Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nude Glow

The Bobbi Brown Nude Glow limited edition Shimmer Brick launched with the Bobbi Brown holiday 2013 collection.  Technically it's a highlighter, but I knew from looking at it that on my skin, it would be a blush. 

I'm not overly familiar with Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks.  I've had one in my collection for years, but I never use it.  The other one I have is the little strips and I just hate the form factor of it.  I much prefer this type of presentation with the four big blocks of colors as opposed to all the little strips.  Also, since these are fairly sizeable blocks of color, it is much easier to use the shades individually as face or eye colors.

together on the left, individual swatches on the right

I've seen swatches of this product from bloggers who are much warmer and much darker than I am and on them it looks very pale pinky champagne.  On me, not so much.  Not that I'm complaining.  On my skintone, it is definitely champagne colored, but much warmer and darker.  This product is absolutely not a highlighter on me, but it is a very lovely blush.

individual blocks swatched, top row, then bottom row

all blocks swirled together.

Despite being called a Shimmer Brick, there isn't a lot of shimmer.  The colors are very metallic and definitely impart a whole lot of sheen, but there isn't any actual chunky glitter in it.  The product is soft and blends out easily.  The texture seemed consistent across the palette.  That's something I'm always worried about with products that have different shades mooshed up against one another.  I find it super annoying when some shades have a completely different texture and color payoff to others in the pan.  But this shimmer brick was very consistent in texture and color payoff, both of which were excellent.

This Shimmer Brick  contains 6.5 grams of product, which is a good amount, though not overly generous.  The product retails for $45.  As of the writing of this review, it is still available at some online retailers and I saw it on counter last weekend, so it's still out there.

Overall:  8/10

Guerlain Cruel Gardenia

Guerlain's Meteorites Cruel Gardenia highlighter initially launched in January 2012 with the Guerlain Spring 2012 collection.  It sold out of its initial run and quickly became one of those cult, hard to find products.  You can still find some from the original run online for a 100% mark up.  I've been lusting after it for two years and then randomly, it was available at my local Dillards a few weeks ago.

I have no idea when it was re-released.  There is nothing on the official Guerlain site about it and I haven't seen any press releases.  I have no idea if this is another limited edition run or if it is now part of the Guerlain permanent collection.  It's not on the Dillards website, but it's definitely on counter as I know several other people who have seen it nationally.

(daybulb)

(indirect natural light)

The design on the powder is surprisingly resilient.  Using a brush, it is difficult to pick up too much product.  (And I had a heck of a time trying to get enough product for a heavy swatch without running my fingers all over the design).  Heavily swatched, it can look like a cool, pinky metallic, but otherwise adds a very subtle sheen with a tiny bit of microglitter.

I tried to find a dupe just for the color and ended up with eyeshadows.  I don't have any highlighters which are overly similar to this.  Of the shadows that are similar in color, two are metallic cream shadows.  I think it's safe to say you're probably not going to be slapping those babies on your cheeks, but purely as an exercise in product duping, here you go:

(daybulb)

(indirect natural light)

(direct natural light)

As for how Cruel Gardenia compares to other highlighting products, I compared heavy swatches. You probably aren't going to use a highlighter this heavily, so your mileage will most assuredly vary depending on how much you apply.  

Cruel Gardenia is as bright as the more metallic highlighters without being overly metallic itself.  It really is a beautiful product.  Everything about it is beautiful.  The design is beautiful, the packaging is beautiful, the effect on the skin is beautiful.  This is a lovely, totally non-essential product that, if you have the money to spend, is totally worth it and will keep you warm on those cold winter nights (or maybe that's just me.)

The packaging is nice and luxe (as it should be at this price point).  The compact is heavy and is made of high gloss plastic that manages to not feel cheap at all.  It feels substantial in your hand.  

