-CUE THE SOUNDS OF ANGEL TRUMPETS AND GROSS SOBBING-
It was all fine and dandy until I asked the cashier how much Mary-Lou Manizer was. $32??!?!?!?! AW HELL NAW.
The broke student inside me told me to put it back and look online to see if there was a cheaper price. And I'm so glad I did, because I managed to find it online for $24 at Nail Polish Canada!
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(Click here for a swatch without my glasses on!)(...one of the only few times you'll see me without glasses on, ok?!?!?)
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Here's a comparison of Betty-Lou with other bronzers.
Oh, and I know there's talk of Essence's 'Gold Digger' highlighter (Metal Glam limited collection, $4 CDN) being a dupe for Mary-Lou, so I decided to compare the two.
Mary-Lou is a touch more golden, and much, much creamier and pigmented than Essence's, but if you need a quick budget-friendly fix, the shades are fairly similar!
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Mary-Lou Manizer
Definitely a new favourite—what's not to love???!?! I've been meaning to purchase this gorgeous champagne highlighter for years, and so pleased when it showed up in the 2013 favourites of numerous bloggers. Definitely my most pigmented and creamiest highlighter, not too stark, and better than some of my other high end highlighters! (Move over, Moon and High Beam!)
Betty- Lou Manizer
I'm on the fence about this—on one hand, this bronzer is shimmery and slightly orange for my skintone, but on the other, the powder itself is so darn creamy and pigmented.
I know a lot of people enjoy Betty-Lou as a bronzer (typically medium-darker skin tones), but on my fair skin, it just doesn't work out. (I do resemble a rather attractive oompa loompa though)
Betty- Lou Manizer
I'm on the fence about this—on one hand, this bronzer is shimmery and slightly orange for my skintone, but on the other, the powder itself is so darn creamy and pigmented.
I know a lot of people enjoy Betty-Lou as a bronzer (typically medium-darker skin tones), but on my fair skin, it just doesn't work out. (I do resemble a rather attractive oompa loompa though)
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I know Obsessed Canada sent me this product to review, but the truth is, I really do like this company. I've bought products from them before (y'know...other products with my own money), and they offer free shipping in Canada and send you a free lollipop with every order! If that isn't generous, then I don't know what is! :D
What's your favourite highlighter? Tried anything from The Balm? ʘ‿ʘ







I always shy away from bronzer, since I find it really hard to find the right place the put the bronzer on, and most of the time I end up having brown cheeks.... And a free lollipop with every order? I might have to check this company out!
ReplyDeleteYet Another Makeup Blog.
Yeah same!! To be honest, this is the first time I 'tried' contouring properly...and I'm glad I don't look like I have weird brown stripes on my face ;-;
DeleteI've passed by a display of The Balm stuff, and seriously gushed over the packaging without even knowing what the actual products were. Just a lot of ooh-ing and ahhh-ing, then 5 minutes later, "Okay, what IS this I'm holding?" I really want to try out the blushes someday when I can justify adding another one to my overflowing collection.
ReplyDeleteBoth the Mary-Lou Manizer and Betty-Lou Manizer look pretty on you though!
RIGHT???? UGH I want everything because their packaging is seriously amazing!!
DeleteSame!...because...my blush collection is getting out of hand....
Thankyou! :D
I'm sooo glad you managed to grab this duo! I've been super tempted to get the betty lou since I'm a huge fan of bronzer shimmery shades. I've had mary lou for two plus year now but I never use it on my face, I always use it as my underbrow highlight! I love how you've sculpted your cheeks with the bronzer!
ReplyDeleteYou're glad I got this duo? ;) (You must really like Mary Lou then!)
DeleteYEAH, I ALWAYS SEE MARY LOU IN YOUR FOTD'S. You're practically selling that item to me, hah ;)
Thankyou! c:
Whoa - $32 is so expensive! Its $27 here in Australia and we have some ridiculously hiked up prices! Mary Lou is definitely my faveeee highlighter - I'm so excited for Cindy Lou, she will probably end up in my shopping bag!
