Rarely does my bizarre memory for cheesy pop music lyrics come in as handy as it did today. While marveling at the explosion of pigment and glitter on my cheeks from two of the eight new Make Up For Ever Uplight ($28) highlighters, I sang along to a MUFE version of Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl.
“Uplight girl! She’s been living in her uplight world!”
Okay, so I’m way too easily amused. 🙂 But I do think these multitasking, oil-free illuminators are well worth singing about.
Make Up For Ever Uplight in #12 Dewy Golden Warm (left) and #32 Sparkling Golden Pink (right)
Maybe because they’re mostly water (70%), these gel highlighters feel almost weightless, and it’s like they melt right into my skin (I previously talked about them here).
How do they compare to the NARS Illuminators?
NARS released a similar product earlier this spring called the Illuminators. While I think both those and these are great, MUFE gave the Uplights a fluffier, airier texture that I find easier to blend. And from the colors I’ve seen so far, the Uplights also appear to pack much more pigment. For a subtle tint, I might opt for a NARS Illuminator, but I’d reach for an Uplight if I wanted bolder colors with intense glitter and shine.
The eight Uplights span a range of warm and cool shades. I tried #12 Dewy Golden Warm (a pearly, warm gold) and #32 Sparkling Golden Pink (a shimmery, peachy pink with golden glitter).
#32 Sparkling Golden Pink
What a fun shade! This bold baddie has HELLA golden glitter. With it on, I feel like 1,000 angels just left sweet, sparkly kisses on my cheeks.
Um, did I mention this has a lot of glitter?? Seriously, it packs enough to build two discos. I love it! — although I’m afraid I might be a little too old experienced 🙂 to wear it during the day. I think I may actually like it more on my lips and lids, but if you’re a little younger than I am or work in a creative environment, I bet you could rock this blush at noon. I have no qualms, however, about wearing it at night, and I’m definitely wearing it the next time I go clubbing or hit the Vegas strip.
#12 Dewy Golden Warm
I was hoping pigmented golden pearl #12 would resemble a warmer version of MAC Strobe, but it lacks the opalescence that gives Strobe such incredible dimension. I think it’s still gorgeous, though, and looks great either worn by itself on bare skin, or layered under foundation. And because it is so pigmented, a little goes a loooong way.
Swatches of #12 Dewy Golden Warm (left) and #32 Sparkling Golden Pink (right) blended and unblended with the flash
Swatches of #12 Dewy Golden Warm (left) and #32 Sparkling Golden Pink (right) blended and unblended without the flash
Wearing #12 Dewy Golden Warm down the bridge of my nose and on my upper cheek bones, and #32 Sparkling Golden Pink on my cheeks and lips
Oh, watch out for Uplight’s touchy pump because, no kidding, the thing has a hair trigger. Unfortunately, the first few times I used it, a lot of product went to waste, so I plan to keep a small sample jar around to store the excess.
PRICE: $29 each US; $33 Canadian
AVAILABILITY: Available now at select Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+ (an A- if the pump wasn’t so touchy)
I made pea soup!
I know it looks a lot like baby food, but I think it turned out pretty good. Would you believe I actually made it from scratch? Fo’ reals! No cans anywhere in sight (this time). I’m going through a cooking phase, and I’ve been craving warm comfort foods like soup.
I wish you could stop by for a bowl with pita chips. We could talk about makeup while Tabs made kitty biscuits on your tum (his new favorite thing).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hey thanks for the Canadian price tag there! I appreciate that!
I want one. You look all glowy gorgeous!!
Yummmmmmmmmmmmm.
^ this exactly! I love that there are swatch photos with and without flash, too – it really helps to see the product in different environments 🙂
Disappointing that some of these have glitter! 🙁 How’s the glitter factor in shade #12? That’s the one I was most interested in!
I love when kitties go on a biscuit making spree! It’s so comforting. My old cat (RIP Gabe!) used to do them on my neck… to die for! He was the best man to ever give a massage haha! My new kitten used to love to do it, now she’s just too riled up all the time. I’m hoping when she calms down a little, she’ll take up biscuit making as well:):) And, do you think that these would cause any possible woes for those super oily girls out there like myself? That’s one thing I’m petrified about highlighters, emphasizing the oilies and not being able to withstand a little shine!
ooh, those ARE pigmented! i remember trying benefit’s high/moon beam and wasn’t really happy with how they performed. it looks like the uplights will be more up my alley :).
I am soooo going to have to try this out.. I am loving highlights right now!
Ooh, these are calling my name! But it’s disappointing that the pump creates so much waste. I find the same thing to be true w/ their Microfinish blush.
Hi swetty! I’m 31 yrs and I have very thin skin and when I use concealer/foundation my under eyes skin looks like an 70 yrs old, and I have tried smashbox HD found.. also Cover Fx and nothing… Any suggestions for this desperate woman please?
Karen,
I love your hair here! I’m craving for bangs like yours! 🙂
I’m kinda over glittery particles atm, it’s to hard to remove even with a good cleanser!
Btw, love your hair Karen!
Dewey Golden Warm is super pretty! I think I’ll steer clear of the sparkles in the pink one though, and eek companies need to make triggers that don’t cause product explosions! I used your jar trick for my MAC pro longwear, but it would make things easier if I didn’t have to do that at all grr. ahh, you’re making me want to get back to cooking! Maybe in the summer when I have oodles of free time 🙂
I looooove glitter and really wished it looked good on my face. About as glittery as I can get is MAC Strobe, which I plan on picking up very soon thanks to your review! I’m really wanting to try some of MUFE’s HD blushes as well!
