Becca Strength Ignite Liquified Light Highlighter Review & Swatches

Strength

Becca Strength Ignite Liquified Light Highlighter ($38.00 for 1.5 oz.) is a rich, gold-shimmered bronze with moderate, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. The pearl used was very fine, which made the finish look almost wet when applied, despite mostly drying down.

I’d recommend tapping gently, rather than dispersing a full pump, if working with this as a spot highlighter for the face, though a pump or more works just fine for applying all-over the body. For use on the face, a little went a long way–it was quite pigmented–and it was easy to build up more coverage if desired.

The texture was smooth with more of a gel-like feel that was fluid enough to spread well over larger areas (like the body) as well as to be patted and diffused across cheek bones. It seemed to dry down more when really blended over a larger area, but it seemed to be a touch wet when I used it on my cheeks as a highlighter, so it was more transfer-resistant as a body product but not impervious to transfer. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Glossier Play Molten Umber (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Kevyn Aucoin Sunlight (P, $52.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Becca Topaz (DC, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Wet 'n' Wild Go With the Glow (P, $5.99) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Glossier Play Deep Copper (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Cover FX Candlelight (P, $42.00) is less shimmery, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
Dior #004 (LE, $53.00) (80% similar).
Hourglass Bronze Flash (P, $42.00) (80% similar).
Colour Pop Avalon (LE, $8.00) (80% similar).
NYX Gold Rush (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$38.00/1.5 oz. - $25.33 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have a "super concentrated" glow that can be used on "face and body" with a "crystal-gel" texture that is "transfer and water resistant." The key is knowing it is a very pigmented, high-shine, and glowing liquid highlighter, and they might suggest "one pump" for highlighting the face, I'm here to tell you to barely tap to expel a fraction of a pump. I think one pump would be more product than most need for the face alone.

The coverage can sheer out to more semi-sheer to medium if applied with a stippling brush and more medium to semi-opaque coverage if applied with a fingertip, but the product applied evenly to bare skin as well as over liquid foundation as it didn't lift it up. The texture was fluid and smooth--definitely like a lightweight gel--that was easy to work with.

The formula wore well for eight to nine hours on the high points of my face as a highlighter with minimal movement/fading, but I didn't feel like it fully dried down when I used it as a cheek highlighter. As a body highlighter, it was easier to work it over a larger area and feel the product dry down, but there was still a bit of transfer if I pressed my fingertip to my arm but resistant enough that it didn't immediately come off on clothes.

It has a heavier scent that smelled of sweet coconut, a hint of pineapple with a floral undercurrent. The scent is noticeable when applied, whether on body or on face, and it lingers, so it is fairly potent. As long as the scent isn't a deal-breaker, it is a gorgeous take on liquid highlighter if you like a high-shine, glowing finish that has finer pearl.

As a note: This is really not comparable--other than it also being in the liquid highlighter category--to the now-discontinued Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid. The Ignite formula is significantly more pigmented and more intense in its glow/shine/shimmer effect.

Browse all of our Becca Ignite Liquified Light Highlighter swatches.

Ingredients

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Tin Oxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Fragrance (Parfum), Tocopheryl Acetate, Bht, Tocopherol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499)].