The "holographic" label had me intrigued. If you're expecting an actual holographic effect, then you'd be disappointed. The eyeshadow doesn't flash different colours or have an iridescence to it as the name might suggest. Mystic Lemon is a luminous pale yellow gold with a slightly warmer gold pearl. It's not shimmery, glittery or frosty, rather the effect is relatively subdued and it imparts more of a subtle sheen. theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer is glowier, more concentrated, closer to a pale champagne with very slight peach tones. It's significantly superior in texture — much smoother, creamier and softer than the Essence. Mystic Lemon is harder and drier to the touch, but still manages to pack a punch if built up in pigmentation. The packaging is unsurprisingly cheap and flimsy and the plastic hinge crumbled and broke apart when I was taking photos.
l-r: Essence Mystic Lemon 1 swipe, 2 swipes, 3 swipes
I normally apply Mystic Lemon with the fingers to the tops of the cheekbones and browbone. You can control the desired intensity depending on how many layers are applied. I need at least 2-3 for it to look anything like how I imagine NARS Albatross would on my skin, with its distinct yellow tone. I doubt that Essence could rival NARS in terms of quality, but at least Mystic Lemon is a means of seeing how a pale yellow highlighter looks like on me before shelling out for the real deal. I'm not really head over heels with it, but chances are I'd be much more enthusiastic about Albatross if I ever decide to get it. For now, I'm content with my existing highlighter collection, though Dior Ultra-Shimmering All Over Face Powder in Amber Diamond remains the only one I'd pounce on if given the opportunity.
NARS Albatross has chunky gold shimmer running through it- this looks more satin? I agree- Dior Amber Diamond, why did you have to go?
ReplyDeleteAlso, was anticipating the Empties post! Still anticipating. :) I'm so over Essence- the luxe and quality of high-end cannot be quelled by $2 lip liners. Only something like a rerelease of the soufflé formula will entice me back to the Essence stand. For that, I would be first in line.
DeleteLOL sorry, there isn't going to be one. I only took a photo because I had been collecting for the purpose of taking one :p I've written about them all except the Biore serum which I quite liked. It sank really fast into the skin, had this fruity smell and seemed to work well underneath my moisturiser. I know what you mean about Essence, way too much cheap crap sometimes. I don't know why they won't re-release the eye souffles! >:(
DeleteI prefer darker highlighters, although I'm quite fair, the lightest ones tend to look too fake on me. Good thing you were able to try something similar to the Nars one before splurging ^^
ReplyDeleteInteresting alternative, but yeah as an eyeshadow, I didn't really expect it to be comparable to a glowy highlighter!
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to give a subtle effect though :)
Daaaang that's pretty cheap packaging if it just broke with slight man-handling. :)) I've been looking for a legit highlighter I can use (I currently just use champagne-y eyeshadows as my highlight) pretty, but this won't do it for me.
ReplyDeleteI find Essence to be very hit and miss, but to be honest, I sort of expect it for the price! If you're looking for something similar to Albatross, have a look at the Elf blushes - there's a highlighter that's meant to be similar, though I find it a bit chalky xx
ReplyDeleteWow it looks like quite a good subtle highlighter, but the packaging looks very cheap and fragile.
ReplyDeletexx
Gemma | MissMakeupMagpie.co.uk
essence is availale in our local drugstore now and i just need to haunt for items that will be worth it ;)
ReplyDeletelooks beautiful, great effect o your skin! x
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen this yet but will definitely be keeping my eyes open!
ReplyDeletewow I wouldn't think to use it as highlighter, great idea! .. it gives a nice subtle glow on your cheeks but nothing overdone :)
ReplyDeleteI have not yet tried essence single eye shadows because I prefer the ones from catrice.
essence is one of my fave drugstore brand,but I like its 'sister' ; Catrice better. I wonder why catrice is not internationally available like essence because catrice has a lot of nice products. :)
Yes, I wish Catrice were available here! I would love to try some of their products :) If I ever made a trip to Germany it would definitely be on the list of things to do LOL
DeleteThanks for sharing, This essense shadow looks like it would be great value, but I love highlighter so much that I have to have the creme de la creme. Amber diamond is easily one of my favourite highlights but I also love the MAC extra dimension skin finishes.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Glad there is a (much) cheaper alternative for those wanting a yellow gold highlighter. I'm more than happy with Albatross, it is one of my favorites. Especially when layered with a cream, like MAC Hush. I think theBalm Mary-Lou is still my favorite highlighter though. Dior Amber Diamond actually doesn't wow me TBH! I have it and rarely reach for it. I still keep it and use it every now and then to see if I will ever get that "Aha! That is what everyone loves about it" moment.
