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Bronzer + Blush

Bronzer + Blush Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review + Swatches

August 6, 2024

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review and Swatches

Hourglass launched a new liquid blush in dropper format called the Unreal Liquid Blush ($36 each). They also added a new No 15 Blush Brush ($46) which is angled to go along with the new launch. The Hourglass team sent all the shades for review and I have swatches and a closer look today.

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review and Swatches

These Unreal Liquid Blushes are in a small bottle with a dropper at the top. To dispense there is a soft button at the base you press to dispense one drop. They recommend applying to the back of your hand and picking up product with the brush and applying in a stippling method.

Product is very pigmented but with some fluidity, so it is easy to blend and build. There are seven shades and I think the color range is very good. Tones are very flattering although most of them are on the warm side with 3 being peach/coral so if you prefer cooler tones these might be too warm.

  • Scene is a nude pink, this pulls very natural on my skin but still shows up
  • Whim is a bright pink, this one is my favorite
  • Vision is a warm rose
  • Moment is an orange
  • Future is a coral with a hint of pink
  • Imagine is a burnt orange
  • Craft is a berry

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review and Swatches

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review and Swatches

Formula is very easy to dispense without it overflowing. I also like how easy they are apply and blend. Another plus is these didn’t pull off my foundation or powder off when I blended it on top of my base. The Craft shade took a little more effort to blend smoothly since it has the most contrast with my skin tone. They remain dewy on the cheeks after blending but not as dewy as the Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush.

The Unreal Liquid Blushes are described as being able to last up to 12 hours but this was not the case for me. While the color does stay on the cheeks for a while, after 3-4 hours or color faded on my cheeks and they looked more dewy than when I first applied it. I do think they will hold up better in cooler weather, but even in cooler weather I don’t see them holding up for a full 12 hours.

Looks wearing each blush shade with a coordinating lip color. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5.

Scene Unreal Liquid Blush + Tide Unlocked Satin Lipstick + Sense Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Scene Unreal Liquid Blush + Tide Unlocked Satin Lipstick + Sense Phantom Glossy Balm

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Whim Unreal Liquid Blush + Reveal Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Whim Unreal Liquid Blush + Reveal Phantom Glossy Balm

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Vision Unreal Liquid Blush + Uncover Lip Liner + Wish Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Vision Unreal Liquid Blush + Wish Phantom Glossy Balm

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Moment Unreal Liquid Blush + Lucid Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Moment Unreal Liquid Blush + Lucid Phantom Glossy Balm

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Future Unreal Liquid Blush + Dove Unlocked Satin Lipstick + Lucid Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Future Unreal Liquid Blush + Dove Unlocked Satin Lipstick + Lucid Phantom Glossy Balm

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Imagine Unreal Liquid Blush + Haze Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Imagine Unreal Liquid Blush + Haze Phantom Glossy Balm

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Craft Unreal Liquid Blush + Impulse Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Craft Unreal Liquid Blush + Impulse Phantom Glossy Balm

Overall I love the colors even if there is one too many peach/orange tones (just my opinion though). I like that the pigment level is easy to control. Lasting power could be improved but that would mean they would have to alter the formula and finish to something less dewy.

Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush Review + Swatches

The brush is very well constructed and works beautifully for blending. I really love the Hourglass brushes, I own quite a few in my collection and use them all the time. I do think you can use any one in your collection though.

If you’ve been curious about these I hope you found this review helpful!

Available now at Sephora.

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Blushes sent for review consideration.

Bronzer + Blush Lips

Brights by Mario – Makeup by Mario Summer Collection

July 23, 2024

Brights by Mario - Makeup By Mario Summer 2024

Makeup By Mario launched his Brights By Mario Collection for summer with new shades of his MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum ($24 each) and Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil ($30 each). The colors are fun and bright – perfect for this summer. You can find these at Sephora.

Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil

Brights by Mario - Makeup By Mario Summer 2024

There are four new shades of the Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil in bright bold colors. The formula is creamy and easy to blend. They blend out to a much sheerer finish for a veil of color compared to what you see in the pan. Since these are significantly brighter and bolder in color they show up much better on my medium tan skin compared to the other shades in this formula. The colors in the original launch (reviewed here) didn’t work so well for my skin tone (they were too pale for me).

They have a soft dewy finish but it’s not too dewy or shiny. Since they are creams I think they’re best suited for normal or normal to dry skin types. On me lasting power is very good indoors but outdoors they become very dewy looking within a short period of time. To be fair though everything gets dewy looking in this humidity!

Brights by Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil

Pink Peony is a cool toned powdery pink, this has a very pastel undertone so looks a little streaky on me if I don’t blend it out all the way. For skintone reference I’m wearing NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in Vanuatu below (formula reviewed here).

Below: Pink Peony + Watermelon Glow on the lips

Makeup By Mario Pink Peony + Watermelon Glow on the lips

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Papaya Pop is a bright orange but sheers out to a tangerine glow on the cheeks.

Below: Papaya Pop + Tangerine Glow on the lips

Makeup by Mario Papaya Pop + Tangerine Glow on the lips

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Strawberry Sunset is a bright warm pink.

Below: Strawberry Sunset + Cherry Glow on the lips.

Makeup By Mario Strawberry Sunset + Cherry Glow on the lips

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Paradise Pink is a fuschia pink.

Below: Paradise Pink + Pomegranate Glow on the lips.

Makeup By Mario Paradise Pink + Pomegranate Glow on the lips

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Swatched below next to the blush shades I still have from the original launch.

Brights by Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil - cream blush swatches

MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum

There are five new shades of the MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum and I love these colors. Texture is the same as the other lip serums in the lineup: very soft, balmy, glossy, sheer in finish. They are bright and sheer at the same time so you’ll get a healthy wash of color on the lips. You can sheer them out for a more subtle look.

Makeup By Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum

Makeup By Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum swatches

I think every single color is beautiful and perfect for summer. I do wish they were in a squeeze tube format instead. The texture is really soft and almost melty on the lips. I haven’t had any product melting issues but I also haven’t put these in my bag this summer. Also quick note in case you’re new to these: they twist in one direction (they don’t twist back down).

You can find these now at Sephora.

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Press samples sent by the Makeup By Mario team for review.

Bronzer + Blush Lips

rhode Pocket Blush + Peptide Lip Tint New Shades

July 15, 2024

Rhode Pocket Blush + Peptide Lip Tint New Shades

Rhode launched new lip and cheek colors for summer with the Pocket Blush ($24 each) and Peptide Lip Tint ($18 each). They’re available now at Rhode Skin with discounted bundles if you buy one of their sets. The shades looked perfect for summer so I ordered one of everything in the sets. I have swatches today!

Pocket Blush

Rhode Pocket Blush

The Pocket Blush is a creamy blush with a twist up base. There are six shades total and I bought the Pocket Blush Set. Pigment is bold with one swipe but when you blend it’s medium in coverage. They’re dewy in the finish if you apply on bare skin or just on top of foundation or a skin tint. If I apply on top of a powdered face the finish is less dewy and more satiny which I prefer. In terms of a cream blush these are some of the better ones I’ve tried for lasting power. Creams are challenging in humid weather but these have held up pretty well if I’m out for a couple hours. Right now the humidity levels are so high literally nothing will hold up some days.

I really love the look of these. I do get better wear and coverage with the Armani Luminous Cheek Tints but those are different in application and formula.

  • Freckle is a nude beige
  • Piggy is a pale pastel pink
  • Sleepy Girl is a mauve
  • Juice Box is a bright pink
  • Spicy Marg is a coral peach
  • Toasted Teddy is a brown

Rhode Pocket Blush swatches

After trying all the colors I think Spicy Marg and Juice Box are my favorite. Piggy is a bit too pale for my skin tone right now but I can make it work if I layer something else on top. Since Toasted Teddy is deeper and more contrasted with my skin tone I need to blend it out a little more than the other shades, but blending is pretty easy. Overall a solid A.

