Pony Effect Mirage highlighter Review + swatches

Continuing on with Pony effect product reviews, we are moving onto her highlighters.  With the whole collection she came out with, there were three types of single panned products, blushes, highlighters and contours.  Like I mentioned back when I reviewed her first contour palette, the highlighters included in the palette were not good at all.  They were stiff with little to no pigmentation when applied onto the skin.  Let’s pray they listened to us this time around.  Let’s get onto the review!

Full name of product:
Pony Effect Mirage Higlighter

Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Permanent

Description of product:
“Try using your highlighter to brighten up the eyelids, or the inner corners of your eyes!”

Strobing game strong – Glow from within with this silky soft highlighter featuring light-reflecting Pearl Powder. Luxurious powder blends effortlessly to give your skin a beautiful luminous glow.

Price:
$15

Amount of product:
3 g

Duration before expiration:

Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea
Manufactured by Memebox Inc.

Animal testing?:
No animal testing!

Where to buy:
Memebox*

Shades available:

Ingredients:
Lucid Dream: Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Triethylhexanoin, Magnesium Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Nylon-12, Silica, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Pearl Powder, Amethyst Powder, Coral Powder, Tourmaline, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Iron Oxides

Fairy tale:Talc, Mica (CI 77019), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Triethylhexanoin, Magnesium Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Nylon-12, Silica, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Iron Oxides, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Pearl Powder, Amethyst Powder, Coral Powder, Tourmaline, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol

First chance: Talc, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Magnesium Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Triethylhexanoin, Nylon-12, Silica, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Pearl Powder, Amethyst Powder, Coral Powder, Tourmaline, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tin Oxide, Methicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

How to use:
“Gently swirl in with a large fluffy blending brush. Tap off excess and apply on areas you wish to bring out, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow, and chin.”

Product packaging:
Just like the single panned blushes, these highlighters also come in the exact same sleek packaging.  The front of the packaging comes with a clear window which is a nice addition since we are able to see which shade is which.

On the back is the information sticker which shows us the shade name along with the manufacturing country and company, when it is product and such.

The compact is secured shut with a magnetic closure.  On the inside, there is also the rose gold dealing which is a nice luxe touch.

Color/ Pigmentation:
So far, Pony effect has three highlighters which to my surprise are all quite similar to each other. All three are flesh tone type of highlighters which I think is a bit excessive and lacks variety.  I’d love to see more unique shades in the future, maybe something with a light pink or lavender iridescence.

Lucid Dream*: Cool toned white pearl shade with dense shimmers

Lucid dream is not a shade I’d recommend to those with a darker skin type.  On my Mac NC25, it can easily look very fake due to it’s very stark white nature.  Out of the three, this is not the one I’d grab since it can easily make me look like I’m being beamed out of a UFO.  I’d most likely use this shade more as an eyeshadow rather then a highlighter but that is just my preference.  Out of the three, this one is the most dense in shimmers as well.

First chance*: Cool tone sandy yellow shade with fine gold shimmers (shimmery sheen finish)

 Unlike Lucid Dream, Fairytail is less dense in the shimmer department and gives off more of a sheen, just like a satin.  If Lucid Dream and Fairy Tale had a baby, the results would be “First chance”.  I can see this shade being universally friendly, both on pale skin types and darker skin types.  Those of you who are used to strong highlighters such as Becca’s, these might not be enough to fulfill your highlighting desires.  All these highlighters are still on the more natural, sheer side so please do keep that in mind.

Blended out, this shade does seem to disappear into the skin while giving a very subtle glow to the skin.

FairyTale*: Warm toned light bronze shade with a shimmery finish

Unlike the other two highlighters, Fairy Tale has a warm undertone.  On the skin, it gives it a subtle light bronze touch to the skin.  Again it seems to disappear into the skin, only giving it a very subtle bronze touch to the skin.

Texture/ Finish:
These are definitely a huge improvement from the first contour palette that came with two highlighters.  The texture of these are a lot smoother and not sift like before.  Pigmentation improved by 50% but I feel as though it is still lacking, especially for those who are used to Western highlighters that are very pigmentation and noticeable on the skin.  All three gives the skin a very natural and subtle highlight.  For me, I feel as though it can be a little too subtle at times but these would be a choice for when I want to look like I have absolutely no make up on.

Lasting power:
If you were to use these with a base of some sort, whether it is a primer or just your regular base make up, these would last a bit longer.  I’d say it lasts about 3-4 hours max until it completely fades away.  Without any type of base to work with, these are easily rubbed off, which is a shame.

Fragrance?:
These do not contain any fragrance.
Okay now let’s try it on my face.  I already have my foundation, blush, contour, brows and eye make up done.  For the finishing touches, let’s finish it off with the highlighter.

And here is the after.  I applied “first chance” all over my face (nose bridge, tops of the cheek bone, chin, forehead).  It looks very very subtle as I mentioned up above.  I don’t mind it being on the more subtle side since that gives me more options of when I want to look extra natural.

Pro:
-affordable price of $15
-great packaging design

Con:
-lacks pigmention and lasting power
-limited/ boring color selections (all flesh tones)

Repurchase?:
No unless they come out with an improved formulation and more interesting shades.

Stars given out of 5:

Overall thoughts:
I wouldn’t say these are horrible at all but if I were to stash these away into my collection, these would not be a product I would grab on a daily.  From the last highlighters Pony has came out with, these are a significant improvement from her first but these still can be improved. From the pigmentation to the lasting power, I’d love to see these being reformulated once again to become a better product, enough to rival even the most loved highlighters from the Western brands.  I’d say these would suit those with a very subtle or a heavy hand when it comes to your highlighters.  Overall these are not a bad product at all but it would have to suit that very specific group of people who love very subtle make up.

What do you guys think about these highlighters?  Would it be something you’d pick up for yourself?  Which shade would you pick for yourself?  Let me know in the comments down below and tell me what you think!  I’d love to know!