MAC Prep + Prime Radiant Rose Highlighter

The latest member of the ever increasing Prep + Prime family has finally arrived - and me being the eager highlighter hoarder I am simply couldn't wait to get my hands on it...

Available in a trio of tones (Light Boost - yellow cream, Bright Forecast - peachy coral), I picked up Radiant Rose, a light shell pink designed to give the skin a sheer wash of subtle colour. Presented in a black plastic casing decorated with playful flecks of glitter, these 3.6g brush pens currently retail at an equivalent price of £4.72 per gram.

Intended for a wide range of uses including priming, brightening and instant-on-the-go-top ups, these twist pens possess a rather generous flow, dispensing enough product to cover most, if not all areas desired. The liquid is both creamy and seamless, blending beautifully into the skin using just the warmth of the finger tips.

Although the product is advertised and labelled as a 'highlighter', the formula itself isn't particularly radiant or reflective. Instead the colour applies in a way not too dissimilar to that of Touche Eclat, providing moderately light coverage with a gentle, uplifting sheen. It's very subtle, so subtle in fact it's almost hard to tell if it's doing anything at all.

Radiant Rose Highlighter in Sunlight

Radiant Rose Highlighter in dim light

This morning I applied the liquid to my cheeks, brow bones and under eyes - adding more product to any areas containing either light blemishes or darker freckles. As you can see from the picture below the whole look is very fresh and wide awake; absolutely perfect for creating clean spring skin. The brush itself makes application an absolute doddle, lending this range to be the ideal candidate for anyone searching for a fuss free top up tool.

Radiant Rose Highlighter applied to under eyes, brow bone and cheeks

In practice I like this product. It applies flawlessly, cleans up my complexion and gives a decent days wear without any caking. I just think for the price - and finish - it's simply not unique enough to justify repurchasing, especially as it seems to do very similar things to several products I already own; a £7Bourjois Concealer being one...

As always MAC have made a fantastically high quality product, and whilst this is helpful for pulling together a more flaw-free look, I'm sure most of you will already have a cheaper alternative in your stash. Definitely one to road test in store first.

MAC Prep & Prime Radiant Rose Highlighter pen is currently available from maccosmetics.co.uk for £17. Stores worldwide will stock the range from April 7th onwards.

*this product was purchased by the Beauty Bite*