Currently Obsessed: Becca Champagne Glow Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Palette

Hi, everyone! When a new makeup product becomes an instant sensation, I'm quick to give it a peek, then just as quick to get a bit cynical. I guess I'm a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to new makeup trends- maybe it's because I'm 30+ and have no desire to look like a teenage Instagram model or perhaps it's because I'm a bit reactive to anything that's super mainstream. So when Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop totally blew up earlier this Fall, I raised a skeptical eyebrow. Yes, it looked lovely and the blogger behind its design, Jaclyn Hill, is actually a pretty cool and talented chick. Despite this, I kept my distance. But then friend after friend of mine gushed about it and their gleaming cheekbones were further proof that this was beautiful stuff. So when Becca released its new Champagne Glow Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Palette ($44 CAD) for the holidays, I knew it was finally my time to give in and accept Champagne Pop into my life, along with two other gorgeous highlighters. 

The Champagne Glow palette comes in a (go figure) champagne gold reflective cardboard box with silver and white lettering. The back of the box pictures a photo and message from YouTuber Jaclyn Hill who, as I mentioned, collaborated in the development of the palette. I have watched several of her videos and I know that she's seriously passionate about a good highlighter and seems genuinely thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the brand. 

The palette itself is also champagne gold in colour and has a full-sized mirror, which is quite handy! As you can see, it houses three separate highlighters in separate circular pans. 

When I opened the palette, I was pleasantly surprised that the pans were larger than they appeared in online photos. I thought they would only be about Toonie-sized (sorry, only a reference Canadians will understand), but they are about half-again as big as that. 

The palette contains three distinct shades that are each designed to brighten and add glow to the complexion. The first is Pearl, a new shade to Becca's line. It's a true shimmery ivory white with neither silver nor gold undertones. The second is Champagne Pop, which, as previously mentioned, has been one of the most raved-about products of the year. It's a flattering mid-tone golden peach. The final shade is Blushed Copper, which is another new offering. It's a warm bronzed copper with subtle shades of pink and is clearly the darkest shade among the trio. 

Here are swatches of Pearl, Champagne Pop, and Blushed Copper on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone):

And here I am wearing all three shades from the palette. I am wearing Pearl as a highlight on my brow bones and inner corners of the eye, Champagne Pop on my eyelids and the tops of my nose and cheekbones, and Blushed Copper as a bronzer/blush as well as on the crease of my eyes. 

So what are my thoughts on this palette? In short, it's true love! First off, the texture of the highlighters is beautiful. This is my first Shimmering Skin Perfector and I now realize what all the hype is about. These feel so soft and buttery on the skin and blend like an absolute dream. They are quite pigmented, but can still be buffed in to create a natural finish. No, they are by no means subtle like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, but they certainly can be applied with a light hand for a softer, ethereal finish. Or they can be applied full-force for some serious bling. I am also impressed with this palette because all three shades are incredibly wearable. I was pretty convinced that Champagne Pop would be a hit (and it is), but I was slightly worried that Pearl would be too frosty and Blushed Copper would be too dark for my complexion. Luckily, those fears were totally unfounded. Pearl is totally wearable on my NC15/20 skin tone (read: does not make me look like my face is frost-bitten) and Blushed Copper is completely stunning as a blush/bronzer hybrid. No traces of orange or muddiness at all. I wore all three shades in the look above and felt like a golden goddess. Hard not to love a product that channels a feeling like that!

So while I'm super glad I held out on Champagne Pop and waited for this palette (I'd never finish a full one anyways and am happy to try these two other shades), my experience has reminded me that I shouldn't always be such an old cranky lady when it comes to hyped products. Some of them truly are gems!

Have you tried Champagne Pop or any of Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfectors? Does this palette tempt you? How do you react when a product is super hyped?

Have a fantastic day! xo