Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer Review, Photos, Swatches
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer ($26.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is a peachy champagne with warm undertones and a soft, frosted sheen. Becca Opal (P, $38.00) is less peach. Chanel Dentelle Precieuse (LE, $80.00) is a powder. Becca Opal (P, $38.00) is lighte,r powder. NARS Hot Sand (P, $30.00) is similar. Becca Rose Gold (P, $38.00) is darker, powder. Benefit Watt’s Up! (P, $30.00) is slightly darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
It’s supposed to be a liquid highlighter (“concentrated radiance liquid for the face”) that can be used alone or mixed with a base product (moisturizer, foundation, etc.). The texture is lightweight, thin without being watery, easily spread on the skin or mixed in with other liquids and creams. The effect is very comparable to the wand version, in terms of color, and the delivery mechanism is really the major difference, though I think the liquid is a bit less frosted overall. It gives a luminous, lightly dewy finish once it dries down that doesn’t emphasize pores and lasts for seven and a half hours on me.
You’ll get the most quantity of product through the liquid version, but I think it is most suited towards those who expect to use it mixed with their base products, as it is difficult to dispense just the amount needed for more targeted highlighting (like the cheek bones, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow)–I get a big dollop that’s more than needed for even mixing in. You can almost get 3/4 of a dollop if you’re careful when dispensing, but I couldn’t get a manageable amount out for using this to highlight specific areas, unfortunately. You can twist off the pump entirely, which may work better if you want to do more specific areas rather than all-over.
Argan Enlightenment (Original)
PPermanent. $26.00.
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizing Wand
Lovely shimmer, I wish they made these in light/medium/ dark, for different skintones as this is too warm and dark for me.
I really hope they’ll add more shades!
The fact these are already being referred to as “original”, I’m lead to believe there’s at least one more in the works. I know a lot of WoC use JosienMaran products, and she even has suitable foundation shades for deeper skintones, so hopefully we’ll see at least a paler, cooler shade & a deeper one soon.
Oh, I just put that there to mark that there’s only one without… a name. In the system, I can’t duplicate the shade name AND formula name, the page will render all wonky because it’s looking for the same thing twice. Plus, too often brands have then added onto their original, unnamed version.
Aw, bummer, LOL! I’m *hoping* we see something in the NARS Copacabana range in the near future…
Seriously ! I was curious when I saw it in store, and expecting that it might squirt a huge amount of product, went on pressing on the bottle as lightly as possible. after struggling with my inner strength for a while, still, it was a mountain of product that came out ! No thanks.
It’s definitely better for mixing with your base products if you want to use the pump 🙂
I tried this in Sephora, not knowing how much would come out. One little squirt and I got enough to cover my hand with plenty for highlighting collarbones. lol It’s really pretty but the dispenser is a bit of a problem.
Fantastic glowy highlight for your complexion. Too peach for mine.
I’d love to see the brand release a few more shades – maybe a pearly white, pink, copper or bronze.
I swatched this at sephora and omg…and then it was on hautelook for $14! Totally ordered it and now just waiting :/ so glad it got a good review!!
Nice!
I like the way it looks but I don’t mix highlighter with my base and I already have Opal in powder and liquid so I don’t need this one for sure.
You’re covered!
This is really pretty. but, I own Hot Sand and Opal on top of so many liquid highlighters. I love them and I do like to mix them into my foundation if I remember and more so in the colder months. Also,out of convenience, I do tend to reach for the pressed and compact versions more. So, I think I will be checking out the pressed version you reviewed yesterday first . This is really pretty and so nice to see something that is not going to drain my bank account with an “A” rating. So, this may very likely see it’s way into my collection at some point.
Yep! I think you’re good with Hot Sand + Opal all ready. The pressed is more unique, especially in comparison to the Becca pressed highlighters since the Josie Maran one is a lot less shimmery.
Oh that illuminizer looks gorgeous ! What an amazing glow it gives, really natural too !
It is pretty!
As someone with drier skin, and who loves a dewy glow, this would be ideal-in a lighter, cooler shade.
As for the dispenser, I save small, glass jars from foundations & moisturizers, and use them to mix foundations and/or add luminizers. If I pour too much, I have it ready to use the next day, and i don’t waste any product. Sometimes I’ll even mix a bit extra to last a few days if I’m anticipating a busy week.
Nice tip!
You’re a mind reader! I’m going to place my Sephora order today and was thinking of getting this…glad it got an A!
Yayyy!
Glad to see Josie Maran getting some love here! I have a few products and while there are a few duds (lipsticks, ugh), the skin care and coconut water cheek gelees are fantastic.
I wish I liked those gelees!
Christine,
Do you know if they plan on releasing additional colors? I’m very fair, normal/dry skin, and wear Becca Pearl normally and Moonstone if tan — I think this would be too dark. I’m looking for something similar to this or the Becca liquid products to wear mixed with my foundation for graduation. I’d get the Kevyn Aucoin but my Sephora doesn’t carry it in store and I’d really like to sample before splurging. Any recs?
Hey Danielle,
As far as I know, it’s just these – and the three are new, so I don’t think we’ll see more shades that soon, but you never know.
You could try Koh Gen Do, which has a white liquid highlighter!
So pretty! Highlights are my weakness :p
Mine too! 🙂
I’ve tried this product and I have tanned skin, and I wanted it to be used with my moisturizer but the product itself dispenses too much so it’s a waste. I like it, but I don’t know if I love it.
Have you tried just opening the bottle and using it that way? If you already have it, that might be one way to make it work for you.
It looks lovely on you Christine – but I don’t know if it is worth the money and not having a pump makes it difficult to use. Love your teal eyeliner.
Thank you, Genevieve! 🙂
Wow, perfect for darker skins!
It is nice!
I have and love the NARS Hot Sand illuminator. That giant tube will last me a while so I don’t need this – I hate pumps that you can’t control
I hear ya! I’d twist it open if I wanted to use it in more specific areas for sure.
Ok I’m confused is the the same as the one they have always had just new package?? I can’t find the one I’m used to seeing on their website or sephora. .please help and thanks
I believe the liquid is repackaged, but I don’t have the original that I can recall.
So disappointing to see that they repackaged this product! While it’s definitely a “prettier” bottle, it now only comes with half as much product as it used to (1.0 oz vs. 0.5 oz) for $2 more. I love this mixed in with foundation in the wintertime so I’ll just keep buying the larger bottles off of eBay 🙂