TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

This is probably one of most hyped up highlighters in recent years and it actually didn't interest me much when the hype started because I was not into highlighters, at least not strong ones. But so many people raved about this that it kind of automatically landed on my wishlist. This is actually my second powder highlighter that own and my only gold toned, so yeah, my stash of highlighters isn't the most extensive one, but I'm still using Jemma Kidd's one (cream) and L'Oreal's Magic Lumi Primer (liquid) which are both my favourite (but my absolute favourite is actually Mac Vanilla pigment of which I only have a sample).

Mary-Lou Manizer is a gold toned highlighter with an intense shine. The reason why I avoided buying this was because I was concerned it would look too gold on my pale skin tone. I've heard conflicting reviews about how it works on pale skin, so I didn't want to risk it, however, I can report that it's fine, just don't overdo it. I'm currently at my palest, so Nars Siberia/Revlon Colorstay Ivory/Rimmel Light Porcelain 010 plus I have a neutral undertone and this does look a bit golden on me, but as long as I don't go to really to town with it, it's fine. I applied a lot of it on my picture because I camera phone doesn't pick up highlighters well, so it looks gold. I would normally apply less.

At first I did not get this highlighter, it seemed like a nice average one, but the more I use and dig though the top layer, the softer it gets and now it's giving me a very intense glow. This is a highlighter for glow lovers, but most might end up saving it for a special occasions. Currently I'm in a phase where I crave for anything glowy, that's why I love Physicians Formula Sexy Booster blush so much, however, suspect I won't be using this in the summer as I feel the intense sunlight will make it very shimmery looking (it happens with most highlighters anyway), but will see. So far, I'm really enjoying using this. It even landed in my latest month favourites and I would love to give Cindy-Lou a try as well.

The packaging is well made, a plastic case with a handy big mirror and the typical comic retro design (check the charges on the board).

Mary-Lou is for those who adore the glow. There is nothing subtle about it and I can see why it's so highly regarded in the beauty community. Is it the glowiest highlighter I tried? No. But that's a good thing as I think any more glow would look terribly tacky. It would look fantastic on warm and medium skin tones, so if you're looking for something truly glamorous looking, check this one out, but even if you're very fair, don't be afraid to try it. 

Available in Müller for 23.99 €.

Have a great day!

Essence Winter Wonderful! TE

Not surprisingly Essence released a winter inspired edition. They do it every year and they tend to pass me by. The only item that was of any interest to me in this one is the hand cream and even that because of the snow flake design, though I have to admit that some of those nail polishes and the topper do look rather good. Unfortunately I found myself standing in front of a completely empty stand in Müller. That never happens where I live, I guess it must be a super popular collection, but I don't think this has reached DM's and other shops, so there should be more coming. I got sent four products to swatch for the other blog I write on. They haven't posted my review yet, but I like to work fast when it comes to LEs, since these things tend to run out fast.

ESSENCE Winter Wonderful! TE Blush

01 Winter Kissed Cheeks

There is only one blush in this collection and it's a mix of warm pink-coral, peach and kind of a golden tone. To be fair the other two colours don't really matter much as the pink-coral star provides most pigmentation. If you focus your brush on that star you get a very decent amount of pigment, though it might take you some layers to get a nice flush. Use a denser brush if you have a feeling it's just not happening with this blush, but I got it to look pretty intense on my cheeks. It's a pretty classic colour - a warm pink with a matte finish. The design is adorable, snowflakes inside stars - Essence knows how to impress when it comes to these things. Unfortunately I almost ruined the design already when making the swatches (*sobs quietly*), though just using a brush shouldn't ruin it straight away.

It costs 3.29 € on Click2Chic. It's probably a similar price elsewhere.

ESSENCE Winter Wonderful! TE Highlighter

01 You Melt My Heart

 I was worried how I'll swatch this since it does not look like a highlighter in the pan. However, it's not too subtle, which I hope you can see on my picture with the blush. It's a mix of light pink, lavender and peach, but it swatches basically white, not even shimmery, instead almost like a powder, though on the cheeks it gives that cool toned pink glow. It's not a Mary-Lou Manizer glow, but pretty decent. I used a Jessup eyeshadow brush which is dense, but quite big, so I got the most out of this highlighter, but I also used a big fluffy brush to dust it all over the face as a finishing powder and it works without being to shimmery, just a bit glowy. 

It costs 3.29 € on Click2Chic. 

