Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Wild Rose

Ingredients (courtesy of ehow.com): The first ingredients in the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick have the highest concentration. Talc, a powdered magnisium silicate, is added for its oil absorbing and anti-chaffing properties. Caprylic Triglyceride, an oily liquid made from coconut oil, helps hydrate the skin and thicken liquid additives. Zea Mays (Corn) Starch is known for its skin conditioning and protecting benefits. And, Aluminum Starch Octensylsuccinate is a plant derived starch that aids in anti-caking and sun protection. Thank you, Pascha of The Posh Blog, for finding this info for me.

Product Description: Handmade in Italy, this award-winning editor’s favorite highlights skin with five bars of pearlescent shimmer.

My Experience: I know I’m being naughty for reviewing this because it was limited edition and it’s not available anymore. But! But! But! I just couldn’t resist. I adore this product, and I take some guilty comfort in knowing that you can always pick up a similar shimmer brick from Bobbi Brown. I’m not fond of blushes – my cheeks are naturally ruddy and I’m heavy-handed with the powder brush. It’s a lethal combination that often results in the dreaded clown face. So, I usually do myself a favor and avoid blushes altogether. But I love highlighters and shimmer as long as they don’t turn my face into a disco ball. And this, my lovelies, is the perfect product for blush-shy highlighter fiends. I can swish my brush liberally into the pan without worrying about it applying too dark or bright. It builds up slowly but beautifully. It’s honestly fool-proof. And it’s gorgeous. It’s a subtle blooming glow of pink with a dewy sheen that looks enchanting when caught by the light. Lately, if I don’t have time or don’t want to bother with a full face of makeup but want a fresh pick-me-up, I use this to give my cheeks a pretty, pearly flush. And the packaging is tres chic – it’s sleek, stylish yet simple and feels weighty and solid. It’s expensive, yes, but I like to think of it as a multipurpose product because it can be used as a blush, highlighter and even eyeshadow. Plus it will last a very long time. And it’s just dreamy on the skin. Every time I open the compact I smile, and I truly love to watch the warm glow that beams from my skin as I apply it. When I run out, I’ll buy another shimmer brick that’s as close to this one as I can get. FYI they are currently selling a summery shimmer brick in the shade Nectar, which looks comparable but is more on the coral side. Try it. Love it.

The Skinny: A gorgeous multipurpose powder that works as a blush, highlighter and eyeshadow all in one. Application is fool-proof, even for the heavy-handed, and it brightens up cheeks with a glowing, pearly pink shimmer. It’s pricey but pure quality.

Cost:

I’ve seen this particular shimmer brick floating around Ebay and Amazon for eye-watering prices, but check out the stunning shades currently available from Bobbi Brown.

USA: a variety of Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks are available for $42 from Sephora

UK: a variety of Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks are available for £32 from Bobbi Brown

Rating: HERO (goes above and beyond expectations)

Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Pink

Ingredients: ricinus communis oil, ethylhexyl stearate, octyldodecanol, ozokerite, nylon-6, titanium dioxide, mica, copernicia cerifera wax, candelilla cera, lanolin, paraffinum liquidum, cera alba, isopropyl myristate, aluminum hydroxide, barium sulfate, propylparaben, BHT, parfum, talc, alpha-isomethyl ionone, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77015, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 77861, limonene.

Color: 14 Soft Pink

Product Description: “…this blend-easy blusher adds a radiant, dewy flush to all skin-types. Unlike powder blushers it also stays looking freshly applied throughout the day”.

My Experience: I’m not a frequent user of blush. My mother always thought I was blessed by having naturally pink cheeks, but as I’ve gotten older they’ve become splotchy red patches. I’m forever trying to tone down the redness rather than enhance it. Now that I use foundation more often, though, I find myself looking for something to give me youthful freshness. So, I scoured the beauty aisle for blush. I wanted something with a cream texture instead of dry, and I wanted something pink, which narrowed my choice considering the vast amount of corals currently populating the shelves. Max Factor had just the shade I was looking for. A warm, rosy, yet delicate pink beaming at me from a dainty little pot. And it’s a rather nice little product. I swirl my finger gently over the cream and dab it onto my cheeks; it instantly imparts a blooming glow, and it’s a breeze to blend across the cheeks. It’s also easy to layer for a brighter or more dramatic flush. The finish is dewy, but not sparkly or shimmery, so it’s nice and natural. Although Max Factor claims it looks fresh throughout the day, I find myself searching the mirror for signs of blush after a few hours. And I’m not terribly impressed with the chemical laden formula, but hey, I don’t use much of it, I like the results, and it’s cheap.

The Skinny: A good, inexpensive cream blush that’s easy to apply, blend, and gives the skin a dewy, blooming glow.

Cost:

UK: £6.99 from Boots

USA: Sorry my lovelies! It’s such a shame those who live in the USA can’t get ahold of Max Factor easily anymore, but I’ve seen this blush creeping around Ebay if you really want to get your hands on it.

Rating: 3/5