Shimmer is a tool with shiny particles, designed to give the skin a radiance and sculpting face. However, the same thing can be said about the highlighter and the luminaire. Are these synonyms? Not really. In fact, there is a difference between them, but in order to clarify, we analyze the origin of these words and see what cosmetic products they are best suited for.
Shimmer is a "flicker" (from English shimmer). That is, the main thing that distinguishes it from other types of products is the presence of small or large spangles. This is a festive, evening option, during the day it will be inappropriate, or you need to use it very sparingly. But in artificial light it shows itself in all its glory - it gives the skin a shimmer. In the product line of a number of Western manufacturers, shimmer is a universal powder for face and body, consisting mainly of sequins, which is really intended exclusively for evening festive lighting or in order to give a special touch to tanned skin. Sometimes it is simply called glitter for the eyelids or skin. The most popular shimmer format is loose or pressed powder.
The word "highlighter" comes from the English highlight - to "highlight". This is a face modeling tool. It is imperceptible in itself, but allows you to highlight the desired areas. It has a softer delicate structure than a shimmer, and does not contain visible sparkles. With its help achieve a moist (but not greasy!) Natural glow. It is on a par with proofreaders, powders, it only has not a matte texture, but a soft, silky-pearl. It does not brighten due to color, but thanks to reflective particles. It can be used during the day. The most popular highlighter format is powder, but there are no restrictions, the product can be liquid.
The concept of “luminizer” (or lumenizer is a borrowed word, and there is no certainty in its spelling yet) came from the word luminance - “brightness”. In English, it is written as Luminizer. The tool gives a special solar glow. Spangles will not necessarily be golden or bronze, they can be silver or any other shades. But the tool will always look beautiful in the sun. Most often available in liquid format: serum, cream. May be in the form of loose powder.
As you can see, the names of these products differ, primarily, depending on their purpose. Shimmer is an evening festive product, sparkles, highlighter is a daytime tool for modeling the face and natural moist radiance, the lumenizer is a golden warm shimmer for sunny days. However, since there are many universal products, encyclopedic accuracy in the names does not exist. Manufacturers very often call a “shimmer” a tool that has a delicate shine, and the luminaire cannot be distinguished from a highlighter.
Shimmer: reviews and top 3 most famous products for a radiant complexion
If you read the reviews, then the most famous are the following products:
"Meteorites" from "Guerlain" - Les Meteorites by Guerlain. Bribe with their design. On the skin give a very light and natural glow plus flicker, but it all depends on the shade. Some issues of Meteorites may replace full blush. The format is powder in balls, compact mosaic powder, compact powder balls.
"Shiseido" - Far and Middle Light. The latter has a warm shade, and the first is cold, white. Both products have a unique texture in which it is completely impossible to distinguish between sparkles or particles. After application, they look just like light, gently spreading over the skin. The format is powder.
Shimmer Bobbi Brown - Brick Compact - the famous "brick". A versatile product suitable for both daytime and evening use. It contains visible sparkles that flicker beautifully in the evening light, but also allows you to achieve a wet effect. Easy layering, can replace blush. Available for different color types (five different palettes), in one "brick" five close shades.