The Ultimate in Illumination: Laura Mercier Illuminator

I'm not usually a huge fan of highlighting products because, frankly, I have no life. I don't ever go out at night because my husband is in the restaurant business, so the need for a highlighter just isn't there. Add to that the fact that I have what is possibly the least glamorous job in the world (I work in a kitchen), and the whole concept of highlighters becomes laughable. That being said, I'm also a sucker for little pretties, and that's where Laura Mercier got me with her Illuminator, a gorgeous item if I ever saw one.


Laura Mercier's Illuminator is a stunning golden rose shimmer embossed heavily with a lovely floral pattern. It's truly a joy to behold.

Just take a look at that baby! Every time I lay my eyes on it, my mood lifts. The detail of the flowers, the amazing color, the almost metallic sheen...I could look at it for hours, frankly. Yes, that makes me pretty pathetic, but at least I own my dorkiness. I just can't get enough of this highlighter.

Illuminator is a beautiful rosy gold color (heavy on the rose) with a finish that is metallic. There is no glitter in Illuminator; rather, it's an extremely finely-milled shimmer with a creamy feel. I thought it would be too shiny for me, but that hasn't proven to be the case. Instead, it applies very lightly, giving a subtle glow to the skin with no sparkles to detract from the overall effect. Used lightly, it creates a subtle sheen, but it can easily be built to give a metallic shine to the skin.

Here's a heavy swatch to show you the shine factor:

When I use Illuminator, I feel as if I'm glowing. My cheeks have a gleam to them that I haven't experienced with any other highlighter. It's a highly useable color and should work for most skin tones. It's also wonderful over the brow and in the inner corner of the eye. In short, it's as versatile as it is beautiful.

Bottom Line: I've finally found a highlighter that I can use for any occasion. It complements my fair skin and brings life to my entire face. I definitely recommend you check this one out.

Laura Mercier's Illuminator can be found at Sephora.