ReplyDelete(BTW, I'm so happy to have found your blog, I love your photos and personality :) haha)
Tasha // shiwashiful.
CANADIAN STORES BE ROBBIN' MAH $$ ;-;
DeleteYes! I also wanted to pick up Cindy Lou for this post but it was sold out :(
(Ahh, thanks! The feeling is mutual ;) )
The Mary Lou looks really pretty in the package and on you! I keep meaning to check The Balm's selection of products as I've heard good things from my friends. I'm new to highlighters and just started using RMS Living Luminizer last month. It's a little scary looking in the pot but a total pick me up on the face. It's pricey at $38 and I got it for 25% off but a little goes a long way and it's certified organic so I feel good about using it.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend Vanessa!
The hubs and I ordered in sushi and watched Running Man for VDay. Typical old married couple's fare :)
Rowena @ rolala loves
-scurries off to google RMS-
DeleteI'm still yet to foray in organic makeup, but the swatches of the highlighter look amazing on the face!
Running Man on VDay??? WHEN I GROW UP, I WANNA BE JUST LIKE YOU ;)
okay i love your picture without the glasses SO MUCH. thats a really pretty angle of you btw :) i got really excited when i saw you post this in IG. i swatched them at the counter a month ago and i was so impressed by how creamy these are. and youre right about them being better than most high end brands. theyre also expensive here :( im thinking of getting betty lou and cindy lou sometime. PS how do you avoid catching reflections on your glasses?
ReplyDeleteOTHX, I THINK (I vastly prefer my profile shots than front views of my face heheheheh)
DeleteYESSSS! Just say the word and I'll ship both of them to you ;)
Uh, I don't LOL. Well, usually I'll take several dozen selfies and whichever looks good, looks good I guess.
hahaha i tried that! i wanted to create a nice make up look with my reading glasses on, but every pic had glares and random reflections on my glasses so i gave up lol
DeleteI've not heard of this brand before~ but I love the packaging, and I've come to trust your judgement the most when it comes to cheek products haha^^ Thanks for your review Vanessa! x
ReplyDelete!?!???????!?! YOU NEED TO CHECK THIS BRAND OUT!
DeleteWow, a trusted authority on cheek products now? (Don't inflate my ego, otherwise I'm going to have grand dreams of launching my own blush line one day, haha :D)
These shades look great on you (the glasses too), I'm glad you really like Mary-Lou Manizer, I can't get enough. Love the pics! :)
ReplyDeletewww.natalielovesbeauty.com
Heheheh, thankyou!!
DeleteEveryone should have Mary Lou! :D
hahah swayed by free lolli's are we? i love the comparison swatches! that will totally help someone out there i know it.
ReplyDeleteyou're photos make me wnat to buy photoshop for my mac except its $$$$ grumble grumble.
Jenn
A Beautiful Zen
Pft, candy4lyfe. ;)
DeleteWELL, partly photoshop, partly the camera. I figured out how to get my photos to be whiter by upping the shutter speed :D
(Maybe I'll do a blog post on shooting process/photo editing?)
Great review! I feel the same way about Betty-Lou Manizer, it's just a bit too orange and pigmented for my skin tone! but I've been loving Mary-Lou Manizer :)
ReplyDeleteBeyondBlush
Thanks! Yeah, it's probably the whole copper tone in it BUT EVERYONE LOVES MARY LOU :D
DeleteI love Mary-Lou! I had neglected her lately, but started using her again. I got them in a kit and didn't enjoy Betty-Lou since she made me look like an oompa loopma too. I tried to love it, but it didn't work out. Love the picture with no glasses! :)
ReplyDeleteOff topic speaking..Once Upon a Time is coming back soon! :D Ah i just saw the preview and can't wait for it to start! The Wicked Witch is coming!
WELP, THERE GOES MY THEORY OF IT WORKING BETTER ON MEDIUM-DARKER SKIN TONES. I have tried using it as eyeshadow, and it kinda works!
