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Benefit Knows Watt’s Up: Their New Highlighter Brightens Brows and Cheeks with an Incandescent Glow

August 31st, 2011 by Karen 46 Comments

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!

benefit watt's up

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.

benefit watt's up

benefit watt's up

benefit watt's up

benefit watts up

benefit watts up

benefit watts up swatches
Watt’s Up unblended (on the left) and blended (on the right)

benefit watts up swatch comparison
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.

Benefit Knows Watt’s Up: Their New Highlighter Brightens Brows and Cheeks with an Incandescent Glow / Originally published August 31st, 2011

There are 46 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: benefit

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. dani@callitbeauty says

    August 31st, 2011 at 10:01 pm

    i 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 :).

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 31st, 2011 at 10:05 pm

      I think you’ll be swayed once you see it in person. It’s a really soft, gentle peach that adds a subtle glow.

      Reply
  2. Alexzandra says

    August 31st, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    I like the peachy tone of this. Now I’m intrigued and might have to check it out when it lands on counters.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 31st, 2011 at 10:06 pm

      Me too! It should look great paired with a ton of different blushes.

      What highlighters are you using/liking now?

      Reply
  3. Rainy Days & Lattes says

    August 31st, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    Gotta look for this, it’s beautiful on you!!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 31st, 2011 at 10:07 pm

      Thanks, Rainy Days & Lattes! Great handle, btw. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Hyzenthlay says

    August 31st, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Love Just Desserts! It’s the food of Top Chef (which, unsurprisingly, came off my fingertips as “chem” originally . . .) with the DRAAAAMUHHHHH of Project Runway!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 31st, 2011 at 10:10 pm

      I’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!

      Reply
  5. Hyzenthlay says

    August 31st, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    Totally 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! 😀

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:36 am

      I was just about to ask you how classes were going. SO HAPPY to hear that you’re really enjoying it so far!

      Reply
  6. Swatch And Learn says

    August 31st, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    This 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:36 am

      Hi 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!

      Reply
  7. gio says

    August 31st, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    That looks lovely on you! I need to check it out.
    gio recently posted … Product Review: Essence Pure Skin Anti-Spot Patches

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:37 am

      Hi Gio,

      Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Heidi says

    August 31st, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    I 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:33 am

      I 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!

      Reply
  9. Adrienne says

    August 31st, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    Ooooh! 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 😛

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:33 am

      Hi 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!

      Reply
  10. Jeni says

    September 1st, 2011 at 12:11 am

    Ooh 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

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:32 am

      Hi Jeni,

      I’ll try to update this with a pic of the ingredients today!

      Reply
  11. Marina (Makeup4all) says

    September 1st, 2011 at 12:55 am

    I still haven’t tried their Moonbeam (but am a huge fan of High beam) but this one looks interesting.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:32 am

      Hi Marina,

      Moonbeam is SUPER pretty.

      Have you ever tried using Highbeam with Benetint? It makes for a lovely, just-pinched flush.

      Reply
  12. Kelly says

    September 1st, 2011 at 5:03 am

    I 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:31 am

      Hi Kelly,

      This might really be a good fit for you, then!

      Reply
  13. Chris25 says

    September 1st, 2011 at 5:26 am

    The color is pretty, but I think I’d prefer NARS Multiples.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:31 am

      I love those too. Which colors are your favorites?

      Reply
  14. Nina says

    September 1st, 2011 at 5:48 am

    what a nifty product! i love highbeam but find the packaging to be cumbersome. this is perfect!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:30 am

      Hi 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. 🙂

      Reply
      • Nina says

        September 1st, 2011 at 8:56 am

        exactly! i cant count how many times highbeam has spilled on me! 🙂

        Reply
        • Karen says

          September 1st, 2011 at 9:02 am

          I 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?

          Reply
          • Nina says

            September 1st, 2011 at 11:32 am

            it does get goopy, and its more apparent w/ Posie Tint.

  15. Kim says

    September 1st, 2011 at 6:12 am

    I 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:30 am

      Hi 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.

      Reply
      • Kim says

        September 1st, 2011 at 11:02 am

        No, I haven’t, but I just added them to my “must try” list. Thanks for the rec! 🙂

        Reply
  16. heidi says

    September 1st, 2011 at 6:21 am

    Oh 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.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:26 am

      Hi 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.

      Reply
  17. Amanda says

    September 1st, 2011 at 8:02 am

    OMG 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 8:24 am

      Hi Amanda,

      This might be a good fit for you, then. What highlighter are you using now?

      Reply
  18. sugarBear says

    September 1st, 2011 at 8:49 am

    I just started loving highlighters, I have been using NARS Albatross and love it, this new Benefit one looks great on you.

    Reply
  19. Joyce says

    September 1st, 2011 at 9:00 am

    It looks lovely on you. it has that gorgeous sheen, which I look for in highlighters (I don’t like gritty or glittery highlighters) =)
    Joyce recently posted … Overview: Brush Collection

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1st, 2011 at 9:03 am

      Ahh, you might like the MAC Beauty Powders then! Have you ever tried the pressed ones? They have a really gorgeous sheen.

      Reply
  20. Karo says

    September 1st, 2011 at 11:10 am

    It look so wonderful on you! And your make up is just perfeckt! I love it!
    xoxo
    Karo recently posted … Top 5 in August

    Reply
  21. Brooke says

    September 1st, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I 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?

    Reply
  22. PS says

    September 2nd, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    I’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.

    Reply
    • Kat says

      December 28th, 2011 at 12:14 pm

      Have 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!

      Reply
  23. kat says

    January 11th, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    is 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 😀

    Reply

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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