The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer – Review & swatches

There has been quite some rave reviews of this product all over the internet so of course I had to give it a try.

Mary-Lou Manizer
Meet Mary-Lou Manizer, a seemingly innocent honey-hued luminizer that catches everybody’s eye. This highlighter, shadow and shimmer diffuses light so your skin looks softer and younger while adding a subtle glow.

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer - Swatch

My thoughts
The packaging is just adorable to begin with. And you get plenty of product for the price you pay which is amazing. I mean seriously, I have been using it for a month and a half and it still looks like it hasn’t been touched at all.

I wouldn’t label it THE BEST highlighter out there. It definitely has its cons. But let’s focus on the good parts first. I like the texture and feel of the product; it’s finely milled and spreads like butter. It’s also very pigmented hence you need a tiny amount to get the job done. It has a beautiful champagne hue which appears very natural against my complexion (NC25-30 in MAC). The best part about Mary-Lou is perhaps that it doesn’t appear shimmery or glittery on my face. It almost looks like I’ve applied a cream highlighter. It also looks absolutely gorgeous on the inner corners of the eye and bridge of the nose.

It lasts surprisingly well on my skin considering that my T-zone gets slightly shiny after 3-4 hours.

The only thing that troubles me is that it’s still a bit too metallic for my liking. I mean, I could clearly see those imperfections and pores getting emphasized soon as I apply it on my cheek bones. Moreover, it has the propensity to look patchy if not blended properly.

To wrap up, I’d just say it’s a very good highlighter and I personally enjoy using it. But it’s definitely not the best one I’ve tried. I still need to explore my options and settle for something that doesn’t emphasize my pores.

You might like it if…

• You think the packaging is adorable
• You get plenty of product for the price you pay
• It doesn’t appear glittery/shimmery
• It gives a gorgeous, natural-looking glow on your face
• The texture feels good. It’s also finely milled

You might not like it if…

• It emphasizes pores on your face
• It looks patchy if you don’t blend properly

My rating

4.5/5

The Balm  Mary-Lou Manizer is priced at $24 and can be purchased online from the website. You could also pick this online for Rs. 2400 from Rouge.

What do you think about it? Have you tried it yet?

PR sample(s) for consideration. This, however, has not affected my opinion. My loyalty is to my readers and being honest is my utmost responsibility. I have given my sincere opinion about the product(s) mentioned in this post. For more details, please go through my Disclosure Policy.

If you have any questions, you can have a look at FAQ or email me on info@sarahassansblog.com.

Belleme Shimmer Base – Review & swatches

For myself, I like having a glowy makeup on instead of looking dead matte and dull. Despite being a fan of matte foundations, I never forget to highlight my face.

Shimmer Base
Step up hydrated, healthy looking skin with Belleme's new Shimmer Base!

• Light, spreadable formula can be applied under your BB cream or foundation, or mixed with your shaded product for one-step makeup base application
• Acts as a primer to create a perfect surface that will hold your makeup in place all day long
• Fills in pores and fine lines for the smoothest tone and texture
• Pearl sheen diffuses light across the skin's surface to give you a subtle, elegant 'glow from within'
• Balances moisture and oil levels and brightens skin tone to a clean, dewy finish

Belleme Shimmer Base

Belleme Shimmer Base

Belleme Shimmer Base - Swatch

Belleme Shimmer Base - Before & After Application

My thoughts
The shimmer base comes in a 30g tube. I love how it’s packed – it’s utterly adorable, isn’t it? The consistency of the product is thin but not runny so it won’t spill; it spreads and blends easily. Besides, the formula is hydrating, feels light and does not cling to dry areas on my face which is nice. I haven’t noticed any scent on it so basically, it’s fragrance-free.

Thankfully, it has no scary shimmer in it. The delicate shimmer only shows up as pink pearly sheen  which looks absolutely natural on my face. You could either apply this all over your face before your foundation or you could simply apply on top of your blush for targeted highlighting.

