A Tale of 2 Highlighters ... Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana and Something Surprising which you gotta see!

I say, don't be narrow minded when it comes to makeup products.. cos so many of them is meant for something but actually does something else better. 

I have had lipsticks that apply patchy but work beautifully as a cheek color. 

And sometimes a black eye pencil can add superb contoured effect to your Red lip color.

So without more story, introducing you to 2 products that are meant as something else but work beautifully as Highlighters. 

The 1st one shouldn't be a surprise because it is a popular Youtube guru favorite, espl with Emily Noel and that is Wet n Wild's Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana. 

I can't really think of a complexion for which this would be a bronzer unless you're like Edward Cullen. 

For fairer complexions, this could even be a overall luminous powder to add that subtle glow.

For Light Medium to wheatish complexions this would work as a wonderful highlighter. 

You can add this for subtle effect and this is my current daily office wear highlighter, cos its not at all OTT and has no shimmer in it.

I would suggest this for a day use cos of the SPF and also cos its a very subtle highlighter that works well in Daylight than at night.

As you can see [or cant see] it is a very subtle glow...

The next one is a surprise and something I never expected when I got this. Introducing a least likely candidate for Highlighter-ship - Yves Rocher 100% Natural Origin Loose Powder Foundation.

Yes. 

You read that right. 

This is a mineral foundation. 

But it works as a highlighter.  

Cos when Yves Rocher thought they'd make a mineral foundation that would give a luminous glow-y finish, they were not shy or modest..they went full out and created a foundation that if you use as a foundation, would make you look like a disco bulb. 

You can see how luminous the powder is...

I was pretty disheartened when I came home and tried this product, cos this was an impulse buy and I was thinking - how can anyone mess up a mineral foundation, espl a reputed company like Yves Rocher? 

So this was lying in the corner unused, when last day I swatched this for a "What Not To Buy" post and thought, Hmmmm... I tried it with a light hand and was most pleasantly surprised by the effect.

Can you see the highlighter effect? Trust me, its much stronger in person!

This has some shimmers, so I would suggest using this at night. 

For paler complexions this could be a bronzy highlighter for getting that healthy glow-y Summer look.

For medium wheatish complexions, I suggest using this with a light hand and layering it over your blush for a luminous finish.

Overall: Moral of the Story - if you fail in using a cosmetics in one way, try in some other way.. Who knows, you might discover something!

Essence Bloom Me Up Shimmer Powder - why you should buy it if you see it!

Since this is a Limited Edition product, I am not going to very in-depth review.  I am just going to summarize why this is a good purchase if you find it in your local Shoppers or else where.

Look at that cute flower design - won't that look pretty at least for a while? :)

 

Essence's packaging is nice and sturdy.

 

When you think Highlighters, do you think a subtle glow? If so, this is a great option. Because of the pink-ish undertones mixed with Silver, this would be best suited for Cooler skin tones, but as this is a subtle highlighter, almost all skin colors can use this.

 

2 ways of using this powder - 1. As a highlighter on cheeks, forehead, nose etc 2. Over your foundation and under your face powders for a subtle allover glow for that day out

Once Blended out - the finish is very subtle as you can see.

Spring Colors: Jordana Blushes in Coral Sandy Beach and Stardust

Jordana cosmetics - sister brand of Milani- needs no introduction to a drugstore makeup lover. I have already reviewed some products from this brand - read them here 



I must admit, I am not a huge fan of powder blushes as I prefer cream blushes [or lipsticks acting as blushes :)]  - I am all for dewy finish look, so I don't always these babies a lot. But when I occasionally reach for a powder blush, this is one of the few I reach out for.

About Jordana blushes from the website: Price - $2.49 USD

"Powder Blush

• Color-True Tints for Cheeks
• Face Looks Youthful & Refreshed
• Accentuates, Sculpts & Contours
• Velvety-Smooth Formula Blends Easily
• Made In USA"

My Experience:

Coral Sandy beach is a peachy pink shade with some nice gold shimmers. Stardust is a nice peachy shade with hints of warm brown & would have made a nice contouring shade if not for the slight shimmers. I think Coral Sandy Beach is touted as one of the many dupes for NARS 'O' blush - I don't know. It applies with more of a pinky tone than peach on me.

Both the shades are really nice for Spring/Summer. Coral Sandy Beach would suit most complexions. Stardust -not so much :) It will suit light to medium skin colors to give a nice peachy glow. This can however be a highlighter for darker skin shades.

These are not as nice as Milani blushes but then they are cheaper - so YAY!



Why I like these: 
- Price -> how many nice bliushes are out there that can beat the "Below $3" price tag and yet have so many shade options? I am thinking not many!

- Variety of shades -> Jordana just added some more shades and I must say I am super impressed & looking forward to trying out some of the new matte ones

- Easy to blend ->  I found that this blends pretty easily, so thats always great!

- Stays for a decent time -> I got like 5-6 hours stay which is quite decent

- Easy to use especially for a beginner -> This is not very pigmented blush which means that its great for beginners to learn how to layer and apply

Stardust on the Left, Coral Sandy Beach on the righ

Why I don't :
 - Availability - Not easily available in Canada and some how I am not motivated to pay $17CAD for shipping a $2.49 product!

- Powdery texture, not as silky as Essence or Wet n wild blushes. If  I were to choose, I'd rather go for Wet n Wild, E.L.F or Essence - more easily available & texture is also better

Overall: Well, if you can get em, go for it! I hope some day in future Jordana will decide to come to Toronto.