Next on my list of Smashbox goodies: their soft lights. These are a very smooth pressed highlighting powder that gives one that sought-after "glow". They aren't chunky, glittery, frosty or gross in any way. They are smooth to apply and wear, and I have to say: I love them. These have to be, in general, my favourite highlighting product. Yes, my favourite - even though I own most of MAC's mineralize skinfinishes to date. You know what? I think these are better.

Follow up:

If I want to highlight my cheeks in a non-matte way, chances are I want a soft, subtle glowing - not some radioactive, light-emitting frosty-glitter hot mess. I want something that catches the light when it hits my cheeks and gently diffuses it for a healthy, radiant appearance; anything that will reflect a bit of sunlight as a frigging beacon need not apply to these cheeks!

I really believe that Smashbox soft lights don't get enough love and are perfect for this. Some shades have a soft duochrome to it (which, of course, is bloody hard to capture in a simple photograph). I find they can help soften that not-quite-right blush that happens now and then.

More pigmented shades I can personally use as a gentle blush (hurray!). I love to do this on a day when I feel like my hands have been replaced by a couple of avocados and I just can't make a damn thing work, as these are super easy to blend (effortless, really, as any good super-smooth product seems to be). I first tried these when I purchased an item from Smashbox's website on a day when their "Let's do Lunch" program happened to be giving away softlights quads (score!). Would it be bad if I said I've been hooked since?

I admit, I only have the two, but how many highlights does a girl need? Since the Cast/Crew Blush/Soft Lights duo isn't my most flattering hue, I've decided that if I ever successfully swap it away, I'll treat myself to a new soft lights! These also come in a mighty tempting two-in-one "soft lights blush" format, meaning that there are shades in a product that gives the soft lights glow whilst having enough pigmentation to be used as blush. Hello! Nothing new about this, either.

If you're in the market for a new cheek product and are just not into the mineral craze or want to try something different, consider these. Whilst I still love my Lightscapade, my soft lights quad has a pretty secure place in my makeup stash, too - it's just that damn good.