My Favorite Highlighters

I go through phases with my makeup obsession.  Sometimes I am totally focused on mascara, eyeshadows take over for a month or two here and there… currently my focus is on highlighters.  I haven’t skipped a day of highlighting in almost a month.  I have about 15-20 different highlighters and I picked out my top 5 powder highlighters as well as my top 5 liquid highlighters.

I can not say enough good things about these little balls of fabulosity.  I held off on purchasing these for so long because I was just confused as to what they were.  I believe these are technically just a face powder but they do add a good bit of luminosity (which is why I included them in with my highlighters).  For those days that I am wearing a completely matte face I do add this powder to the features I want to stand out.  Meteorites give me a radiant look and keep the look very subtle and sophisticated.

Is it bad form to include a LE product in a favorites post? Possibly.  I am sorry but it is gorgeous.  I have heard it is similar to Estee Lauder Modern Mercury and the new MAC Superb MSF.  It is gorgeous though.  Looks almost metallic but definitely looks glorious on the cheek bones or down the nose.  I even use this as an eyeshadow.  The pigmentation is amazing and is honestly my very favorite of all my powder highlighters.  Not to mention that it is beautiful in the pan.

This is one I purchased because it was so hyped up by the online beauty community.  I got it at TJ Maxx for half retail price but I can honestly say that it is worth every penny of it’s full retail value.  Very nice, buttery, smooth and sooo beautiful on the skin.  Definitely worth a swatch if you see it in person.

And yes… the MSF’s in this post are also LE but aren’t just about all MAC products?  Again sorry!  But I love this.  It is a beautiful cool toned pink highlight.  There are four different hues of a cool toned pink in this pan and I loooove it.  It is also pigmented enough to wear as blush but it is soooo shimmery that I restrict it’s usage to highlighting.

This is my go-to highlight for a warmer look.  It is pretty and also subtle.  Much less subtle from the fore-mentioned Blonde MSF.  It is something that I wouldn’t be able to use as a blush but it can definitely hold it’s own as a highlighter.

This is a newer product for me.  I usually mix just a tiny little smidge in with my foundation but I have used it as a highlight and I find it gorgeous.  It is a little bit noticeable as a highlight though–and for me that is not exactly what I am going for when I highlight.  I want something that is a more natural highlight–where it looks like I am “lit from within.”

Ahhhh…. what can I say?  I adore this highlighter.  It is probably THE highlighter that I reach for the most.  It is shimmery but subtle.  High shine but easy to wear.  Gosh… the QUINTESSENTIAL highlighter for me.  Thank you Rouge Bunny Rouge, thank you!

This is my GO TO product for layering under my foundation but on the occasions that I have used it as a highlight on my cheek bones I have found it absolutely flattering as well.  Luminosity without noticeability.  A very difficult balance that this does effortlessly.

This is one that I don’t use all that much but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t beautiful.  I don’t really like the blush from the brand in the same name but this Illuminator is very nice.

This is probably my favorite from NARS’ line of Illuminators.  It has an iridescence that isn’t easily duped.  The formula also is note-worthy.  It is blendable but still doesn’t get lost.  Very gorgeous.  The smallest amount will definitely be enough.

L to R:

MAC Refined MSF, MAC Blonde MSF, theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer, Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous, Guerlain Meteorites in Teint Beige.

L to R: Guerlain Meteorites in Teint Beige (essientially undetectable in this picture but gorgeous in real life), Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous, theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer, MAC Blonde MSF, MAC Refined MSF

L to R:

Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer #10, RBR SoN, NARS Orgasm Illuminator, NARS Copacabana Illuminator, Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector in Champagne Bronze

Hope you enjoyed my favorite highlighters.  Now, tell me!!!! What is your favorite highlighter–what do you think I should try (or even review).  I am open to suggestions.  Leave it in the comments below.