Get Glowy, Fast, with Benefit High Beam and Moon Beam
Thu, 09/3/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup Tips/How To
Ask (contact me) and ye shall receive, homies.
The other day reader Styleezta asked for help applying Benefit’s liquid highlighters, High Beam ($24, a shimmery light pink) and Moon Beam ($24, a shimmery apricot).
Here’s how I use ‘em to create my own shimmery, J. Lo-inspired glow. 
But first, a little background. Both High Beam and Moon Beam have been around for years… Back in the day (uh, 1999), High Beam was my gateway highlighter drug. As soon as I saw that sexy, shimmery glow on my skin, I was hooked.
Ever since then I’ve had mad love for these liquid highlighters. They’re effortless to apply and to blend — totally fabulous for highlighting virgins.
A money-saving bonus? — There’s no need to throw down for an extra brush because these cuties come with a convenient applicator.
High Beam Brush
Doesn’t it look like a nail polish brush?
Used to apply the highlighters directly on the skin, the semi-firm brush head draws lines and dots with ease.
Swatches from left to right: High Beam, Moon Beam
Ready, set, draw!
It turns out these lines, dots and stripes are totes key to good application.
To start, I place some dots on my left temple, right temple and chin. Then, I swipe a stripe down the bridge of my nose. Next, on each cheekbone, I draw two short, parallel lines.
I usually do all of this on top of foundation and powder because I don’t have flawless skin. If you do, (jealous!) you can probably get away with applying to bare skin.
Where I place my dots and stripes
I end up looking a lil’ something like this:
Seriously, why are my nails so TRAGIC?
To finish, all I do is blend with my fingers until it’s completely absorbed into my skin, taking care to diffuse any visible edges.
Bingo! — an improv J. Lo glow in less than a minute.
Bonus tip: Have a liquid blush like Benefit Benetint ($28) or Posietint ($28) on hand? One cool thing I like to do is place two dots of blush inside parallel lines on my cheekbones. It adds a light flush to cheeks.
Hot stuff
We’re in the midst of another hot one out here today…
Poor Tabs set up shop on the slightly cooler bathroom floor. The tiles must be a few degrees cooler than the carpet.
For the record, it’s hard to use the loo while a cat gives you dirty looks.
Speaking of hot stuff, Urban Decay just released some new holiday goodies on UrbanDecay.com. December seems so far away, but I don’t know if I can wait for Saint Nick to hook me up, LOL!
Right now I’ve got my eagle eye on the Show Pony Shadow Box ($30),24/7 Super Stash ($39), Smoke Out Kit in Yerba ($34) and the Apocalyptic Nail Kit ($25).
Is it too early to write a Christmas list?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. One more thing — Bath and Body Works just launched a new fragrance called P.S. I Love You. To promote the release they’re hosting a pretty heft $500 Bath and Body Works gift card giveaway. Imagine how much shower gel you could get with that bad boy…
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1. Laurie said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hay girl hayyyyy!
Can I just say how funny you’ve been lately? For realz…I look forward to reading your posts and tweets. Hil-arious!
(oh, and not that you’re not always funny – ya know?!)
I love High Beam – I never do it like this though but I’m going to try now. I also like to mix a few drops with my liquid foundation! Love the glow.
2. Glosslizard said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Nice highlighter how-to!
P. Lily sets up in the bathtub when the temperature climbs, I always know it’s going to be a scorcher when her little bad-gal peepers are staring at me from the tub in the morning!
3. Kelly said, on September 3rd, 2009:
I love High Beam, use it all the time!
My cats tend to sprawl out all over the wood coffee table or tiled kitchen counter (lovely) when it’s hot like this. Try peeing when a cat jumps in your lap on the toilet LOL!
I just ordered my UD polishes, I cannot wait to see ‘em in person!
Kelly’s last blog post… Viewing Vampy Varnish
4. Marina said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Great review, Karen and you look super cute
love the necklace.
What do you like more Benetint or Posietint?
As for UD – 24/7 Super Stash is great.Gimme))
About the cats… My cat likes to sit near when I am taking a bath:D
Marina’s last blog post… Best Skin and Hair Care Products Of The Year. Allure Version
5. Marilyn said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Karen, you pictures just crack me up! I literally laughed out loud when I saw that you had painted “HAY” onto your hand using a beauty product.
I love my Posietint, and your easy “how to” for highlighters have got me wanting both High Beam and Moon Beam!
