Nature Republic Provence Blending Highlighter (Swatch and Review)

another item from my korean beauty haul! one of the items that i was really really excited to try.

this is a liquid highlighter which can be used on its own or mixed with your foundation for an overall highlighted effect. i think it's a pretty good way to make your skin glow without making it look oily.

this isn't the most popular item from nature republic, but ever since i saw the etude house nymph aura volumer, i was bent on getting something similar. i actually noticed their blending glow from the same provence line first.i almost bought that as well but i decided that it would be insane to wear such a rich and oily thing on my skin in singapore, so i turned to the highlighter instead. i'm going crazy over highlighting products anyway.


chubby little tube fits into my hand just right.


comes in a convenient squeeze tube with a small opening.


swatched on hand: unblended

fresh off the tube, it looks like a pinkish pearly liquid.


swatched: blended out on arm

once it's blended, the colour isn't visible anymore. what's left is a subtle reflective surface that resembles a mirror. the finish is more metallic than pearly.


swatched: in different lighting, natural light vs flash light.

it gives off a slight reflective sheen that is close to the skin thanks to its liquid formula. compared to the side without, you can tell the difference!

colour: slightly pink when freshly squeezed, but blends out to nothing.
texture: very light weight, a little watery (surprise!) spreads very easily.
fragrance: has a soft floral scent, smells like the shine blossom blush



IMHO
i haven't tried mixing this with my foundation yet, but i've worn this alone as a highlighter and i love how closely it clings onto my skin.

it differs a little from my canmake highlighter as that contains some fillers to give a slight whitish colour. this is just reflective particles in a translucent base, giving you a very soft and subtle highlight instead of looking like an oily mess.

as the finish is more metallic than pearly, it may not be as natural looking as a pearly highlighter. the finish actually resembles the daiso ellefar nose highlight powder, except without that powdery-ness. both have that metallic sheen to it.

since this is a liquid product, it's best to be laid on top of the liquid foundation before setting with a powder. i think this would be perfect for the winter and it tends to be drier, but for singapore, i still end up using my powder highlighter more.

that doesn't mean i don't like this product though! just didn't have enough occasions to use it! if i'm back in hongkong during winter i'll definitely use this.

my gf bought this for me in korea for 10900 won.

IN A NUTSHELL
1. metallic reflection
2. lightweight and watery
3. blends easily
4. perfect for highlighting the nosebridge and cheek area
5. can be mixed with foundation for a dewy glow.

MAKEUP LOOK

Daiso Ellefar Nose Highlight Powder (Swatch and Review)

i remember seeing this in hong kong a year ago, but i never got it and regretted not getting it. the next time i saw it in singapore's daiso, i picked it up. it's only SGD2! even if it doesn't work as a highlighter, i thought i have other uses for it.


the powder looks white, but it's actually off white. not so much of a "pink" though. however when i compared it to the other colour (white) they offer, this colour appears a little pinker than that. the other one is just whitish/silvery/ashy. it's a loose powder.


it comes with suggested usage instructions: T zong, brow bone, below the eyebrow, below the eyes, and the inner corner of the eyes.


ingredient list.


it says ellefar hanataka powder (high nose literally) B. it's a face powder, and in the colour pearl pink. i guess the rest of it says to use it on the cheeks and nose for added dimensions, and it's supposed to be used with a brush.


close up of the highlighter on my hand. it amazed me pretty much because it is really reflective!!! once it's on the skin you really can't detect a hint of pink, but who knows, perhaps the white one will appear ashy?


concentrated swatch on the left, blended out on the right.

the powder is smooth and very finely milled. if you get enough on your finger it can look like a mirror (exaggeration). but i did end up with a silver finger. there isn't much colour to it, i really can't tell the pink from it. it does give off a beautiful sheen.


seen from three different angles to show the sheen and finish.


IMHO:
i still remember the first time i swatced it after i got home.
"OMG THIS THING IS AMAZING!" and i got so excited at its pearliness! ok, it's not entirely pearly. it more metallic than pearly in my opinion. the powder are so fine, it feels like a mirror more than a metal, if you get what i mean.

it's just a wonderful product for the price i paid. the only downside is that it's a loose powder. perhaps i'm too used to using pressed powders, i need some time to get used to this form. also, it doesn't come up with any puff, make it very messy if you are to bring this thing out with you.

surprisingly, i haven't used this as my nose highlight yet. however, i used this on my eyelids (both the upper lid and inner half of my lower lid). it made my eyeball look 3D no joke, it was popping out of the mirror (exaggeration). on my lower lid it gave me cute aegyo sal. :P

i bought this for SGD$2.