I thought I would kick-start the new ‘Timeless Favourites’ series (you can read more about the series here) with The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer.  Mary-Lou Manizer used to be regularly featured on YouTube and on make-up blogs as a favourite of many make-up lovers.  I wrote a post on this product back in 2016 and thought it would be fun to re-visit the product, as it is still in my collection.

I’m so glad I tried out this product again as it has become one of my favourite highlighters all over again! Mary-Lou Manizer is a pale, champagne-gold powder highlighter which can be used to add radiance to the face, cheeks and eyes.  I think it is perfectly suited to obtaining the strobing effect which is so popular right now.

Outer Packaging

The powder comes in a box with a cartoon-style design on the front and back. 

The front of the box provides the product name, product summary (highlighter, shimmer, eyeshadow) and weight (8.5g/net weight 0.3oz).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The back of the box provides the product name, ingredients and distribution information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compact Packaging

The powder is encased in a metal-like compact with a design mimicking the design on the front side of the outer box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The back of the compact gives information on the product name, weight and ingredients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The powder compact is sturdy, yet sleek and lightweight.  It also contains a mirror in the lid, which allows for easy application or top-ups if you are on the go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shade, Texture and Finish

Mary-Lou Manizer is a light, creamy-white gold toned powder.  My skin is light-medium and the shade of Mary-Lou Manizer gives a beautiful, radiant glow to my skin.  For info, I wear 2.0 in Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation, 11 Vanilla in Loreal Infallible 24HR Matte Liquid Foundation and Warm Ivory in Boots No 7 foundations.

The Balm makes two other shades in the Manizer powder highlighter range (more information given below), so you might find one of them to be more suitable if Mary-Lou is too light or too golden for you. 

The powder itself has a very fine, softly milled texture, which makes it apply smoothly to the face.  It doesn’t feel chunky or break up when you apply it to the skin; it glides on beautifully and gives a lovely glow to the skin.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This product is very pigmented and has a strong sheen.  The strong sheen means that you can get a quick, highlighted effect easily and without having to load-up the product.  I find that I only have to lightly ‘tap’ my brush into the powder to get a good application on the face.  I would say that this product is less suitable if you prefer a very muted highlight, as it does have quite a strong shimmer to it.  I think you can, however, blend it out to give a slightly softer effect if you wish.

 

Versatility

One thing I love about the Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter is that it is incredibly versatile:

• It can be used as a cheek highlighter to make the cheekbones stand out.
• I like to use it down the centre of the nose, above the cupid’s bow and above browbones to add extra radiance.
• The light-gold shade means it can be used as an eyeshadow; try applying it on the lid for a wide-awake effect on the eyes
• It can be applied to the inner corners of the eyes to add extra brightness.

 

Swatches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Products in the ‘Manizer’ Range

There are other highlighting products available as part of The Balm’s highlighting range which are worth checking out.  

The ‘Lou-Manizer’ range includes ‘Mary-Lou’, ‘Cindy-Lou’ and ‘Betty-Lou’ highlighting powders.  Cindy-Lou Manizer is a light peachy-pink which can be used as a highlighter, light blusher and also an eyeshadow.  Betty-Lou Manizer is a golden-bronze shade, which again can be used as a highlighter, blusher or eyeshadow.  Betty-Lou is darker than the other shades, making it particularly flattering on darker skin-tones or as a bronze-sheen on paler skins.

The Balm also recently released liquid versions of the Manizer highlighters called ‘Dew Manizers’.  There are two shades available: Mary-Dew Manizer’ (a light, creamy white-gold) and ‘Bonnie-Dew Manizer’ (a deeper, champagne-gold).  I haven’t tried the Dew Manizers so I would love to know if you have and what you think of them!

 

Stockists and Price

Mary-Lou Manizer costs £16 and is available from various retailers in the UK, including Superdrug, Debenhams, Feel Unique and Look Fantastic.

If you like the look of the Mary-Lou Manizer but don’t want to commit to a full-size compact, you can find this product as part of various palettes and sets.  ‘The Manizer Sister’s Luminizing Palette’ costs £24 and contains smaller versions of all three shades.  This is a great option if you fancy trying all three or want a travel-friendly option for using all the products.  The ‘In The Balm of Your Hand Greatest Hits Vol 2’ contains a mini Mary-Lou Manizer, as well as various other mini-sized cult products from The Balm.  I have the latter palette as I wanted to try out more from The Balm.  Let me know if you would like a post on the ‘Greatest Hits Vol 2 Palette’!

Have you tried The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer or any of the other Manizer highlighters? Or do you have a different favourite highlighter? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.