theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer Review, Photos, Swatches
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer ($24.00 for 0.30 oz.) is described as a “soft peachy-pink highlighter.” It’s a soft, pinky-peach–but I’d actually call it rose gold–with a frosted sheen. bareMinerals The Many Splendors #2 (LE) is lighter. bareMinerals The Magic Moment (LE, $26.00) is very similar. MAC Talk of the Town (LE, $25.00) is darker, less peach. Benefit Rockateur (P, $28.00) is not quite as shimmery, darker. MAC Adored (LE, $30.00) is pinker. MAC Lust (LE, $30.00) is pinker, more metallic. See comparison swatches.
You may have heard of Mary-Lou Manizer. This is a very similar product, just in another shade. It adds luminosity, warmth, and an overall glow wherever it is applied. It can be used on cheeks, as well as on lids and the rest of the face, if desired. On my medium complexion, it adds subtle rosy, bronzy warmth but not a lot of obvious color, along with a glowing, luminous sheen. On fairer complexions, I would expect that this could be used as a subtle blusher in addition to being a highlighter. It doesn’t have a chalky or white base, so it should work as a highlighter on deeper complexions. The finish is high-shine but forgiving, so it doesn’t emphasize pores. It lasted for eight and a half hours on me before starting to show signs of fading. This powder had such a soft, buttery, silky texture that it was easy to apply and blend, and it’s very, very pigmented–a little goes a long way.
Cindy-Lou Manizer
PPermanent. $24.00.
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer
Gorgeous on u Christine 🙂
Thanks, Rashmi! <3
Definitely a blush for me. *_* Adored is a light blush and hilighgter on me.
Is that a good or bad thing? Hopefully a good thing 🙂
It’s a good thing because I adore MAC’s Adored but it LE!!! It ends up being a one step glow powder in the best possible way.
YAY!
I’m a Mary Loumanizer obsessed girl and I guess I’ll be running to check this out as well! I love how pigmented and buttery these are. This one especially looks like I could use as a blush as well.
If you love the texture of Mary Lou, this is exactly the same 😀
This would be a good highlighter for me, no ashiness like regular highlighters….looks like a warm blush on you, doesn’t it? Love the packaging!
Mostly a highlighter, but it adds a little warmth on me!
Hi Christine! I was waiting for your review on this new product. Thanks so much!
No prob!
I might be partial because of the name but it looks really beautiful. I think my skin is light enough that I could even use it as a blush
That’s awesome, Cinderelli! 😀
I already love Mary-Lou, and have been anxiously awaiting Cindy-Lou since they announced it! I’m ALL over this! It’s just as cute as I hoped it would be!
Yay! I was really pleased with it, too. Feels just like Mary Lou!
It looks so nice on you! Do you think the color would show up on an nc42 tho?
As a highlighter, yes.
What a gorgeous shade! Will be getting this for sure!
Woohoo! Do you have Mary-Lou?
I don’t actually! But I ordered it today with Cindy-Lou, FratBoy and DownBoy 😀
Very nice ;D
I really like the look of both this and the Mary one. I’ve tried the Mary one once, and I think I might prefer that one over this, just because my face is really pink.
I could see Cindy-Lou working well on you!
How does it compare to the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectir in Rose Gold?
They are different colors! Becca Rose Gold is orange, warmer, and darker.
Oh No!! I was hoping you would say they are similar. Looks like my highlighter collection is gaining another buddy;)
This is really nice! I think it could work as a subtle blush on me. 🙂
I think so!
I have Mary Lou, but I haven’t figured out how best to apply it yet. Applying on my cheekbones with my fingertips doesn’t allow the product to blend enough, so it just looks like patches or lines of glitter. But using a brush picks up wayyy too much product! I should practice with it more, but now it mostly just sits in my drawer.
What brush are you using with it Clio?
Use it with a fan brush! Just very lightly dip or sweep it in and then sweep it onto your cheek bones. It gives a beyond beautiful, but subtle glow!
This looks really good on your skin tone Christine. I think it would be too dark as a highlighter for me though.
Thanks, Melinda! I think it could still work, you’d just need a lighter application 🙂
Well, because of the shimmer it’s a no-go for me personally, but on you it looks really lovely. Indeed warm but subtle. Cute packaging by the way 🙂
Aww, bummer!
Would definitely be a blush on this vampire, but it looks absolutely perfect on you, Christine!
Thank you! 🙂
I dropped (and smashed) my beloved mary-lou manizer… now that you recommend this I think i will have to buy all of the balm lou-manizers!!!
Oh, poor Mary-lou!
I don’t have Mary-lou thinking it would be too stark on me, this looks perfect!
