In the ever-evolving beauty industry, certain trends manage to endure while others fade into obscurity. Highlighting and strobing have surged in popularity, and today, nearly every cosmetic brand includes a highlighter in its offerings. These highlighters come in various forms, including powders, creams, and liquids; today, I’m focusing on the beloved Benefit Watt’s Up Cream Highlighter.
Benefit has garnered acclaim for its standout products, among which is the iconic Hoola Bronzing Powder. Equally impressive, the Watt’s Up highlighter boasts a clever moniker—“watt” signifies power, paralleling the energy a bulb emits. This product delivers a striking glow with a champagne color and offers a smooth, cream-to-powder texture that’s a joy to apply. Notably, it features an easy-to-blend formula, complemented by a sponge for seamless application.
Encased in cardboard packaging, the highlighter tube is designed to be rolled up, revealing the product within. Once you remove the protective cap, you’ll find 9.4 grams of product—a generous amount that should last quite a while. The other end also houses a small blending sponge stored in its own protective casing.
The champagne shade is universally flattering, providing a beautiful luminous glow without being overly glittery or shimmery. It can be applied alone or layered over other makeup, achieving stunning results regardless. The Benefit Watt’s Up Cream Highlighter offers a naturally radiant finish that can be built up for a more dramatic effect.
This highlighter excels in flash photography, making it perfect for highlighting areas like the collarbone, shoulders, and neck, delivering that extra allure. It works well on cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow, as a brow highlighter, and even on the eyelids.
While many cream highlighters are ill-suited for oily or combination skin types, the Benefit Watt’s Up boasts a cream-to-powder finish, ensuring it won’t accentuate pores or create a sweaty appearance. With its lightweight formula blending seamlessly, this highlighter is also beginner-friendly. It has impressive longevity and maintains a fresh appearance without becoming heavy or chalky.
You can apply it directly from the tube and use the sponge for blending; however, I prefer applying it with my finger first and then using a different makeup sponge to ensure hygiene. This highlighter is versatile enough for both warm and cool undertones, making it a standout choice among highlighters. The only potential drawback is its premium price point of $30.
What’s your go-to highlighter? Share your preferences in the comments below!
