Hands up if you love highlighter!  Well, today I'm thrilled to be sharing a natural vegan friendly liquid highlighter that packs a real punch - and it's all thanks to Madara and their line of Cosmic Drops.  Seriously, if you are a makeup lover and wanting the best cruelty free and eco friendly option, this is one you don't want to miss!

Madara Cosmic Drops L-R: Naked Chromosphere, Cosmic Rose, Burning Meteorite, Aurora Borealis

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Madara Cosmic Drops:

I have tried so many Madara products over the years, from face masks and scrubs to lip glosses and sunscreens.  There have been several stand outs, but one product I have been super keen to try was the Cosmic Drops, a vegan and natural liquid highlighter that promised a buildable formula and pro performance.  Ever since I heard the launch news I wanted to get my hands on these, and recently I did thanks to a great discount offered on Love Lula!

While I'm not a big makeup wearer, I do adore a bit of natural shimmer to liven up and brighten my face, so the Madara liquid highlighters sounded like a perfect match for me.  With a serum base, glass bottles, and a glow-tastic finish, these are not your average illuminators.  So how could I resist picking up them all?!

Madara currently has four shades in their Cosmic Drops natural highlighter collection: Naked Chromosphere, Cosmic Rose, Burning Meteorite, and Aurora Borealis.  Each contains a signature blend of ultra-fine minerals, hyaluronic acid, aloe juice, plant based glycerine, peony root, and blueberry seed oil.  The result?  A liquid highlighter that contains the benefits of high quality skincare so your face can be radiant, glowing, and always looked after.

Each of the shades has the same texture, so don't worry about any inconsistencies - Madara has made sure that all of their vegan highlighters are smooth, silky, and lightweight on the skin.  The formula appears to be a bit gloopy when you first raise the applicator from the glass vial, but it transforms into a super spreadable and blendable fluid that dries down quickly and leaves no mess behind.  There is no stickiness, no greasy residue, no tacky feel - just a dewy gorgeous shine that is pure magic.

They each have the distinctive Madara aroma - that slightly sweet plastic scent that is strong on the nose but drifts away over time.  It's not unpleasant, but it is consistently my least favourite thing about this brand.  However, the formulas always make up for it, and the four shades of Cosmic Drops certainly deliver a powerful glow that is undeniably stunning.

Naked Chromosphere:

The lightest of the four shades in this collection, but also one of the most versatile for all skin tones, Naked Chromosphere is a golden goddess that is the classic glowing highlight.  This champagne shimmer is a great staple, and it elevates any look by offering a timeless and elegant luminescence.  For me, this is perfect for a real POP that leaves me feeling fierce and fabulous.  

Cosmic Rose:

If gold highlights aren't your thing, then this rosy radiance might just be your winner.  With pink notes that blend beautifully with the sandy shimmer, this blush tone is youthful, fresh, and offers a subtle decadence that is perfect for an everyday glow up.  For me, this is the most versatile shade for my skin tone, and I love using it to really liven up my face.

Burning Meteorite:

This is the darkest shade available from the Cosmic Drops highlighter range, and it offers a rich golden glow with stellar copper tones.  This bronzed beauty is next level divine, with firy brick red undertones that make this colour leave you looking powerful and oozing confidence.  I wish I could pull this off better, but my skin tone just doesn't suit it as much as the others.  However, it could make a great bronzer or contour come summertime!

Aurora Borealis:

The fourth and final shade from Madara is a little different from the rest, as it offers an iridescent finish rather than the pseudo-glitter of the other three.  This is a shining star that captures the splendor of the cosmos, with a lilac base and light snowy purples and blues reflecting throughout.  It's fun and helps set you apart in the crowd, and while it might not be your average everyday liquid highlighter, it is a special one for certain.  I find it works well for my skin tone, and offers an intergalactic glow that would be especially great for festivals and parties.

Madara Cosmic Drops L-R: Naked Chromosphere, Cosmic Rose, Burning Meteorite, Aurora Borealis

Madara Cosmic Drops swatches in natural light, T-B: Aurora Borealis, Burning Meteorite, Cosmic Rose, Naked Chromosphere

Madara Cosmic Drops swatches with flash, T-B: Aurora Borealis, Burning Meteorite, Cosmic Rose, Naked Chromosphere

I admit I can't choose one favourite, as I am really enjoying using all four of the Madara Cosmic Drops.  These vegan liquid highlighters are pretty out of this world, with exceptional pigment that can be blended out for an everyday natural radiance or built up to achieve a fierce shine.  I appreciate the gentle touch and gorgeous glow, and I really like how easy they are to use.  There is no learning curve - you just dab dab dab and look super fab.

This is a liquid highlight I can apply wherever I want a luminous highlight, and it is especially perfect for cheekbones, collarbones, and bringing attention to my lips.  However, it can also can be mixed with moisturizer or oil for an all over reflective dewy shine!  It's versatile, gentle on the skin, and a lovely addition to my makeup shelf.

I do have to say I find the representation lacking, not just in the shade range, but in the models used to show off the different versions of the Cosmic Drops.  Madara as a whole is doing a lot to minimize potentially toxic ingredients and gender gaps, but it has more work to do when it comes to diversity.  Their shade ranges are more inclusive than many out there, but they rely on problematic naming techniques that distinguish lighter tones as delicate and rich (like porcelain and ivory) and darker ones as foods (like fudge and mocha).  And when you look to the imagery used you'll notice a clear imbalance.

As a whole there are very few women of colour represented in Madara's photography (though I will say their new lipstick launch has done a LOT better!).  Some ranges, like the Guilty Shades Multi-Shadow and the Glossy Venom Lip Gloss, have zero women with darker skin portrayed.  This inequality in the workforce is bad enough, but how do you think customers are meant to know what the product will look like for them??  I think it is time for a makeover in this department.

I'm definitely looking for more than just a great products these days - I need great business practices, great formulas, great traceability, and great social responsibility.  Madara is almost there, but needs to take those extra steps.

But what do you think?  Are you calling for more inclusivity from brands?  Is Madara doing enough for you?  And when it comes to the Cosmic Drops natural liquid highlighters, which is calling your name?  Do you have a favourite Madara highlighter, or is there one that you are keen to try out more than all the others?  Do share! xx

Madara Cosmic Drops L-R: Naked Chromosphere, Cosmic Rose, Burning Meteorite, Aurora Borealis

Madara Cosmic Drops swatches under normal house lights, L-R: Naked Chromosphere, Cosmic Rose, Burning Meteorite, Aurora Borealis

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Erythritol, Sodium PCA, Aqua, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium levulinate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Paeonia Lactiflora (Peonia) Root Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Aroma, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Linalool, Mica ( CI 77019 ), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), CI 77491 (Iron oxide), CI 77492 (Iron oxide), Mineral pigment violet CI 77007, CI 77681 (Tin Oxide).