Let It Glow! A Guide To Highlighters

Hey guys,

As we know, highlighting or "strobing" is all the rage right now and almost every brand seem to have their own take on the little babe so I thought I would share my favourite highlighters from my collection and sadly one who is no longer with us. RIP Mary Lou-manizer (she smashed, its not discontinued!)

I am a bit of a highlighter fiend, if there is a new launch or a new shade added to a brand that looks good then I need to have it. As with most products nowadays, there is something for everyone whether you like a certain shade i.e. pink shimmer, champagne, white glow, golden hues etc, if you want subtle or full on glamour or if you want cream or powder. I personally prefer a full on powder highlight and if its only for work, then I will blend it out but I don’t care what day it is, what time of year it is, I WANT TO GLOW! 

I dont like telling people what to do when it comes to their makeup as its their choice but I do like to advise them or tell them how I personally apply products but when it comes to highlighting, it’s pretty much up to you. I like to highlight my cheekbones, above and below my brow to make them pop, the tip and bridge of my nose, and a little on my cupids bow and forehead but if I am going for a "no makeup" look I like to add a little to the apples of my cheeks (gasp! a cardinal sin but I dont care, I like it) as well as my eyelids but it’s honestly up to you. I know people who literally pour it over their face and then sweep the excess away with a brush as they want to be lit, that’s a bit much in my opinion but if you have certain areas on your face that you want to stand out then go for it! I wouldn’t highlight blemishes though as we do not want them to stand out!

I have tried a lot of highlighters, some I loved at the time but then changed my mind as I found something better but at this particular moment in time, the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors and the ABH Glow Kits are some of the best on the market. Dont think this post is all about high end products either, there is something in everyone’s price range so I am going to dive straight in. 

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate (£4)

I know what you’re thinking, its £4, it must be shit! Trust me, it’s not. Makeup Revolution are a brand who are conquering the makeup world. Every Youtuber, blogger and person with any sense loves this brand as they take high-end products and make them affordable without losing the quality. This highlighter is no different. When I put this on my cheekbones, I literally took a step back from the mirror and just gasped! Actually gasped. It is so beautiful, it is velvety soft and blends to perfection whilst giving off the most beautiful golden highlight. A must have highlighter for anyone, trust me, take that spare £4 you have in your pocket, march right up to Superdrug and buy immediately. If that’s not possible, buy it straight from the website.

Tanya Burr Peachy Glow Cheek Palette

Tanya Burr Peachy Glow Cheek Palette

Tanya Burr Peachy Glow Cheek Palette

Tanya Burr Peachy Glow Cheek Palette (£8)

We all know and love Tanya Burr, she is the bubbly Youtuber who keeps us coming back for more when it comes to her makeup looks and gorgeous personality but it’s her makeup line that has been the biggest surprise for me as I expected it to be cheap and nasty but I was wrong. I picked this contour, blush and highlight palette up some time ago and I have loved it from its very first use. This for me, is quite subtle but it is geared towards a younger audience so maybe that’s why it’s not as lit as I would like. That’s not to say I don’t like it, I love it for lazy days or when I really can’t be arsed putting on a full face but I would recommend this to my younger sister rather than a friend my own age. The highlight itself gives a champagne finish.

Mac Mineralise Skinfinish

Mac Mineralise Skinfinish

Mac Mineralise Skinfinish

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle (£24)

This is a luxurious, slow-baked, velvety soft, powder which gives a radiant finish. When I first starting using this, I thought the highlight was so strong but after trying other brands, I find this to be quite subtle. I know, if you have tried this you are probably thinking what?? But for me it’s true. I love the soft peach bronze tones to this and when it’s caught in the light you can really notice each colour within the powder.  

