Sunday 5 June 2011

Highlighter Comparison

Highlighter Comparion4

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+SSP+Pearl2
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.

BECCA Pearl vs Eclat Miracle1


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+Liquid1
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+Rose+Gold2
Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme on Rose Gold

Jemma+Kidd+Rose+Gold1

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
NARS Orgasm Illuminator
Rose Gold vs Orgasm

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.

Highlighter Comparion10

Highlighter Comparion5


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. 

20 comments:

  1. I can't decided which one I like better? The SSP or the Eclat Miracle. I'm in the market for a highlighter, so this post came at the perfect time! Thanks!

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  2. Really like the BECCA SSP. I remember when Lisa Eldridge used it in a video and it was sold out for ages. It is the one I reach for most, although the Jemma Kidd looks very pretty. I got a sample of the Nars Orgasm illuminator ages ago and have used it before in a FOTD I think, only on the cheek bones and with a similar shade blush, and it was fine on my skintone when I was going for a warmer look. The sample still looks full (4ml), seems to last forever! x

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  3. Brilliant comparison post Jane, I've been looking forward to this ever since you tweeted about it :)
    I have the Becca (in Opal), the Strobe Cream and the J. Kidd. The Lancome would be the one I'd go for I think...But my all time absolute favourites are the Shu Uemura stick in a gold-champagne colour, and the Fresh trio cream highlighters.
    Have a great week ahead!
    Nina x

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  4. Very interesting Jane. I like the EM and SSP the best too. The swatches are really well done :)

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  5. I think I'm going to be turning into a bit of a highlighter addict here soon! I was just on a mission to find "the one" perfect highlighter and now I'm finding I'm liking variety. Thanks for the great post!

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  6. I really like your comparison picture since it makes it so clear to see the difference. I have the MAC and forget about it all the time. The Nars doesn't really work on me unfortunately. If you ever "need" to spend money on a new highlighter you might like one of the new MUFE ones.

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  7. I had no idea the BECCA one was so frosty! It looks pretty, though. I'm really curious to try out Jemma Kidd Rose Gold and MAC Strobe Liquid!

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  8. Thanks for the great post! I've always wanted to try Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme, heard a lot of nice things about it.

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  9. I like the Becca one might have to look that up, Ive been using the Orgasm one under my blusher for a slightly more dewy look to it... once well blended it doesnt seem that dark, more of a shimmer effect. But then I use Orgasm blush too and love it.

    Ms Red

    xx

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  10. Great post Jane thanks for that. I think I might purchase the Jemma Kidd, have been thinking for a while about that one xx

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  11. Oh pretty! I love them all and your photos are fab. I have a New Cid powder highlighter which I love to give me a bit more of a glow but have never used a liquid one under foundation before, I am going to try this the next time I am doing more than my usual "day" face!

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  12. Great post and excellent to see swatches side by side. Confirms I want the ssp even more! I got the Natio powder illuminating as GWP recently. It's half bronzer half shimmer. I can't believe how much I am loving it. Very subtle and sheeny not glittery and smells like honey!!

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  13. I love the look of the becca one, i had the strobe cream and used it all up its lovely xx

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  14. Excellent comparisons. Of all you reviewed I have only the Becca, which I like a lot. Though I don't normally go for gold, I really like the look of Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow. Someone else reviewed it recently (25FLONDON maybe?), and I liked it on her, too. Unfortunately, no Orgasms for me. NARS needs to come out with a new one for we pale faces, maybe call it Multiple Os or G Spot, so we don't feel left out.

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  15. Such a lovely post on what must be the most gorgeous highlighters ever. Wow xx

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  16. I forgot to comment on your new banner and latest layout, me likey a lot xx

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  17. @Devoted: The SSP and Eclat Miracle are similar in that the sheen is subtle. I guess it depends on the kind of consistency you would prefer. Eclat is more ‘runny’ whereas the SSP is more creamy.

    @Jennifer: I have a sample of the Illuminator too and I was sure I would never finish that, never mind the full size! It sounds like I need more practice with it to make it work for me?

    @Nina: Ooh, you’ve give me new possibilities there, you naughty thing. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!

    @Dempss: Thank you! I’m glad you thought the swatches were ok. I found it really tricky to add enough for them to be visible!

    @PerilouslyPale: I’m looking forward to finding out your thoughts on the RBR ;)

    @Marcia: I’m glad it’s useful. The MUFE sounds interesting, I really haven’t tried that many things from the brand but always mean to.

    @Tiffany: The BECCA highlighter is strange. In some lights and angles it looks very frosty yet others it appears very subtle. If you look the swatch where you see it compared to the Lancome, it looks quite different. With flash it didn’t look as frosty either. It’s a strange one but I have a feeling it’s this quality that makes it a good highlighter.

    @Marina: The Jemma Kidd is nice, I like the drier texture of the cream too. It made it easier to work with as a highlighter.

    @Ms Red: I will have to play around more with the NARS. I think I struggled to blend it in more on my face as it seemed to rub off my makeup. Do you apply it or buff it in with a brush?

    @Claire: Thank you, I’m glad the post was useful. The Jemma Kidd is nice and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t too warm for me.

    @Debbie: Thank you! I think I have to credit the sunshine over the weekend for both the inspiration and good photos. I quite like using the liquid sheered out all over the face before foundation. Especially for days when my skin looks super tired.

    @Me, My best and I: How lovely that the Natio smells like honey! The SSP is well worth investigating.

    @nicoletta: I think you would really like the Becca. Although it’s expensive, it does contain the most product too.

    @Zuzu: I love the idea of a multiple Os highlighter! You’re right, it was 25FLONDON that reviewed the Jemma Kidd recently. I spotted it just after I took these pictures. I’m not normally one for gold either but the peachiness too stops it looking yellow on me.

    @liloo: Thank you lovely liloo! I’m pleased you like both the highlighter pictures and the layout update. After all the faffing about, I just couldn’t go all white!

    Thank you for all over your comments, I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the highlighters.
    Jane x

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  18. I love highlighters. The jemma Kid rose gold and Mac strobe cream have been on my wish list for a while now. x

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  19. I have Opal in the BECCA one and love it. I mix it with my foundation and it adds just the right amount of a dewy glow. The Jemma Kidd looks interesting though--I will check it out next time I'm at Target.

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  20. Such a helpful post!!!

    Love the look of the Lancome and the MAC ones, but I'd prefer the cream equivalent for the latter!
    Your analysis of the formulas was really helpful!!!

    Thanks Jane! xxx

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