I feel like we’re pretty used to seeing typical highlighters now – either they’re powder or they’re cream, and they look slightly different, but for the most part they’re fairly similar. Even a truly liquid highlighter has similar properties. So a highlighter that’s rather gelatinous in nature? I was intrigued!

NYX has recently launched their “A Bit Jelly” highlighters – a gel illuminator that is water-based, lightweight, and filled with sparkle. And it truly is filled with sparkle – the little specks you see floating in the gel are fine glitter particles!

There are three shades in the collection, but the one I have to showcase is Luminous. It’s a WEIRD shade in the tub to be honest – it looks like a caramel bronze base with teal shimmer.

When you swatch it you can see that the hints of caramel in the base disappear a bit, although it’s still obvious around the edges of my arm where it curves. The glitter particles stand out quite a bit, but they’re not quite as “glitter in your face” as I was expecting!

As NYX recommends, I used a finger to apply Luminous to the tops of my cheekbones. It’s very, very wet, and feels very bizarre to be applying to be honest. It blends out just fine, but since I’ve never used a gel highlighter before I have to say it felt so very strange at first!

Luminous doesn’t look like a glittery highlighter from afar – more like a soft shimmer (I asked a coworker just to confirm and she agreed.)

But up close is another story. Up close you can see the particle shimmer actually becomes  little bit more flattened down and takes on a clumpy, flaky texture. I love the effect, but if you’re in to a more even sheen, then this is potentially not the highlighter for you. It’s definitely luminescent – I love how the shimmer looks more and more like glitter the closer you get to my face.

Final Thoughts

What a bizarre texture! But once you get over that, the NYX A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator is a lot of fun to use. I don’t think this is for everyone though – the texture is bizarre, the application isn’t traditional (if you’re someone who prefers to use a brush), and the overall effect is quite glittery up close (less so from afar). BUT… it’s a lot of fun to play with! I think this would look gorgeous if you applied some all over your body during the summer for a bit of extra shimmer and glow. Or, if you don’t want to be a disco ball, apply it in select locations like your collarbones and the tops of you shoulders. In short, it’s fun and it’s beautiful… but it’s a bit more fussy to play with that your traditional powder highlighter.

The NYX A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminators can be purchased on shoppersdrugmart.com for $13.99 CAD (currently on sale for $10.99!) or on ulta.com for $15 USD. Annnnnd I’ve just realized this is cheaper in Canada! This happens so infrequently! WOOOHOOO!!!!

The product featured in this post was sent to me for consideration. Post contains affiliate links.