Okay, so I know that it’s totally Benefit’s style to give their products cheeky names, and I get that the name they gave their new Watt’s Up face highlighter ($30 for a 0.33-oz. tube) plays on the idea of light bulbs illuminating the skin, but I can’t help but think of something else every time I say the name…
WASSUP!
LOL! I loved that old commercial. 🙂
Team B describes the color of their new highlighter, a solid stick with a cream-to-powder finish, as a luminous, sheer champagne. I turned it on this afternoon, and I really did feel like I was glowing (on me it’s a shimmery, peachy glow).
I’m reminded of a NARS Multiple in how the product looks and feels — smooth, thin and slightly dry to the touch. The concept has been approached before, but here I like Benefit’s execution.
First, I’m glad they chose not to go the liquid route, a la Moonbeam/Highbeam, because it means not having to worry about accidental spills and getting the product all over the place. Second, with the highlighter on one end of the stick and a blending sponge on the other, I don’t need an extra brush. All I do is glide the creamy stick along my cheek and brow bones (it works on bare skin and atop makeup), and smooth out any edges with the sponge.
Watt’s Up unblended (on the left) and blended (on the right)
Swatch comparisons with a few of Benefit’s highlighters; from the left: Moonbeam, Highbeam, Watt’s Up, High Brow and Gilded
I find that some of Benefit’s products really come into their own on lighter, cooler-toned cuties, and I suspected that Watt’s Up might not get along well with my tan (NC42 skin), but after swatching and wearing it around the house for a few hours today, I see that it packs more than enough peach pigment to show up on darker damsels, too. I also think the shade is neutral enough for gals with cool- or warm-toned skin.
I’m not sure about wear time yet, and I’m concerned that it might struggle to hold its ground on my combination dry/oily cheeks and brows (some cream-to-powder formulas have trouble adhering to my skin). We’ll see how it holds up over the next few days, and I’ll let you know.
Based on first impressions, though, I’m a fan. It might be pricey at $30, but with practical packaging and a pretty color, Benefit clearly knows Watts Up.
PRICE: $30
AVAILABILITY: Brightening up Benefit counters, stores and benefitcosmetics.com this October
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. I hope your Wednesday went well. 🙂 What are your plans for the evening? I’ve got a date with a bowl of Kellogg’s Special K Chocolatey Delight and the new episode of Top Chef Just Desserts.
dani@callitbeauty says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:01 pmi normally wouldn’t spend that much money on a product i would barely use, but the colour really is lovely and i love that it comes with a sponge. seeing its loveliness up close might just sway me :).
Karen says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:05 pmI think you’ll be swayed once you see it in person. It’s a really soft, gentle peach that adds a subtle glow.
Alexzandra says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:02 pmI like the peachy tone of this. Now I’m intrigued and might have to check it out when it lands on counters.
Karen says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:06 pmMe too! It should look great paired with a ton of different blushes.
What highlighters are you using/liking now?
Rainy Days & Lattes says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:04 pmGotta look for this, it’s beautiful on you!!
Karen says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:07 pmThanks, Rainy Days & Lattes! Great handle, btw. 🙂
Hyzenthlay says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:05 pmLove Just Desserts! It’s the food of Top Chef (which, unsurprisingly, came off my fingertips as “chem” originally . . .) with the DRAAAAMUHHHHH of Project Runway!
Karen says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:10 pmI’ve got about 20 minutes left in the show… man, that one cake with the instruments was a hot mess.
Re: Project Runway — I’m kind of shocked by all the bad behavior!
Hyzenthlay says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:18 pmTotally agree on both counts! And, fyi, I am having a FANTASTIC year teaching 🙂 Absolutely amazing! Five periods of Chemistry, and I am having so much fun 🙂 Love, love, love teaching again. Thank goodness I stuck it out last year. This year I am the kind of teacher I like to and want to be. So much fun! 😀
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:36 amI was just about to ask you how classes were going. SO HAPPY to hear that you’re really enjoying it so far!
Swatch And Learn says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:30 pmThis looks nice, but I’m passing on it. I have a few highlighters that will probably take me years to get through…haha!
Swatch And Learn recently posted … Nail Art Giveaway on Swatch And Learn!
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:36 amHi Swatch and Learn,
Ha! I’m in the same boat, but I just can’t stay away. Love anything and everything that makes me look glowy!
gio says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:31 pmThat looks lovely on you! I need to check it out.
gio recently posted … Product Review: Essence Pure Skin Anti-Spot Patches
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:37 amHi Gio,
Thank you!
Heidi says
August 31st, 2011 at 10:32 pmI like the application of this product. May have to check it out. Top Chef Desserts is not helping my resolve to cut down on sugar consumption, yet I can not stay away!
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:33 amI swear, I can’t watch that show without eating something. If I don’t have food in front of me while its on it just feels wrong!
Adrienne says
August 31st, 2011 at 11:25 pmOoooh! I love benefit 🙂 And their packaging always kills…this box is adorable!! I like High Beam, but I hate that when I apply it on my cheeks atop foundation I feel like I’m messing up my foundation/concealer blending it in. Watts Up sounds like the perfect solution! I look forward to borrowing this from the benefit counter while I’m at work 😛
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:33 amHi Adrienne,
LOL, you’re so cute! I bet it must be really nice to borrow stuff from the other counters. I’d be all over the perfumes in a hot second!
