Anastasia Beverly Hills (ABH) Highlighter in Riviera on Tan/ Olive /Asian/ Indian Skintones NC37-NC42

As all of you beauty addicts know that highlighters are the central of the makeup world right now, and ABH are quick to introduce their own line.

At first I read a brief comment on 'dupethat' instagram referring these as 'quite thin' it made me a bit apprehensive nonetheless I still wanted to give it a shot!

I didn't know which one to purchase, I was stuck between Riviera & Peach Nectar. Although So Hollywood is the most popular (typical gold highlighter which is a dupe of MAC - whisper of guilt/ Estee Lauder - Heatwave), I actually wasn't drawn to it, overtime I've realised I actually think more neutral toned highlighters suit my complexion. Eventually I decided I wanted Rivera it looked so unique and I didn't want anything too warm toned, 

Just going to put it out there - HANDS DOWN BEST HIGHLIGHT EVER! The formula is beautifullllll and the colour is so unique its quite cool toned but has a subtle warmth about it in some lights (pictures attached below). It's a mix of silver, tan, bronze, cool toned rose. 

Prior to trying the ABH highlighter theBalm - Mary Loumanizer was my favourite, it still is (they're both on par... I think) the texture is very pigmented, flawless and striking without looking patchy & OTT. Starlight by ABH reminds me of Mary Loumanizer, I might have to invest in it some time & try the products out side by side to compare the colours and ultimately decide which formula I prefer. Tbh I think I'm going to pick up all the shades they have to offer. So Hollywood would probably be the last one I purchase as I'm guessing it's a dupe to my Laura Geller - Gilded Honey & not far off from Becca - Champagne Pop which I was highly disappointed yuin the formula & colour. It's patchy and doesn't look a appealing as my other highlighters on the skin and It doesn't scream peach to me, hence my next purchase will be Peach Nectar - very excited to try this one out!

Photo taken in dimlight with flash

Natural light

With Flash

Sometimes lighting & flash makes it looks slightly more warm toned at certain angles on my tan/olive skin

Golden Toned Highlighters

Review & Comparison of Gerard Cosmetics Marilyn; Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop and Laura Geller Gilded Honey

Gerard Cosmetics Star Powder: Marilyn

I was quite excited about this product after seeing many swatches and all the hype across social media. When GC had 45% off site wide plus free worldwide shipping I thought this would be a great opportunity to purchase Marilyn. I wanted to try out Lucy too but luckily I didn't waste my money on it.... Yepp this obviously shows my dislike for the product and here's why. 

It is very chunky, emphasises pores and doesn't really have much of a glow/glisten rather instead it has a metallic flat tone to it. It's not super pigmented either and has a very chalky cheap feel to it. 

Swatched below is doesn't really show up but on the skin with fix + it does look better and is quite reminiscent of Mac vanilla pigment without the white glow look just s true gold. The packaging itself is pretty although made from cheap plastic. But what I love most about it is the plastic protector that covers the highlighter from the mirror. It's hands down become my go to mirror for close ups during makeup application and touch ups when I'm out. If anything it's worth it for that!

If you don't have many pores and want a true gold highlight. Then with a densely packed brush with fix + on it still would give a pretty gold toned highlight. 

5/10

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter: Jaclyn Hill x Champagne Pop 

This was the highlighter I was most excited about. It is limited edition but not as limited edition as I thought it was going to be. I wish I waited a while to order it because I really wanted to purchase 'kvd - bow & arrow' but didn't wait for its re-release and jumped online as soon as champagne pop was live on sephora... And a sephora haul is pretty pricey including tax and shipping. I won't be surprised if this eventually becomes permanent. 

Anyways onto the highlighter itself, it is the priciest one out of the three retailing at $38. Although it is described as a peach tone highlighter you'll see swatched on my skin some pink tones rather then a straight up peach. However on my face once applied it looks more gold then anything. My hand swathes are quite terrible as it never looks the same at all on my skin. 

Before I purchased champagne pop I was about to purchase opal to try out the raved about becca skin perfecters... I do really like them, emphasis on 'really like' and not love. I don't know if it's the formula or the shade or just because I was underwhelmed after the immense hype these get. Don't get me wrong it is beautiful and pigmented and gives a strong sheen highlight and the texture is quite smooth too but I was just expecting more from it and for it to be unique. I wanted to love the shade more and it to show up more peachy on my skin but it didn't. It did emphasise my pores a bit too and I still find the intensity on par with my 'the balm - Mary lounanizer' if anything that one probably gives me more of an intense highlight and is a lot for affordable. 

8/10

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator: Gilded Honey

Out of the three highlighters this was one I almost passed on, well I actually did. I seen swatches and though 'nehh too gold' not needed and won't flatter my skintone. But then when I seen it next to whisper of guilt and heatwave I wanted it badly, but it was sold out. Recently I found it on beauty bay and didn't think twice before ordering it which included free shipping. 

To begin with let's start on the packaging which I find quite disappointing for such a high end product. It comes in a little plastic container with less product then a typical Illuminator. It's more the size of a blusher... But boy does the product make up for it. It is the most beautiful highlight ever. The texture is gorgeous and best of all it kind of disguises your pores, I'm guessing that's because of the baked formula. The shade is more of a gold with a very slight peach tinge but shows up more gold iridescent toned once applied, it gives of a metal sheen esp when fix + is used with it. It's so intense and flawless looking. It's what I expected the Becca highlighter to be. 

I definitely want to try the other shade out and would recommend it to everyone. It's hands down my favourite highlight and I'm so obsessed with it. I'll be doing a future post just based on this illuminator and full face make up pictures showing how much it glows. Only knocked off half a point because of the packaging. 

9.5/10

Below you can see the difference in packaging. Gerard Cosmetics is quite sleek and pretty although the material of the packaging is plastic. The Becca one is quite sophisticated with a sturdy packaging and as you can see the Laura Geller one is much smaller with a clear plastic packaging, 

Here they are side by side

From Left to Right: Marilyn, Champagne Pop, Gilded Honey

The picture of my hand swatches aren't necessarily true to form as they all appear different on my face. But you can see how Marilyn is more of a true robust gold with a flatter texture and Gilded Honey is more intense in pigment. 

Too Faced Sweetheart Blush Dupe

Pink, Shimmery, Golden tones all in a beautiful packaged heart, what's there not to love? Minus the £21 price tag....

Too Faced Sweetheart Blush

Too Faced Sweetheart Blush is this pretty heart boxed blush that comes in 3 corresponding shimmery shades. Well Makeup Revolution (Queen of Dupes) have come out with a very close replicate, with what they've named - Blushing Hearts, I must say the product does also replicate high end quality as the blushers reminded me somewhat of the MAC msf. The shine and consistency was smooth and pigmented. I can't compare the blush to the toofaced one (it's on my wishlist though) but at £4.99 the packaging & the product is worth every penny. The lighter two shades have replaced my high-end highlighters, it's all I reach for lately.

Enough talk, here's what you all came for swatch galore :D

Too Faced Sweetheart Blush dupes.. Makeup Revolution Blushing Hearts

Iced Hearts - The last swatch is of all 3 mixed together

Makeup Revolution Blushing Hearts in Peachy Pink Kisses

Peachy Keen - This one i use as a blush & highlighter combined

Peachy Keen in the pan looks identical to Too Faced Sweetheart Blush in Peach Beach, the swatches don't look far off either. Another identical dupe is Makeup-Revolution Candy Queen of Hearts for Too Faced Sweetheart Blush in Something About Berry, I don't own that one as of yet... ;)