Makeup Geek Moon Phase Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
Moon Phase
Makeup Geek Moon Phase Highlighter ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a very light, iridescent white that had shimmer that shifted from a bluish aqua to an icy lavender. The shift was strong enough to be noticeable on the skin, but it was more apparent when I wasn’t looking straight-on (it looked whiter and lighter at that angle).
According to Makeup Geek, the formula is supposed to be “super-smooth” and “incredibly pigmented.” The powder had a soft, smooth, and blendable texture that was soft without being too dusty or loose in the pan, but it wasn’t difficult to pickup product with a highlighting brush either. It had rich, opaque color coverage, but the texture was forgiving enough that I could easily sheer it out (or just use less) to get a less intense highlight. I did find that even a light application was still a moderate sheen, so the finish makes this product more suitable for someone who likes a noticeable highlight. I could see this one working well over lavender and plum blushes to give them an even cooler tint. On my skin, it wore well for eight hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Cover FX Halo (P, $28.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Skywalk (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, less pigmented (95% similar).
- Anastasia Forever Lit (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Cover FX Prism (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NYX Frostbite (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Becca Icicle (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Sugarpill Ice Angel (PiP, $13.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- NYX Twilight Tint (P, $7.99) is more muted, warmer (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 10 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #18 (LE, ) is more muted, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$20.00/0.25 oz. - $80.00 Per Ounce
According to Makeup Geek, the formula is supposed to be “super-smooth” and “incredibly pigmented.” The majority of the range is beautifully done with smooth, slightly denser textures that are blendable and easy to work with. They have good pigmentation, though some shades are more buildable than "incredibly pigmented." Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Makeup Geek Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Triethylhexanoin, Magnesium Myristate, Silica, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Iron Oxides (CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492), Carmine (CI 75470)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I can’t wait to see more of the MUG highlighter range., The price is a bit steep for what it is but seems worth it considering the amount that you do get!
HOLY SHIATSU, I love this! It’s a little “editorial” but man I could see this being the perfect highlighter for pale people when then really want something glam but wintery.
I bet it would be beautiful on you, Erin!
These are shaping up to be beautiful. But, I’m not keen on the price, either. Inching these too close to mid-high end eliminated one of the things that made this brand stand out. Now they are directly competing with UD, Lorac, and Anastasia. I would have rather seen the packaging look a little cheaper (if necessary) and the price be $12-$14.
Same, Ginny, give me cheaper packaging, because it’s, frankly, in line with what I’d expect for the price point – for the packaging to feel less substantial or more pared down.
I’d never use a highlighter this white on my face, but I could see this working on the brow bone and in the inner eye corner.
If you use a fan brush and layer it over another blush, it is lovely without reading white!
I like the new layout, very user friendly!
One little thing I noticed in the dupes: You have Sugarpill’s Ice Angel listed as LE, but they’ve since made their Edward Scissorhands palette shades available permanently as individuals!
I will make those updates!
I was soo happy and mad to see the shades become permanent because I would have gotten the palette if the shades were not LE at the time. lol 😉
I kind of want all these aura highlighters considering they are permanent from MUG.
*Shivers* I love the icy aqua/purple duochrome on this one!!! Yes, I would actually try to make this work over my dark end of medium skintone, LoL! And then hope that it didn’t look too awkward….?
I bet it would be pretty layered over a blush to give it a little kick without being too contrasting on your skin tone!
This looks amazing on you!
Thank you, ACP!
This might be exactly what I was looking for!
Yayy!
Oh no this is definitely my highlighter but I could see this being beautiful for very very fair complexions.
I bet it would work on very light skin tones!
This is the one I was most interested in. God, it’s gorgeous. I’m so happy it got a good grade. Good for MUG for going for an BAM! highlighter.
It has such a great sheen!
I’m a duochrome addict and I NEED THIS. >_<
It looks like a visible duochrome too, which was my disappointment with the ColourPop ones. 🙂
I definitely think you can see the shift with this one!
Super pretty! But so much sheen it might be too much for me — I love my Blue Ice, and it’s shimmery enough for me, I think!
It is a pity they are a bit costly, I’d really like to have this one. It’s on my wish list, so maybe I will get it.
I hear ya! I wish they were more affordable 🙁
Have you ever tried the Jeffrey star highlighter?? How does the texture compare if so??
Sorry, I haven’t!
Do you think it’s worth buying this highlighter if I own the Sugar Rush pigment or they are pretty much the same thing ?
Sugar Rush has a very different texture/finish, IMO!