Sunday, June 2, 2013

NARS Copacabana Illuminator review + comparison swatches


         Copacabana is a neighborhood in the Zona Sul of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It's famed for its bright sandy beach resorts, which run for four kilometers! With one glance at the sparkling shoreline, it's easy to see how this seaside paradise inspired NARS Copacabana.

           I've had a long term love affair with the pearly glow of NARS Copacabana. My first NARS multiple was NARS Copacabana, which I reviewed in the earlier days of Cute and Mundane (read here). When Copacabana came out in Illuminator form, I had to pick it up!


           NARS Copacabana Illuminator is a pearly liquid highlighter. The shimmer is quite concentrated so I use the smallest amount I can manage. I typically apply it to my cheekbones, bridge of nose, and other places that one would typically highlight. I find that evenly distributing it on fingers and patting it on gently works better than rubbing it in. NARS Illuminators tend to last longer when worn than NARS Multiples.

           NARS Copacabana Illuminator is a pale pearly beige-white with high shine. I've swatched it next to some comparable highlighter colors. You can see that the Illuminator is cooler and slightly pinker than the NARS Copacabana multiple (reviewed here); it has a much more intense white shine. NARS Luxor Multiple (reviewed here) is cooler and pinker. Benefit High Beam is the most similar to NARS Copacabana Illuminator of the bunch. However, it is slightly pinker and darker. It is also a little less reflective and has much less white shimmer than Copacabana. Tarte Moonlight Blush & Glow Brightening Luminizer and Cheek Tint is darker and more peachy pink than Copacabana; the shimmer is also subtler.


         NARS Copacabana Illuminator is a staple highlighter in my collection. I love the cool tones in the color and how it's more long lasting than the multiple version (reviewed here). I'd love to add all the NARS Illuminator colors to my collection eventually (and I keep hoping that NARS will come out with a Luxor Illuminator)!

          Thanks for reading! Have you tried NARS Copacabana or any of the NARS Illuminators? What NARS products have you been loving lately?

Love, Dovey.

9 comments:

  1. Hey Dovey, I haven't tried any NARS Illuminators, but I'm glad to hear you love it so much! The Multiple looks more subtle and I'm a real wimp, so I might start from there instead ;)

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  2. The shine on that is absolutely beautiful! You may have convinced me to finally go & invest in one(: xoxo

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  3. I was tempted to buy this a while ago! You've made me want to get it again :)

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  4. this looks gorgeous! I have the super orgasm illuminator, and I really want to get this one and the laguna one too!

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  5. Wow, it's brighter than High Beam! If I need a pppppow liquid highlighter, I'll be sure to test this out. :)

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  6. i used to love high beam back in the day. I have the copacabana multiple, and these illuminators have always been a bit too intense for me lol. but they sure are pretty!

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  7. I have this and I love it! I that it blends into my skin better than High Beam, I think because it's a bit creamier.

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  8. A tiny bit too cool-toned for my summer skin, but I can see this working on me in the winter!

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  9. I love the side-by-side swatches, they are so helpful to see the subtle differences between similar products. I have never used a true illuminator, but I think summer might be a good time to try them out.

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