Thursday, 29 August 2013

Review: theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer


Highlighters. A product that isn't crucial for your everyday makeup look, yet when introduced, you cannot turn back. I first heard about theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer from Essiebutton and never really thought about buying it, I just thought it would have been something nice to have. Then came along a few more reviews and I couldn't resist. The tipping point was when David Jones had a fantastic offer- spend $27.95 on any theBalm products and receive a Shady Lady Eyeshadow Palette worth $49.95 for free! Must I say, after parting with $34.95 for the Mary-Lou Manizer, I came home with not one product, but a Shady Lady Vol. 2 palette as well, which I will review another time. Today it's all about Mary-Lou.


L-R: Shady Lady Eyeshadow Palette Vol.2, Mary-Lou Manizer


Packaging wise,  Mary-Lou presents itself well. The 8.5g of beautiful highlighter is encased with a sturdy click case which I have no doubts of failing me, if I were to tote it around. The Mary-Lou Manizer is described as an innocent honey-hued luminizer which can be used as a highlighter, shadow and shimmer, giving either a subtle glow or a sexy sheen, depending on the amount you use. I found the champagne colour of Mary-Lou absolutely gorgeous and I can see it being very flattering on all skin tones.



The first swatch of the Mary-Lou Manizer was amazing- this finely milled highlighter is unbelievably smooth, buttery soft and pigmented! There surely couldn't be anything that could feel any more luxurious than this beauty. The best thing was that it provided such a beautiful shimmer without any chunks of glitter. The results were effortless- even though it is quite pigmented, it is hard to go wrong and nothing couldn't be fixed with extra blending! The perfect brushes to apply the Mary-Lou with would be Real Techniques' Contour Brush from the Core Collection, great for highlighting the cheekbones to make them pop, and the Real Techniques' Blush Brush for the perfect sheen.



No other makeup here except some Garnier BB Cream for Sensitive Skin and theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer. You can definitely see what a difference this beautiful highlighter does, and it gives such a healthy glow to the face. Mary-Lou can also be used as a highlight to the inner corners of the eyes too, and wow, does it impress. Longevity is stunning and is also my favourite way of brightening and opening my eyes.

I am glad that theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer found its way into my beauty collection, and I have no regrets whatsoever. However thank goodness for the David Jones offer, as without it, I wouldn't have had that extra incentive to purchase such a multi-purpose, luxurious and impressive highlighter.

Paired with Real Techniques Blush Brush for a lovely sheen

Have you tried theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer? What other highlighters do you use?
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55 comments :

  1. Anonymous29 August 2013 at 18:54

    I just bought mine today! Was recommended it by my make-up artist friend and I've been looking for it in every DJs I went to for the past few weeks and it was totally sold out. I suppose the promotion they were having had something to do with it - can't wait to start using it as it is gorgeous :)

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    1. Karen30 August 2013 at 16:27

      The David Jones I went to had it all sold out but I asked a sales assistant find if there were more, and she got the last one out for me- so lucky! I definitely think the promotion probably had something to do with it too! :P

      Delete
  2. Unknown29 August 2013 at 20:34

    it was such a great offer! Mary Loumanizer was a great choice as well! I see a lot of people love it and I understand why, because it it soooo beautiful! it gives such an amazing sheen and highlight the cheekbones in a good way, not greasy at all.
    I have been wanting to get Mary Loumanizer but I am still not sure about using such an intense highlighter on my oily skin.. T.T

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    1. Karen30 August 2013 at 16:39

      It is such a beautiful highlighter and definitely doesn't look greasy at all! Definitely try a tester out before you buy it and see how it goes for your skin- I find that the Mary Lou Manizer is such a versatile highlighter!

      Delete
  3. Unknown29 August 2013 at 21:08

    This was such a great offer! I wish I had of made the effort to get it but I resisted haha. The highlighter looks stunning :)

    Sarah | More Than Adored

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    1. Karen30 August 2013 at 16:39

      I was resisting it so much but I succumbed haha, definitely no regrets though and it was worth it! :)

      Delete
  4. Jana29 August 2013 at 21:50

    Great offer!
    It looks gorgeous on you. I would love to try out this product.
    The only "highlighter" I use on my face is the shade Venus from Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette lol :)

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    Replies
    1. Karen30 August 2013 at 16:40

      Ooh I don't have the Naked Basics palette but I do have the original Naked palette which I love! This highlighter is just extremely pigmented and beautiful, it just can't compare to an eyeshadow! :P

