Hello loves!
Okay. I just had a great week!
I got compliments about my makeup from officemates and acquaintances literally everyday! What's the difference now from before? Well... I had a bit of help from a few lovely, shiny things...
What's with all these highlighters, you ask?
Why did I suddenly became a fan of these products?
If you've been following this blog, I might have mentioned a few times how much I stayed away from shimmery, shiny blushes and highlighters because of my oily skin. I didn't want more shine on my face. But one day, I got an email from Sephora asking to collaborate with our blog. They offered to let us try out some of their highlighters. They provided a voucher with a certain amount and gave me the opportunity to select which ones I'd like to use and write about. This made me super excited and went to their website as soon as I could.
There were several choices to choose from and it made deciding very difficult because I genuinely find so many of them interesting. After writing a pros and cons list, I decided to get three products that even though they are all highlighters, they'll give different effects on my face.
My first choice was the
Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighter
in "You Light Up My Life."
PhP 1,700.00
Product info from the website:
What it is:
A heart-shaped highlighter with a silky smooth texture that allows for a buildable pearl radiance.
What it does:
Using an exclusive liquid-to-powder formula, Love Light takes the best of powder, liquid, baked, and cream formulas to create unparalleled colour payoff for a pearl radiance and silky smooth texture. It features a luminosity boosting agent and high pearl consistency that instantly brightens. Its radiant pearl finish in universal shades imparts a flattering glow and an eye-catching, metallic shine.
What else you need to know:
This product is formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates.
Ingredients: Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Dicalcium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polysorbate 20, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Xanthan Gum, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
How to Use
- For a natural looking highlight, use the Mr. Right Brush to sweep lightly onto skin.
- For a more intense highlight, use the Flatbuki Brush to apply to targeted areas (tops of cheekbones, browbones).
- For fair to medium skin tones, try white and rose gold.
- For medium to deep skin tones, try rose gold and gold.
I won't lie, the biggest reason why I chose this is because of how pretty it is! It reminds me of Sailormoon, one of the animes I watched growing up.
There are three shades available and I chose the gold one because it's so attractive! And I feel like it will look great on my warm skin. I also think that it suits the current summer season in the Philippines.
The packaging looks GORGEOUS! It looks like a golden pendant. The metallic, heart-shaped compact with an embossed logo of the brand is so striking that it makes a great statement piece on my makeup stash. When you open the compact, you'll see the beautiful gem-like shape of the highlighter. It's like makeup royalty!
It's equipped with a mirror and I wouldn't say it's bulky since the space it occupies is pretty much the same as other blushes. I, however, do not think I would carry this around my vanity bag just because I don't want to damage it's beauty. Haha!
Check out the swatches! On the left is my swatch on hand, on the right is the product applied on the upper part of my cheekbone.
It's very pigmented for my liking so I try to control the amount of product I put on. It reminds me a lot of an eyeshadow to be honest (I actually use this as eyeshadow). The very warm gold color is buildable so I apply a subtle amount and build it up until I'm satisfied. It looks great on my warm skin tone and it works best when I pair it with peach blushes. I find the consistency a little powdery and some of the shimmers can be chunky, but I think that adds to the charm of it, especially if I'm going for a golden royalty look (because that's the impression I get when I first saw this).
Now, let's go to a cooler shade with this equally beautifully packaged highlighter...
PhP 1,943.00
What it is:
A creamy, highlighting powder with duo-chrome pigments that capture the light and transform with your every move.
What it does:
Get a prismatic glow in any light with this limited-edition Shimmering Skin Perfector® Pressed Highlighter. It’s enriched with colour-shifting pigments that reflect and refract light for a multi-faceted, holographic effect. Infused with pale gold, violet, and rose pearls, Prismatic Amethyst creates a chic, iridescent sheen that changes as you move. Unlike traditional pressed powders, this one-of-a-kind formula blends pigments with liquids, to create an unparalleled, creamy feel that applies seamlessly, feels silky on the skin, and never cakes.
What else you need to know:
This product is formulated without parabens and sulfates.
Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isostearyl Alcohol, Petrolatum, Silica, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Magnesium Stearate, Polyethylene, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Paraffin, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax/Cire Microcristalline), Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Acrylates Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 75470 (Carmine).
How to Use
- Sweep across the high points of your face that would naturally catch the light, like cheekbones, browbones, the Cupid's bow.
- Top off your favorite gloss for a prismatic lip finish.
- Use over your favorite eyeshadow for a multi-dimensional look.
- Use as a liquid eyeliner by dipping a liner brush in water, then the powder.
I just fell in love with the shade. At first I thought it was just a shimmery silver color but as I checked for swatches, it's actually a prismatic pink-purple shade and my thought was, "I MUST HAVE IT!"
One thing that easily convinced me to get it is how popular the brand BECCA is in terms of their face color makeup. I have use some of their cheek makeup and I love them so much that adding a new product from them is something I look forward to. Since it is limited edition, I quickly grabbed the opportunity and added it into the shopping cart.
The packaging is the usual design of the brand's blushes and highlighters. Liz commented that it reminds her of a U.F.O., and I agree! Haha! It looks sleek and I like the combination of the metallic lilac (or is it lavender?) and the silver with the engraved brand logo. It's also equipped with a mirror.
