Top 5 Highlighters

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I think what I am known for is my extreme passion for highlighting my cheekbones. My cheekbones are something I like to highlight. I don’t really know why because my cheekbones have no real need to be shiny, but I just enjoy that highlighter makes me feel like a million bucks. My highlighter taste has definitely changed throughout my years of doing my own makeup. Don’t get me wrong, I still love an absolute discoball on my face, but I also love a nice subtle, is she really glowing, type of glow. I wanted to round up the 5 highlighters I have been using in my rotation. 

Bobbi Brown Highlighter in Pink Glow

Bobbi Brown Pink Glow Highlighter

This highlighter is a buildable highlighting powder, that looks like it blends right into your skin. The description on Sephora’s website is: “Formulated with a clear base and highly-reflective pearl pigments, Highlighting Powder creates a flattering glow. Plus, the superfine, silky formula goes on smoothly and evenly and doesn’t settle into fine lines”. I find this is totally true. It gives a really nice glow to the skin without being chunky or glittery. 

Physicians formula butter highlighter

Physicians Formula Highlighter

I really like this highlighter for a subtle satin sheen. This is a cream-based highlighter that lasts all day. I enjoy that it is easy to apply and creates a beautiful sheen on the cheekbones. I really enjoy the scent. The website says; “Long-wearing, finely-pressed, cream-to-powder formula has a unique bouncy texture that melts into skin for the creamiest, most gorgeous highlighted finish”. This is such a creamy highlighter and it does literally melt into the skin. 

Nudestix Illuminaughty Highlighter

Nudestix Highlighter

I really enjoy this highlighter because it is a simple, glossy highlighter that really just makes your skin look like dewy goodness. The website describes this as: “NUDIES All Over Face Color Glow is a cream highlighter stick that effortlessly glides onto your skin to create a gorgeous natural glow. Perfect for creating a sun-kissed, no-makeup makeup look with some serious sheen, this creamy balm can be used in easy swipes to bring radiance to your cheeks, eyes and lips.These long-lasting highlighter sticks are conveniently dual ended, featuring a color block on one end and a soft blending brush on the other. Use your NUDIES GLOW cream highlighter to bring a radiant dew to your cheeks, eyes or lips that will last all day long”. I can confirm that these claims are all true of this highlighter. This lasts all day on my skin and is one of the few cream highlighters that I am almost finished with. 

Anastasia Amrezy highlighter. 

Amrezy Highlighter

This is a limited edition highlighter, which is sometimes re released but for the most part, is no longer available. This is a super glossy, popping highlighter. It is gold, but I find on the skin doesn’t translate to yellow on me, like other golden highlighters I have. I really enjoy this for a day highlighter or an evening gathering highlighter. 

Cheekbone beauty highlighting palette

Cheekbone beauty palette

This is such a beautiful, easy to use palette. I love how glossy it makes my skin look, without being metallic or glittery. I like that you have three options, the pink shade is beautiful for a hint of pink shimmer on the apples of your cheeks and the other two shades look beautiful mixed together or on their own. I highly recommend this palette if you want highlighters that are buildable and give you a subtle to high-shine glow. The website says: “Our ‘Stardust’ Highlighter trio is made with extremely high quality supercharged powders that can be used on every part of your face and body, for a glow that last all day into the night!  Add a glow to your cupid’s bow, eyes, cheeks, nose, collarbone and cleavage!”.

The swatches

Left to right: Bobbi Brown Pink Glow, Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy highlighter, Cheekbone beauty palette, Nudestix Illuminaughty, Physicians Formula Butter highlighter

Bite Size Eyeshadow Mini Palette Review

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We all know that my infatuation with eyeshadows runs deep in my veins and one night, likely after a on call shift, i was ready to order some inexpensive but quality makeup. I decided to order four of the ELF Cosmetics mini bite-sized eyeshadow palettes. These babies are $3 each and pack quite the punch. 

All quads together

I want to say that first and foremost, these do not meet the quality of Natasha Denona or Anastasia Beverly Hills but that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy these and that for the price (and I’m not a fan of using that term) that these aren’t wonderful shadows. The shimmers are really where all of these palettes shine.

The matte shades aren’t the best, but they also aren’t the worst. I would say these are more buildable than packing a punch right away. I find that what I enjoy is that the darkest shade being a bit lighter in pigment is actually beneficial when trying to build an entire look. I don’t think these palettes are not necessarily for creating a full look, because I have found myself needing to supplement with inner corner highlight or a blending transition shade. 

Let’s look at the claims:  “These palettes deliver mini eye magic in a perfect size. The luxe formula is creamy, blendable, & ultra-pigmented. 8 ultra-pigmented palettes, A mix of matte & shimmer shades, Easily blendable formula, Perfect size for travel”.

The first one I got wanted to talk about was the Rosewater quad. This one feels very spring to me and feels very easy to use. There are two shimmers and a stain and a matte shade. I find the shimmers is where this palette shines. 

Rosewater Quad
Rose Water Quad
Swatches of Rosewater quad
Swatches – unedited

The next one I wanted to talk about is Berry Rad. I got this one purely because I saw the promo photos and the model looked beautiful wearing it. The quad has two shimmers and two matte shades. These err on the side of red with a hint of Modern Renassaince vibes. 

Berry Rad Quad
Swatches of Berry Rad
unedited swatch in natural light

The third one I purchased was Pumpkin Pie. What a shock. Me going for a warm-toned shades. Again, this one as two mattes and two shimmers. This is a nice warm-toned palette for easy “wearable” work looks. 

