Welcome back everyone! It's Friday and it seems like the perfect day to review some shimmering products - mainly to take us back to the 90's and the days of body glitter (you know you got involved, we don't judge here). More specifically, I'll be looking at a few highlighting and blush products from MUA; a very inexpensive but innovative brand currently available in Superdrug stores in the UK and online.

The first product I tested was their Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighters - these are a lightweight highlighting powder which I picked up in the shades Pink Shimmer and Iridescent Gold. This is also available in Opalescent Amber which I think would work beautifully with darker or more olive toned skin but would probably make my fair rosy cheeks look like that of an Oompa Loompa at a disco!

Top - Iridescent Gold, Bottom - Pink Shimmer

So as you can see from the swatches, they both show up well but the gold shade is most definitely standing out as the most pigmented of the two. It is safe to say that you definitely need a light hand with both of these products, unless of course you happen to suit a glitter-ball effect, in which case, more power to you!

MUA Undress Your Skin in Iridescent Gold

I have also found these highlighters to be very long-wearing, people will be complementing your glowing cheekbones at points in the day so far from the morning you can't even remember if you put any make up on at all. For the price, for the amount of product you get and for the quality, these are an absolute steal if you're looking for a fun alternative to a matte highlight.

MUA Undress Your Skin in Pink Shimmer

For me personally, the Iridescent Gold shade stands head and shoulders above Pink Shimmer - it is just so incredibly vibrant and I love the contrast it gives against a matte blush. It also works fantastically well as a brow bone highlight - perhaps not for an everyday look I admit but who doesn't want a touch of glam-rock glitter to grace their eyes occasionally?

MUA Mosaic Blush in English Rose

The next product I tried out was the Mosaic Blush in the shade English Rose (I know, so accurately named, sort of). I'll start by saying that I love the black packaging of this and, like the highlighters, it's a great size for the price. This blush is a mix of rose tones, light purples and peaches which are swirled together to create one beautifully highlighting and cool-toned blush.



This blush does have a very detectable shimmer but not a high colour impact, I feel like you could even wear this over a more pigmented matte blush for a really dramatic look (back to the glam-rock again, somebody book me in for a perm!). Worn on it's own, this blush doesn't quite pack the colour punch I normally like to brighten up my face, or at least make me look more cheerful than I actually am on a Monday morning. However, I can definitely see a place for it for anyone who prefers a softer, more delicate blush but still with some sparkle power.

L-R: Mosaic Blush in English Rose, Undress Your Skin in Iridescent Gold, Undress Your Skin in Pink Shimmer

Whilst we're on the subject of MUA powder products, I'd like to interject an honourable mention for their Translucent Pressed Powder (I know you came for highlights but I'm feeling cheeky, get it?). This is by far my favourite pressed powder at the moment, it is so fine and so natural looking, it's like a real life airbrush for me. This is my new handbag staple for touch ups throughout the day and it has ridiculous mattifying properties - it may quite literally be the best £1 I've ever spent that wasn't on chocolate, and that is a bold claim coming from me!

MUA Translucent Pressed Powder

So to sum up, I think all of these products are well worth a look if you're wanting a little more dazzle to grace your cheeks and it is really down to your personal shade preference. For me, the Iridescent Gold has the biggest 'glimpact' - glimmer and impact, keep up! Obviously, it's just a matter of what is going to work well with your skin tone and texture and if you find any other products which are going to let me realise my dream of becoming a glam-rock icon then be sure to let me know.

You can peruse for yourselves at MUA

Ciao for now.

NSB x