beauty
highlighters
reviews
shopping guide
Highlighters have experienced something of a resurgence in recent years, and there's a wide variety of textures, finishes and intensities on the market.
A highlighter is designed to lift the face, drawing light where you want to draw attention or create lift. They can be used in conjunction with a bronzer or contour, but I love using them without either. My preferred formula for a highlighter is cream, as I find the finish more natural. Creams don't draw attention to uneven texture (whether it's roughness, blemishes or fine lines) the way powder does, and looks more natural and seamless.
You apply highlighter to the high points of the face — the tops of the cheekbones, cupid's bow (the ^^ of your top lip), bridge of the nose (please don't apply it to the tip!), and inner corner of the eye. I also like to apply it sparingly to the very center of the eyelid, at the base of the lashes, so it catches the light as you move, and underneath the brow bone. As with all makeup, the key is to blend it well.
Choosing the right highlighter online can be tricky, so I've given a short review of some of my favourite organic highlighters I've tried below. I've also photographed them all together so you can see the different textures and shades.
The shimmer particles are incredibly fine, so there is no glitter whatsoever, making this perfect for a natural look, and mature skin.
If you have darker skin, don't fear it's white appearance. With a coconut oil base, it's more clear than white and just provides a pretty glow.
Use code LIBERTYGREEN20 to save 20% off
This is a gorgeous warm, rose gold-toned liquid highlighter. This product is quite sheer, so if your skin is quite fair don't shy away. My favourite way to use this is underneath makeup as an illuminating primer, then take whatever is left on the back of my hand and apply to the high points of the face as per usual.
I also love adding a few drops to my shoulders & collar bones for a subtle, golden glow. You can also mix 2-3 drops into your foundation for a more luminous, sheer finish. The shimmer particles are very fine, so you won't look like a disco ball, I promise ;)
With it's golden vanilla tone, I love this for when I want a more golden or warmer look, and it's heavier texture makes it brilliant for highlighting the collar bone. It blends easily and also comes in a more bronze tone (Sun Halo) for darker skin tones. Because it has more of a tint to it, this highlighter works especially well for skin tones from medium through to dark.
Top 9 Organic & Natural Highlighters Comparison & Review
Highlighters have experienced something of a resurgence in recent years, and there's a wide variety of textures, finishes and intensities on the market.
A highlighter is designed to lift the face, drawing light where you want to draw attention or create lift.
A highlighter is designed to lift the face, drawing light where you want to draw attention or create lift. They can be used in conjunction with a bronzer or contour, but I love using them without either. My preferred formula for a highlighter is cream, as I find the finish more natural. Creams don't draw attention to uneven texture (whether it's roughness, blemishes or fine lines) the way powder does, and looks more natural and seamless.
You apply highlighter to the high points of the face — the tops of the cheekbones, cupid's bow (the ^^ of your top lip), bridge of the nose (please don't apply it to the tip!), and inner corner of the eye. I also like to apply it sparingly to the very center of the eyelid, at the base of the lashes, so it catches the light as you move, and underneath the brow bone. As with all makeup, the key is to blend it well.
Choosing the right highlighter online can be tricky, so I've given a short review of some of my favourite organic highlighters I've tried below. I've also photographed them all together so you can see the different textures and shades.
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| Clockwise from centre bottom: Edible Beauty Luminous Angel Drops, Maya Chia Highlight of the Day Golden Hour, Kjaer Weis Radiance, Vapour Beauty Halo Illuminator 24k, RMS Beauty Master Mixer, RMS Beauty Living Luminiser, Ere Perez Versatile Vanilla Highlighter Falling Star & Edible Beauty Luminous Angel Highlighting Creme |
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| Kjaer Weis Radiance |
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rms beauty Living Luminiser
This was the first organic highlighter I ever purchased, and it will hold a special place in my heart (and my make-up bag!) forever because of this. But, for products to find a permanent place in my kit, that have to perform. The rms beauty Living Luminiser is glowing skin in a pot. This sheer white-based highlighter blends beautifully onto the skin to give a stunning dewy, lit-from-within look.The shimmer particles are incredibly fine, so there is no glitter whatsoever, making this perfect for a natural look, and mature skin.
If you have darker skin, don't fear it's white appearance. With a coconut oil base, it's more clear than white and just provides a pretty glow.
