I was on vacation in San Francisco recently and although the shopping was surprisingly kept at a minimum, I did find a Bare Escentuals Boutique at the Macy's near Union Square. It just so happened they were launching a new product the following day, their new High Shine Eyecolour, so I made a point of returning.
Their High Shine Eyecolours are glistening loose powder eyeshadows that unlike the regular Bare Escentuals eyeshadows come in a tube with a spongetip applicator similar to many cream or liquid eyeshadows on the market. There are six shades - Electric (Deep Teal), Glisten (Golden Sand), Patina (Golden Khaki), Moonshine (Deep Plum), Frost (Silver) and Bronzed (Bronze Brown).
I picked up Glisten.
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| Bare Escentuals High Shine Eyecolour in Glisten |
The back of the box says: "Get high-intensity sheen from the naturally vibrant pigments of 100% pure bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolours. Free of preservatives and chemical irritants, the ultra-smooth formula glides on effortlessly for an extra creamy, opaque finish full of glistening, foiled effect."
Glisten is a soft, silvery taupe shade, very pretty and of the six, the most neutral and wearable. A safe choice, perhaps but you'll see how insanely shiny it is if you scroll down! It takes some chutzpah to pull off this much shine.
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| Sponge-tip applicator |
The packaging is very good. Loose powders can be very messy and by including the applicator as part of the package, it minimizes the mess and ensures the applicator will be ready to use as soon as you open the tube. Also, with the lid of the tube as the handle of the brush, it's easier to use than the standard tiny applicator that tend to come with products.
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| Close-up of the applicator |
Are you ready for the shine? This stuff is seriously, seriously high shine. They're not lying. This is hardcore metallic shine for your eyes. It can be blended down with a brush or your finger if you like and would look amazing on a nighttime eye look.
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| Glisten swatched on NC15 skintone |
See? Crazy metallic foil shine. It's glorious, isn't it? I love it! It's almost like it's liquid.
It goes on very smoothly and the texture is silky and creamy. The spongetip applicator doesn't get right down to the lashline, so you'll want to use a brush to blend it down if that's the look you're going for. There can be quite a bit of fallout from these as well, so beware of product landing along the top of your cheekbone. This can be remedied by waiting until after to apply your foundation or by patting a line of loose powder along the top of your cheekbones to catch any fallout. You can also start with a little product and build it up and apply gently to minimize the fallout.
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| Another angle |
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| Buffed down with my finger |
As I said, it can be blended with a brush or a finger so that it's less metallic and harsh. The above photo is after I've buffed it right down with my finger and you can see it's still got the shine and colour, but it's more like a normally shiny eyeshadow.
My verdict? I'm drawn to shine like a magpie but it can be difficult to wear. Shine picks up every little bump and crevice as you can see in the swatches above. You can see all the little lines and crevices on the skin on my hand. It will do the same on your lids, so be aware. Many make-up artists will recommend that older women should stay away from this much shine, simply because it picks up on wrinkles and lines that normally should be minimized, so this is a look for someone with smooth eyelids.
For me, I'll wear this in moderation and pair it with other shadows such as in a brown smoky eye.
What do you think? Has anyone picked up one of Bare Escentuals High Shine Eyecolours? Love it? Hate it? How do you wear it?
C.