Greetings fine people! Today's Best of 2014 post is dedicated to some of my favorites in the beauty realm: setting powder, bronzer, blush, and highlighter! Kick back with a warm cuppa tea and let's chat!
SETTING POWDER (MATTE)
DRUGSTORE: L'Oreal Paris True Match Mineral Pressed Powder, $12.99 USD. This powder is so creamy and fine and it keeps my face free of shine all day. The pretty white and clear compact contains a mirror and sponge. Add that to it's smaller overall size and it's a perfect purse companion!
HIGH-END: YSL Poudre Compact Radiance (Radiance-Enhancing Pressed Powder), $47.00 USD. I picked this up randomly during a Sephora sale without doing any background research beforehand. It turned out to be one of the best setting powders I've used! The powder is finely-milled and helps control oil in my t-zone. I typically don't have to powder my nose (or forehead or cheeks) in the late afternoon hours when I've set my makeup with this little gem. I got almost a full year's worth of use out of this compact, and believe me, I used it nearly every morning!
SETTING POWDER (LUMINOUS)
DRUGSTORE: Wet N' Wild Color Icon Bronzer SPF 15 in Reserve Your Cabana, $3.99 USD. While I use this as a highlighter, it can double as an illuminating setting powder for Fair, Light, and Light-Medium skin tones, as well. The color and finish falls between Hourglass Dim Light and Incandescent Light. In fact, if you layer one over the other, the resulting shade is a very near match to Reserve Your Cabana!
HIGH-END: Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder, $45.00 USD. This creamy peachy beige powder gives the skin a beautiful "lit from within" appearance without the glitter. It's also one of the 3 powders housed in the Ambient Lighting Palette, so if you're not sure which one to try, get the palette and try 3! | FULL REVIEW HERE (of Mood and Diffused Light).
BRONZER
DRUGSTORE: I was overly involved with my mission to hit pan on the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil this year that I didn't purchase a single drugstore bronzer offering! If you found a favorite, please share it in the comments!
HIGH-END: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Medium/Deep Matte Bronzer, $30.00 USD. How could I not pick this constant companion? I've had it since March 2013 and use it almost every day. The matte finish and believable shade of bronze on my NW20 (winter) - NW25 (summer) skin has just been so good, I haven't really explored many others. | FULL REVIEW HERE.
HIGHLIGHTER
DRUGSTORE: Wet N' Wild Color Icon Bronzer SPF 15 in Reserve Your Cabana, $3.99 USD. I know! Again?! But yes, trust me when I say this is the *perfect* highlighter for people who don't want their pores to appear enlarged or their skin to look frosty! This subtle peachy illuminator gives the skin an enchanting glow without the "vamps on holiday" glitter. Thank you to Mary/aLoveTart and Sarah/tatt2sandwarpaint for the recommendation!
HIGH-END: Bobbi Brown Sandstone Shimmer Brick Compact (LE), $ USD. This is a highlighter for those about to rock! It's definitely not called a "shimmer brick" for nothin'! When swirled together, the 5 shades combine into a beautiful shimmering light copper color. This one does require a light hand (for me), but the finished look on skin is that of a bronzed goddess returning from a weekend in Belize. It is limited edition and is out of stock at Sephora, Bobbi Brown, and Nordstrom, but I did find it available at Macy's. If you want it, act soon! This one also pulls double duty as an eyeshadow!
BLUSH (MATTE)
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| Fingers L to R: Milani Lady Blush, Tarte Tipsy, City Color Fresh Melon |
DRUGSTORE: We have a TIE! First up: City Color Cosmetics Fresh Melon Be Matte Blush, $4.99 USD. This buttery soft, pigmented coral was my ride or die throughout the summer! It outlasted numerous weeks of humid, 90 degree temperatures and never appeared faded on my skin at the end of the day. The generously sized pan contains 8.9 grams of product (for reference, a Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush is 5.6 grams). Secondly: Milani Rose Powder Blush in Lady Blush, $7.99 USD. If you missed out on these all-stars of the drugstore, I have exciting news: Milani has announced they will become a part of the permanent line in 2015 and they've been spotted at CVS by Nouveau Cheap reader Autumn!
