Highlighter Comparison

I bought the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl recently and I thought it would it be interesting to take the opportunity to compare it to some of the other highlighters I have. I realised after I'd taken all the pictures and uploaded them, that I'd forgotten to include the Natio cream highlighter that I reviewed here.

In the picture above you can see clockwise from the top; Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (SSP) in Pearl, Lancome Éclat Miracle, NARS Orgasm Illuminator, Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme in Rose Gold and MAC Strobe Liquid. All of these highlighters (or illuminators if you prefer) can be used anywhere on the face and body and either under or over foundation, depending on the look you want to achieve.

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl

This product seems to have gathered a bit of a cult following. The Shimmering Skin Perfectors come in three shades; Pearl (shown here), Opal and Topaz. Which one you opt for will depend on your colouring. I found it interesting when I was comparing the textures directly that the SSP is quite a thick cream compared to Eclat Miracle and Strobe Liquid. It can be sheered out easily too. I have used this both on top of my foundation and underneath. I found it added obvious radiance when applied under tinted moisturiser. Possibly a little too much for me and I would be more careful about keeping it away from the centre of my face next time rather than just slapping it on all over! One thing I really like about this is that it has an SPF of 25, so if you do use it all over under you foundation it will provide good sun protection. The BECCA is the most expensive of the bunch retailing for at £32 for 50ml.

I have reviewed Lancome Éclat Miracle before which you can find here. It's quite a runny liquid and I would recommend giving the tube a shake before dispensing. It's very easy to blend as it's a liquid which makes it a good choice for applying underneath foundation to give skin a 'boost'. I still find I can apply it just to the brow bone and top of the cheek bone on top of my foundation. I think this is the most subtle of the three white based highlighters so probably a good choice for everyday or if you're a little nervous of highlighters. This one costs approximately £20 for 20ml.

MAC Strobe Liquid

This is the liquid sister to the more well known Strobe Cream. It is, as you would expect from the name, quite runny. I find it takes a little longer to sink in to my skin than the Lancome and this will have it's disadvantages and advantages depending on how you wish to use it. Strobe liquid has a pink, almost ultra violet iridescence to it. On the face, I would only apply this to specific areas to highlight whereas I think I could be more liberal on the body. Strobe Liquid costs £21.50 for 50ml.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme on Rose Gold

The All Over Radiance Creme in Rose Gold is a lovely peachy gold colour. The cream is quite dry in texture when you apply it to the skin, though it is still very easy to apply. I really like this texture as I find cream highlighters that are too oily make me look 'grubby'. MAC's CCB in Pearl was a particular offender in this respect. I especially like this one for using on the brow bone and cupid's bow. This one costs £17 for 10g.

NARS Orgasm Illuminator

This is the old style NARS Orgasm Illuminator packaging that came in the Glossybox, I've no idea if the formula is any different to the newer Illuminators. This is the darkest highlighter that I have and I most certainly couldn't apply this liberally (unless I wanted to look a little odd). I think it's probably much better suited to darker skin tones than mine.

It's a peachy pink with gold shimmer. There's too much sparkle for me to use it as a blusher and I find it too dark to pull of as a highlighter. I wonder if I could successfully use it in combination with a similar coloured blusher. The other issue I have with this, is that it tends to rub my foundation off when I try to blend it in. Orgasm Illuminator is pretty but probably not a great choice for fair skin. The newer packaged Illuminators cost £21.50 for 30ml.

These are all generous swatches to demonstrate the colour and iridescence. In use you would of course sheer out more than this. I think the bright sunlight we had when I took this picture demonstrates the sheen very well. I hope the comparison is useful, if you have any questions or need more side by side pictures, please ask.


Disclosure: These products came from a variety of sources. Bought by me, PR samples and sent to me by a generous blogger friend. Where they came from does not affect my opinion of the products and these are my honest thoughts as always.