The product: Milk Makeup ‘Supernova’ Holographic Highlighting Powder

I’m starting to see a new therapist next Friday. Of all of the highlights of 2018… this might be the one thing that I am most looking forward to. Even though I’m surrounded by an absolutely amazing support system, I’ve struggled through the past 12 months. (This Milk Makeup Supernova Highlighter has helped take the edge off of things, but highlighters can’t fix everything. Probably. Unless maybe I’m just not trying hard enough, and owning a twentieth highlighter is what’ll really do the trick?)

One of the major issues that I’ve faced this year is that I don’t know where I’m headed. It feels a lot like I’m learning to be alone, which is great, except apparently I am terrible at it. It’s tough to look at your future when your peers are achieving their wildest dreams, and you’re trapped in a body that just won’t quite work.

So here are two things that are powering my sunlight-deprived, extra-depressed December: a seriously luminescent highlighter, and a handful of brain and body pills.

Milk Makeup Supernova. Look at that WILD violet reflect!

Milk Makeup ‘Supernova’ Holographic Highlighting Powder review & swatches

The shade: Okay. So this lavender is… perfect. I struggle with finding a great highlighter because most golds and peaches are darker than my skin itself. But this? This is practically white with a violet shift. It’s cool-toned and ethereal, and intensely finely-milled.

I thought I wanted this in stick form, but having tried the stick in Stardust, I recognize now that I was wrong. The real crown jewel of the Milk Makeup collection is not their Holographic Stick ($28 USD), but their Holographic Powder ($24 USD/$30.50 CAD; I bought this inexplicably on sale for $15). It’s soft and silky, and the texture is perfect for applying with a dense highlighting brush. You can blur the edges without losing any intensity, which is basically the highlighter dream.

Wearing the Milk Makeup Supernova Holographic Highlighting Powder

Supernova swatched in indirect sunlight on primed skin

The wear: This formula is “sticky” enough that it gives you a flashy reflect, but soft enough that your edges disappear upon application. I’m a big fan of applying this highlighter with a dense brush like the NYX Pro Fan Brush, and I tend to apply it only to the tops of my cheekbones. It lasts a solid workday on me, but because of the intensity of this shine, it looks odd on my nose or Cupid’s bow—the violet duochrome is evident.

Availability: $24 USD/$30.50 CAD at Sephora. Permanent.

Brighter days for 2019

I can’t say that this new therapist is going to be any better than the last few, but I’m hopeful. Unlike a lot of providers, she was able to offer a start to our sessions now—when I need it—instead of a few months into 2019. I’m the kind of person who needs to make a change immediately if it’s ever going to happen, so I’m excited to get my therapy ball rolling again. Who knows: maybe she’ll be my Milk Makeup Supernova after all; my goldilocks therapist.

I found my new maybe-therapist using the Psychology Today listings, filtered for clinicians specializing in chronic pain and either hypnotherapy or psychoanalytic therapy. (I haven’t been getting a lot out of CBT, so I thought I’d try something different to see if a fresh perspective will help). That directory is linked here. While I’m hoping to switch in the spring to someone who offers more accessible coverage, for now, I’m happy with my forward momentum. The listings—which I was turned onto by the My Favourite Murder podcast—let you filter though different providers, and then check your results against healthcare coverage, sliding scale options, and location.

I’m going to be sharing some of this post on social media as well with the #myfavouritemeds hashtag, so here’s my ask for the day: I’d love to read about your journey, too. Come share your meds with us if you need a listening ear, and don’t be a stranger—tag me in your posts for a digital hug.

See you next week (it’ll be another mid-week post) for some last minute Christmas coverage. xo