Edible Beauty Luminous Angel Highlighting Drops
Use code LIBERTYGREEN20 to save 20% off
This is a gorgeous warm, rose gold-toned liquid highlighter. This product is quite sheer, so if your skin is quite fair don't shy away. My favourite way to use this is underneath makeup as an illuminating primer, then take whatever is left on the back of my hand and apply to the high points of the face as per usual.
I also love adding a few drops to my shoulders & collar bones for a subtle, golden glow. You can also mix 2-3 drops into your foundation for a more luminous, sheer finish. The shimmer particles are very fine, so you won't look like a disco ball, I promise ;)
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Ere Perez Versatile Vanilla Highlighter (Falling Star)
With it's golden vanilla tone, I love this for when I want a more golden or warmer look, and it's heavier texture makes it brilliant for highlighting the collar bone. It blends easily and also comes in a more bronze tone (Sun Halo) for darker skin tones. Because it has more of a tint to it, this highlighter works especially well for skin tones from medium through to dark.
rms beauty Master Mixer
The rms beauty Master Mixer isn't just a highlighter. This rose-gold little wonder can also be mixed with any other product, or applied anywhere on the face to add warmth (cheeks, bridge of nose, eyelids) or a rose gold tone and added dimension (lips).
The Master Mixer is slightly drier in texture than the Living Luminiser, yet just as blendable and one of my favourite products.
Again because of the warm tint, this highlighter also works well for any skin tone from light, to medium through to dark.
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| Maya Chia Highlight of the Day Golden Hour |
Kjaer Weis Radiance Highlighter // International
Radiance has a slightly cool lilac or lavender tone in the pan, but it blends absolutely beautifully on the skin. You can really build this up for an incredibly glam effect, or keep it light for a more natural look. The shimmer particles are probably most obvious in this highlighter out of them all, but they are still fine enough that you certainly don't look like you're wearing glitter on your face.
My skin tone is neutral so I can wear both warm and cool tones, but if your skin is on the cool side, then this highlighter would be perfect for you. For a cream, the Kjaer Weis Highlighters are very light on the skin and drier than other cream-based products.
Lily Lolo Sculpt & Glow Contour Duo (Highlighter)
This pressed powder highlighter is a soft honey-vanilla tone and it blends well over the skin.
The Lily Lolo Highlighter is flat (no shimmer particles). It gives a gorgeous glow, and can be used in a full contour and highlight application, on all areas of the face, due to the finish and tones.
It builds up well, so for a really defined cheekbone, you can simply layer it up.
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| Edible Beauty Luminous Angel Highlighting Creme |
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| Ere Perez Versatile Vanilla Highlighter Falling Star |
Maya Chia Highlight of the Day
This comes in four different shades, I have it in Golden Hour.
Golden Hour is a warm white-based highlighter, similar to the RMS Living Luminiser, but warmer, and less transparent. This liquid highlighter is more pigmented than the Edible Beauty Luminous Angel Drops. The shimmer particles in this highlighter are more prominent, but due to being more concentrated/pigmented — not because they are large and obvious.
I absolutely adore this highlighter — liquids take a little more effort than cream or powder, but the beauty of the finish is worth it. I wear this whenever I feel like I want some sparkle and something extra without being over the top.
Edible Beauty Luminous Angel Highlighting Creme
Use code LIBERTYGREEN20 to save 20% off
This creme is intensely pigmented with a rich, copper to rose gold tone. It has a whipped, mousse-like texture and is lighter than the other cream highlighters mentioned, with a drier finish. Apply onto the back of the hand and tap onto the high points of the face. I also like to mix this with Alima Pure's Loose Shimmer Eyeshadows, to amp up the shimmer and give a slightly metallic finish to the eye.
You can also mix it with your tinted moisturiser, primer or body lotion for a subtle all-over glow!
Vapour Beauty Halo Illuminator | USA
I have this in the shade 24k, which is a pale golden highlighter and a limited edition for the 2018 holidays. This highlighter is probably the sheerest out of all of them, adding subtle warmth and glow to the skin. Even if you are quite fair, or have redness in the skin, you would be able to pull this highlighter off, as it doesn't have the red base the other rose-gold highlighters have.
