The full review

Pearlizer Highlighter Wand review: my honest take

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*As stated by SeneGence.

The MakeSense Pearlizer Highlighter Wand is the easy-mode highlighter. You dab it on straight from the wand and blend. SeneGence says it’s made with 90% skincare ingredients and pearl pigments, and that it’s water- and transfer-resistant. At $27, it’s one of the lowest-priced face products SeneGence sells, which makes it a low-risk way to try highlighter.

Two dabs, a quick blend with your finger, and your whole face looks more awake.

The shade names include Moonstone, Moonlit Mist, Aurora, Blush Beam, Glisten Gold, Firefly and Molten Mocha, with about five on sale at a time. That gives you cooler, pinker, golden and deeper options, which matters: the right highlighter shade looks like glow, the wrong one looks like a stripe. The trade-off is that the wand makes it easy to overdo. Dab, then blend before it sets.

At $27, it’s better value than the $55 single-shade MakeSense Pearlizer for most people, and it’s the one I’d suggest first. Subscribe & Save takes another 10% off. If you’d rather mist glow all over than place it, look at the Glowify Illuminating Moisture Mist.

Highlighter Wand vs Pearlizer: which one should you get?

	Pearlizer Highlighter Wand My pick	MakeSense Pearlizer
Format	Wand applicator	Liquid
Claims	90% skincare ingredients, pearl pigments (SeneGence)	Botanicals, light-reflecting pigments (SeneGence)
Wear	Water- and transfer-resistant (SeneGence)	Oil-free, water-resistant (SeneGence)
Shades	5 on sale	1
Price	$27	$55
Pick it if	You want shade choice at a lower price	You love a liquid texture in one shade

Where it fits in your face routine

1Original Foundationbase2Contouring Bronzer Creamshape3BlushSense Cream Blushcolor4Highlighter Wandyou are here

Highlight is the last cream step. Base, bronzer, blush, then a dab of highlight on top of the cheekbone where the blush fades out. If you set with powder, press it around the highlight rather than over it, or you’ll dull the glow you just added.

What’s in it, in plain words

• 90% skincare ingredients: SeneGence’s description of the formula, meaning most of what’s in it is skincare, not just pigment.
• Pearl pigments: fine, pearly particles that reflect light for a soft sheen rather than chunky glitter.
• Water- and transfer-resistant: SeneGence says it resists water and transfer once set, so the glow stays on your face.

My tips

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Pearlizer Highlighter Wand FAQs

What shades does the Pearlizer Highlighter Wand come in?

Seven shade names are listed: Aurora, Glisten Gold, Blush Beam, Molten Mocha, Moonlit Mist, Moonstone and Firefly. About five were on sale when checked.

Is the highlighter wand better than the original Pearlizer?

For most people, yes. It’s $27 versus $55 and offers several shades. The original Pearlizer is a liquid in one shade.

Is it good for mature skin?

It’s a wand formula that SeneGence says is 90% skincare ingredients, which usually sits better on textured skin than chunky powder. Keep it to the top of the cheekbone.

Does the highlighter wand transfer?

SeneGence says it’s water- and transfer-resistant once set. Blend quickly after you dab it on, then leave it alone so it can set before you touch your face or pull on a sweater.

Where should I put highlighter?

On the high points light hits: tops of the cheekbones, brow bone, bridge of the nose and cupid’s bow. Start small; you can add more.