Sunday, September 27, 2015

Power Glow

When mega Youtuber Jaclyn Hill collaborated with Becca, releasing a limited edition shade of their Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed called Champagne Pop, the frenzy was real. As a makeup junkie, there was no way I was missing out. I briefly contemplated using Shop and Box, but was holding out for a better option. Thankfully, Becca decided to release a limited quota of Champagne Pop to Australian customers through their local online stockists. (I'm not sure if they have any plans for it to be sold at Sephora stores in Sydney.) I pre-ordered mine on 13 July, paying $60.01 with $6.95 shipping and using a $5 off first order code. Delivery time was estimated to be mid-August, but the shipment was delayed and arrived 9 September. That was kind of disappointing, since I was already planning on going to the States from 29 August to 12 September, and knew I'd most likely to be able to buy Champagne Pop there. But in any event, I was just glad when it finally arrived safe and sound.









Becca Champagne Pop


l-r: Dior Amber Diamond, Charlotte Tilbury Highlight, Becca Champagne Pop, theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer, Stila Kitten


I'd never owned any of Becca's powder highlighters before, though I've been tempted by the lightest shade Moonstone. The popular Opal seemed a bit too dark and orangey for my tastes, and the other colours like Rose Gold and Topaz looked more like shimmery blushes than highlighters. Jaclyn Hill describes Champagne Pop as her "dream shade", and from early reviews and swatch comparisons, it was apparently a cross between Moonstone and Opal. Makes sense to me, since I'd always thought it strange there was such a huge jump from the pale Moonstone to the noticeably darker, warmer Opal.

The texture of these highlighters is very soft, smooth and almost creamy, similar to theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer. It's incredibly pigmented that you only need a light touch for BAM! HIGHLIGHT. It's one of those products where the brush you use becomes very important in not overdoing it. I've been reaching for the long, small and fluffy Burberry Eye Brush - Socket Line No.09 to apply Champagne Pop to my cheekbones and brow bone. It probably doesn't give as much precision as I'd like, but it limits the placement of the product and diffuses the edges so the highlighter isn't so stark and prominent on the face.

I do find because it packs such a punch and is so reflective, if the brush has too much product, it can feel and apply in a slightly gritty and chunky way. To avoid that, I'd be mindful to use a small amount each time, not overloading the brush, applying the highlighter precisely and lightly to the skin, and going over the edges of where it's placed with a clean brush to softly blend it out into the surrounding skin. I sometimes even pat the highlighter with my finger to take off excess product and gently work it into the skin more.

Colour-wise, it's a peachy gold. Compared with other high end powder highlighters I have, Dior Amber Diamond (all shades blended together) is more pinky orange, Charlotte Tilbury Highlight (in the Filmstar Bronze & Glow) is more beige/champagne, theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer is the most similar in terms of texture and pigmentation but champagne in colour, while Stila Kitten is a silvery rose gold. On my skin, Champagne Pop leans more yellow than peach, but overall translates as a relatively pale neutral gold.

It has this strong metallic smell reminiscent of cheaper eyeshadows made in China, which I wasn't expecting. Of course, it doesn't affect performance, but is one thing I noticed that I haven't heard anyone mention. I also don't think this is the most finely milled highlighter I've tried. If anything, Champagne Pop does lean more shimmery than sheeny, but I guess that's the tradeoff for mega effect. I find the Highlight shade in Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow to be superior and better quality, but Champagne Pop is still a product I'm happy to have. I'm not sure if anything can outdo it for pronounced glow, and sometimes, you just want to shine — loudly, obnoxiously and unapologetically.

38 comments:

  1. The highlighter looks gorgeous! So pigmented! This is definitely on my wishlist xx

    Check out my blog <3 | ANASOFIACHIC
    @anasofiachic

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have yet to try out Becca's products but I've seen people getting really excited with this one. If I'm not mistaken, Anna from Vivianna does Makeup even ordered it before her trip to the US.
    I don't tend to use to much highlighter - specially on a daily basics - but I would probably pass this one. For some reason Charlotte Tilbury's and TheBalm's fit a little bit more my taste.
    But for now, I'm probably going to invest on the new Kiko highlighter and on the Innisfree and TonyMoly highlighter ( who can't resist the cuteness of Korean beauty?)

