Becca Sunlit Bronzer in Capri Coast and Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal

I'm a couple of months late with these, but not everyone's paper white. I wanted to share two favorites that I discovered while self-tanned to about a NW18-20 this past summer- both from Becca. I'm quite late to this train, but that's ok.

Both of these products come in the classic Becca packaging. I think you can tell which one's the bronzer.

First, let's talk about that bronzer that I fell in love with this sumer.  Becca released a collection of Sunlit Bronzers ($38, 7.1g/0.25oz) earlier this year. I fell in love with Capri Coast.

Capri Coast is the second-lightest bronzer, making it way too dark for me at the moment but perfect for summer. Like all other Becca products, the compact is stunning and the pattern on the powder is so pretty.

Most importantly, here's how it looks, swatched,

Capri Coast is a warm golden bronze that imparts some golden sheen to your face. I could possibly dust a thin layer on this- especially if I've just redone my hair. I love the sunkissed effect that it gives. I need to stop thinking about using it- it's October!

The other super-basic favorite that I stumbled onto is the cult classic Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal ($38, 8g).

Normally, I'm a Moonstone girl. But being self-tanned, I finally got why Opal's so universally loved. It just does wonderful things to your skin if you've got the correct tone. I normally don't have that correct complexion.

Aren't pristine pans lovely?

Here's Opal, swatched against my current NW13-15 skin. You can see why I've always stayed as far away as possible.

I'm happy to have both of these in my collection, and I think they'll make summer a bit more tolerable next year. I'm sorry that I stumbled on them rather late (late July), so they'll get lots of use in Summer 2018.

Just looking at these two makes me a little sad. I loathe summer, but I loved feeling like a bronzy, glowy goddess with this pair from Becca. They're a bit pricey, but worth it.

Becca Apres Ski Glow Face Palette for Holiday 2017

Today I bring you yet another one of those holiday releases that I wasn't going to buy, yet showed up when I was running merrily through Ulta during a 20% of coupon spree. Call it the red haze of shopping, but after one swatch of Icicle, I was done for.

Say hello to the Becca Apres Ski Glow Face Palette for Holiday 2017. This $54 palette contains six face products- three highlighters, two blushes, and one bronzer.  Each pan has 2.55g or 0.09oz product.

Yes, this is just as reflective but it's going to have to do. I happen to like the Becca palettes, so it was worth a try.

Let's take a look at the inside, with the large mirror.

Let's dig in, shall we?

First up is my favorite Becca highlighter of all time, Rose Quartz.

I adore this shade, which is a perfect beautiful highlight on me. I actually bought a backup. By the way, I think it's back for Holiday 2017. Thank goodness. It was the inclusion of this pan that tipped the balance on this whole palette for me, to be honest.

It's so lovely, right?

Next up is a brand-new shade- Icicle.

This is the other shade that lured me in. It's the perfect icy blue for my fair complexion.

I wish that this was available in a full pan, because I'd pick it up. After so many dark, warm highlighters it's nice to get the occasional pan from Becca that just works for me.

Next up is one of two blushes (or so they say) in this palette. Say hellow to Winter Berry.

This scared me. It's limited edition in this palette, but on the skin? Not as scary.

This is lovely- and a nice flush with a light hand. The shimmer is in the pan, but it doesn't translate other than a healthy flush to the skin.

The second row starts with Blushed Copper blush.

I think this is a straight up eyeshadow for me.

It's pretty, and I'll get creative working it into my routine.

Next up, the classic Opal highlighter.

I'm planning to do a full review of this soon- it's a classic for a reason.

Last up is Bronzed Bondi bronzer.

In the pan, this scares me.

But swatched and blended out, I can make this work. It's really more of a summer shade though. This is more of a nod to medium skintones, which I don't mind.

Here's a group swatch:

I wouldn't necessarily say that this palette is cohesive- the top and bottom rows are disjointed. Light and pale skintones would love row #1, medium skintones would love row #2. I think deep skintones would only like the Blushed Copper shade, honestly. It feels like Becca tried to make a palette for everyone and it just doesn't make a lot of sense.

That said, I think the top row's worth my investment and I'm thrilled to have it in my collection. I'd just think twice about gifting it.

Tarte Clay Play Face Shaping Palette

If you'd asked me when this was first released if I'd purchase another all-matte, neutral palette, the answer would've been a resounding NO.

After watching many YouTube videos where this continued to be casually referenced as being really good by some of those who don't generally push products, I decided to take a plunge.

$46 and 12 matte neutral shades later, I can't put this down. It's my new go-to buddy for everything.

A quick note for any vegan readers- I spot carmine in three shades, so this isn't a vegan palette. It is a cruelty-free brand.

A word of warning- due to the gold metallic interior and the giant mirror, this is awful to photograph, let alone in a way that represents the colors accurately.

Visually, it's a really pretty palette, right? I hope this is a permanent addition to Tarte's line because it's just that good.

I'd originally planned to post a long, raving entry about this because of just how often I reach for this (at least 4-5 days per week), but this one's really hard to photograph.

Let me show you swatches in two different lighting setups, and then we'll talk about the genius of this palette.