HIGH-END: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Tipsy, $26.00 USD. This orange-y coral adds the prettiest pop of color to the complexion and lasts through anything you throw at it. I wore this on my wedding day on the apples of my cheeks!
BLUSH (LUMINOUS)
DRUGSTORE: Maybelline Master Hi-Light Hi-Lighting Bronzer in Light Bronze, $9.99 USD. This gorgeous neutral blush/bronzer hybrid yields a glowing (but never sparkly) rose gold tone. Thank you to Marge/IG@margecarlos for convincing me to try something from the line!
HIGH-END: Another TIE! Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure, $35.00 USD. I'd call this a must-have for anyone who'd rather spend their hard-earned cash on a blush that will go with any lip or eye look. The neutral pink color and hint of radiance literally matches EVERYTHING. Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Swish & Pop Blusher in Love Glow, $40.00 USD. Hands-down, the most luxurious blush I've ever owned. It has a nice heft to it, and the small details like the tiny star on the inside of the compact make it even more of a charmer. The outer ring of color can be applied to the cheekbones and the inner shade can be popped on the apples, or you can swirl your brush throughout and do whatever you like. Either way, the luminous finish is understated and beautiful, and the soft pink shade of Love Glow will be flattering across most skin tones.
BEST OVERALL SETTING POWDER, BRONZER, BLUSH, OR HIGHLIGHTER?
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
What were your favorite finds in these categories? Anything you think I should try next year?
>> Stay tuned for the next installment of my Best of 2014 series: EYES!
I'd love to try the Chocolate Soleil bronzer! Have never tried anything from Too Faced but this one is definitely up my street! I might give that YSL powder a go sounds incredible!
ReplyDeleteTheConscienceFund
Look at the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick! Oh wow! I had no idea it was so pigmented! CT Love Glow huh? OK, I'm sold! I'll grab one comes January 2015! ;D
ReplyDeleteI don't use that much bronzer, but you know Too Faced did this mini set of bronzer wardrobe or something like that for the holidays? That I REALLY wanted LOL I'm actually not sure why I don't bronze more often, since bronzers tend to sit well on my skin tone ;)
ReplyDeleteI have a tiny deluxe sample of that Too Faced bronzer, and I do like it. But I will never use up even the sample, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI have a mini of the Too Faced one, and it's ok. The colour is just not right for me I think. Love all highlighter and blush picks! I'd love to try a CT blush, but I'd have to buy sight unseen, and I'd prefer to touch and feels and sees for reals when I pay that much $$ for a blush!
ReplyDeletefound the milani at walgreens. only 3 colors though
ReplyDeleteLook at those pan action! I haven't tried any Too Faced makeup before... maybe I should with one of those chocolate thingies :-P
ReplyDeleteHourglass powders and blushes are definitely the best. I just discovered the Too Faced Soleil Bronzer this year but it became an instant favorite. Hourglass Luminous Flush blush was my favorite last year, I don't think I had too many drugstore favorites.
ReplyDeleteOh this is awesome, I needed a new matte setting powder! I might try your drugstore favorite, thanks!
ReplyDeleteHOLY BOLLIES, Look at THAT Wet 'N Wild Color Icon!?! That is a gorgeous drugstore highlight. I don't know about you, but I've never found a drugstore brand come close to that kind of glow... Wow. Speaking of wows, you've also got quite the #panporn up on display in this post!! Congratulations!! Isn't it weird to be proud of running out of an expensive product? Shouldn't it be "I'm so sorry!! RIP"... Hhahaha. It's so satisfying though! AH. Tarte's Tipsy has been one of my "wish list" blushes for a long while. I have Dollface and I love it. I just like orangey-corals for everyday more than puffy pinks. And Chocolate Soleil! Whoahoahoa. Every time I'm in Sephora I sniff the Chocolates (does this one smell delicious too!?!). Glad to hear it's a winner. Can't wait for EYES, I love this series!!!!
