I’d been eyeing the numerous highlighters from Benefit but couldn’t really decide on any (High Beam? Moon Beam?) just because I didn’t feel too keen on using a liquid formula. Last year, they released a cream-to-powder highlighter called Watt’s Up!
Our soft focus highlighter turns on “watt” ya got with a delicate champagne glow that’s gorgeous. With a cream-to-powder finish… it’s a switch on “wow” for all complexions. You’ll adore the smooth applicator & luminous sheen.
As you can see, the packaging is darling (as is the copy), which is typical for Benefit products. This one’s particularly charming, though. ❤ I love it for that already.
It’s a lavender chrome geometric pretty little thing that has a cap up top (to protect the product) and a sponge-tip blender at the bottom. I actually thought that you turned the angular side to dispense the product through the sponge tip, but it opens up like this…
Et voilà! What I thought was a twisty thingy is a cap! I swear, I cranked this thing so much expecting a dollop of product on the other end. Because I’m an idiot.
The product comes in cream-stick form, which is protected by a plastic cap, apart from the main angular cap. It’s a pretty, creamy (not liquid-y) champagne that looks intimidatingly, well… shimmery. It’s not very shimmery, though. I find that the glow it gives is quite even and not sparkly, which is a definite plus! Who wants to look like a glitter bomb?
You just slide this on the usual places where the light would normally hit—brow bone, bridge of the nose, cheekbones, maybe your forehead—for a super glow.
The other end is a sponge blender, used to diffuse the glow and tone down the edges. Alternately, you can use your fingers, too.
This unblended swatch looks a bit harsh, but it’s concentrated on that one spot and the harsh edges are not blended out yet. The photograph was also taken directly under fluorescent light. Here is the same swatch, with the edges blended out, for that soft focus highlight:
For the look on my last post, I used it on my “cheekbones” and on the bridge of my nose. As you can see, Watt’s Up! dispenses a pretty glow that doesn’t turn you into a disco ball, especially when you use it sparsely and on the right places.
I usually use Guerlain Météorites as a highlighter, but this will do quite nicely, and is great for travel.
Also, in true Benefit form, here’s a cute video they made to feature their highlighters. Maybe it can help you decide which one is best for you!
VERDICT: Beautiful highlighter that doesn’t overdo it with the glow.
Will I repurchase? Absolutely.
How much? Php 1,600 or $30 for 9.4g or 0.33oz.
Where to buy in Manila? Benefit counters in Rustan’s department store, Benefit store in G/F Greenbelt 5.
Softly Sometimes 
I’ve been looking for a good highlighter and got turned off by Benefit’s High Beam because it was all glittery. Didn’t realize they had others – this looks promising 😀 and the packaging is a winner. I normally find Benefit a bit gimmicky but I actually like this. Will check it out… Uh oh @.@ #enabler
This does actually have a bit of a shimmer, though I don’t know if you can actually highlight without even a smidgen of glitter! I suggest you try this out, or well, I’ll be honest, you can just get yourself a pretty can of Guerlain Météorites and call it a day! Hehe.
The meteorites are visible enough to hilight? I was always under the impression that they were something like fairy dust… Oooh! How about the touché éclat? How does this compare?
They’re a highlighting powder talaga. I’ll be posting a photo with it as a highlighter in a few minutes then you can see which “effect” you’d like more. I’ve never used the Touché Éclat as a highlighter; I just put it on my under eye area. I like it a lot but I just borrowed my sister’s to try. 🙂
http://softly.nothingspaces.com/2013/01/01/shiseido-lacquer-rouge-in-rd305-nymph/ – Posted 🙂
I just checked Temptalia and can I just say, Guerlain Wulong HNGGGGGHHH @.@ saw your last post, and I think I’m more inclined to the meteorites – especially cos you mentioned they can be used as a finishing powder– does that mean if you put on moisturizer, you can brush it on to “mattify”?
It doesn’t really mattify and doesn’t do much for oil control. I would personally just use it for highlighting and uh, radiance-inducing. My friend Krysty (http://vainjanewrites.wordpress.com) got Wulong and she loves it to pieces! I think that’s a better choice if you’re looking for more of a powder compact thing.
Thanks for the referral and I shall read her review. But part of me is glad I missed the Guerlain christmas sale window because I don’t think my wallet could handle Wulong… Or it shouldn’t @.@ maybe I’ll finally get myself some meteorites though.
How much more expensive is Wulong than meteorites? I would get the Perles du Paradis :0
Hands down my favorite highlighter is Copacobana [the multiple] by NARS. Very subtle sheen, no chunks of glitter. Swiped on the cheekbone, dotted on the upper lip, etc. It makes for a sleek everyday look 🙂 this looks like an interesting product though!
I love NARS! I wanna try that out when I run out of this (which is probably going to be a long time). Thanks for the suggestion, Nayna 🙂
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