      Delete
  5. dawndugong29 August 2013 at 22:07

    It looks so beautiful! I've been meaning to snatch this up for awhile now but I never seem to, hopefully I will be able to buy for a little cheaper when I go overseas to Singapore! Oh and I just wanted to mention that your skin looks fabulous! :)

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    1. Karen30 August 2013 at 16:53

      It is just so gorgeous, definitely snatch it up when you can! Lucky thing, I hope you have a great time in Singapore- anywhere else beats the Australian prices of beauty and cosmetics! Aww and thank you :)

      Delete
  6. sleepandwater29 August 2013 at 22:10

    Looks like quite a few people snapped up this DJs offer! :) I wanted this highlighter SO much when I first heard about it early last year - to be perfectly honest it's not my absolute favourite as I'm not a huge fan of the colour and I find that using brushes is too heavy handed on my skin (I prefer fingers), but I can't fault the pigmentation and the texture is really nice. Your skin looks amazing! Looking forward to your ready on the e/s palette :)

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    1. Karen30 August 2013 at 17:11

      The DJs offer was so hard to resist, and I definitely was keen to try the Shade Lady Eyeshadow Palette too which had a few nice shades! Aww that's such a shame, I'm quite a fan of the shade as I find it just really works! I agree that sometimes using brushes can look too heavy handed- I actually used my fingers for the swatch in the photo above! Thank you! :)

      Delete
    2. sleepandwater31 August 2013 at 19:35

      *to reading your post on the e/s palette - I have no idea why I wrote "ready" LOL

      I went through complete highlighter obsession early last year - it was definitely the influence of Pixiwoo. I think the only highlighter that I'm still curious about is the Benefit Watts Up ... and maybe Illamasqua Aurora. But yeah, with what I have now, I think I'm set for the next 5 years at least!

      Delete
    3. sleepandwater31 August 2013 at 19:36

      Oh, and NARS Albatross. I was kind of hooked on the idea of getting that a little white back, but I suspect it will be too yellow for me.

      Delete
  7. Sharlynn 30 August 2013 at 00:23

    I've got this too in my collection and I use it strictly as an underbrow highlight as well as to blend into my eyeshadows! It's an amazing multitasking powder, but ironically I almost never use it on my cheeks because I use shimmery blushes! Great review and cant wait to see those palettes!

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    1. Karen30 August 2013 at 17:59

      It would be really good as an eyebrow bone highlight for sure! Fair enough you don't use them on your cheeks since you use blush- we don't want to look like a glittery disco ball haha :P

      Delete
  8. Stephanie Lau30 August 2013 at 00:54

    mmm so shimmery!

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  9. Unknown30 August 2013 at 06:56

    This is my favourite highlighter..xx

    MISSY IN THE MIRROR

    ReplyDelete
  10. Emily30 August 2013 at 07:40

    I love the natural, glowy highlight this gives! Looks amazing!

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  11. Unknown30 August 2013 at 07:58

    Love your post! So interesting!
    -Your newest follower on GFC

    Letters from The Vintage Club

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  12. Linda30 August 2013 at 21:43

    I wanted to buy one of these a while ago but wasn't sure whether it was worth the money or not. It does give a really good sheen though :)

    IAmLinderella.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Karen1 September 2013 at 20:12

      The sheen is gorgeous with this highlighter :)

      Delete
  13. Janet30 August 2013 at 23:46

    oooh. I'm loving that natural glow on your cheeks! ^_~

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  14. Gemma Etc.31 August 2013 at 19:16

    You've totally sold it to me - it looks amazing, and so natural xx

    Gem │ ♥ │ Miss Makeup Magpie

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    1. Karen1 September 2013 at 20:12

      This highlighter is amazing! Definitely worth a try :)

      Delete
  15. June L.1 September 2013 at 07:56

    I don't use a highlighter, but wow - this is so pretty! C: Thanks for the review!

