Review: theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighting Powder

Highlighting powder or highlighter is an additional step in my makeup routine that I've been adding. Usually after applying foundation, I finish off my face using powder, blush and contour powder/bronzer. I have previously used highlighters before, but mainly in liquid or cream form like Benefit High Beam or Mac Cream Colour Base in Hush. I have been wanting to get a powder highlighter for a while now but couldn't decide because there were many options and sometimes I thought it would be cheaper to just use an eyeshadow as a highlighting powder. However, after a while I gave in and went to buy one.

I've heard a lot about theBalm cosmetics and have always passed the counter in my local David Jones. After a lot of thoughts and reading reviews I went ahead and purchased theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter.

First of all I just want to say I love the packaging of theBalm cosmetics. It's just so gorgeous. And the names they give their products are so innovative and fun! The highlighting powder comes in a little compact with a mirror. The size of the product is 8.5grams. There's quite a lot of product there so I think this powder will last me a long time. The cost of this highlighter is AU$34. It is quite pricey but since it will last quite a long time because there is a lot of product it isn't too bad. I actually bought this online from the US so I was able to get it slightly cheaper.

Mary-Lou Manizer is a honey/golden beige coloured powder. The texture of the powder is so soft and buttery and is extremely pigmented. There is a lot of shimmer but it does not contain any chunks of glitter. Because of the highly pigmented shimmer you really do need to apply this powder light-handedly especially for wear during the day.

On the pack it says you can use this powder as a highlighter, shimmer or eyeshadow. I have been using this now for the last couple of weeks and I have used it both as a highlighter and an eyeshadow.
I love using it both ways. As eyeshadow I use it as the all-over lid colour, to highlight the inner corner of my eyes and to highlight the brow bone. I do need to apply it very very lightly though when I use it to highlight my brow bone. This has not replaced my favourite Urban Decay eyeshadow Sin which I always use as a lid colour and inner corner and brow highlighter (I still love Urban Decay Sin though).

As a cheek bone highlighter this is just gorgeous. It really does shimmer in the sun and highlights your cheekbones.

As you can see above, I have applied it with a very light hand so you can see the shimmer subtly. If you want to amp it up for night time you can apply a bit more. I applied this with a small stippling brush or with a real techniques contour brush.

Overall I really love this highlighter. It adds that shimmer and beautifully highlights my cheek bones. I love it as an eyeshadow too. Before getting this highlighter was an optional product in my daily make up routine but now I just cannot skip it!!