’s a great price for what you get, and it’s versatile.
Not only is this an amazing illuminator for your face, but I love that it can be used on the body and that it’s really hydrating. I think the skincare element to this product is really important because it means there’s not much risk of shimmery dry patches and it gives more of a “your skin but glowier” look.
I’ll be reaching for this on sunny days and it’s a great accessory to wear during an event or nigh out.
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