Jeni says
September 1st, 2011 at 12:11 amOoh I love highlighters so I will definitely check this out. I like the look of the little sponge too. I hope this doesn’t have pore clogging ingredients like Benefit Highbeam (which I loved for about 3 days, until it broke me out).
Jeni recently posted … Makeup Dupes
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:32 amHi Jeni,
I’ll try to update this with a pic of the ingredients today!
Marina (Makeup4all) says
September 1st, 2011 at 12:55 amI still haven’t tried their Moonbeam (but am a huge fan of High beam) but this one looks interesting.
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:32 amHi Marina,
Moonbeam is SUPER pretty.
Have you ever tried using Highbeam with Benetint? It makes for a lovely, just-pinched flush.
Kelly says
September 1st, 2011 at 5:03 amI like, I like!! I am pretty fair and have dry skin so I’m really interested in this one! I’m a sucker for high lighters and achieving the perfect glow so I might need to check this one out soon!
Kelly recently posted … Fitness Diary: My Tips For Slimming Down!
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:31 amHi Kelly,
This might really be a good fit for you, then!
Chris25 says
September 1st, 2011 at 5:26 amThe color is pretty, but I think I’d prefer NARS Multiples.
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:31 amI love those too. Which colors are your favorites?
Nina says
September 1st, 2011 at 5:48 amwhat a nifty product! i love highbeam but find the packaging to be cumbersome. this is perfect!
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:30 amHi Nina,
Yay! I think you’ll really like it. You can throw it right into your makeup bag and not have to worry about spills. 🙂
Nina says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:56 amexactly! i cant count how many times highbeam has spilled on me! 🙂
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 9:02 amI love it (have you ever tried using it with Benetint? SO PRETTY!), but can only keep it in the house because of that problem. Also, have you ever noticed that it starts to get thick after a certain point?
Nina says
September 1st, 2011 at 11:32 amit does get goopy, and its more apparent w/ Posie Tint.
Kim says
September 1st, 2011 at 6:12 amI really like the finish on the Benefit highlighters and use Highbeam, myself. The only problem I have is that it tends to highlight my massive wrinkles – I mean fine lines – so I have to be careful where I put it on my cheekbones. 🙂 And, maybe it’s just me, but I find that I get a little burning/stinging sensation from it when I first dab it on. Weird. I think Watt’s Up is pretty, but would probably try Moonbeam first. It probably wouldn’t be as flattering on me but I seem to be into the warmer colors this week!
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:30 amHi Kim,
Oh, I feel you. Highlighters can be great because they perk your face right up, but sometimes they’re like a big ol’ spotlight on pores and wrinkles.
Have you ever tried the MAC Beauty Powders? The pressed ones are pretty forgiving. I use a brush shaped like the MAC 235 to apply it to the tops of my cheek bones and on the brow bone area. I get a nice subtle glow without emphasizing ye olde trouble spots.
Kim says
September 1st, 2011 at 11:02 amNo, I haven’t, but I just added them to my “must try” list. Thanks for the rec! 🙂
heidi says
September 1st, 2011 at 6:21 amOh man I wish I hadn’t seen this! I’m starting to develop a highlighter problem but oooo its so pretty. My only concern is how to keep the sponge clean. It seems a little unsanitary.
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:26 amHi Heidi,
Ha! I have a major highlighter dependency, too. 🙂 I think you could probably wash the sponge and then let it air dry — just cover up the highlighting stick end with the cap.
Amanda says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:02 amOMG I think I want this! I’ve been looking for a better highlighter and I love that it comes with a sponge to blend it with!
Amanda recently posted … September Julep Maven!
Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:24 amHi Amanda,
This might be a good fit for you, then. What highlighter are you using now?
sugarBear says
September 1st, 2011 at 8:49 amI just started loving highlighters, I have been using NARS Albatross and love it, this new Benefit one looks great on you.
Joyce says
September 1st, 2011 at 9:00 amIt looks lovely on you. it has that gorgeous sheen, which I look for in highlighters (I don’t like gritty or glittery highlighters) =)
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Karen says
September 1st, 2011 at 9:03 amAhh, you might like the MAC Beauty Powders then! Have you ever tried the pressed ones? They have a really gorgeous sheen.
Karo says
September 1st, 2011 at 11:10 amIt look so wonderful on you! And your make up is just perfeckt! I love it!
xoxo
Karo recently posted … Top 5 in August
Brooke says
September 1st, 2011 at 12:01 pmI have been trying to find a nice highlighter/glowy product and have had my eye on this product when I first saw an ad about it. I’m debating between this, NARS Multiple, or MAC’s Silver Dusk Iridescent Powder. Do you have a fav or recommendation?
PS says
September 2nd, 2011 at 6:20 pmI’m a big highlighter fan too. Used to love smashbox, but too messy and have been using Philosophy illuminator lately . Love it because it’s a cream and for me its easier to apply. Also I think it looks more natural too.
Kat says
December 28th, 2011 at 12:14 pmHave you tried smashbox skin tints? they are not messy at all they come in a stick and its so convenient that way
Personally, I would love to own every highlighter known to man I just cant get enough!
kat says
January 11th, 2012 at 6:19 pmis the watts up benefit highlighter very glittery? does it have any glittery at all? I just dont like looking glittery in sunlight, Im not a fairy vampire from the twilight movies, I want a subtle highlighter 😀