LAURA MERCIER Face Illuminators

Laura Mercier Face Illuminating Powders (0.35 oz.) individually retail for $44 USD ($50 CAD) and is available in four permanent shades. They are said to be "a long-wearing, buildable and versatile highlighting powder that provides a natural-looking, radiant, allover glow."

* Addiction is described for medium to dark skin tones. [P]

* Devotion is described for fair to medium skin tones. [P]

* Indiscretion is described for fair to medium skin tones. [P]

"Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder highlights the skin with pure light-reflecting pigments for a color-true, multidimensional, and luminous finish that complements all skintones. Its non-dusting texture allows for excellent color payoff and applies smoothly and evenly onto skin without dragging. Designed to complement all skintones, the unique formula brings natural-looking radiance to the complexion for an instant glow that lasts up to eight hours."

For the holidays the brand released a Fall In Love Face Illuminator Collection $58 USD ($70 CAD) - 4 x 0.11 oz. which is a palette that features all 4 permanent shades. Breaking down the size and price, the palette is a $55 USD ($62 CAD) value — so while you aren't technically saving money, you are getting 0.09 oz. more product and the opportunity to try every shade.

The packaging is a rather bulky, plastic compact that opens to reveal a mirror. The product itself has a very beautiful design and looks incredibly smooth in the pan—with a more creative mind, it looks like a gathered up silk sheet. While the chunkier compact does make it a little tricky to store, it does ensure that the product won't break easily and it does feel quite luxurious.

These highlighters are also versatile in the sense that they can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for a more intense finish, and they can be paired over blushes to add extra sheen and dimension.

Addiction is a medium, yellow gold with warm undertones and a luminous, frosted finish. The texture was soft, smooth and despite having a slightly dry feel, it blended out on the skin easily. It had nice color payoff that was noticeable on fair skin, so for lighter skin tones a lighter application or a fluffier brush is ideal. Addiction lasted +8.5 hours before fading and didn't emphasize pores. (5/5)

* Anastasia So Hollywood was cooler, more frosted.

Devotion is a light pink with hints of rose, warm undertones and a luminous frosted sheen. This shade left a nice illuminated sheen to the skin that could be built up for a more metallic finish without enhancing the look of pores or imperfections. It had a soft, blendable texture that applied easily and worked well both on the cheeks and eyes as a highlight. Devotion lasted +8.5 hours before fading. (5/5)

* Anastasia Crushed Pearl was brighter, cooler, more shimmery. Anastasia Starburst was darker, warmer, more frosted. Anastasia Starlight was cooler, more shimmery. Urban Decay Aura was lighter, cooler, more frosted.

Indiscretion is a medium, rose gold with warm undertones and a luminous, frosted finish. The texture was again very soft, smooth and blended out on the skin easily regardless of the drier, weightless feel. It left a soft, illuminated glow to skin but I found it could lightly emphasize pores and drier areas if too dense of a brush was used to apply. Indiscretion wore well for +8.5 hours before fading. (5/5)

* Anastasia Riviera was darker, more frosted. Becca Rose Gold was darker, warmer.

Overall, these are beautiful highlighters—they have a soft, weightless feeling on the skin, they blend out easily and the level of sheen is controllable with the right brush. Like with most highlighters, I've also been loving using these wet on the lid to brighten up the eyes! My one and only "downfall" is the bulkier packaging, it can be a little difficult to store but the quality, wear and look of these on the skin certainly outshine that little inconvenience. With all of that said, I do recommend checking these out if you've been interested in them or if you're a fan of highlighting in general!

Heads up—the brand will be releasing a palette containing all four available shades this holiday season! Check back for more details coming soon.

Available now from Sephora & Sephora Canada