Pumpkin Pie qaud
Pumpkin Pie Swatches
unedited swatch in natural light

The fourth quad I purchased was the Hot Jalapeno quad and honestly, this one is standout for me. The greens of the mattes and shimmers are pigmented and it’s quite easy to make a green look. I feel like what is missing from all the quads is an inner corner highlighter, but at the same time, this isn’t a deal-breaker for me. 

Jalapeno Quad
Swatches of the hot Jalapeno Quad

Overall rating: I am going to give these a 4/5 . I think that the score would be higher, but I do find these were really hyped up for what they are. These are a good formula, and these are in my everyday rotation, especially the Rosewater one, that has been a staple. I would say if you want easy to use, inexpensive quads, go for these ones!

Brand Review: Flower Beauty

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I have always been interested in Flower Beauty. I remember years ago it was in Walmart Canada, but the products I bought just didn’t really sing to me. When the brand left Canada, I didn’t think much of it. Then, I began to see the blush bombs, and the foundation, and highlighter being used by some of my favourite content creators. I was really pleased when I saw the brand was put on well.ca. 

Here is the story according to their website:  “FLOWER Beauty was the brainchild and mission of Drew Barrymore and her straight forward, no-nonsense philosophy of empowerment: that women everywhere deserve the best quality, most efficacious products at an affordable price.  Growing up in the makeup artists chair, Drew has learned a thing or two about beauty. Now as a mother, award-winning actress, entrepreneur, producer and best-selling author she wants to share her passion. Drew’s gift to everyone, FLOWER empowers women by developing products that help you look and feel great in your Own skin, and to embrace your individual beauty with the support of inspired, luxurious products made with you in mind. At FLOWER our passion is creating cosmetics and tools that not only make life easier and more fun, but look and feel amazing- from our prestige quality formulas to packaging that’s designed for performance”

I was interested in gathering only a few items from the brand including their cult-favourite blush bombs and the highlighting palette that Andrea Matilliano uses. I also got the concealer and the blush pyramid. 

Let’s start with the concealer. I’d say this is just a classic concealer, nothing too special about it. It wears and blends out really nicely. I got the shade fair. This is a good shade for me, though the shade range could be expanded. This is a really nice lightweight concealer, I find that this concealer really covers the dark circles without looking cakey or heavy. 

The flower beauty blush bomb is the next product I was excited to try. I got the shade melon. I would say these are similar to the Glossier cloud paints but the cloud pants are less liquid and airier than the flower. I find the Flower Beauty ones almost have a thicker consistency whereas the glossier has a lighter consistency and dry more satin whereas the Flower Beauty one dries a bit more glossy. 

The highlighting palette is called the shimmer and strobe highlighting palette. There is champagne, pink champagne, and a more golden highlighter in the palette. The palette is super smooth and buttery and appears shimmery on the skin not metallic. I am not surprised by the quality of the palette, but I am pleased that it has the same feeling as a high end highlighter This is a lovely gem and I think if you like a highlighter and want something that can be built up or sheered out this is the perfect palette for you. 

The blush pyramid in peach glow. I bought this thing it might be similar to the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick. This is not similar. I am not really sure how to use this. As a blush, this does work, but it does appear a bit chunky on the skin. I like this as an eyeshadow but I want to continue trying to use it as a blush. I love me an all in one shimmer brick so I am going to keep try to use it and see if it can be diffused into the skin the way I like most of my blushes.

 

Overall I would give this brand a 4/5 stars. This brand is expensive for the drugstore. I really enjoy this brand, and enjoy that the packaging and product feels high quality. If you are Canadian you can buy this on well.ca 

The swatches

First three shades are the highlighing palette,
Then the peach pyramid, and then everything mixed together
Light illusion concealer in fair, Melon blush bomb

Fenty Moroccan Spice Eyeshadow Palette Review

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The Fenty Moroccan Spice palette has really not gotten much hype. I don’t really understand why. I wanted to review this palette because ever since I bought it, I’ve been able to create various looks with it, and have found it to transcend any occasion. 

A bit about the palette according to Fenty’s website: |An eyeshadow palette of 16 longwearing Moroccan-inspired shades ranging from matte to shimmer finishes—perfect for spicing up your look in limitless ways”. It appears that this palette is no longer on Sephora.ca but I did recently find it in store. 

What drew me to this palette was it was on sale and I had been wanting it for awhile but wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the plunge. The palette has a range of warm and cool tones with pops of colour that are wearable. I have created a pink look for you today, but I do mostly use the browns and oranges in the palettes. 

The formula of this palette is really smooth and creamy. I find a few of the shimmers to be a tough to get pigment in the palette and translate as a bit sheer on the lid, but for the most part thses are smooth shades with minimal fallout. This palette is rectangular with cut down edges. The packaging is beautiful. It is weighty and for size comparison, it is a smidge smaller than the Natasha Denona palettes. The palette also I fits nicely in my makeup desk therefore the kind of strange shape doesn’t really inhibit my use of it. 

The wear time: these shadows do last forever. I have worked 12-14 hours a day and these shadows have lasted throughout. I also frequently get compliments on my eyeshadow when I wear these shadows so that doesn’t hurt. 

Overall rating: this palettes was $78 originally and quite frankly it isn’t worth that. I got it for $39 which was a much more digestable price. I don’t think I would have bought this palette had it not been on sale, but I will say that I do enjoy it daily or at least wear it a few times a week. I find the shadows quick and easy to blend. I’m giving this a 3.5/5 stars simply because I think the original price is a bit too much. However, I love Fenty and if you can find this and want a palette with literally everything you need, go for it!