Sunday 16 September 2012

My collection- highlighters & illuminators.


Complexion is key, if your base isn't right then the colour you add with eyeshadows and lip products won't look their best. For a polished, healthy complexion I rely on highlighters and illuminators, and due to my magpie like tendencies with said product I have managed to work up quite a collection....


MAC MSF in 'Soft & Gentle' doesn't need much of an introduction, and I choose to use it most days. It's a warm highlighter that can be dusted all over or built up in certain areas to create a glow. As it is mineral, it can be used wet or dry and this also creates different finishes, you get a huge dome of product and is a definite summer must have for me, but be careful not to build it up to a strong metallic finish- unless you want to look like the Tin Man from Oz.

YSL 'The White Tuxedo Palette' or Palette Blanc Terriblement; This was Limited Edition in the YSL Christmas Collection in 2011. It is perfect for the winter because it is cool toned and more suited to pale complexions, in the case it looks like freshly fallen snow and was almost too pretty to use. Overall it creates a pretty pink pearlescent highlight, however less is certainly more with this one. See more here.

TopShop Highlighter in 'Sunbeam'; To be honest I don't know what I was thinking when I bought this product, I can't see this suiting anybody because it is just so gold. I find it hard to apply this subtley and the finish is just all off. I've only used this a coule of times, I think it'll be cleaned and go into a future MUA kit for the more 'out there', imaginative looks. Not one for you natural Nancy's out there.


NARS Illuminator in 'Super Orgasm'; This is a pretty golden peach colour that is creamy in consistency. It's pretty applied onto the cheeks but due to it's glittery shimmer it is more suitable for night time. This isn't a product I use very much, but I am going to try and use it more.

Benefit 'Watt's Up!' this is a fairly new release from Benefit and is a creamy stick of a champagne gold colour. It's a verstaile colour as it can be used as an eyeshadow aswell. It gives a similar finish to Soft and Gentle, but is in cream form so is best suited for girls who don't set their foundation with powder, as it blends better then.

MAC Cream Colour Base in 'Pearl'- Once upon a time, I love love loved this however it began to feel a bit too greasy on my skin and didn't blend as well. The shade is gorgeous as it suits my skin tone yet adds a warm, subtle glow. This is perfect as an all over highlighter, it's delicate finish means it is perfect stroked down the centre of the nose, above the lips, on the brow bone and of course, on the cheek bone. It's best blended when your foundation is still wet!


TopShop 'Skin Glow'- I've had this one a while and am just using it up. It reminds me of Benefit's Moon Beam which has now been discontinued, but is similar in it's pink, gold pearlescent finish. It's lovely mixed into foundation or as a base before foundation but not a product I would buy again.

MAC Strobe Cream- This perks up the skin and illuminates even through thick foundation. It is a popular product and I can see why, but the smell is pretty dire.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique primer- this is marketed as a primer though doesn't particularly prolong the wear of my makeup. I like to mix this in with foundations that are a bit too dark as it pales it down whilst adding an illuminating glow. 

Benefit 'Girl Meets Pearl'- this is similar to Watt's Up in terms of it's champagne gold colour however it is in liquid form, this is beautiful and very subtle, it adds a warmth but isn't a product I'll purchase full size.


Benefit 'High Brow'; I love this because it instantly lifts the brow bone when gently applied and blended beneath the brow. It works best on fair skin tones as it will look most natural, and can also be applied on the water line to brighten up tired eyes, due to it's pinky tones it's a bit more natural than a stark white eyeliner.

Benefit 'High Beam'; This is an oldie but a goodie. Personally, I think this product is too 'high shine' for use on the cheekbones, so is best used to highlight the brow bone. This is the perfect finishing touch to an evening smokey eye, or used in the day to open up the eye area and add a beautiful sheen. The effects are very obvious so isn't one for those who like a tuned down look, and again this is best suited to fairer skins as it will just look streaky and too white/silver on anyone tanned or with deep skin tones.


I think that powder is my favourite medium to use at the moment so I am looking to expand on my powder highlighter collection- do you have any that you can recommend to me??

13 comments:

  1. I bought the Topshop highlighter too, and feel so disappointed! It's so gold and doesn't apply very well.

    Great post!

    Sophie x

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  2. These all look gorgeous, I love the look of the MAC cream colour base and L'Oreal primer. I recently bought Dior's Amber Diamond which is amazing! NARS Albatross is a lovely one too :) xo

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  3. Highlighter heaven! I love Soft & Gentle, even use it as eyeshadow if I need to go somewhere but can be arsed doing my face properly. Girl Meets Pearl is on my wishlist too. Lovely post.
    xo

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  4. Definitely like the look of he mac version :)

    http://Heidi-likes.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. ooo im so glad you posted this em, i was literally just thinking today that i wanted a new highlighter, and having to traul through loads of reviews. but youve done all the hard work for me :) xx

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  6. Ah this is the exact post I've been looking for! Really want to try out the benefit ones! thanks xx

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  7. I always think about getting High Brow, is it so much better than just using a pearly white under them? Amazing collection by the way, I was reading it in awe!

    J x

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  8. I always think about getting High Brow, is it so much better than just using a pearly white under them? Amazing collection by the way, I was reading it in awe!

    J x

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  9. fab post! love highlighters! i have mac soft and gentle but as im so pale i have to be careful with it and find even during the day it can be a bit much... the cream colour base in pearl tho i recently got and i love it! altho u can feel it 'sitting' on ur skin i agree! xxx

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  10. Have you tried using the topshop highlighter as an eye-shadow instead? I was instantly drawn to the colour of it in the photo, I think it's very pretty although maybe not so great as a highlighter. But it could look quite nice as an eye-shadow or just in the inner corners of your eyes? Just a thought...

    Stories of an English rose

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