And now my series comes to a close with a look at the 8 best vegan and cruelty free highlighting palettes: the Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild and Sweets Glow Kits, BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Palette, e.l.f. Illuminating Palette, Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette, NYX Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow and Pacifica Enlighten Eye Brightening Shadow Palette. These palettes are great for traveling and are often such a great value considering the amount and variety you get in each palette. They are also great for mixing and matching colors for a custom glow.
Moonchild Glow Kit, Anastasia Beverly Hills, $40. This has become such a cult classic essential palette for those that love a magically unique unicorn highlight. It comes with 6 otherworldly highlighter shades and is described as a collection of "Magically-Metallic highlighters that offer a celestial skin finish." See my full review here.
"Blue Ice" - Diamond white with an icy blue reflect- This pretty hue is a bright cold white shade with a blue duochrome. It evokes a winter wonderland aura, even in the heat of summer!
"Star" - A moonstone fusion of mint, platinum and silver reflect- The most buttery shade in the bunch, this super pigmented bright silver is a classy staple. I can't wait to use this all over my eyelids with graphic black liner for a metallic Biba look, à la Audrey Hepburn in How to Steal a Million.
"Purple Horseshoe" - A glittering lavender with an arctic blue reflect- This is the least wearable color as a highlight for me, but is another amazing eyeshadow shade, which could even be used for a bold statement, like a distinctive accent layered over the center of a purple metallic lip.
"Pink Heart" - Pearl white with a pink opal reflect- This cool toned pink looks stunning layered on the high points of cheeks for an alluring blush-like effect.
"Lucky Clover" - A shamrock-infused gold with canary yellow diamond reflect- Like Purple Horseshoe, Lucky Clover is less wearable as a highlight for me, but certainly stunning. This standout shade looks amazing as a surprising bright pop of cosmic color in the inner corner of the eyes.
"Blue Moon" - Frozen blue with a silver reflect- This super pigmented cool toned shade catches the light beautifully; I envision this as the Snow Queen's secret weapon to blind her subjects.
"Blue Ice" - Diamond white with an icy blue reflect- This pretty hue is a bright cold white shade with a blue duochrome. It evokes a winter wonderland aura, even in the heat of summer!
"Star" - A moonstone fusion of mint, platinum and silver reflect- The most buttery shade in the bunch, this super pigmented bright silver is a classy staple. I can't wait to use this all over my eyelids with graphic black liner for a metallic Biba look, à la Audrey Hepburn in How to Steal a Million.
"Purple Horseshoe" - A glittering lavender with an arctic blue reflect- This is the least wearable color as a highlight for me, but is another amazing eyeshadow shade, which could even be used for a bold statement, like a distinctive accent layered over the center of a purple metallic lip.
"Pink Heart" - Pearl white with a pink opal reflect- This cool toned pink looks stunning layered on the high points of cheeks for an alluring blush-like effect.
"Lucky Clover" - A shamrock-infused gold with canary yellow diamond reflect- Like Purple Horseshoe, Lucky Clover is less wearable as a highlight for me, but certainly stunning. This standout shade looks amazing as a surprising bright pop of cosmic color in the inner corner of the eyes.
"Blue Moon" - Frozen blue with a silver reflect- This super pigmented cool toned shade catches the light beautifully; I envision this as the Snow Queen's secret weapon to blind her subjects.
Sweets Glow Kit, Anastasia Beverly Hills, $40. Like their other classic Glow Kits, this palette comes with 4 blindingly beautiful sweets inspired highlighter shades and is described as "A collection of four metallic powder highlighters for intense luminosity." See my full review here.
"Marshmallow"- Intense pear with gold reflect- This is perhaps the most wearable and bright highlight shade for my pale skin, yet its beautiful gold sheen really sets it apart.
"Sassy Grape"- Lavender with blue reflect- I did not expect to love this cool-toned highlighter shade as much as I do. I have been loving layering it over the Milk Holographic Stick on the high points of my cheeks for an otherworldly glow.
"Taffy"- A fusion of peach, pink, and gold reflect- This one is a bit dark for me to wear as a highlight, but truly stands out as an eyeshadow as well as a rosy glow over blush.
"Butterscotch"- Gold with white reflect- Like Marshmallow, Butterscotch is a bit more of a wearable hue. It is stunning on its own or mixed with Marshmallow for a more blinding effect.
"Marshmallow"- Intense pear with gold reflect- This is perhaps the most wearable and bright highlight shade for my pale skin, yet its beautiful gold sheen really sets it apart.
"Sassy Grape"- Lavender with blue reflect- I did not expect to love this cool-toned highlighter shade as much as I do. I have been loving layering it over the Milk Holographic Stick on the high points of my cheeks for an otherworldly glow.