I used to have a chubby half Siamese cat named Jake who would get cross-eyed and “knead dough” on whatever of your body parts was closest. I miss that guy.
P.S. Your soup looks delicious, Karen! I’m proud of you!
Oooh, these look so pretty!
I thought of you today! I received two packages: one from Sephora, and one from Petco, lol! I got Tigger some cat grass (maybe he’ll finally stop eating every leaf or pine needle that slides under the door to the screened porch) and a toy fish. I also got a bunch of stuff for the new cat, Gizmo (I will tell you the story tomorrow or something — it’s long, and it’s 1:30 AM and I’m exhausted over here, hehe). She seems intrigued by the catnip mice I just left for her!
Ooh, and I got one of the Tarte blushes in my Sephora box! However, I accidentally ordered Natural Beauty instead of Tipsy. I DID want both, but decided to buy just one. I guess I’ll have to head over to Sephora sometime soon! Fiscal responsibility is boring. I’d rather keep buying bright pink and coral blushes…and light, shimmery warm-toned eye shadows (okay, and light, shimmery neutral-toned eye shadows, too). 😀
I can’t wait to hear about Gizmo. 🙂 I hope she and Tigger are getting along!
Sooo, you’re not even going to try Natural Beauty on at all? It’s so pretty!
Oh, I’m definitely trying it — I just have to get Tipsy now, too :D.
Gizmo and Tigger are slowly adjusting to each other. She’s been staying in my mom’s office area (the cats are at my parents’ place, and since Aisha passed away, I’ve been pretty much staying with them to comfort Tigger since they’re only 20 mins away from me). She’s 3.5 years old, and very cute (kind of looks like a cross between Tigger and Aisha, actually), but has had a sad life up until now. She never left this one room with two other cats and a bedridden woman (a former cat breeder) with dementia. The woman’s family couldn’t afford to take care of the cats anymore, so if we hadn’t adopted her, she would’ve gone to a shelter. I don’t know if she got a lot of affection, because it’s taken a while for her to be okay with people touching her. She’s getting a lot better, though. I’m just glad she’s adjusting — she spent the first 24 hours hiding in the corner of the cat carrier, even though the door was wide open. She’s very sweet, but incredibly shy and anxious. She’s so excited about the catnip mice I got her, though, and really enjoys playing with our laser pointer! 🙂
Here are a few photos from the old website.
http://www.alken-murray.com/Hustle-1.jpg
http://www.alken-murray.com/Hustle-2.jpg
http://www.alken-murray.com/Hustle-3.jpg
http://www.alken-murray.com/Hustle-4.jpg
Oh, the reason they’re titled Hustle is that her name was originally Crown E Hustle, lol. Yeeeeah, that had to change, especially considering she didn’t even respond to it. She recognizes Gizmo as her name now, and yes, we named her that because she looks a little bit like the gremlin :D.
Dewy Golden Warm looks very pretty! It’s a shame the packaging creates a lot of waste though.
Oh, hello, glowing sparkliness! These are lovely and definitely look like they pack a ton of pigment. Speaking of, I had a High Beam disaster on Saturday. By the end of the evening, I noticed that it was drawing a ton of attention to the significant wrinkles (I mean, fine lines) around my eyes. The horror! I need to watch that more closely.
Congrats on the pea soup, btw! That’s fabulous that you’re on a cooking spree. I love pea soup but never make it. My mom likes to do it, so we usually give her the ham bones and she brings back some soup. It’s a sweet deal! 🙂
karen — the pea soup looks awesome! i can haz? 😀
those uplights might be a tad too glittery for me — i get really tan in the summer and i dont want to look like a disco ball!
i found a highlight powder thats been doing it for me thus far … it aint that glittery, and makes me look alive! plus it was 15 bucks a compact!
Love. The. Bangs!
You know, I don’t even own a highlighter. Maybe I should look into one…..
The Pea soup looks good. I make it a lot. I love it. My kids won’t eat it though. : (
Damn, I’d never get these here.
I live in India, and I think there’s one MUFE counter here. Far far faaaar away from where I live.
MAC’s Gana’s the best I got.
You look so glow-ey and gorgeous. 🙂
I’m not so much on highlighter but that soup looks soooo good. I like to make a pot of pea soup every once in awhile. I’d make it more than I do but darling hubby is not a pea soup fan so I usually end up eating pea soup for a week for dinner.
I love homemade pea soup – I should make a batch this weekend!
I was curious about this but I think I’ll stick with the NARS Illuminator – loving Copacabana and I love singing that song when I blend my illuminator with my tinted Laura Mercier moisturizer!
I totally had to go look up Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl after your first few lines. I love that song! Haven’t heard it for years!
Want! But I think I’ll finish my NARS illuminator before getting one of these…They look awesome though…
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog….you are so hilarious. I look forward to opening my email in the morning with a new blog post!!!!! Keep it up Karen!!!
Thanks, Tiff! Hope you’re having a great Friday!
Those look stunning! I’ll have to try!
Not sure if you’ve tried, but, my favorite illuminator is Smashbox Artificial Light in Diffuse: Luminous Pearl (I’m ridiculously pale, practically see-through 😛 )
How does this compare to MAC rebel and the other liquid highlighter? Xoxo