The Vapour Halo Illuminator layers well and can be built up for a more obvious highlight, or worn as a sheer, subtle glow.
Overall
If I had to choose a favourite...it would probably be the RMS Living Luminiser, or Kjaer Weis Radiance, however, each product I've mentioned works well for different skin tones, or tastes.
Do you have a favourite highlighter, or any that aren't on this list? Let me know below and don't forget you can always ask any questions by emailing me, or via instagram!
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Do you have a favourite highlighter, or any that aren't on this list? Let me know below and don't forget you can always ask any questions by emailing me, or via instagram!
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Honua Skincare
one fine secret
reviews
skincare
Honua Skincare is not a brand I'd heard of until recently, but I immediately fell in love with the concept of the brand and simplicity of the line.
Created by esthetician Kapua Browning to use on her clients, Honua Skincare began on the islands of Hawaii, and is now based in California. Honua Skincare is committed to supporting local farmers, using 100% natural ingredients, and all of their packaging is either 100% compostable or recyclable, created with windpower and using vegetable-based inks.
Available in Australia from One Fine Secret, a clean beauty store based in Melbourne & online. This gorgeous space evokes a sense of calm, and founders Kayla and John are both so lovely to chat with. One Fine Secret carries a carefully curated selection of Australian & international brands, ensuring the products are truly natural, cruelty free & effective.
I've been using the Honua Pa'akai Cleansing Cream & Honua Hawaiian Beauty Water, and my review of both is below. I also have a giveaway for both products at the end of my review, so make sure you enter that!
Join the Secret Circle to get 10% off your first order at One Fine Secret.
With Hawaiian salt, aloalo (hibiscus) and limu (seaweed extract), this cleanser deeply cleanses the skin without leaving it feeling stripped, tight or squeaky. The AHA acid from the hibiscus will help to refine pores, texture and uneven skintone.
Honua Skincare Pa'akai Cleansing Cream & Hawaiian Beauty Water Review & Giveaway
Honua Skincare is not a brand I'd heard of until recently, but I immediately fell in love with the concept of the brand and simplicity of the line.
Created by esthetician Kapua Browning to use on her clients, Honua Skincare began on the islands of Hawaii, and is now based in California. Honua Skincare is committed to supporting local farmers, using 100% natural ingredients, and all of their packaging is either 100% compostable or recyclable, created with windpower and using vegetable-based inks.
Available in Australia from One Fine Secret, a clean beauty store based in Melbourne & online. This gorgeous space evokes a sense of calm, and founders Kayla and John are both so lovely to chat with. One Fine Secret carries a carefully curated selection of Australian & international brands, ensuring the products are truly natural, cruelty free & effective.
I've been using the Honua Pa'akai Cleansing Cream & Honua Hawaiian Beauty Water, and my review of both is below. I also have a giveaway for both products at the end of my review, so make sure you enter that!
Join the Secret Circle to get 10% off your first order at One Fine Secret.
The packaging for both of these products is so beautiful — I love the frosted glass and branding and they look gorgeous in the bathroom/vanity. The boxes are also quite unusual, unfolding like you're unwrapping a present.
Aside from the gorgeous colours of the products (who ever said no to a pink cleanser), I love when I can see exactly how much product is left, so I know when I need to repurchase, rather than getting caught short the evening you're wearing a face full of makeup and waterproof eyeliner ;)
Honua Pa'akai Cleansing Cream | SHOP
If you aren't already using a cream cleanser, what are you waiting for? They are generally more gentle on the skin, leaving it refreshed, soft and supple, and Honua's Pa'akai Cleanser is no exception.
Apply to 2-3 pumps to dry skin, massage, then add a splash of water to emulsify and transform it into a creamy milk, before rinsing off.
Described as an exfoliating 'glow potion', the Hawaiian Beauty Water is a gentle, natural acid exfoliant. If your skin is rough, uneven in tone or texture, congested (blackheads), has little bumps that you can feel under the skin or lacklustre in appearance, then it would benefit from something in your skincare routine that gives the skin a chemical exfoliation.
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This cleanser is very refreshing on bare skin, and also works well to remove makeup, but doesn't leave any residue behind. It's gentle enough to use daily — I only cleanse once per day (just a water rinse in the morning), but if you feel your skin needs it, you could use this twice daily without over-cleansing the skin. I think this cleanser would suit all skin concerns — it is good for my blemish-prone skin, aids in balancing oil production, yet is still gentle enough for dry and sensitive skin types.