My only complaint is that the lid of the product screws onto the base at exactly the same level of the powder.  And the design in the powder is actually raised, so it would be easy for someone as suave as myself to accidentally gouge the product while trying to either open or close it.  It hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

The Guerlain Meteorites in Cruel Gardenia contains 9 grams of product and retails for $68.  As stated before, I picked mine up at a Dillards counter and I know other people who did as well (at a different Dillards counter from mine), but it does not appear to be available at any of the major retailer websites or the Guerlain website.  If you find one, please let me know where you got it.

Overall:  10/10

It Cosmetics Live, Love, Laugh Vitality Face Disc

Before we jump into the post, I just want to let anyone who bothers to read this blog know that I am working to address my lighting issues.  Sometimes it seems okay, but as we get into winter and natural light is less readily available, it becomes a bigger issue.  Lately it seems like my swatches are just not showing up true to life.  I'll keep you posted.

And moving on to the lovely :D ...

For Christmas I received this beauty as a present from the lovely Ollie, though I think his mom might have helped him pick it out ;).  Please notice the big thumbprint in the highlighter where I couldn't refrain from trying it out before I took pictures.

Here is the It Cosmetics official word on the disc:

Live, Love, Laugh Anti-Aging Vitality Face Disc is all about that healthy look of vitality for the face and body! This disc is substantial in size and has a jumbo mirror inside ― it's an all-in-one makeup must-have! The waterproof matte bronzer, illuminating highlighter, and anti-aging vitality blush shade are naturally pretty, yet infused with cutting-edge anti-aging ingredients hydrating ingredients, including hydrolyzed collagen, acai, green tea, and vitamins A, C, and E. Talc, paraben, sulfate, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, and phthalate free. Hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic.

It certainly is substantial in size.  To paraphrase Ollie's mom, it's bigger than the blue banana.  That's not  a bad thing, but just be forewarned, it is large.  Very large.  This does mean that it has a large mirror, and tons of product, which are definitely pluses.  The packaging is similar to NARS in that it is a black rubberized packaging.  I'm not sure if it's susceptible to becoming gummy over time, but I'll let you know.

(daybulbs)

And here is where we get to the lighting issues.  Sigh.  The bronzer and the blush swatched very true to life, but the highlighter didn't at all.  In real life, it is a very subtle champagne color, not the chunky gold that you see in the photographs.  As soon as I get my lighting figured out, I will update this post.

(natural light)

(more natural light)

The blush is a gorgeous coral color with a satin finish.  The bronzer is matte and waterproof.  On me, it's a little too warm to use as a contour, but it's great for adding all over warmth.  The highlighter, as previously mentioned, is a soft shimmery champagne color.

All of these products wore fantastically well on my dry skin and hadn't faded noticeably at all by the time I took them off at around the 10 hour mark.  I can't speak to how waterproof the waterproof bronzer is, but if the opportunity ever presents itself, I'll let you know.

The It Cosmetics Live, Love, Laugh Vitality Face Disc contains a whopping 22.22 grams of product and retails for $38 wherever It Cosmetics are sold (which, I believe is the It Cosmetics website, QVC and Ulta).

Overall:  10/10

Guerlain Terra Ora Sculpting Powder and Contrast Highlighter for Summer 2013

Guerlain's Terra Ora Sculpting Powder and Contrast Highlighter is the limited edition summer 2013 Guerlain bronzer.  As far as I can tell, Guerlain does these every summer.  Last summer it was the Emelio Pucci Terra Azzurra blush/bronzer.

I should have taken a picture of me holding it, but I forgot.  This is NOT the huge one (that's the Guerlain Terra Neroli).  This compact fits neatly in the palm of my hand, but it still contains a good bit of product - 16 grams.  And to be clear, it should at this price point.

I've seen all sorts of blog and YouTube reviews on this product.  My favorite one was a YouTube review instructing people to stop treating this as a bronzer (and being disappointed) because it is meant to give you an all over healthy glow.  WHAT.  EVER. omg.

