The Balm Mary - Lou Manizer Review, Swatch & FOTD

I had heard really good things about the Mary-Lou Manizer so when it went on sale on The Balm website, I decided to get it. As described on the packaging, it can also be used as an eyeshadow and shimmer. As it turns out, I like the product more as an eyeshadow than a highlighter, but it works very well as both and it looks very nice on almost all skin tones. 

 Product Description: Meet Mary-Lou Manizer, a seemingly innocent honey-hued luminizer that catches everybody’s eye. This highlighter, shadow and shimmer diffuses light so your skin looks softer and younger while adding a subtle glow.

Packaging: Mary Lou-Manizer comes in a silver compact made of nice quality plastic with a large mirror.  I really like that it comes with a large mirror inside for on the go applications.I also love it's cute retro / vintage kinda packaging :)

My Views: Mary-Lou Manizer is a beautiful champagne colored highlight. This powder is incredibly soft and super smooth with no annoying chunks of glitter. I love how it gives my face that lit from within kind of glow and it is ultra pigmented so with just one swipe you've got the right amount for every area needed. Make sure you apply the tiniest amount and do a very light swipe otherwise you'll end up looking like a disco ball. 

Mary Lou is photo friendly! Yes I would have to say this looks absolutely gorgeous in photos and it doesn't look overly sparkly or shimmery either. It looks just as it does in person- glowy. I am also impressed with its lasting power, I applied it in the morning and it lasts throughout the day till late evening without fading at all. 

I think this will work well for every skin type but oily skinned people will have to be a bit more careful when applying it since as with any other highlighting product you can end up accentuating the oily look even more.

I like to use a small fan brush to apply this as it looks a lot better when it's focused on specific areas instead of being dusted everywhere. I like to start with just a bit on the brush and build it up as I go since it can be overdone pretty quickly otherwise. It can be used like it would be typically, over the bridge of the nose, in the center of the forehead and chin and over the high points of the cheek bones and cupids bow. I have used it on many occasions as an eye shadow all over the lid and on others as an inner corner of the eye and brow bone highlight too so it truly is a multi purpose product.  

Last but not the least, there is also a LOT of product in the pan. I could probably use this for the next 2-3 years and not run out considering how little you need.

My Recommendation: Overall a must have for any highlighter lover. It can be used to highlight the face or eye area but it also looks really nice over a blush to brighten up your complexion. A little bit pricey but definitely worth the buy.

Price & Availability: You can buy it directly from The Balm website for $24.But many online makeup stores like Rouge, Hash and International makeup in Pakistan etc are selling it in 2200 - 2400 PKR approx.

Rating:  4.5/5

    As always, thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed the review & let me know if  you have any of The Balm's products in your collection? If you do, which one is your favorite?  I love hearing from you. You can either find me on my Facebook/Instagram/ Pinterest  (I run giveaways on there & updates on products etc) or send me an email at wajiha.shakeel@gmail.com