
The 12 months was 2016, and I, like many people, was glued to YouTube make-up tutorials. My mother was by no means an enormous make-up wearer or somebody who spent a ton of time on her face, and since my sister is 9 years older than me, she had moved out by the point I used to be sufficiently old to care what her make-up routine may appear to be. I’d been buffing the identical drugstore mineral basis into my pores and skin for years and by no means actually loving the way it seemed, however had been too intimidated to attempt something tougher. However quickly I used to be deep into the sweetness guru tutorials and located myself making an attempt a ton of latest make-up, falling in love with the entire strategy of preparing one stellar product at a time. And of all of the highlighters I attempted, it simply so occurs the most affordable was additionally the perfect — it was solely $2.99 again then, I consider.
Sure, I used to be a collector of the enduring Becca Shimmering Pores and skin Perfectors and coveted the Hourglass palettes, after all. However it doesn’t matter what else I attempted, nothing ever appeared to beat my little $4.99 workhorse that may do all of it: the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter.
Stats:
- Value: $4.99
- Shades: There are two, the Pure Nude Highlighter and Pure Nude Sunlighter.
- Professional tip: This doubles as a very nice all-over eyeshadow in case you simply need a little bit somethin’, and I exploit a giant brush and apply it throughout my chest and shoulders once I put on a costume or tank high.
The Packaging
Nothing fancy to see right here, simply your run of the mill plastic compact packaging, no brushes nor mirror included. I believe that’s to be anticipated for $4.99. To Essence’s credit score, I’ve taken this compact on one million completely different journeys and it has by no means damaged. It does what it got here right here to do, ya know?
The baked formulation of the product and the quantity within the compact means this product will final you, nicely, I don’t even understand how lengthy. I purchased one in all probability in 2016 once I was actually moving into make-up, and changed it a pair years in the past as a result of I figured it was too previous to justify placing on my pores and skin anymore. Suffice it to say, this isn’t one thing you’ll need to repurchase usually, regardless of how a lot you employ it — and like I mentioned, I exploit this throughout my physique all summer time lengthy.
The Outcomes
Once I attain for a highlighter, I need one thing that’s going to make my make-up look life-like. I don’t desire a tremendous metallic spotlight you possibly can see your personal reflection in, however slightly a soft-focus glow that makes basis learn extra like pores and skin and helps the excessive factors of my face catch the sunshine. A liquid highlighter is nice on no basis days, however for me, if I need my make-up to final, I’ve to make use of powders.
And that’s the place my candy child Essence is available in. Right here’s a little bit video exhibiting what it appears like and the way I apply it (forgive my hair, I at all times try this after make-up). I begin the video with a small quantity on already after which construct it up as you see me go:
See what I imply? You don’t see a stripe of powder on my pores and skin once you’re me head on, however it nonetheless manages to catch the sunshine so fantastically as you’re shifting round (however with no glitter or metallic sheen). The Pure Nude Highlighter can be the one powder spotlight I’ve discovered that’s undetectable on my pores and skin even once I’m not carrying every other make-up.
Comparable Merchandise
Listed here are another highlighters I actually love, in case you’re in search of the same sheen that’s barely completely different.
- The Becca Shimmering Pores and skin Perfector is peak 2016 spotlight vibes. In order for you a beaming spotlight, that is the product for you. I nonetheless revisit her sometimes when I’ve a particular occasion to prepare for.
- The Saie illuminator wears like a liquid model of the Essence to me. It has zero glitter or metallic components in any respect, however as an alternative simply makes your pores and skin look radiant and wholesome.
- The Peach & Lily stick is for these of us who wish to appear to be our pores and skin is capital-H hydrated. It’s nearly like a transparent gloss for the pores and skin versus a real highlighter. It’s not for everybody, however I exploit it so as to add some life to my face on a no-makeup day and love the end.
Execs & Cons
Execs:
- It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. Ulta’s website additionally factors out that it’s freed from perfume and likewise microplastic particles, which is clearly good.
- This product lasts ceaselessly.
- It’s cheap and outperforms each different spotlight I’ve ever tried, so yay financial savings.
- The baked components is nice to journey with — it received’t spill like a unfastened powder or liquid, or crack and break like a pressed powder.
Cons:
- The truth that there are solely two shades is disheartening. To be honest, many manufacturers’ illuminators and highlighters solely have just a few shades as a result of they’re so sheer that they work for a variety of pores and skin tones, however I do want there have been extra to select from.
- In case you’re a packaging girly, you’ll discover no frills right here.
Last Verdict
In case you’re like me and also you desire a no fuss highlighter that works in your face, eyes, and physique with actually no mixing required, you’ll love this product. The truth that it’s solely $4.99 is really insane to me when there are highlighters in the marketplace that carry out a lot worse for 20 occasions the price or extra.
The TL;DR
Nothing that prices $4.99 is value a rattling anymore, apart from this highlighter, which has been outperforming high-end merchandise because it first hit the cabinets.
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