Makeup Revolution Liquid Ethereal Liquid Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
Liquid Ethereal
Makeup Revolution Liquid Ethereal Liquid Highlighter ($9.00 for 0.60 oz.) is a soft pink with subtle, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It seemed almost metallic when worn heavily, but from sheer to semi-opaque coverage levels, it was luminous and glowing without appearing overtly shimmery. The consistency was lightweight, fluid, and thin but not too watery, so it spread evenly across my cheekbones but did not lose its sheen or pigmentation (except as I wanted it to!). It was easy to work with on top of liquid foundation, bare skin, or mixed in with foundation or moisturizer. It wore well on my cheekbones (as a standalone product) for nine hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Revolution Liquid Starlight (P, $9.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- L'Oreal Ice (P, $12.99) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- L'Oreal Daybreak (P, $14.99) is lighter (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever H102 (P, $23.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Maybelline Iridescent (100) (P, $9.99) is lighter (95% similar).
- Rare Beauty Enchant (P, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Dior #002 (DC, $56.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Urth (P, $8.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Devotion (P, $45.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Ibiza (Center) (PiP, $44.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$9.00/0.6 oz. - $15.00 Per Ounce
It's supposed to be a "buildable" liquid highlighter that is available in seven shades. They have a thin consistency that has a little more slip to it than water (almost an oiliness without being a true oil), which helped it spread more evenly on the skin without lifting base products or sheering out too readily. I had no trouble mixing the formula into liquid foundations, primers, or moisturizers or patting onto bare skin (or made-up skin) as a standalone highlighter. The effect of the highlighter was subtle to moderate, depending on application, amount applied, and whether it was layered. Most shades were buildable from semi-sheer to semi-opaque, though I noticed that they looked lighter and more similar applied than they did in the bottles. (Example: Liquid Lustre Gold appears as a darker copper when swatched but looked like a light pink on my cheeks.)
Browse all of our Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter swatches.
Beautiful! I love that color shift and sheen.
Happy to hear it, Rachel!
This looks so high quality that it’s a head scratcher that it’s only $9! Just as nice as a CoverFX liquid highlighter, if you ask me. Plus, the name Ethereal is very fitting for the shade!
It is quite nice!
That’s pretty. It’s nice to have a buildable formula so you can get the level of shimmer you want.
Very true, Pami!
This looks like a winner! I’m very impressed!
I purchased my first of this type of highlighter from this brand a month ago while in Glasgow and I was so happy with my choices: Bronze Gold and Champagne (I’m NC42 in MAC, Fenty 290). I use the Champagne either in my foundation or ever so lightly on top of the cheeks and middle nose area. I use the bronze as a regular highlighter, sometimes in place of a blush.