Hello there, my loves! Today, I am very excited to talk to you about this beautiful Cleopatra's Kiss highlighting palette by Sleek MakeUP (£9.99, Boots). If you have been visiting my blog for a while, you might know that I'm not typically into highlighters; mostly because my oily skin just doesn't agree with them. Any highlight on my face usually blends with the natural shine of my skin, which isn't really a good look! Having said that, I still enjoy a little highlight with a good matte foundation from time to time (Estee Lauder's Double Wear always does the job!), and lately I have been exploring some budget-friendly options to see if I can find any hidden gems. Cleopatra's Kiss caught my eye right away - the beautiful packaging, the shades and even the exotic name make for a very promising palette! Hope you enjoy!
First of all, I think that the packaging is absolutely stunning. I've seen so many high-end palettes that don't look half as expensive and luxurious as this one! The golden mirror design is not only very elegant, but also sturdy and compact enough to take with you when travelling. There is also a mirror and a little brush included - a nice addition, but personally, I prefer to use my own brushes. Cleopatra's Kiss includes a total of four shades - two cream, and two baked powder highlighters.
This was actually my first time working with cream highlighters, and I was impressed with how easy it was to apply and blend them (I'd recommend using a Beauty Blender for these). The creamy formula feels incredibly buttery, and looks very natural and delicate on the skin (although it's easy to build it up if you want that extra glow). Personally, I prefer a soft highlight that isn't too blinding, which is exactly what this palette offers. My only criticism is the poor lasting power - perhaps it's just my oily skin that doesn't agree with the formula; but the highlight fades away and becomes quite streaky after a few hours, and it's not too easy to re-apply it on the go.
As for the baked powders, I have some mixed feelings about the formula. As gorgeous as they look in the packaging; they turn into a glittery mess when applied, with a lot of fallout. Again, this could just be down to my skin type or the foundation used, but I wasn't too impressed with the messy application process. The powders are much less pigmented than the creamy shades, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - especially if you're after a more subtle glow. They give a soft, shimmery highlight that lasts near enough all day; and don't turn streaky and patchy like the cream formula, which is definitely a plus.
Shades included:
Sphinx. This is a gorgeous, golden bronze powder. I was a little worried that it would be too dark for my pale skin, but the pigmentation is quite light so it's easy to apply just the right amount for that healthy, summery glow.
Delta. Warm, golden bronze with a creamy finish. I'm definitely much too pale to pull this one off, but I think that it would look absolutely stunning on darker skintones.
Dynasty. Shimmery, gold champagne with a creamy finish. This one is much brighter when applied, and reflects the light beautifully. If only it didn't turn so patchy after a few hours!
Goddess. This is a lovely, pink champagne powder, and one that I have been reaching for the most on a daily basis. The application is quite messy, but I really do like the colour and the shimmery finish it gives.
Overall, I am reasonably happy with this palette - it was a pleasant introduction to the world of cream highlighters, although the formula is not without its flaws. I love the shade selection and how stunning they all look in the packaging, and I think that they would look especially beautiful on darker skintones. For the price point (which is very reasonable at £9.99), I would still probably recommend one of the NYX highlighting palettes instead; although I do appreciate the warm, exotic charm of Cleopatra's Kiss. An honest 6/10 from me!
Do you use highlighters? What are your favourites for the summer?
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