It is officially winter in a few days and for some of us (me included), it's the beginning of wind chills and snow storms (Toronto has already experienced a taste of it these last few days). Winter days can wreak havoc on our moods and our complexion. Don't let the dreary weather get you down, use a highlighter to quickly brighten up your skin (and your mood).

Here are five of my favourite highlighters at the moment that help bring back that luminosity:

1. Benefit Dandelion

A sheer shimmer of pink. Brightens up the complexion in a swift, no fuss way.

$36.00 | Permanent | Benefit counters

2. TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

Champagne and not for the faint of heart. It's hardly subtle. While it blends beautifully, it's definitely a showstopper.

$31.00 | Permanent | Rexall

3. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Rose Gold

Who isn't falling head over heels over this tone right now? This rosy glow will leave you luminous all throughout the winter season (read full review here).

$46.00 | Limited Edition | Sephora

4. Dior Amber Diamond

A classic highlighter. A mix of golds, bronze and pale champagnes... it's a fool-proof way to get your glow on.

$45.00 | Permanent | Dior counters

5. Lancôme Rose Étincelle

A pale iridescent pink that will leave your skin looking ethereal (read full review here).

$52.00 | Limited Edition | Lancôme counters

Lancôme has brought out a stunning illuminating powder for their Holiday Collection. How gorgeous is it? Lancôme has really outdone themselves with this limited edition Highlighter Rose Étincelle. I've been eyeing it since it popped into the blogosphere.
It's a beautifully refined iridescent powder with a subtly pink hue. It will instantly illuminate your complexion with just one swipe.

Packaging is gorgeous, as usual. The glossy black compact is classic and at certain angles, you can see the timeless Lancôme rose imprinted on the lid.



The imitation of crystalline frost in the powder is perfection. I really can't get enough of the embossed design: the iconic rose surrounded by mimics of snowflakes. There's a bit of a silver overspray. While I'm not a huge fan of overspray, thankfully it doesn't ruin the intended effect.





This illuminating powder will suit most skin tones, although if you have a medium / deep skin tone, you have to moderate your application. Apply too much and it can look too frosty on the cheek bones. I typically apply it with a finger or a small brush and then buff it out. You still get that luminosity and iridescent without the frostiness.





For those who missed out on Lancôme's holiday offering last year, here's a little comparison.

While similar in texture, application and longevity (about 6+ hours), the actual colours are quite different. Last year's highlighter (the Moonlight Rose Illuminating Blush*) was a champagne with a hint of rose, while this year's highlighter is a very pale pink.

So different that it's worth owning both ;).

l-r (heavily swatched): Rose Étincelle, Moonlight Rose Illuminating Blush

l-r (blended out): Rose Étincelle, Moonlight Rose Illuminating Blush

Overall, it's a lovely highlighter. It will especially be a favourite to those with paler skin or those who are tired of the typical champagne / gold shades.

What do you think? Will you be picking one up?

Pricing & Availability

$52.00 CDN | 10 g | Limited Edition | Lancôme counters or Lancôme.ca