Current favorite highlighters

Helllllo world! 

So, since around the end of 2013 'til now, we have been seeing a growing popularity in highlighting and contouring (and hallelujah for that!). As I continue to learn about makeup and the different methods of application, I learn that there is never a dull moment! With contouring and highlighting, one is taking a person's face and adding shadow to shape the form of the face with contouring, and with highlighting, one is bringing forward the high points of the face and where light naturally hits the face, such as the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, and the part of the forehead just above the bridge of the nose. Since learning about highlighting and contouring, I can't see myself NOT contouring and highlighting in my every day makeup. I have a very round face, like my father, so I was so happy to learn that I could "enhance" my faintly visible cheekbones. But we will get to contouring another day. For today's reviews, I am sharing the highlighters that I use most now and why I love them so much! 

(from left to right- MAC Cosmetics Soft and Gentle, The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, Estee Lauder Heat Wave)

MAC Cosmetics Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish

(My very first highlighter! I'm a big girl now!)

(Gorgeous gilded peachy bronze goodness)

(Taken in front of my window)

(Taken in natural daylight, but farther away from the window)

Summary: 

- Gilded peach bronze highlighter with frost finish

- Slightly dry texture, but looks beautiful on all skin tones with the right application

- Pick yours up at MAC's online store here for $32.00!

This was my very first highlighter! When I first got it from MAC, I was like, ugh, this feels like chalk, but the color payoff was SO nice, so I thought I would give it a try. It’s not very pigmented, but the right brush picks up enough of the product. Plus, it had the approval of @Jaclyn Hill, so how bad could it be, right? I will admit though, it took me a while to warm up to this highlighter, because I do feel that it can come off “ashy” sometimes with the wrong look/makeup. After I kept reading rave reviews about it, I decided to give it a second chance and see how I felt about it. I’m glad I did, because I really did start to fall in love with it. Even with how much I use now, it barely looks like it has been used because a little goes a long way. This is the highlighter I grab when I want something more than a sheen on the high points of my face, but I don’t want it to be too shimmery. Soft and Gentle is a really great balance between the two.

 The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

(My first product from The Balm)

(Beautiful champagne color and SO pigmented!)

(This is in front of the window and with one swipe to swatch)

(Taken farther away from the window. Still so pigmented against my pale skin)

Summary: 

- Stunning honey-champagne color that can be used as an eyeshadow as well

- The most pigmented highlighter of the four

- Grab one on The Balm's website here for $24.00!

Whenever someone asks me for a highlighter recommendation, without thinking, I blurt out “The Balm’s Mary-Lou Manizer!”. This highlighter is SO pigmented and so versatile! Even if you just dab your finger into the pan, you will pick up a good amount of product. It's honey, champagne color looks wonderful on the skin and applies effortlessly. A tiny pinch of it in the corner of your eyes will open up your whole look. I picked up mine on Hautelook, where I first heard of it, and I will say that The Balm has their products listed on there a lot for a discounted price, so if you are hesitant at all (although you really shouldn't be!), you can always get it there for a more inexpensive price. Either way, you will thank yourself for buying this highlighter! It is a must for my kit! 

Estee Lauder Heat Wave Illuminating Powder Gelee

(My beautiful Heat Wave! The lid has seen better days.)

(Looking like rays of sunshine!)

(It looks more bronze in the pan, but applies a beautiful, warm  gold with just a hint of bronze.)

(Taken in front of the window. I mean, c'mon now, right??)

(Taken farther away and still so pigmented!)

Summary: 

- Limited edition golden bronzy highlighter

- So creamy and applies with ease on the face

- This might be harder to find, but try eBay or look on Instagram to see if anyone is selling one! 

I first heard about this amazing gold dust from Instagram, namely from the beautiful @Amrezy. When I first heard about it and started researching it, not only did I find that it was a limited edition highlighter, but it was already out of new production at Estee Lauder! (@#%#^%) right?? Well, to my unbelievable surprise- I found out that the Cosmetics Company Store had some in stock! When I swatched it for the first time on my hand it just looked like the most perfect warm, goldy sheen. I snatched up three immediately! I also found that this highlighter applies and blends very smoothly. It’s not super creamy, but it’s not a dryer texture like Soft and Gentle, either. Since selling out at the CCS, prices have really gone up on eBay, but if you find yourself in a position to get your hands on his highlighter, you won’t be disappointed! If not, also hakuna matata, because there have been a bunch of new golden highlighters that are becoming popular (Angel Merino's new makeup line Artist Couture's Diamond Glow Powder might have something comparable, although they are loose powders). I will try to get my hands on some to review them, but for me, this is the gem that started the gold highlight craze. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

(My daily highlighter)

(Such a beautiful trio)

(The light ones were swatched a few times to show on my fair skin, but they apply beautifully)

(Taken farther away from the window)

Summary: 

- Gorgeous trio consisting of the colors Dim Light, Incandescent Light (exclusive only to this trio), and Radiant Light

- Great for a variety of skin tones that can be covered by the three colors

- Pick yours up at Sephora's online store here for $58.00!

I had seen so many lovely and delicate highlights on Instagram that I decided to splurge and get this palette! I will say, although the price is a bit steep, it is well worth it, especially if you are a makeup artist or even for when you tan or are more fair, depending on the time of the year. I personally use the Incandescent Light most often, but when I am a wee bit darker, I like to mix it in with Dim Light. I love this highlight trio the best because it resembles natural light the most. For work, I like to use this one when I'm going for something more minimal, in the sense of being not as obvious. It really adds the perfect glow to the face and although the price might seem hefty at first, it is well worth it. Also, if you aren't sold on buying all three shades, you can always pick up a single Ambient Lighting Powder for $45.00 here. The single shades also come in a larger size. Either way, get ready for some major luminescence!

I'm always on the hunt for a great highlighter, so if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them! Please comment below and/or let me know if you guys also love these ones! Until next time!

Peace and Love, 

Farrah <3