I’ll just come out and say it. For years, I’ve never liked using makeup illuminators or highlighters. Bad beauty blogger, right? Blame it on lack of education on my part. I didn’t know how to apply them properly, and when I do try a lot of them out, they gave me shiny skin I don’t like. I already have a very oily T-zone to begin with, and that’s the last thing I need, a disco-ball face.
I’ve had a number of makeovers done at makeup counters, and most of them who used illuminators on my skin just didn’t give me the results I wanted. And since I was such a doofus in using them myself, I steer clear of them. This was until a few months ago, when I received a tube of the Mineral Therapy Illuminator by Face of Australia in the MBBE goodie bag. The one I was given was in Angel Flame.
First thoughts? Aww man. I can’t use this! So it was left in my beauty cupboard until about a few weeks ago that I saw a video by Zoe Foster on how to use illuminators. I tried out her method (to be honest, it’s not a new method. But somehow, the simple video and steps worked for me) with the illuminator. I’ll use her favourite word – what an absolute dingus I was not to use this sooner!
The illuminator is a very light-weight, sheer cream of gold shimmer and peachy-pink undertones. I don’t use it as a blush on its own as I find it too shimmery for that purpose alone. My favourite combination is Illamasqua’s cream blush in Dixie, and then pat a tiny amount of the Angel Flame on the high points of my cheeks, all the way to the temples.
The result? Gorgeous glowy cheeks that don’t scream disco-ball, but look like the picture of good health. It’s a perfect summer look when it’s too hot and I can’t be arsed with bucketloads of makeup on. All I’d have is BB cream, cream blush, the Angel Flame, a light dusting of Guerlain’s Meteorites (another gem I only just discovered), lipgloss, and I’m good to go.
Makeup used: Maybelline BB Mousse, Illamasqua cream blush in Dixie, Face of Australia Mineral Therapy Illuminator in Angel Flame, Guerlain Meteorites Perles Teint Rose and Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Mango Diamonds
I can’t believe I’m saying this now, for it’s not something I would have said up to a few weeks ago, but I love, love, love having an illuminator on my skin now 😀
Face of Australia Mineral Therapy Illuminator comes in 4 shades – Angel Mist, Angel Blush, Angel Flame and Angel Glow. It retails at AU$14.95 a pop. For such a big tube of 50ml, this is cheaper than hot chips. I can’t wait to get my hands on the Angel Mist 😉
Are you a fan of illuminators and/or highlighters, or have you not tried one? If you are, what’s your favourite and what else would you recommend to an illuminator n00b like me? 😛
Never used them before and I honestly don’t think I will. Maybe because I’m still uneducated, but till then, I don’t need another thing to add to my already bulging collection!
Celeste @ Becoming Beautiful recently posted..Review: M.A.C. Prep + Prime Beauty Balm SPF35 – my current HG BB Cream.
Celeste: I never thought of using this too. If I didn’t see the video, I won’t be inclined to try it out and will probably give it away. But now that I’ve tried it, dangit, I’m hooked! 😛
I gave away the Nars one – couldn’t get it to work and found it too fiddly. In retrospect, the color too just wasn’t quite me. I don’t do the bronzed healthy look very well. I tend towards pale pink anything 😀 But this FOA one looks so amazing on you! I love it – and Meteorites. Have I ever stopped waxing lyrical about those bebolas? 😀
Paris B recently posted..Makeup Tips: Natural Makeup in 5 Minutes with David Ooi Clinique Makeup Artist
Paris B: Oh the bebolas. I cannot believe it took me this long to discover them beautiful bebolas. I use it as a loose powder now to finish everything, and I absolutely love the effect. Now I want to get the bebolas compact edition, but the price is just nuts.
Geek gave me a small sample of the NARS Illuminator in Orgasm (the one you see in the post), but I can’t get it to work either. Found it too shimmery and warm (funny, since I have a warm skintone). I found the FOA consistency and subtle shimmer much better. And it’s much cheaper too! 😛
Too bad we can’t get Face of Australia products here in Malaysia! I love the effect of the illuminator on you, Tine! I usually use Lancome’s Éclat Miracle as the shimmery particles are so fine that you can’t see it and it’s really easy to use! 🙂
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Sukie: Thanks Sukie. I love how pretty it looks and really, how cheap it is. There’s a lot of product (you only use very little a time) for only 15 bucks.
