Battle of the Glow

Spring/summer are just around the corner and companies are popping out fabulous shimmer highlighters left and right. So which ones are worth it and which ones just don't make the cut?

One of my newest loves is this magical looking highlight by Jouer cosmetics in the color Topaz.

This highlight is giving me life right now 😍

Topaz highlight is magical ✨

Natural sunlight ☀️

PRODUCT:

The highlight itself is a light-medium, rosy copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. This will work well on many skin tones, particularly medium and deeper complexions, like myself. It gives you that "lit from within" glow. The formula is long-wearing, highly pigmented and opaque, a little goes a long way. Very creamy to the touch, blends very nicely. There are 3 shades that have been released (Topaz, Citrine and Rose Quartz).

PRICE TAG 💰

Topaz Powder Highlighter Retails for 24.00 for 0.16 oz pan. So you won't break your bank account.

Algenist luminizing drops in Champagne& Rose.

So I had been eyeing the Drop & Glow luminizing Duo set for sometime now, and I guess everyone else was too because they quickly sold out, but have recently made a come back at Sephora.com

PRODUCT:

Both the Rosè and Champagne shades are of a "serum type" consistency, and easily blend-able. You don't have to rush to blend these out, you have some time to work with them. Since it is a serum/watery consistency, you do not need a lot of it, these are quite pigmented. I like to place one drop on my finger, and start dotting onto the high points of my cheek bones.

As for the shades, Rosè is an icy pale pink pearl and Champagne is a traditional golden pearl. There is absolutely no glitter in these, just a pearlescent shimmer. Champagne is a little bit more subdued than Rosè which in my opinion makes it quite easy to mix with a foundation, primer, or moisturizer for an all over glow. The company says that these both contain algae in them for the following skincare benefits; (note: the following is taken from Sephora.com) -Alguronic Acid: Patented regenerative compound produced from micro-algae and proven in scientific testing to improve the appearance of firmness which results in more toned and younger-looking skin.

-Micro-algae Oil: Patented regenerative compound produced from micro-algae and proven in scientific testing to improve the appearance of firmness which results in more toned and smoother skin.

-Algacorrecting Complex: Unique micro-algae and pigments treat the main concerns of uneven skin by soothing, brightening, and neutralizing skintone.

Description from Sephora:

What it is: A duo of serum highlighting drops in universal shades that capture and diffuse light for a soft focus, illuminated complexion.

Solutions for: – Dullness and uneven texture – Fine lines and wrinkles – Pores

This set contains: – 0.23 oz/7 mL REVEAL Concentrated Luminizing Drops in Champagne – 0.23 oz/7 mL REVEAL Concentrated Luminizing Drops in Rosé

PRICE TAG 💰

I have to say these little babies are worth it and a great deal for $22! You are getting two half sized bottles (.23 oz) in Rosè and Champagne. The full sized of one of these is .5 oz for $38. Here you are getting .46 oz for $22, plus two different colors. If I'm being real honest, these reminded me so much of the Cover Fx Custom Enhancer Drops except maybe less metallic (also .5 oz but for $42) and so much cheaper!!!! I personally didn't want to spend almost $50 for one bottle of the Cover Fx Custom Enhancer Drops. These drops are versatile, beautiful, and worth a try! And I'm so happy that I tried these because I am now in a serious committed relationship with them lol.

Prior to this purchase I had never owned or tried out any Algenist products.

Algenist is a small line focused more on skin care than makeup. They have just recently started dipping their toes into the makeup industry with these drops as well as color correctors, primers, foundations, powders and concealers. They claim their makeup is also skincare related with the power of algae.

Packaging:

Both of these bottles are .23 oz and come with a dropper. I'm not a 100% on board with a dropper applicator, because the product tends to collect in the bottle's opening and eventually becomes a mess and pools onto the outside of the top. I get why a dropper is probably necessary in this scenario because of the product being so thin. A pump would dispense too much product. The bottle's themselves come in a frosted glass, which gives them more of a luxuries feel and look.

Which color is your favorite?

Tears of happiness from the Childlike Empress herself!

The perfect highlight palette ❤️❤️❤️❤️

The 12 year old in me was jumping up and down for joy and excitement as I got this palette in the mail, as was the 31 year old in me lol.

