What do you get when you combine a passion for skincare with a passion for makeup? Multitasking products that can equally take care of the skin as well as perfect it and cover its imperfections! The quest is always on and I think the beauty industry has finally stumbled upon the right technology and means to create such genius products. Many brands have taken the challenge and are now at the forefront of this movement, revolutionizing the way we view beauty these days. I’ve always known that Maya Chia is one such visionary brand, but it was still a surprise (and a very exciting one I might add) when I first laid my eyes on their illuminating serums infused with Chia Seed Oil and cleverly called The Highlight of the Day. It was love at first swatch and there was no question that these beauties deserved a top spot on my vanity!
Behind the Brand
Maya Chia is a green skincare brand from Charleston, South Carolina. Their products are natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, artificial color-free and cruelty-free. What sets them apart is the use of chia seed oil as an active ingredient in ALL of their products and the way they extract the oil. Chia Seed Oil far exceeds the omegas and fatty acids of other leading oils and is clinically proven to significantly increase skin hydration and skin’s ability to protect itself against external factors. It is lightweight, rapidly absorbed and suitable for all skin types. Maya Chia uses a patented process to extract the oil called supercritical extraction. The gentle oxygen-free, solvent-free process results in oil with a total absence of chemical residues and impurities. For us the consumers, that means the quality of the oil is the best, the purest, most stable, effective, and potent chia oil on the market.
I’m always excited to see new products from Maya Chia, they’re one of my favorite skincare brands. They’re also a rare brand for me because I genuinely appreciate their mission and beliefs, I love using their products and over the past year I’ve become such a big fan of the brand’s founder, Susanne Norwitz. I don’t know Susanne personally (meaning I’ve never met her outside of the online community on Instagram), but through my interactions with her it’s become obvious to me that her dedication, passion and commitment to excellency are remarkable. Susanne truly is one with her brand and that is evident in the way she runs her business. She handles the brand’s Instagram account herself, answers ALL comments and questions directly, and always expresses genuine gratitude when people feature her products in their routines. I have tremendously enjoyed every Maya Chia product I’ve tried thus far (read here and here) and have yet to meet someone who doesn’t like their products. For these reasons, I feel extremely comfortable recommending this brand.
A brand new launch from Maya Chia have been their liquid illuminating serums, what the brand is hoping will be a highlight to your day. There are two shades available, both imparting the most gorgeous, pearlized mineral sheen: Golden Hour (a soft, beautiful golden shade) and Happy Hour (a whimsical peony rose color). The special blend of pigments in these two shades have been so brilliantly curated that each shade goes equally as beautiful and flattering with every skin tone out there. Simply said, you can use each of these two shades regardless of whether you have a warm, cool or neutral complexion.
The Highlight of the Day serums are the best of both worlds: they impart the most healthy-looking, vibrant luminosity to the face while nourishing, hydrating and delivering skincare benefits. Liquid and cream products in general can be tricky and quite intimidating, so often times the challenge lies into creating just the right formula that will perfectly melt into the face without disrupting previously applied products (such as foundation and concealer). The formula of the Maya Chia illuminating serums is an ultra-lightweight, easily absorbed infusion of the most nutrient-rich botanicals: Supercritical Chia Seed Oil, Broccoli Seed Oil, Calendula Flower Extract, Sunflower Oil, and Rosemary Leaf Extract, ALL (with the exception of the Broccoli Seed Oil) organic in nature. You can find a complete list of ingredients here. The finish is a natural, lit-from-within glow, that subtle healthy radiance as if you’re always getting the recommended 7 hours of beauty sleep!
How to Use
The one thing that you need to remember is to shake the bottle well before using to ensure the color pigments blend with the botanicals and get evenly distributed throughout the infusion. That’s it. Other than that, the sky’s the limit. You can use these serums on your face, eyes, lips, or any other area that you would like to accentuate. These serums can be used alone (as a highlighter and even as a wash of color on the eye lids) or mixed in with your base (primer, foundation, tinted moisturizer or BB/CC cream and concealer), SPF, face creams or eye products (such as primers and cream shades).
