Topshop Glow Highlighter: Gleam

My highlighter collection is slowly but surely growing, I've got powders and liquids but the only thing missing was a cream based one and I decided I needed one (or two) in my life. As you know I've been totally converted to cream blushers at the moment so thought a cream highlighter would be the perfect addition to my makeup collection. Last week on Twitter, I asked you all for some recommendations and a few people mentioned MAC and Illamasqua (thanks everyone) but since I'm pretty skint right now I'm waiting until I get paid to go investigate these. Luckily, when I was in Topshop a few days ago I stumbled upon this little beauty for just £9 (£8.10 with a student card) and just couldn't resist.

I've always been a fan of the Topshop lipsticks and nail polish and really wanted to buy some more of their products so when I spotted the Glow highlighter I was eager to try it. Glow comes in two shades; Gleam and Polished. Polished is a pink based highlighter (the website calls it white though) and Gleam is more gold based which is what I usually go for (Dior Amber Diamond, NARS Albatross) but I wanted to try something different and go for Polished. Sadly, every pot of Polished had a horrible, dirty finger mark in it - why can't people just use the tester?! So I ended up settling for Gleam which I'm kind of glad about as it suits my skin tone.

Anyway, on to what I think of the product...The cream/mousse formula is so easy to apply, I just use my finger tips to dab it on to my cheekbones and brow bones. I find this much easier to blend that my liquid highlighters, it blends really seamlessly for a lovely natural glow. I've been wearing this every day since I got it and it lasts on my skin for a full shift, maybe even longer. I also love the little screw-lid pot it comes in, it's really cute and the perfect size for my makeup bag. The only downside to Topshop's packaging is that it gets really dirty.

I think this is a perfect Summer highlighter and would look especially gorgeous with a tan. I've been loving pairing it with my Chanel Tan De Soleil and my Kevyn Aucoin cream blush for a dewy makeup look. I think the next time I'll definitely purchase Polished and also I'll be taking a look at some of the cream highlighters you guys recommended. Overall, Topshop Glow is definitely a winner - it's so reasonably priced as well! What's your favourite highlighter for Summer? I need more!!

Dior Amber Diamond Highlighter

Last week I was lucky enough to win this gorgeous Dior highlighter in Emma's 100 follower giveaway. Emma has a gorgeous blog, you need to check it out and she's obviously so generous - what an amazing prize! Amber Diamond has been on my wishlist ever since my sister came in and showed me hers then used it on me a couple of times. 

I love using highlighters, I think they're the perfect finishing touch to my makeup. Powder highlighters are definitely my favourite as I think they have the best pigmentation and are easiest to apply, especially because most of my makeup is powder based. Amber Diamond contains five golden shades that when used together gives such a gorgeous, warm glow to my skin. I apply highlighter to my cheekbones, brow bones and sometimes down the bridge of my nose and my cupids bow if I'm going a night out. The thing I love about Amber Diamond is that it's not too over powering, it's really natural. I also love the midnight blue Dior packaging, so sophisticated. 

Even though I've barely used this, I love it and it's already replaced by beloved NARS Albatross as my favourite. However, I think I'll save it for special occasions and try not to use it every day. I always tend to go for gold toned highlighters so I think next time I'd like to try a pink one, maybe Rose Diamond - why not have both? Thank you so much Emma, definitely one of my favourite things in my makeup bag now!

Have you tried Dior Amber Diamond? What you do think of it?

The Perfect Duo: NARS Orgasm & Albatross

My sister got me NARS Orgasm blush for my birthday and very kindly gave me her Albatross highlighter because she hardly used it - I loved it and was always stealing it! I actually asked her for the Sleek Rose Gold dupe but she surprised me and got me the real deal along with lots of MUA goodies. I've been using the blusher and highlighter for about a month now and I'm absolutely loving them.

First of all, I love the NARS packaging, it's so sleek and simple and looks gorgeous in my makeup bag. However, I do feel as though it gets dirty quite easily so I'm always cleaning it with my makeup wipes. Orgasm blush is a gorgeous pinky/peach colour with a gold shimmer through it. I'm not usually a shimmer kind of girl and usually go for a matte blush but I've always wanted to try this blusher as I've seen so many reviews on it. I think the colour is absolutely gorgeous and I've had a lot of compliments on it. It's quite a subtle colour but I like to put on a few layers to build it up which gives a stronger colour. The shimmer is very noticeable, so if you have problems with your skin it might highlighter it, but personally I think it gives me a lovely glow.

Now onto the highlighter...I've been wearing Albatross long with Orgasm and I know you can get these two in a duo which I think is great because they go perfect together. Like Orgasm, Albatross has gorgeous gold undertones which is why they look so good together. The pigment is great for a highlighter so a little goes a long way. I love wearing it on my cheekbones and on my brow bones, especially on a night out as it stands out in photos.

I also love wearing this along with my NARS Laguna Bronzer. I'm a bit obsessed with everything NARS at the moment and have one of the Multiple's and Desire Blush on my wishlist. These are definitely my favourite blush and highlighter to wear at the moment. Orgasm and Albatross cost £21 each and can be purchased here.

What do you think of these products? Have you ever tried them?

Melissa
xxx

Benefit: Sun Beam

For years I have used Benefit High Beam, but I'm always looking for a highlighter which was bronze/gold based as I've constantly got my fake tan and bronzer on! I'd seen recently that Benefit had launched a new liquid highlighter called Sun Beam and as soon as I saw it, I was dying to try it. I eventually got round to buying it and have had it for a couple of weeks now.

"Liquid sunshine in a bottle"

Sun beam is a gorgeous gold/bronze colour which looks amazing with a tan, but it also suits any skin tone so don't worry. It gives you a lovely warm glow, a lot different from the usual pink/silver based highlighters.

I use sun beam once I've put my new Chanel Tan De Soleil on (review coming soon) and my MAC Skin Finish to complete the look. I dot it on my cheek bones and on my eye brow bones and gently blend it in for a sunkissed look.

"gives you natural, sunkissed radiance" 

This is definitely the perfect product for summer, although we've not been having much sun! Another product I'll be taking to Ibiza with me (6 weeks to go)! I've been using it for about two weeks now and definitely recommend it. I'm loving this more than any other highlighters I've used before.

Sun beam costs £18.50 and can be bought at the Benefit counters or online here.

 Have you tried sun beam? What's your favourite highlighter?

Melissa
xxx