When you open it, you'll find a beautifully sculpted highlighter. It looks like a gem as well! Like an uncut precious stone. I didn't even want to touch it so that it would not get ruin. But I must so that I could see these beautiful swatches:
I love the soft prismatic light purple color—like amethyst! This is also buildable so you can apply and apply until you get that shine you like. It is also pigmented so be careful how much you apply. I like it subtle when I go to work, but I add a little more when I go out with friends, especially during the evening!
The contradiction of the cool shade of lavender and pink on my warm skin looks awesome. The color gives me a soft glow. I feel like an ethereal being... like an elf from middle earth!
I was able to snap a pic somewhere around lunch time. I've been wearing the highlighter after five hours along with the rest of my makeup. The shine still looks gorgeous!
No wonder BECCA highlighters have been raved by so many bloggers and makeup enthusiasts. It's soft and smooth but can be a bit chalky. At least when applied, it looks very smooth and it can last a long, long time, even the whole day on my oily skin.
This is the highlighter I used when most of my officemates, even my bosses, complimented my makeup. I was also wearing this when an acquaintance said she loved my look. I guess highlighters with unusual colors really catch the eyes of people in a good way. Good thing I was able to snag this palette from Zoeva because it lets me try more colored highlighters...
PhP 1,500.00
What it is:
A set of four pearlescent highlighting shades with duo-chrome finishes.
What it does:
ZOEVA Spring Strobe Spectrum Palette envelopes the skin in a vivid burst of sparkling colours like rays of sunlight shimmering through delicate dew drops. The highly blendable, pearlescent highlighting shades come in eye-catching duo chrome finishes—fresh green, bright blue, vigorous pink, and sunny yellow—to illuminate the face with velvety pigment and texture for a crisp, mesmerising glow as pure as a spring morning. The formula is enriched with nourishing vitamin E to encourage a healthy glow from the inside, out.
What else you need to know:
This product is formulated without parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, and fragrance.
Ingredients: Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Mica (Ci 77019), Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tin Oxide, Pronus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, [May Contain. +/- CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)]. // SP030: Mica (Ci 77019), Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Talc, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, Tin Oxide, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Pronus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, [May Contain. +/- CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides)]. // SP020, SP040: Mica (Ci 77019), Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, Tin Oxide, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Pronus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, [May Contain. +/- CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)].
How to Use
Pick your shade and use a highlight brush to softly blend over any area of the face that would naturally catch the light, like cheekbones, brow bones, and Cupid's bow.
The packaging looks and feels classy. The texture of the package is velvety and it's matte which adds to the elegant feel along with the engraved gold fonts. It's slim so it's easy to carry around and it doesn't take up much space in the makeup kit.
The truth is, this was the least product I was excited about. It's because I barely know much about Zoeva's makeup products. I know how great their brushes are because my sister owns them, but I haven't had the opportunity to read up on reviews of their makeup. The reason I still chose this is because of the color selections. I got curious what a green highlighter would look on me and among the three palettes from this range, I find the spring one the most unique.
It has pink, green, yellow, and blue shades. I didn't know if I should be excited or worry if the colors would even suit my skin tone. Haha! But the artist in me loves the bold shades so into the cart it went and now I have the palette to enjoy these amazing colors:
See those beautiful spring colors??? As soon as I swatched them, I fell in LOVE!
Among the products I received, the Zoeva ones are the smoothest and least chalky. The effect was luminous but the pigmentation was bold and on point. What's best is that every single color looks AMAZING! See the photos below.
Here I'm using the pink one
Here's the green one
BLUE! My favorite among the bunch.
I was in a salon to get a haircut and my stylist loved my makeup. :)
And finally, the yellow!
I think the yellow and pink ones are pretty safe while the green and blue are pretty adventurous. The pearlescent finish makes my skin glow beautifully. Whenever I turn or tilt my head, you get to see a pop of color shine on my face. It certainly catches the attention of people around you.
Every color looks great that this palette easily became a favorite in my makeup collection. They are also buildable so you can play with your look however you want. I'm thinking of mixing them up and see how they look. Maybe I'll post an instagram picture when the results are pleasing. :)
I'm so happy with all three products. It's been a while since I was this giddy in trying out new makeup. If I knew how much fun highlighters are, I wouldn't have stayed away from it. Now everyday is shiny and bright because of the beautiful glow that these products give me as it highlights my features and adds more color to my face. I'm glad that Sephora carries all these and makes them readily available for us in a few clicks.
I also got freebies from this order, which makes the purchase even more exciting.
So do check out these beautiful finds at SephoraPH and try them out yourself. I'm sure you'll love them as much as I did. Maybe you'll discover a different product that's also a must-try from the dozens of highlighters and illuminators you can choose from.
If you do get to try other products and love them, do give me a heads up because I'm ready for my next adventure with highlighters!
Cheers,
DAWN
Disclaimer: We were provided vouchers for this post, meaning we didn't purchase them using our own money. However, all the thoughts I have on the products included are all honest reviews and were not influenced by other parties.
