*INFLUENSTER sent me this product to try for complimentary testing purposes. Affiliate links included. Full disclaimer here. #MarcGlowStick
When I found out Influenster was sending me the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator, I was pretty psyched because what beauty junkie doesn’t love getting high-end makeup for free!? [Side note before we go any further: Anyone can sign up for Influenster – not just blogger/vloggers – and they occasionally will send you items for complimentary testing purposes if it fits your lifestyle.] Today, I’m going to tell you if this highlighter is worth the hype, worth the price, right for you and show some swatches because it’s certainly made its rounds on social media lately…
The Marc Jacobs Beauty Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator is a “portable cream stick highlighter in a first-ever universal shade for instant dewy payoff,” as described on Sephora.com. It advertises that first-ever universally flattering concept because of the combination between pearly silver and gold pigments that allow both warm and cool skin tones to wear this product. It’s creamy, but never feels wet or sticky and the shape of the highlighter allows for on-the-go and travel-friendly application.
Marc Jacobs Beauty advises Glow Stick can be applied in two ways:
I’ve been bombarded with highlighters lately, so I do a pretty rigorous testing trial period. I’ve used Glow Stick in the following ways:
My favorite way to use Marc Jacobs Glow Stick is under mineral/powder foundation directly from the stick. I find it gives a beautiful natural, lit-from-within glow when applied this way and peeks through the skin so nicely.
My second favorite way to apply Glow Stick is on top of liquid foundation with a beauty blender. This method gives a more natural finish, without appearing oily.
I disliked applying it with a duo fiber brush or my fingers on top of any foundation because it looked patchy and a bit glittery, honestly.
I also didn’t like applying it directly on top of liquid/powder foundations from the stick because – as you may imagine – it slightly messed with the foundation and I was left with a bit of a cakey mess to blend.
Overall, it never made my oily complexion feel greasy, which is nice. It never broke me out – another plus. Do I think this is universal? Sure… but if you’re darker complected, you may need to use this very sparingly, but I think it could still work.
Here’s a selfie of me wearing Marc Jacobs Glow Stick on top of my liquid foundation:
I believe this highlighter is perfect for those on-the-go, who travel frequently, work long hours and like a bit of a pick-me-up before heading out at night, post-workout makeup, SATMs who don’t have the time for a full face of makeup but want to look fresh/glowy, and/or those with normal/dry skin. The packaging makes it ideal for travel/running around without having to worry the compact may crack and make a mess. It also doesn’t require the added tool of a brush/sponge for application, which is convenient.
Those with more oily skin may simply just prefer powder formulas, better than this. It *can* slightly exaggerate any texture in skin if not applied well (e.g.: breakouts, pores, etc.).
Marc Jacobs Glow Stick will run you $42 for .49oz of product. It initially sounds pricey, until you do the math and compare it to other similar items. For instance, Becca’s Champagne Pop Poured (cream) compact will run you $38 for .19oz of product. So if you got TWO Becca poured highlighters (.38oz), you’re getting LESS than Marc Jacobs and would be paying a whopping $76. Decisions, decisions…
You can pick it up at your local Sephora or Sephora.com.
What do you think? Is this highlighter what you’ve been looking for or are you going to pass on it?
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Happy glowing,
-Steffanie