Peptide Lip Tint New Shades

rhode Peptide Lip Tint New Shades summer 2024

There are four new shades of the Peptide Lip Tints. Set linked here. I love these lip balms and have purchased every single shade. Some of ones from previous launches seem to have developed some crystalized chunks, but not all of them have. I am hoping these new ones won’t develope the gritty texture.

New shades this launch pull on the sheer side, I wish they had more pigment but the colors are really pretty. As a lip balm lover, I like these. I don’t know that I’d call them must-haves, but the colors are stunning. New colors include:

  • Shortcake a cool pink
  • Peach Pit a sheer peach
  • Salty Tan a sheer mauve
  • Guava Spritz is a coral pink

rhode Peptide Lip Tint swatches

Looks below, also wearing:

Freckle Blush + Peach Pit Peptide Lip Tint

rhode pocket blush in freckle, lip gloss peach pit

Juice Box Blush + Short Cake Peptide Lip Tint

rhode pocket blush in juice box, lip gloss shortcake

Piggy Blush + Ribbon Peptide Lip Tint

rhode pocket blush in piggy, lip gloss ribbon

Sleepy Girl Blush + Salty Tan Peptide Lip Tint

rhode pocket blush in sleepy girl, lip gloss salty tan

Spicy Marg Blush + Guava Spritz Peptide Lip Tint

rhode pocket blush in spicy marg, lip gloss guava spritz

Toasted Teddy Blush + Espresso Peptide Lip Tint

rhode pocket blush in toasted teddy, lip gloss espresso

Summer Lip Case

rhode lip iphone case

Rhode launched a super cute iPhone case (available in different sizes) in colors to match the new summer lip glosses. They are super cute and I love the concept. In real life I found mine a bit too chunky feeling and a little awkward to hold. I kept mine on for about an hour and then took it off but I’m the type that has a very streamlined basic phone case so I can slip it in and out of my pocket or put it in mini bags. I think they’re fun, but for me not practical.

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You can find these available at Rhode Skin.

Bronzer + Blush Chanel

Chanel Les Beiges 2024

June 6, 2024

Chanel Les Beiges 2024 review and swatches new bronzers via The Beauty Lookbook

For this year’s Summer Les Beiges collection Chanel Beauty launched new oversized bronzer palettes called the Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powders ($95 each, 5 shades). They also added a few shade extensions in their Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation ($65, 42 shades available) and the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powders ($60 each, refillable). I’m late to the party with these but I have a closer look at 4 of the bronzers and one of the new foundation shades.

I’ve also included a peek at a few launches from Spring-Summer for lips and nails since there weren’t any new colors for the Les Beiges launch.

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powder

Chanel Les Beiges 2024 review and swatches new bronzers via The Beauty Lookbook

I’ve been collecting the Chanel bronzers every year for as long as I can remember. This year they brought 5 shades and I love how soft and naturally glowy they look on the skin. Each compact has 3 shades you can use individually or swirl together. The compacts are oversized like the ones from 2022. Each color has enough product you can definitely dip your brush into each shade without overlapping colors if you prefer.

Light Coral is a mix of light gold, medium bronze and soft peach

Medium Coral is very similar to Light Coral, each shade is just more intense and more saturated

Chanel Les Beiges Light Coral vs Medium Coral Bronzer 2024 review and swatches new bronzers via The Beauty Lookbook

Medium Rose Gold has a soft tan shimmer, medium warm bronze and luminous rose gold pink shimmer

Deep Rose Gold has a warm gold shimmer, deep brown tan and a deep rose pink

Chanel Les Beiges Medium Rosegold vs Deep Rosegold Bronzer 2024 review and swatches new bronzers via The Beauty Lookbook

Chanel Les Beiges 2024 review and swatches new bronzers via The Beauty Lookbook

I can see myself wearing every single palette this summer although my favorites are Medium Coral and Medium Rose Gold. I like that Light Coral is lighter but still shows up my skin. If you have ultra fair skin tone I think Light Coral will be the best option for you. Deep Rose Gold is so beautiful but pulls very dark on my skin. Even with a light hand it’s too dark but that means this will most likely show up on deeper skin tones.

