March 5, 2012

Mark Highlights Soft Glow Illuminator Review & Swatches

Feeling the love for Bobbi’s new Brightening Finishing Powder but simply can’t afford the $50 price tag? No worries, the Mark All the Highlights Soft Glow Illuminator might just fill the void that Bobbi’s version left on your heart.

Plus did I mentioned the butterfly?

Take a look!

The shade selection here is VERY similar to Bobbi’s Brightening Finishing Powder at half the cost. But you have to get passed the pink to really understand and appreciate the powder.

Housed in Mark’s standard brown packaging this little compact features four shades of highlighter with an embossed butterfly print. That sweet bright pink butterfly isn’t only visually thrilling but also a delightful shade of bright, almost metallic pink.

Swatched below you’ll see the powder comes across very pigmented however the hurdle you have to get passed to enjoy this powder would be the disappointing over spray effect. All that pink? Gone in a few strokes of your brush. Mark really should have considered having the pink run straight through as the powder could have worked as both a highlighting and blush if they did.

If your heart can get through the lack of pink you’ll find some of the shades underneath are very similar to the taupe, beige, and cream that make up Bobbi’s new finishing powder. Odd man out? The darker taupe-y purple towards the end of the palette but surprisingly the shade works.

You can safely use this silky powder all over your face but I’d stick to your cheeks or cheek bones for the best effect. The powder itself is quite silky yet sheer so the glowing finish isn’t entirely noticeable unless you’re really looking for it but Bobbi’s version has pretty much the same effect.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Bobbi’s version, this little compact is your girl.

Overall, this one is a nice highlighting powder that will look lovely on virtually any skin tone but will probably give the best glow on medium to darker skin tones. The price is an ickle high at $16 as I commonly associate Mark with nicer products with a lovely little cost however Mark quality is fitting with the price in most cases so you aren’t dishing out a ton of money for something that doesn’t deliver.

Do we need another highlighting powder is the question? Probably not but who can resist one with a butterfly (by the way the pink does dust away rather quickly but the butterfly design sticks around).

Available now from your Mark rep or online at shop.meetmark.com

Tried it?

Loved it?

Left it?

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Kimryan8

    Just got it a few weeks ago. I was upset about the pink butterfly though getting through it and learning how to use this. Its really cool. The dark color at the bottom i use below my cheekbones and use the top colors to highlight. Then i use a light pink bare minerals blush over and it looks really really cool! you just have to play with it for a bit.

    I agree that a pricetag of $16 for a mark product is a bit high, but i’ve used it 7 days straight and the flowers are yet to be brushed away. i think this little puppy is packed tight with powder so its going to last.

  • Saara

    OMG, this looks like a complete copy of the Pixi blush based on the packaging!

  • Stephanie

    Ooh, this looks so cute! And I actually like that the pink frosty shade is just an overspray. Thanks for the review Muse!

  • Phyrra

    It looks pretty, but sucks it doesn’t run all the way through.

  • cat

    The packaging is beautiful but I’m sad to hear the pink fades so quickly. I probably won’t be indulging since it seems a little dark for my skin tone. Thanks for the review!

  • Christina

    I’ve been holding out on buying this until I read your review. So sad that the pink butterfly disappears, but I’m still quite interested in it. I’ve tried Bobbi Brown, and I just wasn’t willing to pay the $50 for it. This looks like a good compromise. Thanks!

    • the Muse

      christina I’ll think you’ll find the shades very similar to Bobbi’s brightening powder ;-D

  • Ruth

    I’m with cat, the fact that the butterfly fades is a bummer since it’s so pretty!

  • Lily

    (Sight) this is the sort of thing I’d love to buy since it’s so pretty, but then I wouldn’t want to use it because it’s so pretty. And I don’t like the idea of buying makeup then not using it. Oh, the pain of it all! 😀