    Junniku blog [Click!]
    - A Korean fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Flo1 September 2013 at 13:57

    This highlighter is gorgeous.. I own it too and also apply it with the RT blush brush xx

    http://holaflo.blogspot.com.ar/

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    1. Karen2 September 2013 at 18:16

      It's beautiful! I love the RT blush brush :)

      Delete
  17. Chloé1 September 2013 at 19:10

    I heard about this deal but forced myself to resist. I've heard many great things about this highlighter but I was worried it would be too intense but it looks pretty natural on you c:

    à la foliee

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    1. Karen2 September 2013 at 18:42

      I wanted to resist but I just succumbed to the offer, but no regrets! It can look intense because it is so pigmented, but I try and use a light hand :)

      Delete
  18. Sakuranko3 September 2013 at 13:43

    Oh really cute highlighter dear,
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com
    I want invite you to Join to my Firmoo Giveaway for win 1 pair of Glasses or Sunglasses. You choose the model!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Unknown8 September 2013 at 23:56

    It's so prettyyyy! I love highlighters, they really help make skin look amazing and glowy ^_^
    I like the Etude House Aloha highlighter as well as the Lioele Shimmer base which is a cream product, which I tend to prefer over powders~

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    1. Karen9 September 2013 at 19:25

      Highlighters really brighten up the complexion which I love! I haven't tried Etude House or Lioele products before but I've heard so much about those brands :) I love cream products too, but this powder is just so smooth and buttery and isn't like a powder at all!

      Delete
  20. Unknown10 September 2013 at 11:53

    wow it looks beautiful on your skin! thanks for the review :)

    ps i love how clear your photos are! now following you :)

    biffsquiggled.blogspot.com

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  21. Unknown14 September 2013 at 19:05

    I'm actually considering on buying this highlighter from theBalm instead of the NARS Albatross. I love how the product is so silky when swatched and less golden in its shimmers. It looks great on your glowing skin! I'm going to have to go in-stores and swatch it for myself, haha.

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    1. Karen18 September 2013 at 18:02

      It is so buttery smooth- I haven't tried the Albatross myself but the Mary Lou Manizer is amazing, definitely give it a swatch!

      Delete
  22. Fifi ♥ 20 September 2013 at 16:27

    The colour is so pretty and makes your whole face glow! I don't usually bother about highlighting my face because it usually doesn't seem to do much, but on you it looks gorgeous!! :)

    xx
    www.beautifyinglifee.blogspot.com

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    1. Karen20 September 2013 at 18:16

      I only highlight sometimes, not everyday though :) Thank you!

      Delete
  23. Mishelles Sleepy Time23 September 2013 at 18:10

    I like this highlighter, it was included in the balm jovi palette though, so I don't reach for it unless I am using the rest of the palette really!

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    1. Karen23 September 2013 at 20:40

      I love it, the texture is so smooth and beautiful :) I haven't heard of that palette before, I might go have a look!

      Delete
  24. Cashmeremafia27 September 2013 at 00:50

    i love it!

    http://blogcashmeremafia.blogspot.com.es/2013/09/pair-of-boots.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. Shayne ♥3 October 2013 at 08:53

    oh nice it looks good swatched on your cheeks. im glad to see it worked well on you. do they have it in different shades maybe? like something pinkish? :)

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    1. Karen21 October 2013 at 21:06

      Nah the Mary-Lou Manizer only comes in this one shade! I don't mind the champagne shade though :)

      Delete
  26. Anna21 October 2013 at 15:45

    Not sure how I missed this post Karen! >_< I purchased Mary-Lou almost a year ago from Hautelook.com for half the price (I got it for $12 USD instead of the regular $24 I believe). I probably would not have ever purchased it if it hadn't been on sale! I really love this highlighter, it's probably the best one I've ever owned and imparts such a lovely glow and radiance to the skin! Great review.

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    1. Karen21 October 2013 at 21:07

      So jealous of the bargain you got it for! It is such an amazing highlighter, it really does give a beautiful glow to the skin :) I love using it as an inner eye highlight too, just to brighten up the eyes!

      Delete
  27. Fifi ♥ 23 October 2013 at 16:32

    This highlighter has such pretty packaging! I've never tried using The Balm before but it kind of reminds me of Benefit cosmetics :P
    It's such a gorgeous colour and it makes your skin glow so beautifully ^_^

    xx
    www.beautifyinglifee.blogspot.com

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    1. Karen23 October 2013 at 21:10

      The packaging is cute, I like how it is vintage :) I really love the highlighter too, it's amazing!

      Delete
  28. Unknown30 October 2013 at 03:55

    love the highlighter..looks great..
    my recent one :http://www.indianbeautyzone.com/2013/10/haul-post-by-tejinder-with-inglot.html

    ReplyDelete
  29. pinkivory4 January 2014 at 11:39

    omg these look like lovely products~ *:.｡. .｡.:*･www.pinkivorys.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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