The product claims to act as a primer and pore-minimizer. Though it does provide a smooth base for makeup to spread on but I fail to agree with its pore diminishing pledge. It does not minimize my pores whatsoever or hold my makeup longer like other primers do. As a matter of fact, it makes my T-zone shiny after a couple of hours. If you happen to have combination/oily skin type, you might not enjoy it as much as ladies with dry/normal skins.

Overall, I like this. I know I would be reaching for this a lot when the weather is cold and dry out here.

You might like it if…

• You like dewy makeup
• You expect it to hydrate your skin
• It provides a smooth base for makeup
• It appears very natural-looking
• You have dry/normal skin type
• You are using this in a cold, dry weather

You might not it if…

• It doesn’t minimizes pores for you
• It doesn’t hold makeup for long
• You have combination/oily skin
• You are using it in a hot and sticky weather conditions

My rating

3.5/5

Belleme Shimmer Base is priced at PKR 1530. The good news is, it's available on a discounted price of PKR 1120 on Lush Grooming Bargains -- the official retailer of Abbamart's Makeup line Belleme Cosmetics in Pakistan. Folks abroad can check out Abbamart.com.

What do you think about it? Have you tried it?

PR sample(s) sent for review. This however has not affected my opinion at all. My loyalty is to my readers and being honest is my utmost responsibility. I have given my sincere opinion about the product(s) mentioned in the post. For more details, please go through my Disclosure Policy.

If you have any questions, you can have a look at FAQ or email me on info@sarahassansblog.com.

Essence Circus Circus Highlighter Powder It’s Magic – Review & swatches

I cannot imagine leaving out a highlighter in my daily makeup routine. I love how it adds a gorgeous glow to my skin instantaneously.

Circus Circus Highlighter Powder in 01 It’s Magic (limited edition)
Curtains up for a perfect complexion! The subtle highlighter powder not only brightens up your complexion, but your eyes too! Delicate shimmer particles set enchanting accents on your face, neck and décolleté for a splendid finale in the circus arena!

Essence Circus Circus Highlighter Powder It’s Magic

Essence Circus Circus Highlighter Powder It’s Magic

Essence Circus Circus Highlighter Powder It’s Magic

Essence Circus Circus Highlighter Powder It’s Magic - Swatch

Essence Circus Circus Highlighter Powder It’s Magic - Swatch

My thoughts
I am pleasantly surprised by the product. This is hands down the best drugstore highlighter I have come upon to date. I was blown away by the texture and pigmentation of this product the first time I tried it. The texture is soft and applies like a dream. Also, it’s richly pigmented – little goes a long way! I love the embossed circus tent on it; I think it’s cute. It comes in a huge 9g pan which is plenty to last me a few years. The packaging is well-made and the lid locks properly which makes it good to travel with.

It’s Magic is a universally flattering, light champagne gold with minute light reflecting shimmer. I've been wearing it almost daily during day time and I don’t think it makes my face look outrageously sparkly. As I said, it's very pigmented so make sure you keep a light hand while applying. It wears for good five hours and gives just the right amount of glow to my face without turning me into a disco ball. I noticed that it slightly emphasizes pores and other imperfections which is the only snag that I could find but it doesn’t bother me a lot as it doesn’t appear frosty. It leaves my skin with a perfect golden sheen and gives me that sun-kissed radiance which I love! The one thing that could bother you is that there is a lot of fallout in the pan which makes it look dirty after each use. I don't consider it to be much of an issue though; I just sweep my finger across the rim of the pan and it's clean again.

All in all, I think this product is great value for the price. Unfortunately, it’s an L.E so if you’re planning on getting this, better hurry up!

You might like it if…

• You want add a glow to your skin
• You fancy champagne gold highlighters
• You think it’s travel-friendly
• You expect good pigmentation and wear time
• You think it has a soft texture that applies smoothly
• You love the price

You might not like it if…

• It slightly enhances pores and other imperfections
• Fallout in the pan bothers you

My rating

4.5/5

Essence Circus Circus Highlighter Powder It’s Magic is priced at PKR 460 and can be purchased online at Just4girls.pk. Join Essence Pakistan on Facebook to stay updated.

What do you think about it? Have you tried it yet?