M.A.C VS ELF Highlighters – Skinfinish VS Baked Highlighter {REVIEW}

Last week I uploaded my review on the M.A.C Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade (SHEW, say that ten times fast) and I had really great feedback so I decided to post this review because this Eyes Lips Face baked highlighter is SUCH a fantastic dupe.

I mentioned in my last post that I had been searching for the perfect highlighter and I had heard nothing but amazing things about the ELF Baked Highlighters in Moon Pearls, Pink Diamonds and Blush Gems. ELF is not available in South Africa at all (not even online) and I was not yet into international beauty swaps so I took the last resort: eBay. I paid $8 + $5 for the item and shipping when the product in store costs only $3. How ridiculous is that? And whats even more ridiculous is that it took 13 weeks to arrive, so I ended up forking out R320 for Lightscapade before the ELF even arrived.

I chose Moon Pearls as it was the closest colour tone to Lightscapade and that is the overall colour that I was looking for in a highlighter.

So what do the two have to say for themselves?

M.A.C: A luxurious velvet-soft powder with high-frost metallic finish. Smoothes on: adds buffed-up highlights to cheeks, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face.

E.L.F: Create a radiant glow with this illuminating powder that highlights the skin with a sheer wash of shimmering color. Infused with Vitamin E, Jojoba, Sunflower, Apricot and Grape to nourish and hydrate the skin. The long-lasting baked shimmering color can be applied wet for a vibrant effect or dry for sheer pigmentation.

So my verdict? As you probably guessed, Lightscapade wins hands down when it comes to quality, look, feel, packaging quality and long lasting-ness. But besides for the fact that the M.A.C is much smoother, softer and lasts longer the Moon Pearls are a really good dupe. I would have no problem using this if it was all I had on me but in a perfect world I would use Lightscapade for my cheekbones and Moon Pearls is better suited to brow bones and your cupids bow.

The Moon Pearls lasted about two hours on my face which really is impressive (considering that I am one of those annoying people who constantly touches their face) but of course Lightscapade lasts about six hours.

The price of the M.A.C is R320 for 10g and is available in seven shades (plus two limited editions) and the E.L.F is $3 (about thirty rand) for 5g.

You can see from the above and below picture that they are VERY similar. I would say that Moon Pearls was a bit denser and a teensy bit gritter when I compared the feel of the domes. Lightscapade also looks a lot lighter and in terms of highlighters that is what you want. You need something light and airy and blendable with the perfect sheeny finish.

What did you think? Would you buy one or even both of these products?

Rayne XX