My first impression/thoughts..... "Its like fairy dust"! I can't tell you just how in ❤️ I am with this #glowkit. Anastasia Beverly Hills has out done herself with the Moon Child Glow-kit. Adding to it the fact that the inspiration for this came from the Childlike Empress from my favorite childhood movie The Never-ending Story 😍

PRICE TAG 💰

($40.00 for 0.90 oz.) which includes six, shimmering, sparkling highlighters. Three of the shades have a slight duo chrome (very subtle, while the other three are more consistent in color all the way through. I think it’s a really intriguing, versatile palette for those who like to experiment with color and layering with various blushers and bronzers. Anastasia does indicate this palette can be used on eyes as well (the other Glow Kits mention face and body but not eyes). I have personally used these on my eyes and they look just beautiful (no irritation).

The biggest issue I had with the palette was since these are intensely sparkly and metallic, they tend to emphasize pores, depending on how much you apply. So, for those of you with larger pores I would stick to a thin layering application.

Note, that this palette contains slightly less product than the 4-pan Glow Kits (which have 1.04 oz.) the upside is you get more shades, and if you rarely pan your products, it’s a better value to have the additional shades (and I rarely pan my products).

PRODUCT:

Star is a light silver with subtle, cool undertones paired with a metallic sheen. The amount of shine and reflectiveness in this shade is insane.You want metallic, you got it. The texture was soft and blend-able but it was also a little dry. It did emphasize my pores/skin texture noticeably.

Purple Horseshoe is a bright, light pinky-lavender with iridescent purple and pink shimmer. This shade had a drier, looser texture almost gritty with the way the larger "sparkles" separated from the powder. Surprisingly this applied better to the skin than I would have thought. Again even with sheerer coverage, it did emphasize pores and my skin’s natural texture (which is something that isn’t always a deal breaker, but it is worth noting).

Pink Heart is a light beige with hints of green in its base that shifts from light pink to cooler violet, depending on the lighting. This was the least metallic in the palette. The texture was smooth, soft, and blend-able without a hint of dryness.

Lucky Clover is a very light, warm white that shifts between yellowy gold and greenish gold with a metallic sheen. It has good color payoff with a fairly soft, blend-able texture. It only emphasized pores if I wore it at near opaque coverage, so sheer is key with this one as well.

Blue Moon is an icy, bluish-silver with strong, cool undertones and a metallic sheen. There’s enough shimmer and pigmentation in this shade that it doesn’t look chalky or ashy against my skin tone, despite seeming to be white-based. The texture was very soft and a little went a long way, so I’d highly recommend using a light hand when applying this one and building up (unless you want to be spotted from outer space).

Blue Ice is an icy white base with blue sparkle and shimmer. It had semi-opaque, build-able coverage that was sparkly and lightly metallic on the skin. The texture is a smidgen loose in the pan,a tad bit of kickback. It didn’t create a huge mess in the pan.This one I also found emphasize pores if worn at semi-opaque or greater coverage.

Side note, all of these colors lasted around eight hours give or take on me. ABH claims ten hour wear but I don't find that to be true.

Blue Moon and Purple Horseshoe are hands down my two favorites in this palette. Bold choices, I know but hell I can rock them!

No better way to glow all season long then the #glowforitkit

For those of you that just can't seem to make up your mind as to what highlight you need in your life, get a sample size of them all I say!

Sephora offers a brilliant Glow for it kit. In general Sephora Favorites sets are a fantastic purchase no matter what kit you get. Some of you may snob them because you already own most of the items included (guilty as charged!) Or maybe you just don’t like smaller size products but you know what, I personally adore deluxe-size samples and whats not to love; they are travel friendly, they have just the right amount to test or get a nice feel for the product, they are super cute and they take up less space period!

Sephora Favorites Glow For It launched last holiday season and was a hit. As soon as it hit the market, I bought it, because you know what, it was sold out in the blink of an eye and hasn't been in stock since then. If anything, I bought it just for the Lancôme Highlighter alone which retails for $30. Thats the price I paid for the whole set. Don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out, am I right?