Ambient Lighting:

Studio Lighting:

This is one of the least-hyped releases that has had the biggest impact on my daily routine. One of the best parts about this palette is that it reminds us that powders can be used anywhere on the face. Your bronzer? Chuck it in the crease. That brow powder? Use it as a contour (I do that often). This is a great set of 12 neutral mattes that I've used as eyeshadow, contour, bronzer, and brow powder. All I really need is a blush and a neutral highlight (that can double on the eyes) and I'm set to go for the day. There aren't many palettes that you can say that about.

These shades work well for me and I suspect this will be the second Tarte palette that I completely pan (Tartelette in Bloom was the first- I'm actually working to completely use it up.). Don't sleep on it for being completely boring- these are those shades you can always use.

Ofra Holiday Glow Palette

Sometimes even a product junkie ends up on total overload and products get overlooked.

I actually picked up the Ofra Holiday Glow Palette ($49.50, Ulta) during the first week of Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty and only recently got around to testing it out.

I'm going to do a hard pass on many holiday releases, but I've been wanting to try some of the Ofra pressed powder products and I had some Ulta points to bring down the price... so into my cart that it went.

This palette consists of 6 shimmery eyeshadows, 2 matte potted eyeliner shades, one shimmery bronzer, one of the classic highlighters, and four blushes. I'll mention that each of these items are removable; the shades are only labeled on the overlay. I haven't removed the pans to see if they are on the bottom of each pan.You also get a nicely-sized mirror in this packaging.

Although it's cardboard, it does feel quite sturdy.

Let's take a look at the shades in detail.

Here are the eyeshadows:

Millenium Gold is that gorgeous cool-toned gold that I've been searching for as of late. I think it's my favorite of the six shades.

And the blushes:

I have some mixed feelings here- I feel like they're trying to make a universal palette. I can wear Apricot and Pink Satin easily, Candy Apple with a very refined hand- but B-29 is going to waste away. Someone with a medium complexion is going to find Apricot and Pink Satin useless, etc.

The bronzer and highlighter:

And the eyeliner shades:

It's a very pretty, holiday-appropriate palette. Ofra went very safe and classic holiday for this first release.

Now, let's talk about actually using it.

This is where Ofra missed the mark for me- with a palette this size, with this many type of shades, I'd want to be able to do entire look from it. And I can't. I had to pull out one of my new favorites (keep an eye out in a few days for my review of a palette that snuck up on me.) to make this workable. I know this is a "glow" palette, but one cannot make a modern look without any mattes.

Here's a look at the cheek look I did:

That's a mix of Apricot and Pink Satin, with some Blissful highlighter (which I own in a single pan) and the Americano bronzer. It's a lot of shimmer. And shows some serious texture.

I played with this on three different occasions and ended up with similar looks. The palette's very holiday, but I struggle to make a lot of completely different looks. I do really love the way this turned out:

It features Millenium Gold, Bohemian, and Plastic. I could wear this often.

Let's talk a bit about value. The palette retails for $49.50, and claims to be a $182 value.  I think it's a good way to try an assortment of products, but I certainly wouldn't pay $182 for the products individually.

I didn't have any issues, quality-wise with this palette. It's solid, and I could probably travel with this and my Tarte Clay Play palette and essentially be happy for an entire face. It doesn't meet my expectations in that it needed a buddy palette- but I can deal with that.

Overall, I think this is a good introduction to the brand,and it would be a good holiday gift. I'll try to pull this into more frequent rotation during the holiday season.

Pur Bronze Your Selfie

I have to share a total impulse purchase when browsing Ulta recently: Pur Cosmetics' Bronze Your Selfie Skin Perfecting Face and Body Liquid Bronzer ($26, 1.7fl oz)

2016 QBB would be screaming at 2017 QBB for purchasing this because I hate liquid bronzers. But here's the truth: this isn't your average liquid bronzer.

I love the squeeze tube, since it keeps it clean and nice. One of the things I hate about liquid products is when they're messy. I'm also a powder person. Still, I love this product.

Here's the liquid bronzer, dotted. I know it looks a little scary.

Let me take a moment to address the blue line. That's what Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Violet Vixen did to me after 3 cleansing oils, 3 cleansers, 2 exfoliators, and scrubbing my hand until I cried. I have repeatedly reached out to Stila and Sephora but they have not responded. To say I'm upset and disappointed is an understatement. Please excuse the staining and let Stila know about it if it bothers you.

Here's what the Pur liquid bronzer looks like, spread out but unblended. It still looks really scary here:

But trust me on this.

Here's a couple of shots of this, blended out. It's so natural!

So it's totally wearable, even for my natural NW13-15 skintone. The trick that I've learned is simply just to keep blending.

My favorite way to use this is to blend down neck and chest if I want to use a foundation that's a little too dark (I technically need to mix one of my favorite foundations and can't always be bothered). I find it looks healthy and beautiful.

I got mine on sale at Ulta, so I don't know if it's being discontinued. I do recommend this, even for my pale friends. It's a product that works well on face or body, so those are relatively hard to find. It's very worth it for me.

On second search, it's a LE product but still available on Pur's website. GO! You'll thank me later.