ReplyDeleteReally! That makes me feel better then LOL. I really wanted to get MAC Hush but somehow I managed to resist when I was in the States last year. I was so obsessed with highlighters early last year, but I've cooled down considerably. I guess I just don't really use them that much. I think my favourite is the Jemma Kidd cream one that's sadly now been discontinued because I think the whole brand went bust.
DeleteI've never tried Essence before, it does look like quite a nice brand and I think this in particular looks really nice on you :)
ReplyDeleteAmy xx
A Little Boat Sailing
I didn't know this was a 'dupe' for albatross! It looks quite nice, I have a lot of goldy highlighters but no light yellow toned ones. I might have to check this out!
ReplyDeletewe've never tried any essence products. for the price i guess you can't go wrong. we'll have to check it out. From the sounds of it, their products are either a hit or miss, hopefully it works out for us!
ReplyDeletewww.mkstylerambligns.blogspot.com.au
Oh no, the packaging!!!! Such a shame but I guess you really do get you pay for in most cases :/ Either way, despite the quality issues overall, I quite like a yellow highlight on you!! It looks natural and very pretty so I think if you ever do splurge on Albatross you'll be overwhelmingly happy with it :) Yellow highlighters just don't work out on my skin (brings out my yellow undertones and makes me look like I'm quite ill haha) so I really appreciate them on others!
ReplyDeleteCassie
thriftthick.blogspot.com
It's funny that it broke apart during your photo taking! But hey, i guess you get what you pay for, right? I've been dying to get my hands on the infamous Amber Diamond as well, butjust cannot justify spending that much on a highlighter!
ReplyDeleteHaha too much rough handling :p That's happened a few times now actually! Amber Diamond was on StrawberryNet quite a while ago, I think for $44, and I was so tempted but back then spending that much on a highlighter was still ludicrous. I would buy it only because it's so hard to get a hold of and everyone raves about it! :p
DeleteAmber Diamond is amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a nice enough highlighter, especially for the price. I would be disappointed the holographic effect wasn't real though!
xoxo
This reminds me a lot of the twilight highlighter by essence, very yellow :) very pretty too!
ReplyDeleteSo stunning, bit of a shame the packaging isn't the best but as long as the product is nice that's all that matters!
ReplyDeleteJennie xo | sailorjennie.com
I love me some highlighters but I think that's a bit too yellow for me. I think I said "oh no!" outloud when I saw the hinge came off. Cheap is fine, but crumbling and breaking? No thank you :/
ReplyDelete- Jess
The Mod Mermaid
Thanks for showing the broken lid - I can't deal with packaging issues and this means I'll probably never buy an Essence powder shadow in its current form. But I think it was an inspired test drive to see if yellow highlighters work for you! Amber Diamond looks scary shimmery in pan but it seems to be a general favourite among beauty bloggers. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, the packaging was seriously subpar, but I guess you get what you pay for being $3.50. But then again, the same thing happened to my Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner palette which retails for something like $25.95 here (lol at Australia). Amber Diamond is one of those permanent fixtures on my wishlist, but at the same time, not a "MUST BUY IMMEDIATELY CAN'T SLEEP" thing :p Thankfully. (Yet?)
DeleteThe highlighter looks nice and subtle on your cheekbones. I used to be so into highlighters - it was part of my daily makeup routine but now not so much anymore mainly because I would prefer a powder product I can apply quickly and haven't found one yet. I would love to try Amber Diamond too!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I was obsessed with highlighter early last year but I don't really bother with it these days. I really like the look of highlighted cheekbones though, and how they catch the light when you turn your face.
DeleteIt looks really pretty on your cheeks, it's a shame about the cheap packaging & bad texture but at least it is buildable. I really want to try the Mary Lou-Manizer for a more dramatic highlighter compared to Lightscapade!
ReplyDeleteOh, no! I hated this mostly because it was labeled as holographic which it clearly isn't and I remember reviewing it just when Essence came out in Australia. I tend not to buy the eyeshadows of their 'permanent' line because the quality is so poor! Here's my review if you'd like to read it: http://gardenofshadowsstore.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/review-essence-haul.html
ReplyDeletemy eyes glowed at "holographic" but then i read on LOL
ReplyDeletei don't know why, i've never really been into highlighters? it just seems like an extra step that doesn't really do much for me, maybe it's because i haven't found the right highlighter :3
à la foliee
I often forget highlighters in my step then shudder as I see how dimensionless my face looks throughout the day. HAHA. Darn.
ReplyDelete<3 Carolyn