PRICE TAG 💰

Retail price $30, exclusively at Sephora: Limited Edition (sold out) You get 6 items in the kit, which includes; 0.68oz/20 mL Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Moonstone, 0.08oz/2.5g Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter in Champagne, 0.10oz/3 mL Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops in C+ Lemongrass in Radiance, 0.049oz/1.4g Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Incandescent Strobe Light, 0.14 oz/3.9g Lancôme Glow Subtil Silky Crème Highlighter in Glowing Lights 06 (Full Size) and 0.1oz/3.4mL MILK MAKEUP Sunshine Oil (portable rollerball pen).

PRODUCT: The Glow for it kit is a multi branded sampler set of six liquid, powder, gel, cream, and oil highlighters. There are five deluxe samples, including one full size.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid highlighter gives your skin the most natural dewy looking finish. I found the shade Moonstone to be the perfect shade for some who is 4 times lighter in skin-tone then I am.This just did nothing for me. But it would look stunning on my best friend Jen (aka Casper).

Benefit Cosmetics’ Watt’s Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter says it "creates a delicate, champagne glow with a soft-focus effect". I think it’s a beautiful cream to powder highlight. Very soft and natural, great for everyday wear but not my personal goto product. I tend to go for the more in your face blinding highlights, so I can't put blame on the product. It's very nice and simple.

Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops in C+ Lemongrass in Radiance, is a vitamin-rich concentrate which can be used alone to hydrate and treat the skin, or infuse it into any product in your beauty regimen. I love these drops! I’m the biggest fan of infusion drops, so I was already smitten before trying it. After using it alone and mixed with my foundations, it actually did add a touch of radiance and moisture to my already dry fall/winter skin. It really gives your skin a boost. I’m sold on these drops!

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder is "designed to sculpt the face with light, creating depth and dimension for a refined, natural looking highlight". This was my first ever Hourglass product and now I understand the hype surrounding these powders. My face was left looking flawless and healthy looking. The blurring effect is perfect on my pores and mature skin. It’s the perfect finishing touch, it’s gorgeous.

Lancôme Glow Subtil Silky Crème Highlighter says it has "light-diffusing particles that deliver a natural-looking, soft-focused glow". This was the full size ticket item in this kit. My first impression was not a good one: at $30, the packaging was horrendous it felt super cheap. I was expecting so much more from Lancôme. Texture wise, it mimics the Color Pop “mousse” highlights! Lancôme's felt a bit smoother to the touch and to apply, perhaps largely due to all the dimethicone listed as the 1st ingredient. I tried many different methods as to apply this for best results and found a stippling brush to be key for a flawless application. Lasting power on this is just sad, after 4 hours, it’s gone (poof). The shade 06 is ideal for medium/tan skinned girls, like myself! I somehow ended up using this as an eyeshadow and it's stunning, just be sure to use a good eye primer for lasting purposes. Recently I've noticed that it has started to dry up a bit on me, no matter how tightly I close the lid. I've found that using a few drops of face oil helps keep it fresh and moist.

Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil Milk has an easy, portable rollerball pen to achieve that glow in an instant. This was my first encounter with Milk Makeup which is (a cruelty-free brand ♥). I have really enjoyed its lemon scent and this oil is great to use as spot treatment on dry patches (chin, nose and even forehead). Plus, I really enjoy the rollerball applicator.

All the products included are awesome, it’s a great value for money and you get to try six new or already loved items. So if you can get your hands on this kit,go for it.

Special mention to MAC Cosmetics x Mariah Carey Extra Dimension Skin-finish in "My Mimi".

PRODUCT:

This a medium copper with warm, brownish undertones and a gold, sparkly finish. It has semi-opaque, build able coverage, the texture was drier and more prone to separating, perhaps because of the larger bits of sparkle.

PRICE TAG 💰

Retail price ($45.50 for 0.35 oz.) If you're a MAC lover, like myself the price will seem unusually high; regular Extra Dimension Skin-finishes are $33.00 for 0.31 oz., and while it’s not unusual for MAC to up-charge for collaborations by a bit, it’s usually a $1-4, not over $10. It seems like it is the result of the design of the powder itself, which is intricate!

It's just too beautiful not to mention on this list.