Highlighters have done a bit of a 180 in recent years. Gone are the days of chunky, glitter-filled formulas more suited to eyeshadow being swept over our cheeks and resembling the look of a ’90’s girlband member and in are the days of finely milled, subtle formulas that look like natural radiance on your complexion when applied. It’s kind of magic. Anyone can look like J.Lo. It’s awesome. It’s not often that I find a highlighter that I disagree with actually because as long as it melts into the skin and is glitter-free then I’m one happy bunny.
Summer always sees a swarm of new limited edition highlighters come to market and this year there’s a bronzey twist in some which means that they completely justify a purchase into a makeup collection already healthily stocked with shimmer. Much like a highlighter/blush duo the sun-kissed hues of these newbies means that you don’t necessarily need reach for bronzer too and they both double-up well as a sheer wash of somethin’ somethin’ over the eyelids – a point that makes the price points for both a little easier to swallow, gulp.
So say hello to CHANEL’s Lumiére D’été Illuminating Powder in Bronze and Laura Mercier’s Face Illuminator in Indiscretion, both limited edition summer releases from their respective makers, both beautiful. Let’s talk the CHANEL first which is the bronzier of the two. It’s got a honey-ness to it, like a caramel laced sheen that has equal parts bronzing and luminosity. On darker skins it’s going to impart more glow, whereas on paler skins you’re going to get a bit more pigment out of it. That’s if you can bear swirling your brush in the stunning flower-moulded compact which is a big ask because it’s so darn beautiful. #BeautyJunkieProblems
On my face in the above picture is Laura Mercier’s offering, which is my favourite of the two (and thankfully a little more purse friendly). This gives off a bit more shimmer than the CHANEL, but glisten it gives is a bronzed golden hue. It applies like butter – seriously, if you swatch this is store and don’t go ‘wow’ then I’ll eat a banana – and fools you into thinking that it’s a cream texture when it’s actually a powder. It’s smooth and pigmented so a little goes a long way and I find it best dusted lightly on the cheeks with a brush that’s got a bit of give like Charlotte Tilbury’s Powder & Sculpt Brush. Another one that looks too beautiful to use in the pan, if you’re in the market for a new highlighter/want to add to your already ginormous collection (I feel ya girl!) then you know what to do…
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