As with just about every other color product on the planet, a big part of what this product does will be dictated by your particular skintone (and often, skintype).  This product is a light golden beige.  On my pasty pale face, it absolutely is a bronzer.  On someone with a medium skintone, I could definitely see this being an all over glow product.  And on someone with a deep skintone, I suspect it would mostly be a waste of money, but could possibly be used as a highlighter, at least the center gold section.

I need a gold highlighter like I need a hole in the head, so I don't ever use the very center part.  I just don't.  I use the outer ring and here is a swatch of it on my skin

I think it is absolutely gorgeous.  It is very finely milled.  On the skin is has a beautiful sheen without any obvious shimmer or glitter.  It applies like a breeze, wears a solid 10 hours on my dry skin without a problem.  It doesn't emphasize pores (and trust me, I have some serious pores).  

The design on the product itself is gorgeous and shockingly resilient.  I've been using this thing for literally months and the design is still visible.

The compact is made of wood and has three magnetic closures.  The two halves of the compact come completely apart.  I'm fairly indifferent to this packaging.  It's okay.  I don't love it and I don't hate it.  I think it's fine.  The Terra Neroli bronzer comes in plastic packaging which I am much less excited about.

The Guerlain Terra Ora Sculpting Powder and Contrast Highlighter for Summer 2013 contains 16 grams of product and retails for a whopping $72 wherever Guerlain is sold.  I bought mine at Nordstrom.  Most retailers still have some in stock.  I get that at this price point, this would definitely be a miss for some people, but I absolutely love everything about this.

Overall:  10/10

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Baked Bronzer in Light Bronzer

Seriously, what is it with Physicans Formula and the names?!?!

I mentioned that a couple of weeks ago, I picked up some Physicians Formula products at CVS while they were 50% off.  One of the products that I picked up is the Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Baked Bronzer in Light Bronzer (what a mouthful).

As previously mentioned, while Physicians Formula could definitely improve their pricepoint (and occasionally, their quality), they certainly get packaging right.  Just look at this thing.  It's adorable.

Unlike the blush I reviewed recently, which was a big old disapointment, I really like this bronzer.  You can get three distinct shades.  

• Heart -  is an orangy gold.  I don't think you could use it as a bronzer, but it could definitely be used as a highlighter, though I tend to use it as an eyeshadow.  
• Outer circle - is a champagne brown.  On lighter skintones, it could be dark enough to be used as a bronzer, but again, it's shimmery enough that on some skintones it could be a highlighter (or eyeshadow).
• Mixed - is a slightly warmer champagne.  Again, highlighter, bronzer or eyeshadow depending on your skintone and proclivities.

The bronzer is baked, so you get an irridescent sheen, but it doesn't contain any straight up glitter.  It has good color payoff, but can be easily sheered out.  I got a good six hours of wear time out of it before I noticed any fading.

The Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Baked Bronzer in Light Bronzer contains 9.5 grams of product and usually retails for around $11 wherever Physicians Formula is sold.  I got mine at CVS (for 50% off).

Overall:  8/10

MAC Extra Dimension MSF in Shape the Future

Wouldn't it be fantastic if I had managed to get this review out while this product was still available?  SIGH.  I procrastinate, therefore I am.  Also, better late than never.

MAC Extra Dimension MSF in Shape the Future was released with the Spring 2013 Extra Dimension collection and like the other Skinfinishes, it is split into two colors which can be used individually or mixed together.

(daybulbs)

Of the three Skinfinishes launched with this collection, Shape the Future is the darkest overall.  

The lighter of the two colors is a shimmery pinky beige.  It's not quite as light as either the Superb Skinfinish or the lighter shade in the Definitely Defined Skinfinish, but it would definitely be a highlighter.

The darker shade is a very warm burnt orange, again with a decent amount of shimmer.  I think this would probably be used as a blush by just about any skintone.

The two shades mixed together make a shimmery peach color that again, would probably be used as a blush rather than a highlighter.

Shape the Future isn't as shimmery/iridescent as the other two Skinfinishes released with this collection, which I think probably gives it a bit more versatility.

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Shape the Future contains 9 grams of product and retails for $30.

