The applicator tends to pump out too much product when used on the face (whether as a targeted highlighter or mixed into foundation), but it works well for the body; That being said, the product carried over onto clothing even though it was marketed as being transferable, so it wasn’t the most body-friendly formula either. It was a nice standalone highlighter, however, as it was worn well (nine hours) before it faded.
The texture was smooth, light, and thin with a more fluid, gel-like feel that was very easy to spread on my skin. For application to smaller areas like cheekbones, it was easier to use a fluffy synthetic brush to let the product “dry” slightly before application, as it didn’t spread too easily. The formula dried quickly and was more powdery, so there was still some room to work.
CONTINUE READING: Formula overview for details on general performance and properties (such as fragrance).
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Formula overview
$ 39.00 / 1.01 oz. – $ 38.61 per ounce
The formula is said to be “an emulsion of liquid pearl pigments that brighten, hydrate and add radiant dimension”. The formula is intended as a stand-alone highlighter for face and body, but can also be mixed with foundation. They recommend using a shade deeper than your natural skin tone for a fluid tan effect. It should have a “light” coverage and give a “natural shine” when worn alone.
It’s a very liquid formula, almost watery, but I had a more gel-like feeling when I played with it and spread it all over my arm. I’ve found that while it’s more liquid, it dries faster than I expected and works well on bare skin, over foundation, or mixed with foundation.
Some shades had a more noticeable sparkle and unlike many liquid highlighters on the market, these had more depth in the color spectrum, so some shades work better for multitasking (e.g. alone, mixed in, etc.) than others depending on the skin tone. In general, the hues produced a smoother, pearlescent sheen that wasn’t as intense as the product name suggests, but could certainly be built up and made foil-like.
They were easy to shear and were much less intense / opaque compared to the brand’s swatches (which was especially frustrating as they took a full pump of the product and didn’t even let it dry!). The applicator took some getting used to, but almost always pumped out too much product for use on the face.
It had semi-transparent, buildable coverage, although it certainly depends on how much product was applied. For greater coverage on the face, it is best applied to the back of the hand and then swirled a few times on a synthetic brush and then applied. This gave the formula some time to “dry” while it was being picked up by the brush, resulting in increased coverage on my face that didn’t spread as much.
They carried well on my cheeks for eight to nine hours. It was supposed to be transfer resistant, whatever it was – it didn’t move or wander instantly, and most of it stayed, but a light tap of my fingertip against the product revealed a bead on my fingertip (it wasn’t rubbed!). There was no smell.
Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics SexFoil Liquid Highlighter swatches.
ingredients
WATER (AQUA), mica, dimethicone, ISONONYLISOONANOAT, pentylene, VP / VA COPOLYMER, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, myristyl alcohol, beheneth-30, GLYCERYLISOSTEARATE, phenoxyethanol, GLYCERYL STEEL sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, sodium dehydroacetate, carbomer, isohexadecane, sodium hydroxide, cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl GLUCOSIDE, POLYSORBATE 80, SORBITAN OLEATE, SODIUM STEARATE, SODIUM STEARATE, SOCOPHEROL. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), FERROUS OXIDE (CI 77491, CI 77499).
Disclaimer: The ingredient lists are available from the brand (or retailer) at the time of publication. Please always check the product packaging, if any, the valid ingredients list for the product you purchased or the brand or retailer website for the most up-to-date list of ingredients.