DeleteYES, YES, YES OUAT. EVERYTHING. MY BODY IS READY.
sooo can you like... give me your contouring skills!? please?
ReplyDeleteDARNIT STEPH, IT WOULD BE THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND.
DeleteA FREE LOLLIPOP?! Maaaaaan, I think companies could learn from that because that's a GREAT idea! Candy and makeup at the same time? Love it! I remember going to the bank as a kid and giving the bank owners the puppy eyes and always expecting a lollipop in return..I still subconsciously do it...even though I'm usually there to make a deposit and forget that I'm not like 5 years old anymore!
ReplyDeleteI NEED to get my hands on that highlighter! Ima wait until they're on hautelook again (I mean, you can't beat $9)
www.lilting-grace.blogspot.com
RIGHT? RIGHT? Oh, you are a shameless one ;)
DeleteUGH. Is Hautelook any good? I've debated signing up but idk about the service and shipping to Canadaland
..Free lollipop?! I likey. And ARGUH, your pictures are so amazing as always. ;-; and the conturing. and the face. I like.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely liking Mary Lou, it looks so pretty! Thanks for the comparison swatches bro, they're actually super helpful. :D
WE ALL LIKEY. (And thankyou! YES, BUT YOUR PHOTOS ARE ALSO AMAZE)
DeleteYeah, I was wondering if they would even but helpful but eh, they're there for whomever needs em!
You look great in that photo. Without sounding too fan girlish, I think the black of your glasses frames against your pale skin + the peachiness that the Lou-manizers look in the photo is really striking :) But I guess maybe they aren't that peachy in real life.
ReplyDeleteSounding too fangirlish??? NEVER HAD THAT KIND OF RESPONSE BEFORE :D (But thankyou!!)
DeleteEh, maybe they are, maybe they aren't. Maybe I just hit the jackpot with the light?
Awesome review and loved that you did a comparison ^_^ GAH U FINALLY GOT THE MARY LOU OMG ANGELS BE SINGING RIGHT NOW LIKE CRAY CRAY BECAUSE HAALLLLLALLLUJAAH!!!
ReplyDeletehaha can you tell I am still as insanely obsessed with the stuff as I was a year ago?! XD
I'm not sure I'd buy the other two lous in the range because again not sure how they'd suit le skin tone, but seeing as they're both as creamy as Marylou.....who knows o.0
Iqra |The Blushing Giraffe
xxx
THE ANGELS BE LIKE, REJOICING :D
Delete(It's ok, it's a product to get hyped about)
YEAH, but I'm a bit interested in Cindy Lou! I'm content with Mary now, but one day I'll swatch Cindy and see how that goes!
These two babes from the Balm sounds and looks great! The only thing I have right now from the Balm is their Nude'tude palette - I'm just not the type to get around to London Drugs often so I don't get to venture and browse through their products as much as I would like to haha. BTW, I think you look great without glasses! :)
ReplyDeleteKINDA JEALOUS THAT YOU HAVE THAT PALETTE, since I've been after that one for the longest time, even though I don't really like the shades in that one! (PACKAGING GETS ME ;-;)
DeleteHaha, thankyou!! (Though I'm sure that if you all got a front view of my face without glasses, y'all would be cringing)
This does look very nice on you! I really want to try one of the louminizers.
ReplyDeletekatespitz.blogspot.com
Thankyou! Everyone should try out at least one of The Balm's products, tbh!
DeleteI would LOVE to try out mary I don't think I could pull off cindy! the fact that I'm too pale for a highlighter is a bit sad
ReplyDeletehttp://mercuteify.blogspot.com/
PFT, DOUBT YOU'D BE TOO PALE FOR CINDY. (Unless you are actually really pale in real life, then mah bad)
DeleteWe love the balm and their range! the package itself always catches our eyes
ReplyDeletewww.mkstyleramblings.blogspot.com.au
Packaging always catches everyone's eyes ;)
DeleteI've been thinking about getting Mary Lou for years now but just never got it. I still think about getting it all the time (I have similar shades already in eye shadows... not the same but similar). Rexall sometimes will have BOGO on The Balm products too.
