Review: the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer aka "The Luminizer"

The Balm is a brand that I'm slowly starting collect. I don't know why it took me so long to jump on the band wagon, but as a new convert, I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my purchases. On my recent Haute Look haul (which was all the Balm products) I snagged one beauty of a highlighter: Mary-Lou Manizer.

the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter- back of box

the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter

Asides from their products, the Balm knows great packaging. Everything has a vintage flair and is elegantly cute. The packaging for Mary-Lou (and the line mate, Betty-Lou Manizer a bronzer) depict the leading ladies' mug shots and a kitschy prison theme.

The compact is made of nice quality plastic with a large mirror. The compact is also HUGE. I doubt that I'll ever finish this, but you never know... it can be used as eyeshadow as well.While on that note, it does make a beautiful, brightening eyeshadow.

the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter

the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter

Mary-Lou Manizer is a pale, golden-champagne colour. What makes it so great (to me anyhow) is everything that this highlighter doesn't have: no pieces of shimmer or glitter! This is a finely milled, soft powder that applies with a good dose of shimmer, but a glowing, lit from within shimmer. While it can pack a punch, it is easily blended out and creates a really pretty glow. I wasn't sure if the golden tones would work well on my skin tone, but it isn't so warm that cool tones can't use this and have it look great.

MAC Perfect Topping MSF, MAC Lightscapade MSF, the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer, Urban Decay Virgin Eyeshadow

As you can see above, I've compared it to a few other highlighters in my collection. MAC Perfect Topping is more peach, MAC Lightscapade is lighter and cooler toned. Since Mary-Lou can be used as an eyeshadow I compared it to Urban Decay's Virgin, which is fairly similar, but it has more pink tones. I have found when using Mary-Lou as eyeshadow, I have to blend a little less or I'll end up with nothing. It does however work well on it's own or with a little liner, as a quick eye brightener.
I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I do! It's just so glowy and gorgeous and easy to use. I should add my favourite way to apply this is with my Smashbox Fan Brush (#22) It allows me to apply a light layer of highlight exactly where I want it. Have you tried this highlighter? What Balm products do you like?