"Taffy"- A fusion of peach, pink, and gold reflect- This one is a bit dark for me to wear as a highlight, but truly stands out as an eyeshadow as well as a rosy glow over blush.
"Butterscotch"- Gold with white reflect- Like Marshmallow, Butterscotch is a bit more of a wearable hue. It is stunning on its own or mixed with Marshmallow for a more blinding effect.
Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette, BH Cosmetics, $14.50. In addition to ten beautiful eyeshadows, comes with "four face highlighters that complement every skin tone". See my full review here.
Bottom Row (Highlighters), L to R:
C1- Light Pearl Pink (Highlight)- Lighter and brighter than the A2 shadow, this iridescent pearly pink highlight is on trend. I really like how its slightly unusual hue stands out on my pale skin.
C2- Bright Champagne (Highlight)- Lighter and brighter than the B1 shadow, this champagne shade is gorgeous on all skin tones. I have also tried blending it together with C1, and really enjoy the combination of the two.
C3- Metallic Gold (Highlight)- Darker and more metallic than the B2 shadow, this one is a bit too dark as a highlight for me but it is beautiful as a shadow, and it would be a gorgeous highlight on darker skin tones.
C4- Metallic Bronze (Highlight)- Darker and more metallic than the B4 shadow, Carli intended for this one to be used as a bronzer. It is also beautiful as a shadow, and I think it would look amazing as a highlight on very dark skin tones.
Bottom Row (Highlighters), L to R:
C1- Light Pearl Pink (Highlight)- Lighter and brighter than the A2 shadow, this iridescent pearly pink highlight is on trend. I really like how its slightly unusual hue stands out on my pale skin.
C2- Bright Champagne (Highlight)- Lighter and brighter than the B1 shadow, this champagne shade is gorgeous on all skin tones. I have also tried blending it together with C1, and really enjoy the combination of the two.
C3- Metallic Gold (Highlight)- Darker and more metallic than the B2 shadow, this one is a bit too dark as a highlight for me but it is beautiful as a shadow, and it would be a gorgeous highlight on darker skin tones.
C4- Metallic Bronze (Highlight)- Darker and more metallic than the B4 shadow, Carli intended for this one to be used as a bronzer. It is also beautiful as a shadow, and I think it would look amazing as a highlight on very dark skin tones.
Illuminating Palette, e.l.f., $6. This palette comes with four buttery highlighters in a simple black compact with a nice large mirror. They all provide a lovely glow without being too overpowering, and can be used as all over illuminating powders as well as for a concentrated glow on the high points of the face. The texture is on par with luxury products like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders but with a bit more sheen, which makes the palette even more of an incredible value at just $6!
Top Row L to R:
A1- This is a smooth pearly white shade with subtle gold undertones which is perfect for brightening.
A2- This is a soft iridescent pink with a touch more shimmer than the other shades in the palette. It is simply stunning!
Bottom Row L to R:
B1- This is a neutral champagne beige. It is the least shimmery shade in the palette which makes it ideal for using as an all over illuminating powder.
B2- This is a peachy bronze which is well balanced between cool and warm. It has just a subtle touch of shimmer and can be used as a bronzer to add warmth to fair skin tones.
Top Row L to R:
A1- This is a smooth pearly white shade with subtle gold undertones which is perfect for brightening.
A2- This is a soft iridescent pink with a touch more shimmer than the other shades in the palette. It is simply stunning!
Bottom Row L to R:
B1- This is a neutral champagne beige. It is the least shimmery shade in the palette which makes it ideal for using as an all over illuminating powder.
B2- This is a peachy bronze which is well balanced between cool and warm. It has just a subtle touch of shimmer and can be used as a bronzer to add warmth to fair skin tones.
Solstice Highlighting Palette, Sleek MakeUp, $14. This is a rightfully hyped palette which includes one creme and three powder highlighters. It has such a nice variety of shades and they are incredibly reflective and pigmented.
"Ecliptic"- This is the creme shade of the bunch and it is a beautiful neutral pinky shade, perfect on its own as well as for a base to intensify the powder highlighter shades in the palette.
"Hemisphere"- This is a beautiful unique cool toned pinky lilac shade which catches the light so nicely. It reminds me of "Pink Heart" from the Moonchild Glow Kit yet with a hint more lavender in it.
"Subsolar"- This is a blindingly bright and shimmery pale golden shade which is perfect for fair skin tones as well as a mixing shade to lighten the other shades in the palette.
"Equinox"- This is a striking golden peachy shade which appears to have a subtle silver reflect throughout.
"Ecliptic"- This is the creme shade of the bunch and it is a beautiful neutral pinky shade, perfect on its own as well as for a base to intensify the powder highlighter shades in the palette.