Overall:  8/10

Hard Candy Baked Bronzer in Tiki

A couple of months ago, there seemed to be a mass hysteria in the YouTube beauty community about the Dior Amber Diamond highlighter being discontinued - which, as I understand it, isn't true.  For the record, the full product name is 'Diorskin' Ultra Shimmering Allover Face Powder in 002 Amber Diamond.

Anyway, several of the YouTubers that I watch picked up Amber Diamond and then mentioned that it is apparently very similar to the Hard Candy baked bronzer in Tiki.

Now, as much as I love highlighters and bronzers, I'm less crazy about gold highlighters.  And especially at the Dior pricepoint ($45), I am not going to rush out and pick it up.  But the Hard Candy baked bronzer in Tiki is only $9, so I figured I could give it a try.

Now, since I don't have Amber Diamond, I can't do a side by side comparison.  But even without it, I have a hard time imaging Dior putting out something that's truly a dupe for this Hard Candy product.  Tiki is super frosty and very, very yellow (as opposed to gold).  It is also crazy reflective and not at all subtle.

Why, exactly, Hard Candy labels this thing a bronzer, I have no idea.  I cannot even begin to imagine a skintone on which this would bronze anything.  I'd think that in order to bronze something, you'd have to be bronze and this product isn't.  It's yellow.  Frosty, banana yellow.

In the pan, the product is champagne beige with gold veining, but on the skin it is straight up yellow frost.  If that's what you're looking for, good for you.  You get 12.5 grams of product for $9, which is a heck of a deal - provided you're looking for a frosty yellow highlighter.

Did I mention this is a frosty yellow highlighter?  Because, really, I just can't imagine who the hell reaches for this thing in the morning.

Overall: 3/10

Rouge Bunny Rouge Highlighting Powder in Sweet to Touch

As I mentioned a while ago, this spring I went on a bit of a kick and picked up several Rouge Bunny Rouge products.  I got them from BeautyHabit, which is still a far better deal for people living in the US than buying direct from the RBR web boutique (FWIW).

Overall, the haul was pretty hit or miss.  I absolutely love the eyeshadows and lipsticks.  The blush and this highlighting powder and rather underwhelming.

I know that people seem to rave about the RBR liquid highlighters, but I already have several liquid highlighters, so I opted for their powder highlighter in Sweet To Touch.  They do have another, darker, shade, called Goddess.

As with a lot of highlighters, it's really difficult to swatch.  The product doesn't provide much color on my skintone, but it does add sheen.  I would be concerned that this product could look ashy on darker skintones.

The effect of this powder is similar to the Kevyn Aucoin celestial veil highlighter in candlelight (review forthcoming), but it's not as good.  And really, at this price point and with this much hype, I want it to be great.  It's not great.  In fact, I think it's very middle of the road.

It's a subtle highlighter.  It's finely milled without being overly powdery.  It's not glittery at all.  It's ... lovely.  But the thing is, at this price point, RBR is competing with lines like Kevyn Aucoin, Tom Ford, Guerlain and Armani.  

And while RBR is nice, it's not on par with those brands.

If you buy direct from the RBR site, this product will cost you 39 euros, which as of today, is just over $50 - before shipping.  (If you buy it from BeautyHabit, it's $39).  That puts this product in Meteorites territory and while it's nice, it's certainly not Meteorites nice.

The packaging is cute.  It's high gloss black with a floral design and a nicely sized mirror.  But again, at this price point, it is competing with brands who can put out some seriously substantial and luxurious packaging.  This packaging reminds me of MAC.  It's good, sturdy, aesthetically pleasing, but not great.

The Rouge Bunny Rouge highlighting powder in Sweet To Touch contains a substantial 12 grams of product.  As I said earlier, if you buy it from BeautyHabit, it's $39 (which puts it in the range of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders and I do think it compares well to some of those shades and textures).  If you buy it from the RBR web boutique, you're looking at around $50 plus shipping.

Overall: 5/10