ReplyDeleteMuch Love and PUMPKIN COFFES (WHICH I JUST FOUND A Dunkin that sells them still????) I had a cartoon question mark over my head when ordering.... It's January, but I'm totally ok with this.
BYEEEEEEEEEEE PUMPKIN PEACH!
so many things i want to try after reading this - girl you are bad bad for my wallet!! yay for another charlotte tilbury win, that color sounds amazing and who can't use another pink blush?? i've always wanted to try the hourglass ambient powders and these sound like perfection.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, Divya! The Too Faced Chocolate Soleil is just SO good! Their eyeshadows are really good, too. And the YSl powder was wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised by that spontaneous purchase, lol!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Jaa! The BB Shimmer Brick is SUPER pigmented and glimmery! It's my favorite BB purchase of all-time. And yes, you need to try one of the Charlotte Tilbury blushes! They are totally your kind of product! You'd love it!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Maybe you can pick up the bronzer wardrobe during an after-holiday sale?! I think I saw it on the US TF site marked down considerably. That's one credit to waiting until after Christmas - unless the item you want sells out, of course! You would look amazing all bronzed up!
ReplyDeleteAll of the Hourglass powders and blushes look so different on everyone! Diffused was really beautiful but I found it a little too light for me and gave it to a fairer friend! I also had Diffusd Heat blush and it turned almost neon coral red on me in the afternoons! And you definitely answered your question about how many HG powders one girl needs: ALL. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're not big on bronzing, Larie? I was proud that the TF bronzer lasted so long!
ReplyDeleteYou are pretty fair so I could see the Chocolate Soleil not being a good fit. And yes to seeing and feels-ing something before spending da bucks if possible! The CT blush is incredible. I do hope you get to see it in person sometime!
ReplyDeleteI'm still searching for it, no sign of it at my local CVS! They're always so behind, lol! Going to Walgreen's tomorrow - thanks for the head's up, Elle!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pan acknowledgement! ;) I think you'd like the Too Faced bronzer. Their 9-pan eyeshadow palettes are AWESOME, too!
ReplyDeleteOoh, glad to hear the Too Faced bronzer is a favorite of yours, too! Luminous flush looked so pretty! I need to visit that again the next time I'm in Sephora! :)
ReplyDeleteI think you'd really like it! It's really creamy and sets ze oil zone well! :D
ReplyDeleteHa! You would get a lot of use out of the Wet n' Wild Reserve Your Cabana! It's SO GOOD. Seriously one of my favorite highlighters ever! You're so right, hitting pan is hilarious b/c you really should be sad, not celebratory! Laughing at "R.I.P."! The Too Faced Chocolate Soleil does contain cocoa powder so yes, it smells like chocolate! YUM! And girl, you would be stunning in Tarte Tipsy! That need to be on your to do list for 2015, fo sho! Oh wow, bless that Dunkin D's for selling pumpkin in January! They are my kind of people! To me, pumpkin is acceptable and much -enjoyed during any and all chilly weather months! Why only Oct-Nov? Stretch it out til March, I say!
ReplyDeleteMuch love!
Nikki, you should definitely check out Wet n Wild Reserve Your Cabana! It is truly a stunner! :D
ReplyDeleteHa! I apologize profusely to your wallet! The CT blush sounds like it's as good as the Filmstar Bronze & Glow (be still my heart), and yes, everyone needs pink blush at all times! ;) I can't believe you, queen of glowing beautiful skin, have not tangled with an Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder! Jennifer! The product was practically made for you, girl!
ReplyDeletegreat post! it's time for me to purchase a bobbi brown shimmer brick. i have been convinced!
ReplyDeleteAhh that Hourglass Ambient Lighting blush is just the prettiest thing ever! I'd love to try that and the Tarte blush. CT makeup looks amazing too. I really like the format of your posts! Looking forward to the next installment :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Hannah! I love it! Let me know which Shimmer Brick you decide to pick up! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sam! Thank you so much! Your compliment gave me a much-needed boost! That Charlotte Tilbury blush is so gorgeous. It's got me contemplating other goodies from her line! :D
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this category. Hugging the post with my internet arms.