6. Tania said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Karen,
Love the review. I’ve been wanting to check out High Beam as I need a good glow. As for Tabs blocking that loo we used to nickname Sasha “speed bump” because she’d lay in the most inconvenient spots. Oh and The Hills and The City are coming back. Yay!!! Just wondering, are you a Kristen Cav fan? I’m on the fence about that one…..
7. tali said, on September 3rd, 2009:
I love moonbeam..one of my first every products, and i keep rebuying every year! love it!
tali’s last blog post… Body Shop: Goody Bag Favourites, YSL Haul & Make-up Rant!
8. Blovet Beauty said, on September 3rd, 2009:
love the way u make highlighter application so easy and FUN!!high beam packaging is super cute and really looks like a nail polish bottle to me! i like the glow it gives u!!!
Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… Ulzzang Inspired Wide Eyed Looks & Revlon Eyeliner Swatch
9. kourtney said, on September 3rd, 2009:
hey karen! i’ve been lurking around your site for a while now and am finally posting
love all your tips and product reviews, and this one is great — i’m always looking for a quick and easy way to accomplish that classic “j. lo glow”. thanks!
10. Tuhina Dayal said, on September 3rd, 2009:
I add a little highlighter to my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and it gives me a wonderful healthy glow!
11. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Tuhina Dayal,
I’ve done that too — it’s very pretty, especially in the summer.
12. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Kourtney,
Yay! It’s nice to meet you.
I hope that you give these a try — they’re so simple and easy. Another good one: NARS the Multiple sticks/duos. They’re fast and easy to blend, too!
13. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Blovet Beauty,
Thanks! Have you tried it before? It’s a really fun product.
14. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Tania,
I saw the promo for The Hills today. Dunno how I feel about Kristin coming back. I was never a fan of hers on Laguna Beach; honestly I don’t know if I can take the show if there’s not at least one person I can root for.
LOL, speaking of The Hills, did you see Heidi’s live “performance” for the Miss Universe show?
15. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Marilyn,
I love Posietint, too! Do you wear it as a blush or as a lip tint?
16. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Marina,
It depends on the time of the year. When it’s spring and my skin is lighter I go for Posietint. During the summer I’m all about the Benetint! What do you plan on using it for? If you want more of a blush and lip tint combo I’d probably go for Posietint.
17. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Kelly,
Ha, Tabs tried to do that earlier and I was like, UM, NO!
Those polishes look so hot. I am way tempted to just order them, along with a bunch of other goodies, right now!
18. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Glosslizard,
Aww! She’s like your in-house weather kitty. You’re lucky she’s not charging you for her services! Tabs makes me pay — in tins of gravy!
19. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Laurie,
Oh, I love doing the foundation/High Beam Mix, too. I gotta go easy, though, if pictures are involved. I’ve overdone the shimmer before, yikes!
20. Kate & Zena said, on September 3rd, 2009:
:snort: :giggle: “For the record, it’s hard to use the loo while a cat gives you dirty looks.” Try having Zena butt open the door whilst your going to the loo because you forgot to close the loo door until it clicked. She’s a Peeping Tom, I swear!
Tabs must be so humiliated seeing himself in such a pitiful state.
Tiles are always cooler than carpet because tile doesn’t trap heat like carpet does. Ditto with laminate flooring. Zena is always lying on the laminate floor when she comes in from the great outdoors and she’s hot. She especially likes the laminate near the front door which is a huge traffic area. She becomes a safety hazard. Be warned if you wake up from a nap and forget to check that area for a big black and white object!
21. Mary007 said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hey girlie! This post came at a perfect time…when I was about to give up on this High Beam thang. I bought the High Beam about 3 weeks ago and gave up on it 3 days later when I had no idea on how to apply it. I applied more than what your picture shows and I think that’s where I messed up. I applied after foundation and powder and it look more like a dried water stain on my face!!! So I will try again tomorrow…for the last time! Wish me luck!
22. marisa said, on September 3rd, 2009:
perfect timing for this…i just bought high beam less than two weeks ago and i am OBSESSED. i wanted something to give me that glowy-hayden panettierre look and i thought high beam would be too shimmery so i never bought it. i finally gave in and i am SO GLAD. it is perfection! it’s really barely shimmery at all once it’s blended. i mix a bit with my foundation, too. and i like to put it on my shoulders and collarbone if i’m wearing a shirt that shows them.
i am pretty pale and i was wondering–would there be any point to me buying moon beam as well???