Becca Skin Perfectors

Becca Skin Perfectors in Pearl, Opal and Champagne Pop

Becca Skin Perfectors in Pearl, Opal and Champagne Pop

Becca Skin Perfectors in Pearl, Opal and Champagne Pop

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector ($38)

The crème de la crème. There is a reason why these bad boys sell out instantly and why almost every blogger raves about them and that’s because the glow coming from these highlighters is unlike anything else. It honestly looks as though you have dipped your cheekbones in a high shine gloss without all that stickiness but with all the shine. This is the sort of highlighter I die for, it does what it says on the tin and leaves me longing for more as its silky soft, creamy (it’s a powder but you know what I mean) and just slays everything else on the market, that’s my opinion anyway. If you have already fell hook, line and sinker for highlighters and haven’t tried this, I would suggest buying immediately, you won’t regret it. I have the shade Pearl which is very pale and almost a full blown white shade, it doesn’t look like much but trust me when I say it’s gorgeous. I also have Opal which is a golden peach toned highlighter and Jaclyn Hills Champagne Pop (£32) which is a soft white gold with pinky peach undertones. All 3 shades bring something different to the table, but all of them are out of this world.

ABH Glow Kit in Gleam

ABH Glow Kit in Gleam

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit (£39)

This kit has been on my wish list since i first heard of the launch but as with everything amazing, it was released everywhere before the UK so there was a bit of a wait. I picked up the Gleam kit as it was more suited to my skin tone. There are 4 shades within this little beauty, so its good value for money. The shades are: Hard Candy (a golden peach with pink, pearlescent particles), Mimosa (a golden peach with a metallic finish), Starburst (a cool pink with an iridescent finish) and Crushed Pearl (a glimmering pink and silver with a crystalised, chrome finish). I feel this kit is suitable for all skin tones but they also have That Glow which is full of golden toned highlighters which are perfect for darker skin tones. The colour payoff is amazing, the powder itself is velvety soft and they give your face the most intense highlight ever!

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Glow

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Glow

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Glow

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze Glow (£49)

I have never been so disappointed in a product as I was with this. My other half bought it for my birthday and I love the bronzer but the highlight may as well not be there. I have tried and tried with this highlighter, sometimes I like it, but I think thats a fluke as most of the time I honestly don’t see any difference when applied so I only use the contour side of the expensive palette for chiselling out my cheekbones when I want a strong contour. It also the most powder like from my collection, it sort of just sits on the sin which i dont like.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. I love highlighters, not so much the cream ones but give me a powder highlighter and I will scurry off into a corner somewhere with a big Cheshire grin on my face. They are here to stay for the foreseeable future so it is worthwhile checking out a few, especially since the good weather is coming in. Also, dont just stick to your face when it comes to highlighting, you could also pop some on your collarbone or down your arms to add some extra glow.

Have you checked out my latest post featuring Organic Skincare and Makeup?

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Keeping Up With the Organics | Makeup & Skincare With Peter Minkoff

Hi guys, 

As you know, I have had a few guest posts over the 2 years this blog has been active and Peter Minkoff always hits it out the park with his knowledgeable fashion posts but this time he has ventured into organic makeup and skincare. I wont chat too much as this isn't about me, its about Peter so please have a read and let me know what you think in the comments. Do you agree with this post? 

Choosing organic makeup and skincare products over regular ones is basically opting for your health in the first place – skin is your largest organ and you should really treat it with respect. A transition to healthier and more natural products is a must, simply because they will make your skin look perfectly cleansed and nourished. Here are five important reasons for you to keep up with the organics.

They’re Gentle Towards Your Skin

Organic beauty products are made of 100% natural ingredients. This means that their production excludes a wide range of different toxins and chemicals that are typically used during the production of regular makeup and skincare products. Artificially added fragrances, as well as parabens and many other substances are excluded from the formula, which is why such products will not dry out your skin and make it look dull and flaky. Organics work better than their counterparts in the conventional skincare, simply because their list of ingredients is appropriate for all skin types – and even for the sensitive one.

