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.

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