23. amy said, on September 3rd, 2009:
I love the Moon Beam highlighter and I use it almost everyday. High beam is pretty but I find that it looks ashen on my completion. I pretty much apply the highlighter the same way you do. Sometimes I mix it with moisturizer.
amy’s last blog post… Medusa’s Makeup Eyeliner Seal
24. ezzie said, on September 3rd, 2009:
the moon beam looks simply gorgeous
P
and i think all of us are guilty of making christmas lists in the middle of the year
btw, Love the necklace!
25. Karen said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Hi Ezzie,
That one’s very pretty. In the light it actually flashes from pink to apricot!
26. Diana Kim said, on September 3rd, 2009:
I love Benefit! Probably one of my favorite lines and I am in love with High Beam! <3
27. Hyzenthlay said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Man, I’m probably going to get a lot of the UD stuff! Well, I’ll probably get all of the 24/7s, because I absolutely LOVE those things.
On an UD note, I’ve been using the primers for about a week now, and I love them! The Pore Perfecting one seems to work better for me . . . I didn’t see a whole lot of a change with the Brightening one (could be I haven’t used it enough, or maybe I just shine enough on my own!). The lip primer is great, and of course the Primer Potion is wonderful. I’m on the fence about the Eyelash Primer, but I think I may need it to dry out just a bit so that it’s less wet (I seem to prefer my mascara the same way).
28. lexi said, on September 3rd, 2009:
I’ve always wanted to try out these highlighters but were pretty much afraid. i do remember one of the benefit gals in the Marina store tried one out in me when it debuted in ‘99 but I never purchased one..yeah 10 yrs later I think I’m ready now hahaha
OMG – you know how i love me some UD – I want book of shadows 2! I’ll check out the other stuff. I finally tried Naked lipstick at sephora and sadly it washed me out and the new glide 24/7 lipliners didn’t do me justice – I’ll stick to the e/s and liners!
29. Imelda said, on September 3rd, 2009:
Thanks for the post Karen! And thanks so much for that post you did on everyone’s favorite highlighters- it was so nice to know what everyone liked! I went ahead and got the NARS Copacabana multiple on your recommendation and my life has never been the same! Thanks again!
30. Blovet Beauty said, on September 3rd, 2009:
nope i haven’t tried it b4, but it looks like a really fun pdt to have around!!
Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… Ulzzang Inspired Wide Eyed Looks & Revlon Eyeliner Swatch
31. Marina said, on September 4th, 2009:
Thank you for the answer, Karen!
I am asking because I can’t try them myself and I heard only good things about these products.
We don’t have Benefit here but my BFF moved to California so I want to ask her to send me some goodies
I am pale with dark hair and eyes. I will be using it only for cheeks. I guess Benetint will be too dark for me. Or does it look natural?
Marina’s last blog post… Best Skin and Hair Care Products Of The Year. Allure Version
32. Tiffany said, on September 4th, 2009:
TGIF Karen! Great post – I will have to try using placement like that. I usually just do my cheekbones.
33. Amanda said, on September 4th, 2009:
Hey girl! Love the necklace!!! Where did you find it? SO CUTE!!
Also, so excited about that 24/7 kit from UD! I added that to my Christmas list IMMEDIATELY!
34. Karen said, on September 4th, 2009:
Hi Amanda,
That’s a really old one I got at Macy’s two years ago!
35. Karen said, on September 4th, 2009:
Hi Tiffany,
Hope it turns out well. Do you have Benetint or Posietint? Adding blush takes it to the next level.
36. Karen said, on September 4th, 2009:
Hi Marina,
It would probably give you a more rosy cheek Snow White look. With your hair it would look very pretty! But, if you’re very pale Posietint might be the way to go.
37. Karen said, on September 4th, 2009:
Hi Imelda,
Isn’t Copacabana AMAZING? What have you been wearing it with?
38. Karen said, on September 4th, 2009:
Hi Lexi,
On the bright side that’s more $ for e/s, right?
Yeah, I’m kinda lusting after the Book of Shadows 2, too!
39. Karen said, on September 4th, 2009:
Hi Hyzenthlay,
Yeah, those primers are really great aren’t they? I need to try the Lip Primer soon!
Which 24/7 pencils do you have?
40. Andrea said, on September 4th, 2009:
Hi Karen,
I loved your necklace!
xoxo