ReplyDeleteYou totally got me turned on to that YSL radiance powder. I'm going to swatch the next time I'm at a counter. And I'm with you on the Hourglass blush love. I don't like the strong coral one that looks like bacon but the three shades in the palette are beautiful and subtle. (Yeah, clown's taking a break for a while...!)
YAS VITA!! YAY! I'm so glad you were able to leave a comment, even though it's a glitch-fest! Bless for continuing to try! :D Dim Light is such a beaut; it just gives the skin the prettiest finish. I hope Maybelline will release the Master Hi-Lights in Oz, too! They're really lovely! You'll enjoy the eyes installment - you actually got a shout-out, Vita! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Liz, I just love you! Internet arms! :D
ReplyDeleteThat YSL powder rocked hard throughout the year. I finally had to retire it this week b/c the last powder chunk broke loose from the side, lol! And yes on the "bacon blush". I actually sold mine to Glambot b/c it got a little cray-cray on my skin, no matter how lightly I applied it.
First and foremost you have knocked this "best of" series out of the park. I cannot even imagine the amount of time and work you put into this, I LOVE IT! I'm going to be buying the TF Chocolate Soleil in the next couple days on my travels. I tried it a long time ago and remember loving it but didn't keep it for whatever reason. I truly wish that I could pull off Mood Exposure, our skin tones are just so different and I'm so darn pale...it's not fair *throwing myself on the floor kicking and screaming* ! And I though the CT was more expensive than that, that's really not horrible at all. It's sad when you don't even consider looking up pricing when you think it's so far out of your price range you don't bother letting yourself get attached. I's just love Nouveau Cheap, how funny is that you follow that blog too. I remember hearing those Milani blushes were going to be permanent but I think they are all too bright for me...hey maybe they'll release more shades! And can I say to you and anyone reading this response that EVERYONE needs WnW Reserve Your Cabana...it actually even works as an eyeshadow eraser when you go further than you want or to sharpen a wing, same principle with face contouring. RYC can sharpen your contour lines...best product ever. Well again, job well done Kristen!
ReplyDeleteLoook at that PAN! I love love love seeing pan posts - even without your review, I'll be enticed to buy them asap! And ughh, you have Sandstone! I was eyeing that for my second BB shimmer brick! It looks amazing - although I probably want it warmer. Or maybe it's just the light?
ReplyDeleteYour Too Faced Chocolate soleil is NARS Laguna to me! I've hit pan on it though so am on the lookout for my second contour/bronzer shade but Too Faced isn't available here so I'm stuck! I may have to blind buy and trust your reco! :)
Again, have to commend you for this series Kristen!! I nominate you for Blogger of the Year!!! Hihi.
Aw, thank you so much, Sarah! I did work hard on this series so your thanks mean a lot to me! :D
ReplyDeleteDid you pick up ze Chocolate Soleil? And yes, the struggle of being pale seems quite exasperating! So many things are too pigmented and look too shocking on, plus finding a foundation shade that matches seems to be super difficult. I consider myself light-medium and sometimes I'm the second to lightest shade in an entire range - and I know I'm not that pale! So I can't even imagine. Illamasqua and MAC both sell white light foundation for pale folks to mix into foundations they love that are too dark for them, so at least that's something positive! Ooh thanks for the tips about Reserve Your Cabana! Love the one about using it to fix eyeshadow that's gone too far outside of the lines! You're awesome!
First of all, thank you so much for your kind words! That means a lot to hear that! <3
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I love pan posts, too! They always inspire me to use things up! Sandstone would probably work well on you, it's pretty bronze in tone. I think it will work better for me in the summer when I have more medium skin versus my winter light-medium tone. That's too bad Too Faced isn't available there! They have so many great products and their little palettes in the metal boxes are awesome. You'd love those thangs! I have NARS Laguna in the Guy Bourdain blush palette from last holiday's collection. I'll have to give that a try - I haven't really used it since I was so dedicated to finishing the Chocolate Soleil! Thanks, boo!