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theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer – Worth the hype?

July 2, 2015

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer
theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer was one highlighter that had actually made my heart flutter when it took over the internet. One after the other, several leading gurus raved about it and it surely seemed magical in everybody’s tutorial. I wanted to exude that ethereal radiance too so I decided I had to have it. Soon, this became the first product I ever bought with my own earned money as a birthday treat to myselfย but was it worth the hype? Let’s see.

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer
theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer
When I first opened the pretty retro box, which was half the culprit that had sold it to me, the size of the pan looked smaller than it had seemed online. I am not complaining, it still is a good size and the amount you get is enough to last you ages, but that is just what the first impression was. Secondly, even though the packaging is quite sturdy and the lid clicks snugly in place, I for some reason also thought this would have been a tad bit better in quality, maybe because it is made out of plastic but deceptively looks metallic. Anyhow, it hasn’t caused me any trouble yet and it has been over a year already. On a more positive note about the packaging, I like its good sized mirror and I prefer compacts with a mirror than sans mirror.
Onto the actual product, it is finely milled, feels silky soft and the gorgeous champagne shade can leave you awestruck. I find it to be pretty universal as it would look good on anybody from fair to dark. It is one of the most beautiful highlighters I have ever seen that too with such an excellent pigmentation in a single swipe. I haven’t experienced much fallout with this and it blends so readily that on my arm that it looks as if it wasn’t even there if I completely blend it out. Surprisingly, that is not the case when it comes to face, which is kind of good as you don’t have to build it up and a little goes a long way. However, since I don’t find it as easy to blend on tops of my cheeks, I would advise you work it up little by little.
theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Swatches

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer looks beautiful as it catches the light but I must say it does require a perfect base to fully deliver what you expect out of it. As the highlighter is pale, it can easily accentuate pores and imperfections, drawing unwanted attention. This is quite a big deal for me as it makes the product high maintenance and not something that I can grab anytime on the go, unlike the Sweet Touch Glam ‘N’ Shine Bronzing Natural. The longevity on its own is okay but practically it also depends on what you put underneath so that it holds on, which again means, it’s all about the base.

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Price: $24

I purchased mine from a Facebook page for 2150 PKR during theBalm’s 50% off sale which was still steep and it is otherwise available for anywhere between 2800-3200 locally through pages.

Amount: 8.5 g

Availability: theBalm’s website and Facebook pages.

To sum it up, this highlighter didn’t turn out to be too promising in action for the price tag. No doubt it looks pretty, both in person and in photos, but only if you can make it work for you.

Your thoughts?

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Filed Under: Beauty

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Comments

  1. Maryam Asfandyar says

    July 2, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Nice review and thankew you saved me from investing money for something which is not even worth the hype. :/ To be honest I am not even satisfied with its pigmentation.

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 7:53 pm

      I would say I was a bit disappointed too by the pigmentation. I mean it is easy to pick but blends down to nothing most of the time. ๐Ÿ™ x

      Reply
  2. Sana says

    July 2, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    This is my Most Fav highlighter ever … m seriously surprised after reading your review .. coz i have no issues with it ..for me its totally worth it ! bt still thanks for the review โ™กโ™ก
    Makeupoholics

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 7:57 pm

      I don't understand what's wrong with mine! :/

      Reply
  3. Nyda Mokhtar says

    July 2, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    I haven't used it, but I love it for its oh-so-retro packaging.
    http://www.ThatGrlInHighHeels.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      Yeah, the packaging was the deal sealer for me!

      Reply
  4. Noor Unnahar says

    July 2, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    You're right about everyone raving about it. If I were to buy it,I would have been SOLD by the packaging, tbh!

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 7:59 pm

      That's true but it actually looked great on so many people.

      Reply
  5. jee bee says

    July 2, 2015 at 9:30 pm

    I so love this! *_*
    but oh well my cheeks look like bulbs when I apply highlighters :p

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:00 pm

      Haha! You'd still look cute!

      Reply
  6. Arianne says

    July 3, 2015 at 1:49 am

    it looks gorgeous but I'm still learning to contour for goodness sake! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Ayre

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:01 pm

      Haha, I am glad I have learned that quite a bit by now! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. Nashia Anthony says

    July 3, 2015 at 11:05 am

    I never bought this even though everyone liked it. Glad to see someone who wasnt fully converted

    Nashia | MakeupandBeautyMayhem

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:02 pm

      I tried to completely fall in love for so long but it just didn't work out that way! x

      Reply
  8. fayynum malik says

    July 3, 2015 at 11:59 am

    The article was worth reading, thnx for saving ladies money ๐Ÿ™‚ , strange its famous but its pigmentation not satisfying :l

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:03 pm

      I agree, but maybe I got a faulty piece! ๐Ÿ˜ก

      Reply
  9. anna kazi says

    July 3, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    This look so so good ๐Ÿ™‚ I need this now ๐Ÿ˜€ your post made me drool over this now and I love your swatch photo and love your informative review ๐Ÿ™‚ xoxo

    Reply
    • anna kazi says

      July 3, 2015 at 7:04 pm

      And I love your honest review but still iam going to give it a try as I love it's colour ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  10. A'esha Abubakar says

    July 4, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    Mary-Lou! <3 <3

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:05 pm

      LOL!

      Reply
  11. Fatemah Sajwani says

    July 5, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    I find it a bit too expensive plus I have an oily skin so highlighter just adds to my oil shine.

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:06 pm

      Yes, it's a decent product but not worth the price tag!

      Reply
  12. Afsana Prasla says

    July 6, 2015 at 7:26 am

    wow this balm looks tempted and in my wishlist since ago ๐Ÿ™‚ i love your review <3

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:07 pm

      I hope you like it! xx

      Reply
  13. Pout Painters says

    July 6, 2015 at 7:39 am

    Great honest review ๐Ÿ™‚ I do love how it look on the cheekbones – Sadaf

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:08 pm

      Yes, it looks good if you have a nice base! ๐Ÿ™‚ x

      Reply
  14. Kiran Imtiaz says

    July 7, 2015 at 12:32 am

    It is raved about sooooo much. Gotta have it!

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      I know but I didn't find it worth it.

      Reply
  15. Huda...!!! says

    July 8, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    This is an amazing highlighter indeed. Though I agree that it needs a little effort to blend fully. Great review ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:13 pm

      Thanks for appreciating my review! ๐Ÿ™‚ x

      Reply
  16. Areej Usman says

    July 8, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    I dont know y bt i totally love mine:p

    Reply
    • Jadirah Sarmad says

      July 21, 2015 at 8:13 pm

      Wish I could say the same! ๐Ÿ˜›

      Reply

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