They didn’t launch a new brush to go with the bronzers but I really love the Chanel Brush 106. It’s the perfect size, shape and density for any kind of powder product.

Each shade of Les Beiges bronzer below, also wearing:

Healthy Glow Sunkissed Powder in Light Coral + Rouge Coco Baume in Flirty Coral

Chanel Healthy Glow Sunkissed Powder in Light Coral + Rouge Coco Baume in Flirty Coral

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Healthy Glow Sunkissed Powder in Medium Coral + Rouge Coco Baume in Anemone

Chanel Healthy Glow Sunkissed Powder in Medium Coral + Rouge Coco Baume in Anemone

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Healthy Glow Sunkissed Powder in Medium Rose Gold + Rouge Coco Baume in My Rose

Chanel Healthy Glow Sunkissed Powder in Medium Rose Gold + Rouge Coco Baume in My Rose

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Healthy Glow Sunkissed Powder in Deep Rose Gold + Rouge Coco Baume in Coralline

Chanel Healthy Glow Sunkissed Powder in Deep Rose Gold + Rouge Coco Baume in Coralline

Chanel Les Beiges Bronzer swatches

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation (new shades)

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation BO53

The Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation has been one of my favorite foundations Chanel has ever launched. I think it rivals Armani Luminous Silk Foundation but the Chanel has a tiny bit more coverage, a little better lasting power and more hydration without being too hydrating. It wears well in the summer months for me, even in hot humid weather.

I usually wear the Shades B40, BD41, B50 or BD51. The BD range has typically been the best for me as it has a golden undertone. They added BO which is for olive skin tones. I usually cannot wear a lot of foundation with olive undertones even though I do think I have them in my skin because most olive shades pull very green. The Chanel BO53 is a perfect match for me, I literally could not believe my eyes that I’ve found a match this exact! They also have BO33 and BO73. Other shade extensions now include B00, BO33, BO53, BO73, B90,B130, B160.

Spring-Summer Lip Colors

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume Anemone and Coralline

I didn’t end up reviewing the Spring-Summer launch but I did pick up a few things which I really love. Chanel added two new shades of Rouge Coco Baume ($45) in Anemone 932 (muted peach brown) and Coralline 934 (a coral). I’m a huge fan of these tinted balms and I think they’re under-rated. They swatch very sheer on the arm or hand, but for most of these (except the Dreamy White) pull more pigmented on the lips than a hand swatch. They’re still very natural looking for that effortless polished wash of color.

I wear Flirty Coral and My Rose the most. I swatched all the shades I have except for Dreamy White because it doesn’t show up in an arm swatch. I am missing one of the red colors. But all the other shades are swatched below.

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume swatches

Le Vernis – Sun Drop 177

Chanel Le Vernis Sun Drop

Last but not least is a look at the Le Vernis in Sun Drop. It’s such a unique dusty muted peach with a hint of brown undertone. I have to admit it didn’t look really exciting in the bottle but on the fingers I love it. It adds a nice pop of color without being too bright.

That wraps up my Chanel Les Beiges review! I think the shades are beautiful.

Available now at Chanel.

P.S. I’ve been getting a lot of follow up questions from you about Les Exclusifs in Comete, the Gardenia Body Oil and there’s a new No 5 L’eau launch coming out. I’ll put together a Chanel fragrance/body roundup review soon!

