As a devout lover of all things dewy, I tried Glossier's Haloscope highlighter and here's why I think it deserves more love...
Now that Glossier is at Sephora, you'll no doubt have found yourself all the more tempted to add a few of the millennial pink brand's hero products—like the Glossier Balm Dot Coms—to your next beauty haul. But which of Glossier's viral offerings should make the cut?
Well if you're a lover of all things glazed—whether it's glazed donut nails or Hailey Bieber's glazed foundation look—I'm about to make a case for Glossier's highlighter...
A beauty writer's honest review of the Glossier Haloscope highlighter
Now, before we dive into the details of this Haloscope Glossier review, allow me to first outline my makeup preferences and what I look for in a good highlighter to see if our requirements align.
My skin and makeup preferences
I have combination skin—in some areas, it's very dry, but in others, it gets oiler through the day. Thankfully, my skin is also fairly clear—minus some hormonal breakouts on my chin and some visible pores on my nose—so, I can get away with products that are on the greasier/more oily side. In fact, I mostly shy away from matte products—apart from powder, which I apply to my T-zone.
On the whole, I like to look as dewy as possible and as someone who does not drink nearly as much water as I should, my highlighter needs to work HARD to keep my skin looking hydrated and glowy.
On the daily, I keep my makeup very natural. I wear a glow filter, followed by a non-comedogenic foundation (specifically Armani's luminous silk foundation) and concealer when I need it, followed by my mascara (I've been loving the Rare Beauty Mascara lately), blush, a highlighter and eyebrow gel.
My favorite steps in my routine are blush and highlighter, so I do not take the decision of adding one of these products to my regime lightly...
What's in the Glossier Haloscope?
So, onto the product at hand! Glossier's Haloscope comes in three shades; Topaz, Quartz and Moonstone—I've tested the latter, which is a pearly, iridescent shimmer.
The product itself is described as a 'dew effect highlighter' which is crystal-infused and boasts skin conditioning benefits. Off to a glowing start so far.
The stick features an outer core, dubbed the 'halo' which is made from crystal extracts—which are shiny, not glittery (so, if you hate glitter highlights this might be a game-changer for you). The inner core is oil-based, with a blend of Vitamin E, coconut, sweet almond oil and castor seed oil, meaning both the shimmer and oils blend together to deliver a sheen while also nourishing your skin. It's also cruelty-free and dermatologist tested.
How to use Glossier Haloscope?
Haloscope is marketed as being easy and I would have to agree. If you're a makeup newbie or you're not very confident with liquid highlighters (like the Rare Beauty Liquid Luminizer), this could be a great option for you.
Now, it does come in stick form, so there is a temptation there to swipe it straight onto your cheeks but I would recommend that you actually apply it with your finger, as this really delivers that dewy, glazed effect and minimizes any disruption of your products underneath. It's a very oily product, so you only need a few dabs to get that light-reflecting shine.
Using your finger on the stick first also helps to warm up the product, as I've found in colder weather that it hardens—though it quickly returns to its oily goodness once worked with your fingertip.
Application-wise, a good rule with highlighter is to apply it to the high points of your face, where light usually bounces off—so your cheekbones, nose bridge and tip. For extra wow factor, you can also apply it to the inner corners of your eyes, your brow bones and your cupid's bow.
My verdict on the Glossier Haloscope highlighter
So, is this highlighter worth $22 (£18)? My answer is, yes. While it is a little pricey, it delivers everything it promises to do, especially with regards to dewiness. Plus a little goes a long way.
I would like to acknowledge, though, that this product might not be for everyone, as it is quite oily and can remain sticky on the skin. So, if you're someone with oiler skin, a powder highlighter might work better for you. However, if you're looking for that glass-skin effect (with minimal hassle), this product is an absolute dream.
I tried the shade 'Moonstone' which is an opalescent shade that really does make me look moon-kissed (as opposed to sunkissed, if that didn't read...). I've hunted far and wide for an easy product that just gives my cheeks that subtle, sheen without leaving a strange, greyish cast or leaving traces of glitter all over my face and hands—and Haloscope is it for me.
It's so easy to apply—I use my ringer finger and just dab it on my cheekbones, nose bridge, tip and cupid's bow. I do this gently, so as to not move my foundation or blush underneath and have found that that works well.
There are a few cons about this product though, which personally don't bother me but might be deal breakers for others. As mentioned, it does remain quite sticky to the touch once applied, but I quite like that for some reason, as it makes it feel dewy. It is also very subtle—it likely won't give you that blinding pop but it will give you a glossy finish, so it really boils down to your highlight preferences.
Skin-wise, it's never broken me out or left me with any irritation or clogged pores and I've also never noticed it cause any foundation piling.
So, if you, like me, are obsessed with all the words related to dewy, I would definitely recommend giving this highlighter a whirl. The product, while compact does last, as you only need a few dots from your finger to create that sheen. It's also very pretty but not glittery and makes your skin look very healthy and bright. I'd especially recommend this for summer when you want to wear less makeup or want an easy, glow-giving product to pack in your makeup travel bag.