ESSENCE Winter Wonderful! TE Tint & Oil  for lips

01 If Kisses were Snow Flakes… and 02 …I'd Send you a Blizzard

Lip oils are having a sort of a moment and at Essence they are always quick to follow the trends, so here is their version. Well sort of. These are actually just clear moisturising lip glosses that react with your skin's pH levels and tint the lips, or better said stain them. I've tried Clarins' oil for lips and it's miles better, really something different and innovative, but these Essence ones aren't different to me than their regular lip glosses (their old discontinued Stay All Day ones I mean, which were my favourite budget ones). They are moisturising, but no different than any other lip gloss. As I said these react to the pH levels creating a unique lip colour and they go on clear, but very quickly start to change. On my lips both of these turn into a sort of a fuchsia shade as do all such products and once the shine wears off the stain sticks. 01 clearly has less of that ingredient that reacts with the pH, so it ends up lighter than 02. These could end up looking completely different on you than on me, both in terms of tone and intensity. 

01 If Kisses were Snow Flakes… 

02 …I'd Send you a Blizzard

If you apply these on the back of your hand and wait for a few minutes, you'll see how it tints the skin and when you wipe off the gloss, the skin stays stained and it's difficult to get them off. The lips stay stained after the shine wears off or even if you blot/remove the gloss. Barry M's Touch of Magic lipstick works the same, but more intensely. The packaging is metal which makes them look a lot more expensive than they are. I notice not particular scent though I hear they are supposed to smell sweet, but I get only some faint chemical scent.

These cost 3.29 €.  

A pretty collection to look at, there are very cute designs and the quality is typically Essence - ok for the money. The blush is cute, the highlighter glows well enough on the cheeks and the experimented with the tints or at least tried to, but they need some more work to be the real deal. I guess calling them colour changing lip gloss was just too mainstream.   

Did you get anything from this collection?

Have a great day!

Catrice Prime and Fine Professional Contouring Palette 010 Ashy Radiance

High five to Catrice for finally taking the plunge and take on the contouring trend. I think that aside from Sleeks version, which is only available online here, the pickings when it comes to a taupe-ish contour shade are very, very slim with actual eyeshadows being probably our best option. So I'm delighted to see this in a permanent range and Essence will have their versions as well. The palette comes in two shades: this cool toned brown with a champagne-peachy highlight designed for pale individuals like me, while the other is darker and with a gold highlight.

The highlighter is more on the sheer side, which I actually like since I'm more of an subtle highlight girl, but it can be built-up to a stronger glow, though it takes several layers. The actual tone of the highlighter is lovely. It's a warm champagne, slightly peachy shade that doesn't end up looking too white on the skin, unlike like their newest Highlighting Powder in 010 Stardust. It reminds me of my favourite Jemma Kid Iced Gold in terms of shade, but not in texture, since this is a powder and that one a much glowier cream.

The bronzer/contouring side is nicely pigmented as far as my light skin tone is concerned and I pick up only a bit of the product at at time and build up slowly to avoid a random strip of colour on my face, but people with darker skin tones have said to me that this is too light for them. It's warmer and less taupe than NYX's Taupe as well as much more pigmented, but it still manages to fake shadows well. Ana Ina compared it to the Sleek palette in light and it shows how much more taupe-ish it is. The powder is quite silky, but it does dust/flake off, nonetheless it blends ok and doesn't look patchy on the skin. 

Staying power is nice as per usual when it comes to cheek products by Catrice.

I know I'll get this question: NYX Taupe or Catrice? I'd still go with Taupe for my skin tone, well at least in the winter when my skin matches the colour of snow. But I have a neutral undertone, so I can go either way. If you skin tone is pink, go for Taupe and if it's warm go for Catrice. Also pick the latter one if you're not as pale as me because Taupe is quite sheer compared to this one (by the way, my Taupe blush is quite old and I hear they have been messing with the shade since then. Petra recommends Essence I Heart Nude eyeshadow in 05 My Favorite Tauping instead).

I built-up both powders a lot for this picture, so my camera would pick it up. Normally I'm quite shy when it comes to contouring. 

This was a hit for me in the latest Catrice update. They managed to create a lovely taupe-cool brown "faking shadows" shade for super pale people like me, which is incredibly rare among the drugstore brands. The highlighter is more on the subtle side, which some will like and others not, but the tone of it is very pretty. In general it's a great budget buy. 

I bought it in Müller for 4.69 € and as far as I know, this is only available on the 3 m stands. 

What is your favourite contouring powder and highlighter? Have a great day!