Best of the Bunch | Highlighters

I'm a serious highlighter junkie at the moment - it's just amazing! I don't feel like my makeup is complete until I have it on and I always use it on clients. I feel like a lot of brands make highlighters that are glittery and chunky and gross, but I have searched high and low and found my favourites...

1. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. £32.50.

As usual, Bobbi Brown have come up with the most natural, yet beautiful product. I have it in the Rose shade and it is stunning when swept on top of a pink blusher to really light up the face. It's not too obvious or in-your-face and is therefore perfect for everyday wear. You can also double up this as eyeshadows. (bonus!) I think there were only 2 shades when I bought my first one, but now there are plenty to choose from. I assure you, you won't be disappointed!

2. MAC Soft and Gentle. £23.

I think everyone in the world owns this highlighter and it's probably one of MAC's best sellers. It is a beautiful light pink/champagne shade - it's quite hard to describe but it's gorgeous and gives a great finish on the skin.

3. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow. £49.

Not only is the packaging stunning, the 'glow' part is beautiful. (As is the bronze side, but we're talking highlighters here!) It gives you a gorgeous golden glow that suits most skin tones! It isn't shimmery and it looks very natural. Don't get me wrong, I know it is pricey, but you are getting a contour colour as well.

4. MAC Whisper of Gilt. (Limited Edition)

I know I shouldn't really put a limited edition product in this list, but I've heard that MAC have released it more than once, so you may well be able to buy it at some point. Every girl who works at MAC who has seen my makeup kit gets very jealous that I still have mine. They say they are always praying for it to become a permanent product. It is a beautiful warm gold shade that I love using on girls with darker skin tones. Of course it works for everyone but I think it looks extra special on darker skin tones. The texture is a lot softer that Soft & Gentle (ironic).

5. Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder. £25.

This is actually a finishing powder, but there is a highlighting shade in the mix. It might sound odd, a matte radiance highlighter, but it's beautiful. This is by far the most natural of the bunch. It really does give that (not to sound cliche) lit-from-within look. It is very sheer, so perfect for the daytime but you can build it up if you're heading for a night on the town!

So those are my favourites and I am just now realising that there are no high street products on my list, so please give me some recommendations!


xo

twitter | @lauragibb93
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Product in the Spotlight: Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

I think I have found my perfect foundation. 

I know that sounds a bit over the top but I don't care, it's true. I had heard so many good things about this foundation but I was still quite sceptical because it's so annoying when hyped up products are a disappointment. I really don't have anything bad to say. 

Nars' claims; 

"Full, natural-looking coverage with unexpectedly weightless, 16-hour wear"

I would say full coverage is accurate - if you have any acne (as I do) you will have to dab on an extra coat in certain
areas but that's the same with most foundations. 

Natural-looking? 100%. 

Unexpectedly weightless? 100000%. Again, I'm always dubious when brands say weightless foundation as it almost never is, but this really is! There was one day that I only remembered I had it on because I rubbed my face. 

As for 16 hour wear, I'm not sure as I haven't worn it for that long yet. Usually 12 hours is my limit and it lasts well for that long so I would imagine 16 hours is a fair bet. I hate it when brands say "24 hour wear" Who even wears their foundation for 24 hours on the trot?! 

I love the natural glow it gives the skin - it doesn't feel greasy and doesn't make me feel the need to wear powder. It's great for my oily skin - I'm not sure how well it would work for those with dry skin as it feels like it could potentially cling to dry bits, but I will try and test it out on dry skin and see what happens. 

It comes in 20 shades which is great - I got Mont Blanc, but I don't think it's quite right for me (it's a bit pink) so I'll be giving a different shade a try. The perks of being a makeup artist, if something isn't quite right, throw it in the kit! 

As always with Nars, the packaging is beautiful (this is my personal fave) and, I think everyone will be pleased to know... IT COMES WITH A PUMP! Woohoo! If you've never used a Nars foundation before then you won't have experienced the anger you get when you realise you have to buy a pump separately. 

It retails at £32 which is average for a high end foundation - still pricey, but totally worth every penny. 

Let me know your thoughts! 

laura xo

twitter | @lauragibb93

instagram | @lauragibbmua