NYX Enigmatic Illuminator

NYX Enigmatic Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium peachy-pink with warm, golden shimmer that gives it a frosted sheen. Urban Decay Streak Highlighter (-, ) is lighter (95% similar). Becca Parisian Lights (LE, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar). bareMinerals The Five Star Treatment (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals The Many Splendors #2 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Unicorn Dreams (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Luna Luster (LE, $34.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Sunset Glow (P, $48.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Blonde (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Going Native (Highlighter) (P, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Hourglass Pink Flash (P, $42.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Adored (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Flesh Beauty Certain (P, $28.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Beaming Blush (P, $33.00) is cooler (85% similar). Too Faced Satin Sheets (P, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Colour Pop Made Me Do It (LE, $8.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Paradise Lust (Top) (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Highlighter (Softcore) (LE, $60.00) is warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Cool (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is darker, more muted (80% similar). Milani Pink Play #1 (P, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar). Benefit Sugarbomb (P, $29.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

This is the last of the five shades in the NYX Illuminator range. The formula is supposed to have “radiant shimmer” that gives skin a “subtle glow.” The texture of this shade was slightly dry, but it applied without a fuss on the skin and didn’t look powdery, though it did emphasize pores slightly. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque, buildable coverage. The highlighter blended out well and lasted for six and a half hours on me.

18

5

Enigmatic

18

5

Enigmatic

B-

Permanent

Where to Buy

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UltaSelfridgesAmazonDermStoreNYXPricelineBootsASOS

8.5

Product

9

Pigmentation

8

Texture

7

Longevity

4.5

Application

82%

Total

See more photos & swatches!

NYX Magnetic Illuminator

NYX Magnetic Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy-coral with warm undertones and a frosted, golden sheen. It had good pigmentation with a soft, slightly dry consistency in the pan, but it applied well to the skin without looking caked on. The shimmer was just shy of pore-emphasizing-territory, so that was nice! I think this one is a more versatile shade that can be worn as a subtler highlighter or layered for greater glow. It wore well for seven hours on me. Tom Ford Beauty Pink Glow #4 (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Becca Beach Nectar (LE, $38.00) is darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Paradise Lust (Top) (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Perfect Topping (2014) (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Huda Beauty Ibiza (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Milani Flashing Lights (P, $12.99) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Benefit Sugarbomb (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Colour Pop Velvet Rope (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar). bareMinerals The Many Splendors #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Highlighter (Softcore) (LE, $60.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Dose of Colors Melonade (P, $28.00) is darker (85% similar). Colour Pop Hit Rewind (P, $7.00) is darker (85% similar). Huda Beauty Zanzibar (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Starlight (P, $44.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Opal Glow (LE, $48.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NYX Soft Spoken (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NYX Ritualistic Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, white gold with a lighter, ivory base and stronger, darker gold shimmer. It had nice color coverage with a soft, smooth texture that wasn’t too dry or too stiff. The white base is strong enough that it may show through and look chalky on darker skin tones, but it shouldn’t impart much color on fair skin tones. It lasted for six and a half hours for me. NARS Albatross (P, $38.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Let It Rock (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Persona Laguna (P, $24.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Colour Pop School is Fun (LE, $8.00) is darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Moodlight (Daylight) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Colour Pop Lunch Money (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). Becca Moonstone (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Watch Me (LE, $30.00) is darker (90% similar). Surratt Beauty Auréole (P, $32.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Makeup Revolution Golden Lights (P, $6.00) is cooler (95% similar). NARS Rêve Salé I (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Sephora Stardust (01) (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Pat McGrath Fine Gold (003) (P, ) is darker (90% similar). Colour Pop Perilune (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Chanel Or Blanc (LE, $70.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). LORAC Starlight (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Givenchy African Light Gold (LE, $41.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Double-Gleam (P, $33.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Burberry Metallic Pearl No. 1 (LE, $35.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Ibiza (Left) (P, $44.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA SUMMARY | NYX Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is supposed to have “radiant shimmer” that gives skin a “subtle glow.” Most of the shades in the range (there are five) are moderately shimmery/frosty; only one is on the truly subtle side. The texture tended to be on the drier side, though I didn’t find them to appear dry on my skin (which is normal-to-dry). There is slight emphasis of pores, and the wear time varies from six to seven hours.