I hope you love Cindy-Lou!
Very pretty on you, Christine! This would probably be like a light, highlighting blush on me. I think this will work well for darker skin tones as a highlighter.
I agree! I think this will be lovely on deeper skin tones as a highlighter!
Can you recommend a highlighter to pair with this if this is worn as a blush? I’m a N10, so I think this has too much color for a highlighter but would make a lovely blush.
I don’t think I would pair it with an additional highlighter, as even as a blush, it will still have a glowing finish!
Oh I could definitely use that as a ”top coat” on top of my peachy-pink blushes! (since I’m pale, I don’t think it would work that great as a highlighter)
PS: It looks GORGEOUS on your skin.. really!
Thank you, Anne-Sophie! 🙂
With a light hand, it could still highlight for you, I think!
This looks like a very promising product 🙂 I love the rose gold tone, and I think I can get away with wearing this as a blush! 🙂
I think you could!
So pretty! I think this would be my treat for 2014! Looks so good on you!
Thank you, Soleil!
I really wish you would make an iPhone app. I love your site! I really appreciate your honest reviews of products. 🙂
Hi Em,
What is it about the site that you can’t access/use through Safari? I have no trouble viewing/browsing the site on my iPhone so I’d love to know what you’re trying to do that you need something more specific for 🙂 We would have to hire a third party to develop an app, so we could only do it if it made sense as they can be really expensive to do!
I have a really hard time seeing words. As I have vision problems and have to literally enlarge through iPhone reader. But I cannot read the additional comments and your replies through the reader. I completely understand what you’re saying. Lol.
Sorry, I guess I just meant more mobile friendly.
Gotcha! Let me see if there’s something we can do to make the comments/replies enlarge…able? on the iPhone reader. Thank you for getting back to me!
No problem and thank you!
Wow gorgeous! I can definitely see the color on your cheeks and the effect is very subtle but beautiful! I have yet to try anything from this brand but the Lou-Manizers and eyeshadows are definitely on my list!
I love, love their powder highlighters! Very worth trying.
Oh wow. I’m impressed by how pigmented this is! Definitely might be a good highlighter for me 🙂 Looks so lovely on you!
I think it should work on everyone! I hope you get a chance to try, Desiqtie!
Hi Christine! Mary Lou is Beautiful! How would you say it compares to MAC Fairly Precious? It looks similar in your swatches? 🙂
Fairly Precious is really orange on me? http://www.temptalia.com/product/mac-cosmetics-extra-dimension-skinfinish/fairly-precious
Hmm..Ok. I was hoping, I didn’t need both. But, it looks like Cindy-Lou is going to be joining my collection! 😀
How does it compare to The Balm’s Hot Mama? I have Mary Lou and it is my favorite highlighter of all time.
I don’t have Hot Mama, but since it’s typically referred to as a NARS Orgasm dupe, it would be more of a blush than a highlighter with a stronger pink and gold coloring.
Ok Christine, after I read your review I’m already 1000% sure that I’m going to purchase the Cindy Lou Manizer. 🙂
It is so pretty! 😀
How does this compare to Superb?
Superb is a lot browner and metallic!
Can you do eyeshadow dupes of this, since it can be used as an eyeshadow?
http://www.temptalia.com/swatch-gallery?sg=144415,144064,144056,142783,138218,137304,121940,115595,109613,100712,94548
The second I heard about this I knew I needed to get it. I love Mary-Lou Manizer, it’s one of my all-time favorite products. I think Cindy-Lou would probably work best as a blush for me, but I don’t mind!
I think you’ll love it, Danielle! Will be so pretty on you.
It looks so good with your complexion. I’m definitely getting this! 😀
Thanks! Enjoy, Kim!
Oooh! Love it!
The color will show up on my complexion and I love that kind of glow!
Can’t wait to add it to my collection! 🙂
BTW, you totally rock it!
Hope you love it, Andriana 😀
This is gorgeous. The last thing I need is another highlight, but I will be picking this up sometime because Mary-Lou is probably my favorite. I know I’ll love this.
The texture is amazing!
Better than Dior Amber Diamond?
Amber Diamond is a lot subtler in comparison, and it is also a totally different color.
Looks good, Christine! How would you compare it to MAC soft and gentle?
Totally different! Soft & Gentle is very light and brown/gold.
I like this one more than the Mary Lou-Manizer. That one looks to striking against my skin, this one looks more natural!
I could definitely see this one being a little more natural!
I’m going to get the Mary Lou one considering my skin is warmer but is that highlighter build-able to give me a dewy look or is it too subtle? Thanks!
Oh, it’s not a subtle highlighter, IMO!