MAKEUP COLLECTION & DECLUTTER: Highlighters

by - June 29, 2016


As I'm starting to think about writing this post, I've gotta tell you... My highlighter collection is weird, and I think that's because I have kind of a weird relationship with highlighter in general. It's only really recently that highlighter has been a part of my routine - weird that my collection is this big, right? - and I've struggle to find highlighters that don't call a ton of attention to the texture on my skin. Because I've never really gotten hugely into highlighters, most of the ones in my collection are at a drugstore price point. Anyway, I'm actually surprised that I didn't declutter more of my highlighters, but I have reasons for all of the ones that I kept!

So if you're interested in seeing my collection as well as what I'm ousting, keep reading!


Hard Candy Glow All The Way Highlighter Duo in Lit Up
I LOVE THIS. Honestly, I wish I'd gotten a backup last year when these were limited edition, because I think it's just fantastic. I mostly keep my brush in the lighter side, but once I have a bit of a tan I can swirl these together and make a good shade to match me as well. I wish these had been permanent, I really do.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Ahh, like this was going anywhere! I love this palette A LOT. Each shade does something different for me, but I also do like to swipe my brush back and forth over everything in the palette and use it all over my face as a finish powder for a really subtle, luminous look.

Colourpop Super Shock Highlighter in Smoke N Whistles
Honestly, this one is a little bit hard to work with for me because of the formula, but I really do love it. Just have to be careful that I don't go overboard so I can keep it at a glow instead of a crazy swipe of madness.

Measurable Difference Baked Highlighter in Glow
This highlighter was really a surprise for me, and I really like it. The texture is absolutely gorgeous and it's a golden champagne that doesn't pull too yellow on me, which is fantastic.

Wet N Wild Megaglo Illuminating Palette
Now, I suspect that this might suffer in my next declutter, because it's got a little too much shimmer for my tastes, but I wanted to play with it a little bit more before I make that call.


Maybelline Master Hi-Light in Nude
So technically this is a blush, I think, but I think for most people it's going to be too light to be a blush. For me, it's a little too dark to be a traditional highlighter, but I like to use it over a matte blush to give a glow. And I really do like it.

Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana
This isn't a highlighter in the way that I think some people may be expecting, but it does give a nice, fresh glow to the skin so I like to use this more like a finishing powder when I want a more luminous look.

Benefit High Beam
Honestly, I feel like this is an overhyped item. I really do. It's pretty on the skin, but I feel like it takes a bit more work than I like and I don't think I'd ever buy it. Still, I'm keeping it.

Freedom Makeup London Pro Highlight in Brighten
This is SO PRETTY. This shade, which has a serious amount of pink to it, is one that I really like in the dead of winter when my skin is at its palest, because it ends up looking really stunning.

Benefits Watts Up Highlighter
Honestly, I think this will probably get the boot on my next declutter as well, but I just want to try to make it work. It's a little too dark for me, so I'm going to wait and see how it looks once I've got a little more tan on.

bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Pure Radiance
This is a kind of peachy shade that is, again, too dark to be used as a traditional highlighter, but I do like it as a bronzer topper to give me a really fresh, healthy glow to the skin. It's got a lot of warmth, but I think it looks good.

THEFACESHOP I Make You Brighter Highlighter
This is another opalescent highlighter with a pink undertone that I love for the colder months. I find this one to be a little less intense, so I can make it work during other parts of the year, and I love it.

Hard Candy Baked Illuminator Duo in Candle Lit
Okay so. This gets a bit of a bad wrap because it's VERY subtle, but I use these powders in the same way I use my Ambient Lighting powders - less of a highlight and more of an all over luminosity to the skin as a finishing powder. Works BEAUTIFULLY for that.
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfecter Liquid in Opal & Pearl (Not Pictured)
Honestly, these live in the top drawer of my vanity, so I forgot to photograph them along with everything else, but they are STUNNING and I'm not letting them go no matter what. I use them alone or sometimes I mix them into foundation and either way they look beautiful.
 

Julep Glow Highlighting Powder
Ugh. I wanted to like this, but the texture is really dry, the shade is too dark, and it's starting to hard pan in a way that grosses me out. Not even giving this away, it's just going.

Trust Fund Beauty That Glo Tho Highlighter
I was hopeful for this product that I got in an Ipsy bag, but it has fairly chunky shimmers in it that I just can't put on my skin. Just can't.

Sonia Kashuk Chic Luminosity Highlighter Stick in Persian Sunset
I picked the wrong shade in this one and it's too dark for me, but it also suffers from the same shimmer problem that the TFB highlighter suffered from and just doesn't offer the look that I want.

Josie Maran Argan Enlightening Illuminating Veil
So. This does nothing? Like seriously, I can't get anything from this and it's a bit of a dry texture and I just can't make it work. Disappointing.

Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter 
Seriously, the level of gorgeous that this would look like on deeper skin tones is stunning, but it's definitely just too dark for me. Also, can you tell I'm not the hugest fan of cream/liquid highlighters?
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Champagne Gold (Not Pictured)
This is such a gorgeous product that it needs a good home with someone for whom it's not too yellow, so I'm going to pass this one along to someone who can really appreciate it. BECAUSE IT'S BEAUTIFUL.


Honestly, I feel like my collection of highlighters is still too big for someone who hasn't really gotten a grasp on highlighters yet - but I also suspect that my next declutter will see quite a few of the ones I kept on their way out.

NOW - I need your help. In the comments, I'd love some recommendations for high end highlighters that work well for fair skin because I think it's about time that I finally bite the bullet and actually try out a high end highlighter!

Thanks for reading!

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