Review: Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in 'Tiki'

I can't remember where I first heard about this but I know it's supposedly a dupe for Dior's Amber Diamond highlighter. I have no idea if it is since I don't own it's more expensive counterpart.

While it's called a 'bronzer' it's really FAR too light to be considered anything more than a highlighter. And what a gorgeous highlighter it is. It's much more subtle than my NARS Albatross or MAC creme color in 'pearl' and it's so beautiful on the skin. So if you have naturally oily skin like I do (aka a grease-pit), you may prefer this over some of the more intense highlighters available.

I've taken to applying it with my Real Techniques buffing brush so I can get a nice sweep of subtle sheen all over my cheekbones and brow. I especially like pairing it with my NARS 'Douceur' blush and a peachy nude lip. Since it's been teetering between hot and cold this spring in north Texas I find it's easier to go with a neutral but well sculpted cheek and peachy lip. It just feels right, man.


left: swatch // right: blended swatch


The only drawback to this 'bronzer' is that if you live in the US, you can only find it at Wal-Mart & it retails for $9.00. Now, I don't know about you, but I HATE having to go to Wal-Mart. I never shop there unless I have to and they don't do store coupons so I can't get cosmetics for super cheap like I can at Walgreens or CVS.

HOWEVER this highlighter is worth braving the dead-eyed Wal-Mart shoppers and weirdly long lines (1pm on a Tuesday?? wth) because it's beautiful and relatively inexpensive.



-Becca

NARS Copacabana Illuminator

I realized how dumb it was that I hadn't reviewed this since I love love love it so much. And after recommending it to Taylor of A Thunder Heart, I decided to correct that. So here we go.


NARS Illuminator in 'Copacabana' 
Originally, I just used MAC's Cream Color Base in 'Pearl' for all of my highlighting needs, but I'd read a post on Sparkly Vodka (who is the only reason I know anything about highlighters, her blog is amazing) featuring it and was curious.

(I would like this opportunity to say that once I get my new pan of MAC Cream Color Base in 'Pearl', I'll review it too. I just don't want to photograph my nearly empty pan. Gross.)



Fast forward to a little bit before Christmas time and I was visiting my family in Houston and I was wandering through Sephora (I normally shop at Ulta since it's closer) when I stumbled into the NARS section and realized I COULD TRY ANYTHING I WANT. Sometimes I forget that you can do that in Ulta and Sephora. So I tried it and thought it was cool and brought it home. Now, at first I thought $30 was a lot for a single item, but you use about a seed bead size dollop of it and you've got more than enough to highlight your whole face if you want. I've used it just about every day and as you can see, you can't even tell I've made a dent in it. It glides on smooth and mixing it isn't a problem as long as it isn't dry, and even then you can still smooth it out.

NARS Copacabana is a "light-reflecting liquid that glides on to refresh and enhance the complexion with shimmering incandescence" according to the NARS website. Personally, I use it on top of my make up as a highlighter, but you can use it underneath your foundation or mix it with your foundation for an all over dewy look. I've never tried mixing it because I love the way it looks on top of blush so much. Plus, I use a mousse foundation and I don't imagine those mixing very well to be honest.



Normally I don't feel comfortable with anyone being this close to my face because I have large pores but this was the best way to show how the illuminator works and I just can't care enough for the both of us so, whatever! Also, an excellent time to show off my winged eyeliner skills.



So basically if you're looking for a really reflective highlighter with a cool pink tone, Copacabana is a great option. I've never used powder highlighters before though, so I might be missing out. But I know when I eventually run out of Copacabana, I'll definitely be buying it again.

makeup used: Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer in 'Adjust' // Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation in 'Porcelain Ivory' // Covergirl pressed powder in "creamy natural' // LORAC blush in 'Rendezvous' // NARS Copacabana Illuminator // Maybelline ultra-brow in light brown // Almay intense i-color liquid eyeliner in 'brown topaz' // Maybelline the Classic volume express mascara in 'brownish black' // & Revlon "Just Bitten" lipstain in 'Victorian'

-Becca