Benefit Watt's Up Cream Highlighter Review and Swatches

In the beauty world there are many new trends which come and go, but some stay for long and become cult necessities. Highlighting and strobing became popular in the recent years and there is no makeup brand now that does not feature a highlighter in its range of products. Highlighters are available in powder, cream and liquid formulas and I shall be talking about the popular and much loved Benefit Watt's Up Cream Highlighter.

Benefit is known for a lot of amazing products including the iconic Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder, and the Watt's Up is no less amazing. Cleverly named, as 'watt' is a unit of power and 'watts' is the energy used by a light bulb, the Watt's Up gives a blinding glow, a cream to powder finish in a champagne hue. Its most prominent features are its smooth application and easy-to-blend formula, and the product also comes with a sponge that makes blending flawless.

A cardboard packaging reveals the tube inside, which is rolled up to reveal the product. After taking off the protective plastic lid, you get 9.4 gm of product, which is good enough to last you for a long time, and attached to the other end is a small sponge to blend out the highlighter, which in encased in a plastic covering too.

The shade, a champagne hue, is also a universally flattering one and will suit all skin tones, giving a luminous finish and not a glittery or a shimmery one. It can be used on its own or applied over makeup, and the results stand stunning nevertheless. Very natural and still dazzling, the Benefit Watt's Up Cream Highlighter has a soft and natural finish and can be built up for whimsical and bright glow.

The Benefit Watt's Up also turns out really amazing on flash photography, so do not be afraid to use it on your collarbone, shoulders and neck for added oomph while showing off skin. Along with the cheekbones, you can also apply it on the bridge of the nose, the cupid of the lips and even use it as a brow highlighter and even on your eyelids.

Though many cream highlighters do not work well for oily/combination skin types, the Benefit Watt's Up gives a cream to powder finish and neither will enhance any pores nor make your skin look sweaty. With a very light formula and a finish that blends like a dream, this highlighter is also easy to use for beginners. It stays on for long and does not turn chalky or heavy after application.

You can apply it directly on the skin from the tube and use the sponge to blend it out, but I don't prefer doing so, and first apply it on my finger and blend it out using another makeup sponge so as to not make my highlighter unhygienic in the long run. This highlighter works wonders for both warm and cool skin tones and all skin types, and is one of the best highlighters out there. The only downside of this product is perhaps its high-end price, $30.

Which highlighter do you prefer and use? Let us know down in the comments!