ReplyDeleteOuuu, I didn't know about BOGO/Rexall!
DeleteIF YOU THINK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME, IT'S PROBABLY A SIGN THAT YOU NEEEED IT ;)
I haven't tried anything from the balm so thanks for sharing this! I've heard of Nail Polish Canada so I'm going to check out their sister store now :)
ReplyDeleteAhh, you definitely need to try the Balm this year! They're amazing! :D
DeleteI have Mary Lou Manizer and I luv it! It's my Favorite Highlight Powder!
ReplyDeleteI didn't get Betty Lou Manizer since I don't feel the need for shimmery bronzers in my life.. lol
there's Cindy Lou Manizer, but it's not yet available here in PH, just curious how it will show on my skintone. I actually really want to collect The Balm products but my budget won't allow. hehe
Btw, you look cute with your glasses on... ^_^
Random Beauty by Hollie
Best highlight powder ever! :D
DeleteYeah, I'm personally not a fan of shimmery bronzers either, but I was surprised that I did enjoy Betty even though it was orange!
UGH. I WANT EVERYTHING FROM THEM. PACKAGING IS TOO CUTE
(Thankyou! :D)
I'm still newbie in makeup so I haven't tried buying highlighters yet. But this one can be a nice recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
xx,
MITCH | Click to join OhDearBumblebees' Giveaway~*
This highlighter is all you really need! :)
DeleteOh dear... I typed quite a bit and the screen just went back to the previous page! I guess I hit some shortcut portion on the laptop mouse.
ReplyDeleteThe Balm and Benefit often get me confused as they have similar theme for packaging for some of their products. They have those 50s kinda poster girl packaging or else then some other pretty packaging. They are also exquisitely priced but I heard it is worth the dollar and cents. I remember picking up a small little case of (I forgot was it highlighter or blusher) from The Balm and was startled by the SGD$40++ price tag. I put it back in the end as my daily make up consist of the same few products.
Btw, I'm having a 2nd blog giveaway and I'm inviting you, my lovely blog friend to participate if you're keen as it is opened internationally. No obligations of coz though it would be great to see you there!
Aside:
I remember you suggesting to use Rafflecopter like many other bloggers and so I did. However, I'm having trouble seeing and retrieving the entry details. Do you have any idea what's wrong? If I can't retrieve these details, the rafflecopter is useless for me. Thanx in advance!
Oh no! I hate it when it does that AND ALL THAT HARD WORK GOES AWAY ;-;
DeleteYeah, their packaging is pretty similar, but I do have to admit that I enjoy theBalm's more! (+its cheaper) It's decently priced here in the Americas though! (Well, because it's imported to Singapore, hah)
You have such a pretty side-profile with AND without glasses. (No Creepo) <3
ReplyDeleteBut seriously the packaging is adorable and the colour works a natural treat. Adding colour without looking heavy or orange. Good thing you found it for a slash of the price!!
edge-e.blogspot.co.uk
Loves.
X
WHY THANKYOU ;D
DeleteThe packaging is adorable!! I'M A BARGAIN HUNTER BY HEART
I definitely need that highlighter in my life, ASAP :)
ReplyDeletehttp://wwwclairabelle.blogspot.co.uk
It's gorgeous! :D
DeleteI really want to purchase Mary-Lou Manizer, but keep postponing it. The swatch killed me haha. Betty-Lou looks really beautiful as well, though I see what you mean. It depends on your skin tone. If you're lucky it'll give you a gorgeous golden sheen, and if not it will look slightly orange.
ReplyDeleteTiloLovesVanilla
I postponed it myself for like, years, haha. Yeah, it really does depend on your skin tone! Unfortunately, I was not blessed with the tone to pull it off ;)
Delete