Honua Hawaiian Beauty Water | SHOP
Honua uses 3 types of acid exfoliants (AHA, BHA & enzymes from papaya, hawaiian sugar & willow bark) that do all the work for you to gentle exfoliate the skin and leave you with a healthy glow.
Hibiscus (which is in both products) is a powerful antioxidant that helps to even skin tone and tighten pores. It has regenerating AHA Acid qualities without the irritation and contains mucilage to leave skin feeling plump and hydrated. This toner also contains Coconut Water to hydrate the skin.
How often you use the Hawaiian Beauty Water depends on your skin. I've been using it 2-3 times per week. If your skin is dry or sensitive, start out using it once to twice per week and see how you go from there. For normal to oily skin types, you can use it up to 5 times per week.
You can mix 2 pumps of the Beauty Water with the Cream Cleanser as a quick mask, apply to the skin for 15mins before massaging and rinsing. I love doing this when my skin feels like it needs a more thorough cleanse or refresh (like after a workout), but I don't have time for or need a clay mask.
How quickly you see results of brightening, evening of skin tone & texture and refining of the pores will depend on whether or not you're already using a chemical exfoliant. For me, I saw results within a few days. The Hawaiian Beauty Water has really helped to fade a few dark spots of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation I'd had for months (dark or red marks from blemishes).
Allow up to six weeks to notice the changes to your skin, which allows time for a full cell-turnover cycle. Often an acid exfoliant makes a subtle, but noticeable difference to the skin.
Hibiscus (which is in both products) is a powerful antioxidant that helps to even skin tone and tighten pores. It has regenerating AHA Acid qualities without the irritation and contains mucilage to leave skin feeling plump and hydrated. This toner also contains Coconut Water to hydrate the skin.
How often you use the Hawaiian Beauty Water depends on your skin. I've been using it 2-3 times per week. If your skin is dry or sensitive, start out using it once to twice per week and see how you go from there. For normal to oily skin types, you can use it up to 5 times per week.
Spritz onto a cotton round and apply to the skin. It's also great to use pre-makeup application to give the skin a quick cleanse and ensure a smooth canvas.
You can mix 2 pumps of the Beauty Water with the Cream Cleanser as a quick mask, apply to the skin for 15mins before massaging and rinsing. I love doing this when my skin feels like it needs a more thorough cleanse or refresh (like after a workout), but I don't have time for or need a clay mask.
How quickly you see results of brightening, evening of skin tone & texture and refining of the pores will depend on whether or not you're already using a chemical exfoliant. For me, I saw results within a few days. The Hawaiian Beauty Water has really helped to fade a few dark spots of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation I'd had for months (dark or red marks from blemishes).
Allow up to six weeks to notice the changes to your skin, which allows time for a full cell-turnover cycle. Often an acid exfoliant makes a subtle, but noticeable difference to the skin.
Overall & Giveaway
I love both products and will continue to use them regularly. Another point I love about Honua Skincare is that is sits at about mid-price range, so it's more accessible than many other brands.
I've partnered with One Fine Secret to giveaway the Honua Skincare Pa'akai Cleansing Cream & Honua Skincare Hawaiian Beauty Water to one lucky reader! Scroll down for details on how to enter.
Giveaway NOW CLOSED
One lucky reader will WIN a Honua Skincare Pa'akai Cleansing Cream and Honua Skincare Hawaiian Beauty Water!!
TO ENTER:
Entry is simple!
- Follow both @libertygreenau & @onefine.secret on Instagram
- Sign up for the Secret Circle at One Fine Secret (form is just below the homepage banner)
- Let us know you have done both steps in the comments on Instagram or below by leaving your name & instagram handle (so we can find you!)
GOOD LUCK!!
T&C's: Must have an Australian shipping address. Giveaway ends 14/02/19. Winner will be contacted via the email address used to join the Secret Circle. Winner will be contacted & announced with 5 business days of giveaway end. Giveaway is in no way associated, endorsed, sponsored by or affiliated with Instagram.
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Post may contain PR samples, affiliate link/s and/or affiliate discount codes. For full disclosure, please see here.
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