14

6

Magnetic

14

6

Magnetic

B+

Permanent

Where to Buy

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UltaSelfridgesAmazonDermStoreNYXPricelineBootsASOS

8.5

Product

10

Pigmentation

8

Texture

7.5

Longevity

5

Application

87%

Total

22

10

Ritualistic

22

10

Ritualistic

B+

Permanent

Where to Buy

Affiliate Links

UltaSelfridgesAmazonDermStoreNYXPricelineBootsASOS

9

Product

10

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

7

Longevity

5

Application

88%

Total

See more photos & swatches!

NYX Narcissistic Illuminator

NYX Narcissistic Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, golden peach with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had a soft, lightly powdery consistency that was blendable and didn’t read dry or powdery on the skin. The powder imparted a soft but noticeable glow to the skin without adding a lot of color on my skin tone (but fairer complexions may see more warmth). It wore well for seven hours on me. NARS Tribulation (LE, $30.00) is darker (95% similar). Suqqu Yawakouki (05) (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). NARS Last Call (LE, $30.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC She's a Rainbow (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). MAC Highlighter (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Chanel Warm Gold (20) (P, $58.00) is darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Warm (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Clinique Nude Glow (P, $27.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Benefit Dandelion Twinkle (P, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar). Fenty Beauty Lightning Dust (P, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar). Sephora Jubilant (21) (P, $14.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment (Original) (P, $28.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Smashbox Gilded Rose (LE, $39.00) is cooler (90% similar). Surratt Beauty Coup de Genie (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Jouer Citrine (P, $24.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Cle de Peau Sand Beige (13) (P, $55.00) is darker (90% similar). Milani Dayglow (P, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Spotlight (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Smashbox Shimmer (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty The Afternooner (Highlighter) (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NYX Chaotic Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium pink with warm undertones and a golden shimmer and sparkle. The texture was looser–noticeably drier–and a little powdery to work with. The shimmer was stronger in this shade than in Narcissistic as well. It worked more as a highlighting blush on my skin tone, and it may be more or less a blush or highlighter depending on your own skin tone. It just barely emphasized pores on my cheeks. The highlighter started to fade after seven hours of wear. Benefit CORALista (P, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). NARS Orgasm (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Too Faced Peachy Keen (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Too Faced Who's Your Poppy (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tarte Glisten (P, $29.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Score (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Tarina Tarantino Feather (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Becca Flowerchild (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Milani Dolce Pink (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). Sleek MakeUP Rose Gold (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar). Smashbox Carnation (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). YSL Passionnee (6) (P, $47.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Bite Beauty Pink Pearl (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more muted (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA SUMMARY | NYX Illuminator ($9.00 for 0.33 oz.) is supposed to have “radiant shimmer” that gives skin a “subtle glow.” Most of the shades in the range (there are five) are moderately shimmery/frosty; only one is on the truly subtle side. The texture tended to be on the drier side, though I didn’t find them to appear dry on my skin (which is normal-to-dry). There is slight emphasis of pores, and the wear time varies from six to seven hours.

12

4

Narcissistic

12

4

Narcissistic

B+

Permanent

Where to Buy

Affiliate Links

UltaSelfridgesAmazonDermStoreNYXPricelineBootsASOS

9

Product

10

Pigmentation

8

Texture

7.5

Longevity

5

Application

88%

Total

5

7

Chaotic

5

7

Chaotic

B-

Permanent

Where to Buy

Affiliate Links

UltaSelfridgesAmazonDermStoreNYXPricelineBootsASOS

8

Product

9

Pigmentation

7

Texture

7.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

80%

Total

See more photos & swatches!