    Take care, have a nice day!

    RandomlyDi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Champagne Pop does seem to have caused quite a bit of buzz - I think Vivianna even bought 2?! Lol. It isn't the most subtle of highlighters and leans pretty peachy if you're fair - so Mary-Lou or the CT might be a better option for something more champagne or refined :)

      Delete
  3. YES. Shine on girl. Shine on. I don't like chunky highlights but I do love glaringly obvious ones. Like BAM WHERE ARE THE PAPARAZZI'S AT?!??! TAKE MY PICTURE!?!?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha yeah, sometimes you just want your highlight to announce itself. There's a moment for shy, subtle highlighting, and then there's moments when you want maximum impact.

      Delete
  4. gUH. IT'S SO GORGEOUS. I was so close to buying it off RY/lipstick republic but by the time I'd made up my mind it was sold out :(( As much as I want it, I can't be bummed to go through a parcel forwarding company. I'm just holding out hope that it'll still be in Sephora by the time I go to the US in February! pls. Otherwise I'll probs cave and get Opal/Moonstone eventually.

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who knows, it may still be there! There were plenty when I went and you'd think Becca would want to ride that cash cow for as long as possible :p In any event, I do think either Moonstone or Opal would do the trick if you can't get your hands on Champagne Pop. Going through parcel forwarding would just make it way too expensive for what it is, especially if you can get the same product but in a different, still good shade.

      Delete
  5. Wow that highlighter is intense!! the shade does remind me a bit of The Balm Mary lou minizer though. I'm not sure whether this one will be good for me as I don't really like intense highlighters as they tend to emphasise my pores.. Mary Lou is already the most intense I can handle. xD
    Tbh, I didn't know who Jaclyn Hill was at the first time and had never watched her videos either, lol I must have lived under the rock xD.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, that's understandable. There are so many YouTubers with absolutely massive (we're talking at least 2 million subscribers) followings, but I haven't ever heard of them. Jaclyn Hill seems to be most popular in the US since that's where she's based. I only started watching her this year I think ... at first I glanced through her channel and found her makeup approach to be a bit too overdone and pronounced, but she's grown on me hugely. I think she's very enjoyable to watch.

      Mary-Lou is about the same intensity as Champagne Pop, just a different colour. Both are innnntense!

      Delete
  6. Ooo this is very pretty. It's actually very similar to the ABH 'So Hollywood' illuminator.

    Emily x
    www.britishbeautyaddict.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They'd probably be similar! Though ABH looks a bit more yellow than peachy. I would love to try their highlighters - the packaging is so pretty.

      Delete
  7. This highlight is so pretty. I still have the will power to stop myself from buying this highly-raved product. I have their rose gold skin perfector and quite enjoy it. But mine cracked a while ago and I read a lot of people have the same problem with this. Wonder if it is the formula or just the packaging.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you mean the pressed version as well? I'm not sure, but I heard their liquid illuminators have a cap that's susceptible to breakage/cracking.

      Good on you for resisting hyped products! Sometimes it is so easy to get lost in the newest "it" product without fully assessing its merits or comparing it to what you already have.

      Delete
  8. It's so stunning but I've decided to skip on it simply because I very much doubt it will work on my fair skin tone. Stunning nonetheless though! x
    Beauty Wanderer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It probably might be a bit too orangey/peachy for fair/pale skin tones, but I can see it working if lightly/gently applied and blended out well. It definitely packs a punch in terms of glow though!

      Delete
  9. It's strange Becca isn't available around our Australian stores more as I'd heard it's an Australian brand! I'm not sure that's true nowadays, but the founder is a Perth make-up artist!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True - I think most people in the US might not even realise Becca is an Australian brand. It's funny how they've really taken off in recent years, probably in no small part to Jaclyn Hill raving about their highlighters. They were always known for their cult Shimmering Skin Perfectors (I heard makeup artists speak highly of them long before YouTube really took off) but I don't think for all that much else. I remember they used to be stocked in David Jones but probably didn't sell all that well. At least not on par with comparable higher end makeup brands stocked in department stores. Just my guess though, since DJs pulled the plug on stocking them - though they've now found an exclusive home at Sephora.