"Hemisphere"- This is a beautiful unique cool toned pinky lilac shade which catches the light so nicely. It reminds me of "Pink Heart" from the Moonchild Glow Kit yet with a hint more lavender in it.
"Subsolar"- This is a blindingly bright and shimmery pale golden shade which is perfect for fair skin tones as well as a mixing shade to lighten the other shades in the palette.
"Equinox"- This is a striking golden peachy shade which appears to have a subtle silver reflect throughout.
Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette, NYX, $19. This palette comes with seven unique powder highlighters and comes in a simple compact with no mirror.
Top Row L to R:
A1- This is a yellow gold which has a very subtle reflect. It is less pigmented than the other shades in the palette.
A2- This is a nice subtle light pink shade which gives an equally soft glow.
A3- This is a very brightening lavender shade with a very understated shimmer. It reminds me of a lighter version of the the "Chameleon" shadow from Coloured Raine.
A4- This is a pigmented shimmery dark pink shade which is lovely over blush or for adding warmth to the face.
Bottom Row L to R:
B1- This is a super buttery and pigmented champagne highlight, and is my favorite shade in the palette!
B2- This is a pigmented buttery peach shade with bronze undertones which is an amazing highlight for darker skin tones.
B3- This is a pigmented creamy pale white gold shade which is great for mixing with the other shades in the palette to lighten them.
Top Row L to R:
A1- This is a yellow gold which has a very subtle reflect. It is less pigmented than the other shades in the palette.
A2- This is a nice subtle light pink shade which gives an equally soft glow.
A3- This is a very brightening lavender shade with a very understated shimmer. It reminds me of a lighter version of the the "Chameleon" shadow from Coloured Raine.
A4- This is a pigmented shimmery dark pink shade which is lovely over blush or for adding warmth to the face.
Bottom Row L to R:
B1- This is a super buttery and pigmented champagne highlight, and is my favorite shade in the palette!
B2- This is a pigmented buttery peach shade with bronze undertones which is an amazing highlight for darker skin tones.
B3- This is a pigmented creamy pale white gold shade which is great for mixing with the other shades in the palette to lighten them.
Filmstar Bronze & Glow, Charlotte Tilbury, $68. This is perhaps the most luxurious makeup item I own. It comes with an amazing neutral champagne highlight shade as well as a gorgeous bronzer to give the face a sculpted sun-kissed glow. Not to mention the stunning opulent vintage inspired packaging. Here I have swatched the "Light to Medium" palette, which works perfectly for my fair skin tone. Charlotte Tilbury also has a more golden "Medium to Dark" palette which is perfect for darker skin tones.
"Bronze"- This is a perfect warm bronzer with a touch of pearlescent shimmer, without looking orangey or cheap.
"Glow"- This is such a breathtaking highlight which gives perfect "candle-lit skin". The quality certainly reflects the price.
"Bronze"- This is a perfect warm bronzer with a touch of pearlescent shimmer, without looking orangey or cheap.
"Glow"- This is such a breathtaking highlight which gives perfect "candle-lit skin". The quality certainly reflects the price.
Enlighten Eye Brightening Shadow Palette, Pacifica, $14. Although technically an eyeshadow palette, it contains three shades ("Skinny Dip", "Coral Sand" and "Golden") which double as lovely highlighters. I have also included two beautiful highlighting shades from their Mystical Eye Brightening Shadow Palette for comparison ("Opal" and "Celestial"). The palettes are super lightweight which makes them great for traveling, and of course I love being told that I'm pretty.
"Skinny Dip"- Matte nude base, a universal brightener- This one blends in with my skin tone perfectly for a subtle glow. It has a hint of pink which makes it extra brightening.
"Coral Sand"- A satin lid base or highlighter- This makes for a beautiful peachy highlight with golden shimmer throughout.
"Golden"- A perfect gold with just the right amount of shimmer- This is a bright yellow gold which can be blended out for a striking golden glow. It makes a gorgeous inner corner highlight.
"Opal"- Opalescent pinkish-white- As described it has a lovely duo chrome quality shifting between white and pink.
"Celestial"- Creamy dreamy beige with a little bright pearl- This is a stunning buttery champagne color.
"Skinny Dip"- Matte nude base, a universal brightener- This one blends in with my skin tone perfectly for a subtle glow. It has a hint of pink which makes it extra brightening.
"Coral Sand"- A satin lid base or highlighter- This makes for a beautiful peachy highlight with golden shimmer throughout.
"Golden"- A perfect gold with just the right amount of shimmer- This is a bright yellow gold which can be blended out for a striking golden glow. It makes a gorgeous inner corner highlight.
"Opal"- Opalescent pinkish-white- As described it has a lovely duo chrome quality shifting between white and pink.
"Celestial"- Creamy dreamy beige with a little bright pearl- This is a stunning buttery champagne color.