Back when I reviewed Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Illuminating Powder in “Buff,” I told you I was already planning to buy “Golden” as well. My thought was that Golden would make a nifty, sheer, summer bronzer or touch-up palette. And here’s the truth: Golden actually does work for me as a pseudo-bronzer.
Before moving onto the swatches I want to talk generally about this product. By now Nude Finish Illuminating Powder is available at many major department stores, and of course, at bobbibrowncosmetics.com, for $50. (*That is an affiliate link, as are the other links in this post.* But note that I chose and bought these powders myself with no direction from affiliate.)
The first thing I like about Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Illuminating Powder is the packaging, which I discussed back in the Buff post. The compact has the typical feel of a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick or a Brightening Brick, also with the built in mirror. But notice the beige color of the compact. I’ve come to expect these quality mirrored compacts from Bobbi, but I still wanted to mention it for those newer to the brand.
I’ve read a couple of reviews about the Nude Finish Illuminating Powder that sort of made me chuckle and scratch my head: reviewers have said they didn’t get enough color or coverage from this powder. I think those people are completely misunderstanding what this new powder is meant to do. This isn’t foundation, concealer, or blush. This palette is for illuminating (similar to highlighting or even strobing).
You have a lot of control over how you do the illuminating. You can use a lot of shimmer by guiding your face brush to the most shimmery of the six sections. Or you can swirl your brush around and use all six. Try using this on your cheek bones first. Experiment!
I can imagine myself taking this compact along on a hot summer day, and using a finger to target one color or another for a spot touch-up. Just because the colors are sheer does not mean they aren’t powerful when used correctly. I can also see myself using this as an eye shadow palette when and if I ever decide to “pack light” for a trip (it’s about time I did).
Now on to the two shades I have. Golden and Buff are very different. It’s not just that Golden is the next shade darker from Buff. Golden is a truly warm colored palette when compared to Buff. You can really see this when you look at these swatches on my arm.
Next are photos of the powders on my face, in natural light. Note that I purposely put nothing on my face before applying these. I am wearing no base, primer, tinted moisturizer (or any eye makeup), etc., so you can see just the powders against my skin.
I didn’t target any of the sections when I applied the powder. For each one I swirled around a face blender brush and collected all of the different pigments.
So, after swatching Golden on one cheek and Buff on the other, and taking pictures, I evened out the colors and went on with my day. I just added some eyeliner and mascara, and Nourishing Lip Color in Ballerina Pink, and I felt pretty. Nope, I didn’t even add blush or bronzer!
So, in conclusion, I really like the Nude Finish Illuminating Powders I have. I wish I could play around with all of the shades and not just these two, but, sigh, I would need to have a Bobbi Brown counter nearby…
Please tell me what you think if you’d tried on these powders. If you haven’t tried them yet, do you think you will? Or what finishing powders do you like? Especially for the warmer summer months, what do you use?
Talk to you soon!
-JGG
–The product or products featured in this post were chosen, purchased, and paid for in full by me, Jackie, the author of posts for CosmeticHaulic.com. Please note that this post contains an affiliate link or links that direct you to a third party site where you may make a purchase or transact business . Arising out of that third party purchase I may receive a commission, not visible to you. For more information please see this page, or email [email protected].–