      Delete
  10. I don't think this would work for me because I'm too pasty & pale, ha! But it looks amazing on you, seriously. Becca products always seem so beautiful to me, from their packaging to the actual product.

    Sofia | palelily.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sofa :) I haven't delved too much into Becca but their products do seem to be more and more popular with beauty enthusiasts. Their packaging is fairly distinctive as well. These pressed highlighters are distinctly UFOs haha

      Delete
  11. I've had this one for a while now (I caved and went for Shop & Box when it launched because I have no control) and I've been absolutely loving it! But I do know what you mean about it looking a little too shimmery and not quite sheeny at times. I always take my time blending it out with a fluffy brush to make sure it's not too much like a line down my cheekbone.

    Ash / The Beauty Collection

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You kind of have to do that otherwise it can get to be too much. I've been trying to dip just the tip of my brush into the product and then gently/lightly apply and blend it out. What brush are you using to apply Champagne Pop?

      Delete
  12. It looks so pretty and I've heard so many people love this. I don't know if I will get my hands on it but it does seem like a beautiful highlight shade.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale |

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a popular choice given the buzz around its release! I think it's a good pick for those that were interested in the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed but weren't 100% committed to either Opal or Moonstone.

      Delete
  13. I've been eyeing Champagne Pop and after reading so many amazing reviews it makes me want it even more!

    Brunette-ish

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That can happen - every time you read/hear/see more about a hyped product, it just makes you want it more! :p

      Delete
  14. Moonstone in pressed powder formula still would be my choice if I'm to splurge on highlighter. Champagne Pop looks quite yellow from where I see it. I think it makes an interesting addition to your already pretty highlighter collection. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Champagne Pop is quite yellow, though not as cray cray as something like NARS Albatross (or its cheaper cousin, Essence eyeshadow in Mystic Lemon). I don't really have anything 100% like it. I'm just glad it's not silvery (pet peeve). I do think Moonstone is very pretty! If I couldn't get my hands on Champagne Pop, I would've opted for Moonstone instead :)

      Delete
  15. It's interesting how different shades can show on different people - I find Opal a really perfect neutral shade that's not too pink or too gold. Having said that I'm still dying to get hold of Champagne Pop! xx

    Jasmine Talks Beauty | High-End Palette Giveaway

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad Moonstone works really well for you! I think it might be on the paler side for me, but I'd probably still be able to pull it off. Who knows, I may end up picking it up sometime in the future. Though I am drawn more to Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight.

      Delete
  16. I love this highlighter! However, I do have to say that because of how fair my skin is, it looks straight up gold/champagne sometimes so I have to be very light handed with it. Looks gorgeous on you!

    xoxo
    http://www.hellohimawari.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you love the highlighter, despite needing to work a bit more for it to look not too stark against your skin tone. And thanks! :)

      Delete
  17. HOLY COW this is so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really like the beautiful shimmers. It looks beautiful against your skintone :)


    www.pinklavenders.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thanks! It is certainly a strong highlight with a very prominent golden tone :)

      Delete
  18. It looks so pretty in the swatches. I'm glad you compared it to other highlighters because I wasn't sure how orange this might be. It's not, I see. Very pretty x

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've heard so much about Champagne Pop online! It really swatches up beautifully and I'm a little disappointed that I didn't add it to my collection when it came out. I've got Moonstone and it's definitely my favourite highlighter at the moment :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Champagne Pop seems pretty expensive, but I'm glad you found it worth it! It definitely packs a punch, and would be perfect for one of those special nights. I haven't done too much with highlighting as I'm always worried all rub it all over the place, but it really brings out your cheekbones!

    Angelina Is | Bloglovin'

    ReplyDelete
  21. I follow Jaclyn on Youtube and I am happy for her success :)
    This is a STUNNING highlighter :)
    It would look amazing under the browbone too :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...