Oooh I haven’t used the Lancome one yet. I’ll be sure to check it out. I’ve been bitten by the illuminator/highlighter bug, I tell ya! 😛
GLOWY!!! I LOVE!!! =D It looks so gorgeous on you, Tine … I’m still in search of a good highlighter too that is not too “over, up yo face glitterbombdiggity or frosty like frostysnowman” ;p
Heard Becca Shimmering are really awesome for highlighting/illuminating, and I’ve only swatched the beauty on my hand.
cendana recently posted..An Afternoon At Harbour Day Spa
Cendana: I can’t rave enough about this beauty. Love it.
I’ve heard heaps about the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector but haven’t had the chance to check it out yet. It’s been around for yonks but since I only JUST got onto the illuminator bandwagon, I’ll only be checking it out now 😛
you look lovely with this! very glowy and fresh 🙂
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Plue: Thanks Plue 😀
Looks like I need to pick this one up when I visit Sydney in May 🙂 I’m a complete doofus when it comes to applying cream / liquid highlighters so thanks for sharing the tutorial.
lyn recently posted..Dove Lathering Oil Makeup Remover
Lyn: Oooh you’ll be here in May? Awesome! Any chance of you heading down to Melbourne? 😉
I like this kind of face cream its easy to apply.. I am going to buy one for myself..Thank you for sharing this to us..
Melissa recently posted..How to remove tattoo
Melissa: Pleasure, Melissa 🙂
Looks really pretty! Thanks for the link to Zoe Foster’s tutorial, that is indeed helpful!
Jos recently posted..Old Hollywood FOTD (Makeup Utopia Challenge)
Jos: You’re welcome, Jos. It’s simple, quick and easy to follow. I don’t know why I haven’t been able to follow other tutorials on the same subject (brainmush :P), but Zoe’s one lit a lightbulb 😛
So pretty! I love how large in size these are, such good value and this shade is my favourite
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Emma: I know, right? I don’t think I’m ever going to finish this tube, since I only use so little a time. Great value indeed 🙂
I love it, it’s so pretty and glowy!
gio recently posted..Spotlight On Green Tea
Gio: It’s a really beautiful shimmering illuminator 🙂
That’s such a gorgeous shade!! It looks really pretty on you Tine.
Harshleen recently posted..Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hr Lipstick in Eternal Rose
Harshleen: Aww thanks Harshleen. I love it too 🙂
I do love illuminators myself! I’m thankful that lately my skin has been behaving so I’m able to use powder illuminators. However if I wanted it to really last I use cream based products!
Chriselle Sy recently posted..How to Determine Your Eye Shape
Chriselle: Oh yeah, for longevity, I highly recommend cream illuminators. I’ve tried powder ones some time ago (when I wasn’t really into illuminators/highlighters), but they faded very quickly, and it wasn’t really my thing. I’m sticking to light, cream ones 🙂
I have very oily T-zone too that’s why I am not a big fan of illuminators. But this one gives a very nice glow on your cheeks! You might change my mind, 🙂 …
Issa: I have a very oily T-zone too. That’s why the illuminator only go on the high points of the cheeks. It doesn’t go on my forehead. Experts also recommend mixing 2 part foundation and 1 part illuminator for that dewy, healthy look, but I can’t do it, since I’m afraid it’ll make my face shine terribly 😛
I picked this up recently and I’m obsessed with it, it’s just so pretty!
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Megan: My sentiments exactly, Megs! 😛
Ohh I like it!!! sadly I can’t find this brand here :s i’ll search online! thanks for sharing!!
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Idaira: It’s available here if you’re interested: http://www.fashionaddict.com.au
It ships overseas too 😛
Thank you so much beauty!!!!
Idaira recently posted..KONJAC PINK FRENCH CLAY SPONGE REVIEW [ENG]
Loved your post on illuminators. I can’t live without them, especially after receiving tones of compliments when I wear them out. My favorite illuminator would be red earths secret potion, it’s a bit pricey but I got them during a sale last 2 years and I have never stopped using them. I usually mix them with my bb cream or applied on my forehead and cheeks, and like you I have really oily foreheads too 🙂
Biianca: Oooh that’s a good tip, mixing with BB cream. I’ll have to give that a go. Thanks! 😀