Positively Glowing: A Highlighter & Priming Duo that provides Good Vibes, an aura of Love and a Glowing Beam.

By Amanda V.

When cult favorite online beauty brand (as well as a major favorite of mine)  Colourpop Cosmetics announced that they were releasing a crystal infused collection I just knew that I had to get in on this. 

ROSE QUARTZ : This stone of the heart will attract love, keep love and help mend a broken heart. 

That's what you read when you first open the box of the Rose Quartz crystal priming spray and crystal liquid highlighter. I already feel surrounded by infinite mini pink heart emojis while unboxing these bottles gems!!

This liquid highlighter isn't completely overpowering, it is very sheer and the intensity of it's beam can be built. It mixed so well with my NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer and My Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint. When Spot highlighting, I use a Small duo fibre brush (which I love for all of my liquid highlighters) and press into my skin and then use either my fingers or a Beauty Blender to make it appear more seamless. The light (especially natural sunlight) catches the reflects of the crushed crystals in this highlighter so beautiful, making you look like an ethereal goddess. The highlighter worked well with my sensitive, Dry combo skin and had no negative reaction to it as with all of my Colourpop products which is why I love the brand so much, other than their cute, witty names for shades and inexpensive price tag. 

As The Hoodwitch says, "Rose Quartz nurtures and aids in the use of positive affirmations. Self-Love & Self Trust". 

The Rose Quartz Crystal Priming Spray has been quite the refresher after skincare, before makeup application. I use it the way I used to use my Mac Fix+ as a Priming mist. This Spray is Hydrating and perfect for those with dry skin. Along with crushed rose quartz crystals, this spray also has major beauty benefits like apple extracts to bump up that hydration, grapefruit extract to provide antioxidants and vitamins and it also contains an Olive Oil derived moisturizer for a dewy gleam as your base pre makeup application. To be honest when I read the words "OLIVE OIL",  I was a bit skeptical because I thought "Oh my God, what if it clogs my pores? or possibly break me out?' but thankfully it did neither. My skin felt moisturized, soft, cool and refreshed. I found the subtle grapefruit scent to be revitalizing. Along with the aquamarine crystal setting spray, My makeup application seemed to last throughout a full work day like it normally does, then again I don't really wear too much. With that being said, I don't know how long it will last with a FULL FACE as in foundation, cream contour and highlight, bronzer, powder, etc. I haven't tried it with a full face yet. I'm hopeful it would work. 

The Crystal Collection was said to be Limited Edition (as with a majority of their products) but I have a good feeling they will be re-releasing these gems, and for $6 for the Priming Spray and $9 for the liquid highlighter, it is SO worth a try!!! Search the product on Colourpop.com, click on the product and add your email address to be notified when they come back out. 

Your best glow can be found in the skincare aisle! Algenist REVEAL Concentrated Luminizing Drops is a 5 Star Gem!

By: Amanda V.

I, the self-proclaimed glow queen has come across yet another gorgeous highlighter, this time from high end skincare brand Algenist. Being that this product ISN'T laid out there with the other makeup products throughout all of Sephora, you would more than likely walk past this and not know that your best glow yet even exists!

You can see the shimmering glow dripping off of the dropper. its so gorgeously pearlescent. 

I am a major fan of liquid highlighters and this one is no exception. This serum formula gives a gorgeous dewy effect and I love the way it sinks into the skin rather than lay on top, especially for the hot and humid summer months. This gorgeous highlighter was love at first drop. The iridescent sheen pulled on my heartstrings. I love how the beam can be built from subtle radiance to an intense glow yet still feel so incredibly lightweight and airy. It feels like nothing on the skin. You can apply with your fingers or a brush like Real Techniques' duo fibre contour brush (which is my go to for liquid highlighters) and then tap  a tiny bit with a beauty blender just to blend out any harsh lines and make it seamless. It seemed to last an entire work day which is major. This liquid highlight may give a dew effect but it doesn't set wet. It sets kind of like a semi matte, So this will work for all skin types even for all of you oily babes out there. Also, It works so well with my sensitive skin but I felt like that was a given coming from a great skincare brand. The highlighter is formulated to work well with mature skin as it has gold pigments and ultra fine luminous pearls that don't crease into fine lines and wrinkles as well as Alguronic Acid to reduce the appearance of them. You can mix this into your moisturizer for a brightening effect and even your foundation for a diffused soft focus effect to the skin. This highlighter contains an AlgaCorrecting Complex that aids in color correction and treats uneven skin tone. It is also formulates without synthetic dyes, parabens or sulfates and is dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic. ALL OF THIS SKINCARE MAGIC WHILE GIVING YOU A BOMB GLOW!!! YES PLEASE!!!

This is a swatch on my medium skin tone (with flash) & The beam is real!!! It will photograph beautifully. This is in the shade "Champagne". 

The Algenist REVEAL Concentrated Luminzing Drops comes in 3 different shades, "Rosé", "Champagne" and "Pearl". This highlighter is more on the pricier side, retailing for $38 and you get 0.5oz of product. A single drop of this product goes a very long way. Although it may seem small, you're still getting alot of glow for your buck. You can find this Product at Sephora Stores and Sephora.com as well as Algenist.com.