This is typically the time of year when my skin starts to feel and look a little dull and I'm guessing I am not the only one this happens to. The winter months can go on and on especially when you are from New England. The days when the sun shines are few and far between and can be such a tease when you wake up only to find that it has disappeared once more behind those clouds. The holidays are over and somehow my skin suffers from a little too much over-indulging during holiday parties, traveling and heck sometimes because I just can't say no to that extra glass of wine or sweets. Besides the obvious drinking more water and boosting up my skincare routine (which I'm a bit obsessive about) I also like to use luminizers.
Que some of my favorite products that help create the ethereal glow with little to no effort at all. I am sure there are many out there on the market but these are just a few that I have tried and grown to love. The first is no secret to all you beauty lovers out there and I'm sure holds a special place in your heart's as well the Mac's Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle ($30). This is the product I tend to grab when I want something to highlight that is more on the subtle side. Don't get me wrong this is definitely something you can build to get more impact. For me it is just so effortless, just a quick swipe of the brush on the tops of the cheek bones and along my nose and I'm good to go. You don't really have to be too concerned with blending with it because it tends to melt right into the skin. This is great for all skin tones as well!
Another highlight I like to use that is very multipurpose is Mac's Pigment Vanilla ($21). This pigment has a white base to it with a subtle hint of gold. This is a great product to use again on the tops of your cheeks, eyes and along the brow bone for added lift and still blends in seamlessly. This product is also very pigmented so the jar will last a very long time!
This next luminizer I am a little hesitant to talk about as I am not sure if it is still available. I know in the Bare Minerals Boutiques they have a duo with two luminizers but I am not sure about this all by itself. This face luminizer came out I believe last holiday season and I loved it so much I purchased two. Bare Minerals Ready Luminizer in The Shinning Moment again has more of a golden glow to it which works well with my skin tone as I am more of a yellow undertone. It is very pigmented as well and catches the light like WOW! I get so many compliments on how great my skin looks when I wear this that sometimes I forget why I stop using it. I gravitate towards this one more in the summer time or if I am using a lot of warm tones with my makeup for the day. Whereas the soft and gentle and vanilla can go with anything.
The next few luminizers have a liquid/cream base to them so they are great for many uses. I sometimes will mix them with a moisturizer for an almost angelic complexion or use them underneath foundation for that lit from within glow. All three are unique in their own ways as well. Feeling Younger Skin Tint ($18.95) from Lush cosmetics looks pure white from inside the jar but once on the skin it gives a lovely iridescent glow and it has tiny little reflective particles mixed in. It is absolutely a gorgeous product that I love mixing with my moisturizer for added hydration because it also contains cocoa butter. Lush never fails me with their products and I hope this never goes away because it definitely helps beat those winter time blues. One thing I will say if you are applying this on top of makeup you do have to work to blend it in a little more. It also dries quickly so you do have to work relatively fast but if mixing with a moisturizer it is a dream and does not pill up.
My next little treasure is another warm toned highlight that gives the skin a peachy hint which I just love. Nars Orgasm Illuminator ($30) has more of a gel texture so its smooths onto the skin while giving off a luminous peachy/pink hint much like the Orgasm blush. This makes me feel ultra sexy and not just because of the name but because your skin looks flawless and a little bit tan. Who doesn't love a little bit of a sun kissed glow during the winter months? I do find with this one I have to apply it right on top of the cheekbones because it can sometimes take a little bit of whatever blush you are wearing off making it harder to blend. I am not sure if the results would be different if using a liquid foundation because I have not tested it just yet. I am a long time mineral foundation wearer. Or maybe my skill could use a little practice :)
Last but not least is the Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer in Venus ($28). This is my go to product if I haven't gotten a lot of sleep or just wake up feeling a bit puffy. It instantly brightens the skin and makes my eye are feel more awake. I am not sure exactly what is in it that makes it do this but when applied around the eye area or on the tops of the cheekbones you can feel a subtle tightening affect as if it is firming the skin. It is a great boost in the morning to make you look and feel bright eyed and ready for the day!
(Swatches from left to right: msf soft and gentle, shining moment, vanilla, feeling younger, orgasm, venus)
I hope these reviews were helpful to any readers. I know there are tons of products out there on the market so hopefully my feedback will help when it comes down to decision making time in that makeup aisle that never ends :) I know this was extremely long winded so any feedback would be much appreciated as this is my first ever blog post. I am so excited to share my experiences and what knowledge I have with you all! Has anyone tried any of these products? Any suggestions on other luminizers/highlighters that I should try next?
