Wet n Wild Megaglo Makeup Stick Highlight When The Nude Strikes! Hot or Not!? #crueltyfree

I'm a huge fan of Wet n Wild cosmetics. They make some fabulous products at affordable prices and they are cruelty-free.  Like any line though, they have some products that are not so great but that is subjective as well.

I was on the search for the perfect cream highlighter that would be affordable and give me the glow that I'm looking for. I figured that I didn't have much to lose when I saw this new product by Wet n Wild, Afterall it was only about $5 CAD.

At the time that I purchased this, this shade "When the Nude Strikes," was the only shade available.

About: 
In one swipe of a stick, you can get catwalk-ready cheekbones, naturally flushed cheeks or an insanely glow-y complexion. Toss one of these portable makeup sticks in your purse or pocket and you’ll be camera-ready in less time it takes to double tap. 

Features:

• Velvety, cream-to-powder formula
• Ultra-blendable on the skin
• Ease of precision and control
• Multi-use sticks that conceal, highlight, contour and add a pop of colour to the cheeks
• Easy to blend formula that’s long-wearing and crease proof
• Ultra-portable sticks can be used anywhere, anytime
• Cruelty-Free

The cream formula is very creamy and easy to apply. It's very easy to control application which I liked.

I applied it to my cheeks using my fingertips or with cosmetic wedges/ sponges. Applied this way the product sheers out so you don't see the colour.

However, the product contains glitter (which doesn't show in the photos), but my face looked like a glitter bomb, which wasn't the "glow" that I was after. The name of the product made me think that I would get a glow and not glitter, but drugstore products are notorious for glitter.

If you do like glitter, I recommend this product but if you are just looking for a glow or just shimmer I would pass on this one.

So my search for a cream blush has ended. I am quite happy with my new Essence Pure Nude highlighter. Although it's a powder, it gives me the glow that I'm looking for! 😍

Elf Illuminating Palette Review with Swatches! Hot or Not!?

I've had my eye on this palette since it came out and I heard some reviews comparing it to the Hourglass Illuminating powders. I have always wanted to try the Hourglass powders but they are not in my current budget. So I didn't have much to lose by getting hold of this Elf Illuminating palette that is supposed to be a dupe. Since I don't own any Hourglass powders or any of their products for that matter, I obviously cannot compare them. However, I saw some comparison swatches from others and they really did look like dupes for one another.

I scooped up this palette for a steal! The palette is only $6 on Elf's website but I searched the Internet for some coupons to use on Elf's website and their checkout system allowed me to stack coupons, so it ended up costing me about $3 USD with FREE shipping! woohoo!

From Elf's website: "This beautiful illuminating palette holds 4 gorgeous complementary shades to mix and match for a custom blended radiance that captures, diffuses, and softens the way light reflects on the skin. The soft-focus powders are great for highlighting around the eyes and on cheekbones to enhance the skin with a luminous effect. Perfect for all skin tones."

The packaging is nice and sleek and it comes with a huge mirror! Like Elf's other new blush and bronzer quads this one also allows for each quadrant to be popped out so you can mix and match with you palettes. I have used all four colours and the top two are my favourites with the upper right, more pinky-toned one being my absolute favourite of the four. The bottom left one just blends in with my skin and the bottom right one would be great for deeper skin tones, or if you want that gorgeous, bronzy J-Lo glow!

I find that all of them provide a beautiful glow to my skin, no chunky glitter (although there is micro glitter that does not show up on my face, but I was able to see all the tiny glitters from the initial swatches on my arm). The powders do not accentuate pores or dryness or any skin imperfections which is huge for me, as I find that most highlighters accentuate at least some of those things and no one wants that. I find that the soft glow that these powders provide are ideal for dry or aging skin, and I should know as I have dehydrated and aging skin.

I took tons of pictures of the swatches and as I've seen in others reviews, they just show up powdery instead of glowy. I tried every lighting, angle, you name it! I promise you that they don't go on powdery. Somehow, once blended, you get a gorgeous glow.

Here are the best shots I could get:

Overall, I am in love with this palette and unless something better comes along I would buy it again and again. I can definitely say that these are my favourite highlighters of all the highlights I have ever tried. Which says a lot seeing as I've tried a ton of highlighters. So, if you want a beautiful soft glow as a highlight, what are you waiting for?! I don't think you'll be disappointed. Personally, I'm obsessed!

Have you tried this? What are your thoughts on it? Do you have any fab budget beauty buys to share?

Ps. Come on over and join the fun at fabulousandfunlife's weekly beauty linkup party!

Amy

XX