I use these serums daily, typically mixed in with my foundation and concealer (something I often show on Instagram story). I start by placing 1-1.5 pumps of foundation on the back of my hand. I take the Highlight of the Day bottle, shake it well and dispense about 2 drops on the back of my hand on top of the foundation. I mix well using a foundation brush (my favorites are the Artis Oval 6 reviewed here, the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and the Sephora Collection Pro Airbrush No. 56 read review here) and apply onto the face. I repeat the same steps for concealer.
~ For the makeup look above ~
I mixed in Golden Hour with my foundation and concealer, as previously described. Next, I wanted to use the serums as a highlighter as well. So I placed a few drops of Happy Hour on the back of my hand and used my ring finger (you can also use a beauty blender) to pat onto the top of my cheeks and the tip of my nose, as well as to subtly highlight the brow bone. The formula feels so weightless, doesn’t settle into my fine lines nor does it accentuate my pores (something I always struggle with when using powder highlighters). Next, I decided to use Golden Hour as a wash of color on the lids and to brighten the inner corner of the eyes, added some eyeliner, a bright lip and voila: the makeup looks is complete!
Final Thoughts
I find myself reaching for these Maya Chia illuminating serums daily and prefer them over any powder hightlighter I own (and I do own quite a few, including the infamous Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Glow Duo and the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop). The serums are perfect to create a more natural, lit from within glow, which generally is a much more modern, youthful look than the full-on glitter and glow which often times comes with powder highlighters. Not to mention they’re such a real treat for the skin!
What was life like before the Maya Chia Highlight of the Day illuminating serums? I simply can’t remember. Since I started using these, I have in short, never stopped.
If you would like to try the Maya Chia Highlight of the Day illuminating serums or even if you already have these but would like a backup, there is an exciting GIVEAWAY happening on my Instagram page ( @DailyCatL ) right now and thru May 11th. I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Maya Chia and offer one lucky winner the chance to try these beautiful illuminating serums. Head over to my Instagram page, it’s so easy to enter!
This is NOT a sponsored post but it does contain referral links. Read my Disclaimer policy for more info.
Wow Cat this product sounds absolutely amazing,highlighting drops that contains Chia seeds too how can’t I ask for more.I am sold on the Golden hour so will check now where I can order it in UK.Thank you for sharing hun ??
Hi Edra, thank you for stopping by. These serums are the best of both worlds: they are a skin illuminator as well as a serum working to deliver benefits to the skin. Love the product and the brand, definitely check them out! ~ Cat L.
Wow, seriously no joke this has to be one of the best highlighting serums, I have come across! They also present very well in pictures absolutely stunning I want them asap. Hurry up and get to England Maya Chia, I have a shopping list as long as my arm. Thanks for sharing Cat, you look gorgeous and the detailed review is always welcome.
Thank you Esnath for stopping by. These are indeed some of the best hybrid serum highlight that I’ve come across as well. I like that the formula is packed with beautiful ingredients that nourish the skin and look after its health. The shades themselves are absolutely gorgeous and flattering on every complexion. Definitely give these a try! ~ Cat L.
Wow, these look incredible! I’ve seen you mention this brand before, so I’ve been intrigued for some time. You look so glowy (and absolutely flawless!!) in your makeup look. Both shades look so pretty, though I think I lean toward Happy Hour for me. I love a non-glittery glow!
Jenn │ Beauty by Jellybean
Thank you Jenn for stopping by. Maya Chia is such a beautiful, green skincare brand. Their products are natural yet effective and for that reason, I always find myself repurchasing their products. I would definitely recommend trying their Chia Cleansing Oil (I remember you’re also a fan of cleansers) and Supercouple Face oil, both game changers for me! I think you would really love these illuminators, make sure to enter the giveaway on my IG page! ~ Cat L.
I absolutelt love this post, and the illuminating serums. I need something to give colour to my face with such a smooth non glittery finish like this!
Hi Rosalie, thank you for stopping by. Same here, I wanted a product that would bring some healthy luminosity to the face, and of course the skincare benefits are just an added bonus. I have tried other liquid illuminators and while I have enjoyed them, I felt they were a bit much to mix in with my foundation for every day wear. But these Maya Chia serums work to enhance the foundation and softly illuminate the complexion. The formula is a bit on the runny side, but I think it’s because the color pigments are so incredibly fine, plus it makes it a lot easier to blend well with the foundation. Hope you get a chance to try these. Make sure to check out the giveaway on my Instagram page. ~ Cat L.