Bronzer + Blush Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush (new shades)

May 21, 2024

Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush (new shades)

Pat McGrath added four new shades of the Divine Cream Blush Legendary Glow Color Balm ($29). The team sent 2 of the new ones alongside 2 previously launched shades for me to try. I have swatches to share today. New shades are currently available at Pat McGrath and Selfridges.

These are dewy balms for lips and cheeks. These have the same level of glow as the Chanel Baume Essentiels. They have a dewy finish that stays dewy (they have no dry down) and a glossy look. I know a lot of you are all about the dewy look and love these. For me they are really too dewy for the cheeks. I do really love the texture on the lips though! Pigment is on the sheer side, especially once you blend it out on the cheeks.

The four shades swatched in this post:

  • Alluring Nude (new) is a soft neutral nude beige
  • Divine Rose Glow (new) is a medium rose
  • Peach Lotus is a soft peach
  • Sunkissed Seduction is a terracotta brown

Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush (new shades)

Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush swatches

More swatches from last year in this post here. The original Divine Rose is a bit lighter in color compared to the new Divine Rose Glow. Both are very pretty soft rose colors, I like the newer one better because it’s slightly darker and shows up better on my skin.

Below wearing:

Lip + Cheek combos below:

Peach Lotus Divine Cream Blush
Lips: Venusian Peach SatinAllure + Peach Perversion LUST Gloss

Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush Peach Lotus

Divine Rose Glow Divine Cream Blush
Lips: Divine Rose Glow Divine Cream Blush

Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush Divine Rose Glow

Alluring Nude Divine Cream Blush
Lips: Flesh Astral LUST Gloss

Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush Alluring Nude

Sunkissed Seduction Divine Cream Blush
Lips: Sunkissed Seduction Divine Cream Blush + Bronze Divinity LUST Gloss

Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush Sunkissed Seduction

Overall really beautiful colors. I do think they wear well on the lips. For the cheeks they’re great if you like a dewy look for the blush, for me they are too dewy to wear comfortably on the face. If you want to see them in action I’ve linked the video below!

 

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A post shared by Sabrina Shorb (@beautylookbook)

 

New shades are currently available at Pat McGrath and Selfridges.

Blushes provided for review.

 

Armani Bronzer + Blush

Armani Luminous Silk Bronzer + Prisma Glass

May 5, 2024

Armani Luminous Silk Bronzer + Prisma Glass

Armani launched a few new items this spring including a new Luminous Silk Creamy Bronzing Powder ($58) and Prisma Glass High Shine Lip Gloss ($38). They’re beautiful additions to the Armani Beauty lineup and I have swatches and a review today.

Luminous Silk Creamy Bronzing Powder

Armani Luminous Silk Bronzer 100 and 110

The Luminous Silk Creamy Bronzing Powder is currently available in 4 shades and comes in a large mirrored compact. I love the large size of these and the formula is really nice. It’s described as “ultra creamy” but to me it feels more like a silky soft smooth powder with any creamy feel to it.

These have a luminous glow to them with noticeable shimmer particles. On the skin they don’t appear shimmery though, it’s more of a subtle glow on the skin.

I picked Shade 100 and 110 since I wear their Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5 (recommendation for Medium to Tan skin 5.5 to 8). I like Shade 100 best on me right now. 110 is a little too dark and pulls a little reddish on me. Overall I really like the texture, undertone, finish and how they blend. I give these a solid A+.

Below Armani Bronzers vs Gucci Beauty Bronzing Powder, Hourglass and YSL All Hours

Armani Luminous Silk Bronzer 100 and 110 vs Gucci, Hourglass and YSL

Below Shade 100

Armani Luminous Silk Creamy Bronzing Powder 100

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Below Shade 110

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Prisma Glass High Shine Lip Gloss

Armani Prisma Glass High Shine Lip Gloss

Armani also launched a new gloss formula called the Prisma Glass High Shine Lip Gloss. There are 6 shades plus a clear option. They’re a smooth non-sticky kind of gloss with a super high shine and sheer pigment. You can layer it for the color to show up without it being too thick but overall pigment level is pretty sheer. You also have to do some serious wand pumping to get product onto the applicator. I would have loved it if the colors showed up better, but I really love the color and finish.

