Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Bobbi Brown Nude Glow Shimmer Brick for Holiday 2013

I am a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick addict. There isn't one I haven't loved, and I've purchased every one of them - ever. I have a little museum of Shimmer Bricks at my home.

As you might imagine, I was thrilled when I saw the advance publicity for Bobbi Brown's limited-edition Nude Glow Shimmer Brick ($45) for Holiday 2013. It offers four distinct colors and the lure of a mixture of all four shades. While it doesn't offer the traditional stripes, it does offer great choices for individual colors - unlike the Party Shimmer Brick for 2011. It was nice, but can't hold a candle to this beauty. I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus.

Give the gift of "glow" with this limited-edition Shimmer Brick - sure to make faces light up instantly. A shimmering quartet of pearlescent colors highlight the skin for lit-from-within luminescence (think of it as candlelight in a compact). Each shade also doubles up as an eye shadow.

I have to tell you upfront that this new Shimmer Brick is even more luscious than it looks in photos. I am smitten and fighting the urge to buy another, maybe two more. I want to break my "no back-up rule" so badly.

I took swatch photos of each shade, starting with the gold at the top left and moving clockwise. I swatched the individual shades with a sponge-tipped applicator. Then, using what was left of my arm below the elbow, I applied a large swatch of all four shades blended with a very dense blush brush. My photos were taken in very full sunlight.

I think every shade in Nude Glow is a shimmering treasure.  The burnished gold at the top of my arm is a perfect gold for the holiday season - or anytime you want to look like a golden goddess. What most surprised me was that the shade next to it in the top row, which appeared pink, is really rose gold. Holy moly, I hit the jackpot. I wasn't expecting rose gold, one of my very favorite shades, and I got it.

The next shade down on my arm is champagne in color. Perhaps a very light rose champagne. I mixed it with the rose gold shade and the result was magnificent. The hybrid brown-rose shade at the bottom of my arm is just as pretty as the other three. As I write, I'm "this close" to ordering my second Nude Glow. I'm on a slippery slope.

The photo above shows all four shades blended evenly together and applied heavily. The result is hard to describe. Is it a brown-toned rose gold? How would you describe it? Whatever words you use, it's really pretty.

Here are Bobbi Brown's tips for application...
Sweep the Face Blender Brush through all four shades of Shimmer Brick Compact and dust lightly on cheekbones after blush. Focus on applying shimmer on the top of cheekbones - where light naturally hits the face - for the most flattering look. To add a highlight to your eyes, use your fingertips to apply the lightest shade in the compact just under the brow bone.

Fingertips? Limited to the brow bone? How boring! Each of these shades looks fabulous on my lids below the crease.

I love the look of Bobbi Brown's compacts when this logo is used. It looks classy to me.

You can find the Bobbi Brown Nude Glow Shimmer Brick for Holiday 2013 on Bobbi's Web site and at all Bobbi Brown counters. I'm sure it's available online at all corresponding online retailers, such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

Photo at top courtesy of Bobbi Brown; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey CG,
This is gorgeous did you by any chance see the sequin eye shimmer brick with this collection? Would to know your thoughts .

Charlestongirl said...

Yes, Melissa, I think it's way too similar to prior eye Shimmer Bricks. Like a double-dup.

Anonymous said...

Wow this is stunning! It will definitely be mine :) thanks for the swatches CG!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for getting this and sharing the swatches with us! I've been waiting for a swatch. It's gorgeous and helped me with my purchasing decision as I LOVE rose gold as well!

jessigreer said...

Gorgeous…and not like any shimmer bricks I already own. I wish I hadn't seen this post lol…I had actually seen this at the counter and almost purchased it but thought it would be too similar to those in my collection. It definitely isn't, off to Nordstrom I go…Your pictures are beautiful.

Christina said...

Hi Charleston Girl!

Thanks for the swatches! I've been waiting patiently, as I knew you'd pick this up.

Being so far, do you think you'll be able to wear this on your cheeks, or will it look a little muddy? I am fair as well, though I have a more yellow/olive tone to my skin. Still, bronze tones on my cheeks always look muddy!

Very pretty, though! And I agree with you regarding the eye shimmer brick: very similar to the last one!

Anonymous said...

That's shimmery alright! Thanks for the swatches.

Lea said...

Did you happen to see and try the new eye shadow sticks? They may not be out yet, and I'm partial to the gold and the bronze over the tuxedo black. This sh. brick is GORGEOUS and I can not wait to get my hands on it! And, like you, maybe 2!! :) Have a lovely day! Thanks for swatching!

Unknown said...

I love Rose Gold too. I'm in. Thanks for the swatches.

VancouverChic said...

Hi ya CG,
I'm a Bobbi Brown girl too, but have only one shimmer brick - one of the first ones. This one looks like a stunner. Funny I see using it as eye shadows even more. Have you seen the Twilight Pink Lip & Eye Palette? Will you be doing swatches of this palette by chance? I am looking to give it as a birthday present to a g/f.
Thank you for the awesome swatches. I think this one is going to come home with me too!
Warm Regards,
Joanne ~ VancouverChic

Anonymous said...

Like others, I have been waiting to see swatches and reviews of this amazing product. So delighted that the individual shades are so wearable for eyes and I too love the rose gold. Definitely a back up required for this beauty! Now, off to see how I can include this in my beauty budget after already spending a small fortune on Guerlain holiday and other brands!

Niki

Charlestongirl said...

Joanne,

I have seen everything. I'm sorry to report that I have BB palette fatigue, so I don't plan to buy or swatch any of the lip or eye palettes. Sorry!

Charlestongirl said...

Lea, the sticks are gorgeous!

angusmum1 said...

I am really wanting this after seeing the swatches and I can honestly say I don't have one at all like this sooo.. hopefully Sephora will hAVE IT. Thanks for the great swatches, a true decision maker esp with this type of product

Sandra Sallin said...

How do you feel about women of a certain age wearing all that shimmer? I mean I'm 73. Wouldn't I look silly?

Anonymous said...

Would your recommend this over the bronze shimmer brick? I usually use the bronze color and I am in need of a new one and debating if I should get this one instead. Thanks!

Charlestongirl said...

Sandra, I feel we should go for it. On the eyes under the crease. On the cheekbones or other places, worn lightly. Keep it away from wrinkles (er, expression lines).

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Anonymous,

Yes. More versatile.