There Are No Strange Side Effects

In case you didn’t know, parabens are heavily used in the beauty industry nowadays for extending the shelf life of products. They are actually synthetic chemicals that can possibly alter human endocrine system, since they can mimic out human body’s natural hormones. If you use such products on a daily basis, you will eventually end up accumulating those hazardous substances in your body, which can lead to serious health problems such as cancer. On the other hand, organic beauty products are based on the natural ingredients, such as essential oils, that won’t affect your body by causing irritations, breakouts or allergic reactions.

They’re Nutrient-Rich

Organic beauty products are rich in natural ingredients that have multiple benefits to our skin. First of all, they often feature different antioxidants and vitamins, as well as oils that are extracted from coconut, sesame seed, cocoa, and many others. Besides that, they are rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium that will keep your skin nourished all day long. Numerous brands today have completely turned to organic formulas, and one of them is 100 Percent Pure. This brand offers the most pure, all-natural line of cosmetics that aims to give your skin its maximum benefits, without irritating any skin type.

There Are No Harsh Chemicals

Numerous toxic chemicals are commonly present in all kinds of makeup, personal care products – from shampoos and body creams, to mascaras and lipsticks. First of all, there are parabens that are often found in underarm deodorants, which are thought to cause breast cancer. Artificial fragrances are well-known allergens that can cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks, whereas lead is often used in the production of lipsticks. All of these are extremely harmful to our health, which is exactly why it is a good idea to switch to organic ones. They contain exclusively natural ingredients that are not hazardous to health.

They’re Eco-Friendly

Most of the organic products nowadays are packed into recyclable containers, and that even more emphasizes the importance of eco-friendly approach to their production. Besides that, their ingredients have been grown with specific methods of bio-farming. This prevents numerous toxins from being released into the environment, which largely promotes taking care of our planet and being responsible towards it. Going green is definitely a good way to go.

Switching to organic makeup and skincare products is absolutely one of the greatest things you can do for your health and overall well-being, and it is good to know that there are organic counterparts for the majority of the beauty products you use. Besides from being much healthier and gentler towards your skin, they are protecting the environment from the toxic substances. It really can’t get better than that!

Thanks

You can find Peter on both

Twitter & Facebook 

Would you switch up your makeup and skincare to all organic or are you bothered by what is in your beauty products?

Have you checked out my latest post featuring Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Rose and Herbs?

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Mario Badescu | Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rose Water

Hi guys,

I decided to delve in and review the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rose Water (from £5.95) as it’s amazing! I bought this a months ago and then noticed Kylie Jenner was talking about it which made me a bit mad as I thought everyone is going to think I only bought this because of her but I didnt haha, I actually had my eye on it for ages and thought it was going to be expensive but when I noticed the price point, i decided to go for it and I havent looked back since. I have used this spray almost every day to either hydrate my face on no makeup days, as a step in my skincare routine or to give my face a little spritz throughout the day when I have been wearing makeup for a long period of time. I know I say that I love a lot of products but this would be a desert island product for me as it gives a gorgeous glow to the skin and leaves my face feeling very hydrated.

According to Mario Badescu this facial spray is a refreshing, hydrating mist for all skin types. It’s created with a blend of fragrant herbal extracts and rosewater, it lightly refreshes skin whilst boosting hydration and relieving dehydrated, tight complexions. It can be spritzed over your moisturiser for a hydration boost or used to set makeup. It can even be used on dry hair as a light moisturising mist. I agree with it all. I actually sprayed this over the ends of my hair to give a little hydration and it worked wonders but I tend to stick to my face on a daily basis as it gives me a little boost.

If you use Mac Fix+ then I would seriously suggest you try this instead as its cheaper and a lot nicer. I love the subtle scent of the spray and also how it leaves my skin glowing after applied. Even as a light primer it’s amazing as it helps your base look flawless and it helps blend out products a little better, in my opinion anyway. All in all a fantastic product that is worth the hype.

Have you read my Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation?

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Clinique | Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer

Hi guys, 

I thought I would talk about the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer (£25) which is a 2 in 1 product. I hate using that term as it reminds me of the shitty shampoo/conditioner 2 in 1s from my childhood that left me screaming in agony as my mum tried to get a comb through my hair, but thankfully there is no pain involved with regards to this foundation. 