They do have a subtle plumping effect on my lips. It’s not a full tingle or numbing effect but it does feel like your lips become fuller after a few minutes.

Overall, very pretty and I get tons of compliments with this gloss, but it’s a bit high maintenance in the application, pretty spendy for the amount you get and the applicator doesn’t pick up enough product on its own.

There is a soft pearlescent quality to some of the shades I tried but on the lips it’s really not noticeable.

  • 03 Honey Gleam is a pretty nude honey orange
  • 02 Candy Halo is a warm fresh pink
  • 05 Berry Beam is a cooler-toned rose pink (almost lilac)
  • 04 Cherry Glaze is a bright but very sheer cherry red

Armani Prisma Glass High Shine Lip Gloss

Armani Prisma Glass High Shine Lip Gloss

Overall some really nice fresh makeup launches I think are very wearable and pretty for a polished but still natural look. For a smooth gloss I still think the Pat McGrath LUST Gloss and Dior Addict Lip Maximizers are better for formula + pigment, but I am still really enjoying the new glosses from Armani.

You can find the Luminous Silk Bronzers exclusively at Nordstrom for now.

In action on Instagram here.

Prisma Glass is more widely available at Nordstrom, Sephora and Selfridges.

Prisma Glass applications in action here.

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Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

Bronzer + Blush Sephora

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Blush

April 12, 2024

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Blush

Rare Beauty launched a new blush called the Soft Pinch Luminous Blush ($26 each at Sephora) and they’re so beautiful. They’re shimmery blushes with the softest silky texture I’ve ever felt. I bought 4 of them to try but also ordered the other 2 (coming in the mail).

  • Cheer is a pale pink
  • Happy is a cool pink
  • Joy is a soft peach
  • Hope is an iridescent rose

I shared a Reel applying these last week. I really love these alone or layered on top of a cream blush, but I want to preface this by saying I love a good shimmer in blushes. I was chatting about these with a friend last week and her first question was “does it emphasize the pore situation?” and my answer is “yes it can, but it’s not as pore emphasizing as some powder highlighters I have (like the ones from Hermes, Becca or Benefit)”.

The texture is super smooth and the shimmers are UNREAL! These truly feel lightweight like there’s nothing on the skin. They have a beautiful finish and the shimmer is very soft and glowy without being frosty. This makes me want to try the Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighters although I am pretty shopped out with everything I hauled from the Sephora sale.

See them in action here:

 

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A post shared by Sabrina Shorb (@beautylookbook)

If you have a lot of texture and large pores I do think this could emphasize it. I do not have perfect skin but I don’t have large pores (except my nose area). These went on smooth for me and I had no issues. If you’re conservative on the glow in blushes then I’d recommend the Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic which have a more subtle shimmer to them.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Blush swatches Cheer, Happy, Joy, Hope

Swatching each shade, also wearing:

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Blush Cheer

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Blush Happy

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Blush Hope

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Blush Joy

I really love these. I think the colors are fun, youthful looking but not too trendy. I am 42 for a few more weeks and I think they are wearable for any age. The only downside is they do seem a little delicate/fragile.

You can still take advantage of some savings with the Sephora Savings Event using YAYSAVE (20% off for Rouge, 15% for VIBs and 10% off for Insiders, with 30% off all Sephora Collection).

I don’t know that I will have time to post my full haul here before the sale ends, I will try to round up everything by Monday. If you want to see my IN-STORE SEPHORA HAUL you can check it out here. I’ve saved some snippets to my SEPHORA RECOMMENDATIONS highlights on Instagram too @beautylookbook.