Thank you for such an intimate introduction to what seem like such beautiful products with incredible benefits and gorgeous results. Adore the makeup look you had created and capturing it so perfectly and accurately. I will definitely look into trying these beauties soon. Xo
Thank you Anxhela! So glad you enjoyed the post and found it helpful. Maya Chia is truly such a beautiful, clean brand, definitely worth checking out! ~ Cat L.
Ah I can’t choose which one I want to try! Both look so lovely and useful for their shades! I love that these can be used as highlighters as well as mixed with various products and all the while with good skin benefiting ingredients! Totally right up my ally^^ Thanks for this great review! xx
Hi Lisa, that’s exactly how I felt about these as well: totally right up my alley! The formula has been created in such a way where it’s incredibly easy to mix in with other products. The consistency is ultra-light and the color pigments so fine, it makes blending really effortless. Thank you for stopping by and reading my post! Hope you enjoyed and found it helpful! ~ Cat L.
So pretty look Cat ! You’re absolutely stunning ! Love green skincare and multitasking products is always a good idea as we have a lot to do and not enough time to spend in makeup everyday 😉 Thanks for sharing ! xo
Kédidja ~ beautymoodboard.com
Thank you so much! Maya Chia is such a beautiful, clean, green brand. I think you would love their skincare products! Definitely give them a try if you get a chance. You will not be disappointed! ~ Cat L.
Maya Chia is probably one of the top brands I want to try, especially their super couple serum! That’s wonderful to see that they’re now releasing makeup products infused with the same great ingredients as their skincare, and I have to admit I was shocked at how gorgeous the highlighters were – I didn’t expect a brand specializing in skincare to do so well in their first makeup x skincare hybrid. Love the way you used the products in your look and the finish is beautiful – I definitely see that lit from within glow! Thank you for sharing Cat 🙂
Jenny // Geeky Posh
Jenny, I cannot recommend Maya Chia enough!!! I’m actually on my second bottle of the SuperCouple! It’s such a beautiful oil! Light, absorbs easily into the skin and packed with nutrients. I have tried most of the Maya Chia products available (with the exception of their solid serum) and have loved everything I’ve tried thus far! Hope you get a chance to try this brand! ~ Cat L.
Wow wow wow, they sound incredible! I have never tried anything from Maya Chia but each time I spy a IG post featuring them then I am intrigued by them for sure.
These are a summer dream and both shades are beautiful. They wear so well on your skin as you look flawless and so naturally radiant. I know I shall love these already so they are high on my wish list now for sure. Love this post Cat, Kelly xx
http://www.KELLiLASH.com
Thank you Kelly for stopping by! I always enjoy reading your comments! I adore Maya Chia, their products are truly ingredient integrity at its best. Hope you get a chance to try their skincare! You will not be disappointed! ~ Cat L.
How glowy and radiant you look Cat! Thank you for this wonderful introduction to Maya Chia! Makeup with skincare is always a major plus. Golden Hour here I come!XO
These look incredible on you Cat! The swatches look beautiful and I’m intrigued with this multi-tasking product!
xx
Dom
http://www.calibeaute.com
Wow Cat you look absolutely flawless, stunning, and gorgeous!! These Maya Chia illuminating serums suit you perfectly! Thank you for such a detailed review! Loved learning about the brand’s history, the founder, and the endless ways to use these illuminating serums. I definitely need them as I am such a lover of multi-tasking products and if they can give me the gorgeous natural glow you are showing, them I am sold!! Loved this review Cat!
Lily | https://lmastr0819.wordpress.com
For starters, you look absolutely amazing Cat! That glowing skin and red lip, ugh! Love love love! Both products are so beautiful, I have never heard about the brand before, so this was one great article to read. Thank you for the inspiration!
STUNNING HIGHLIGHTERS! I have not heard of these until just now! So glad I am not enlightened!
Wow Cat! this looks interesting and the fact that it works for all shades is very inviting. I would love to try this! I will have to add this to my wish list. Btw you look stunning !