I have been dying to try this foundation for a long time as I noticed it every time I went to Boots but I stuck to my trusty drugstore brands such as Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (£9.99) and Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Foundation (£7.99) as they were cheap and some of the best I have ever used but I finally bit the bullet and picked up a bottle. I thought I was the shade 02 Alabaster but when I went into Boots, I decided to be colour matched as it’s an expensive product and I wanted to make sure it matched my skin tone rather than pick the wrong shade and hate the product. It was a blessing to be colour matched as it turned out I was the lightest of the bunch which is 0.5 Breeze. This isn’t as light as you would think, I mean its light but it’s not the lightest foundation I have ever used. 

What Clinique says about the foundation:

A foundation-and-concealer in one for a natural, beyond perfected look that lasts for up to 12 hours. Lightweight, moisturising makeup covers thoroughly without clogging pores. Skin breathes comfortably, colour stays true, even through sweat and humidity. Due to the rich pigment level that enhances this flawless coverage makeup, shades may appear deeper when first applied. Leave the foundation to settle just for a few minutes,   this will allow the high pigment in the formula to adapt to your skin tone which is why you get such a flawless perfected finish. Suitable for ALL skin types. Use with fingers to blend.

What I say about the foundation:

I agree with it being labelled as a lightweight and moisturising foundation as it really is. Once applied, it feels as though you have nothing on your skin and it sinks into your skin without clogging your pores or leaving you look "cakey". The formula itself is like liquid velvet and is very easy to blend so you can take your time with this to perfect it. I also agree that it has great coverage as it covers a multitude of sins. I would however say that if you have prominent scars on your face then this wouldn’t cover them as I have a scar on my jawline from a horrible cyst and I still need concealer to make sure this is completely covered. If you have light scars on your face, these will be covered by this foundation.

I do find the foundation oxidises ever so slightly throughout the day but this isn’t really an issue if you blend well and get the right shade. It also lasts for a long time. My main test is to apply it at 7.30am when I am getting ready for work and then checking it every couple of hours to see if its stayed in place or has dribbled all over my neck, with this, it stayed til about 8pm before I had to remove it.

The foundation itself comes with a doe foot applicator so it looks like a giant lip-gloss wand which is slightly weird but honestly, one of the things that sold me on it. I know I’m sad, but things like this keep me happy ha-ha. I apply the flat side directly to my face by smearing the product over my skin. I then blend out with a damp beauty blender as I find this gives the best finish. I have tried using my Artis Oval 7 and different foundation brushes in my collection but this is, in my opinion, the best tool to use to create a flawless base. I apply a concealer as I normally would as I personally like this makeup step to really cover my dark circles and to cover my scar on my jawline but if you don’t have dark circles or you have been blessed with beautiful skin then I would suggest sticking to the 2 in 1 formula as it gives a gorgeous finish to the skin and covers very well. 

There are 21 shades to choose from so there is something for everyone but I would suggest being colour matched as the swatches online don’t do the foundation justice as I thought I was a whole shade darker than I am. If you have never done this before, it’s nothing to be scared of, you just ask to be colour matched as you are interested in the foundation, and they will remove any makeup from your face and then try 2 or 3 different foundations to see which one works best for you. They will then fix your makeup if they have removed this during the process. If you are unsure of the product, ask for a sample to take away with you to try as it’s a lot of money to spend on something that you’re not sure of. I do this with everything ha-ha. It’s the only way to do it. 

Overall, a fantastic foundation that does what it says on the tin. It is lightweight, gives great coverage and lasts all day. They have 21 shades and it gives such a beautiful finish to the skin that is somewhere between matte and dewy.

Have you tried this foundation?

Does it sound like something you would try?

What is your favourite foundation?

Have you read my latest post featuring the

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush and Eyeshadow Palette?

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* Some links may be affiliates but all thoughts are unbiased and 100% honest,

*Please click links on pictures for source.