August 24, 2010

Sofina Aube Couture Designing Highlight Review

A few years ago I purchased Laura Mercier Brightening Powder and hated it. Honestly, this stuff was pointless to me. I’m not sure what I was expecting but I ended up not liking it at all.

Flash forward a year or so later and it started to become my right hand lady to use in conjunction with my concealer. Go further forward and Bobbi Brown’s Concealer Palette had a similar white powder which became a fast friend of mine.

And finally present day you’ll find me toting around Skin Food Salmon Dark Circle Powder, it’s my HG (holy grail).

Moral of the story? I’ve gotten older and appreciate brightening powders in a major way. They not only set concealer but they really do brighten up the eye area and create a more flawless finish under my eyes. Granted, in my opinion, if you’re younger you might not experience the same results but if you’re in your late 20’s, 30’s or older, a brightening powder is essential to have in your beauty arsenal in my opinion.

Most recently Sofina Aube Couture Designing Highlight crossed my path. I’m a fond fan of Japanese brand, Aube, so I was all about trying out their brightening powder….

Jump!


A brightening powder that can be used under your eyes to brighten eyes up and set concealer!


Aube is a Japanese brand not sold within the US, they are a branch off brand from the Sofina “empire”. Some of you probably commonly associate the Sofina brand name with the long gone, beloved, Raycious. Aube was a pretty classy brand but in recent years they have become even more so sporting metallic pink casing that’s very pretty and sturdy. Mind you Aube can be purchased in Japanese drugstores so you can see not only the quality of the product but also the superior packaging versus what you can buy in a US drugstore.

Now the powder is interesting…at first I thought I was going to hate it but it grew on me quickly. The powder has a hint of pale pink, a tiny smidge of shimmer, and a white base. Don’t let the pink or the shimmer throw you off because for all terms it basically acts like Laura’s Brightening Powder but has a more finer, flawless finish.

The powder comes housed in the new pink compacts from Aube. Very pretty as I mentioned above and quite sturdy enough to travel with. It also comes with a rather fabulous brush which literally folds out to a full flat end size. I got a super kick out of the brush but felt it was completely useless in the long run.

The powder itself can be used to set and brighten. To use I simply apply my concealer and swipe the powder on top using a bushy blending style brush from Bobbi Brown which was included with my concealer palette. It not only sets my concealer for all day wear but it also brightens my eyes up and makes them look less tired, less puffy, and just generally more lively and awake.


I love the brush! It’s such a cute idea but I find it pointless plus it doesn’t work that great for buffing the powder so I do highly suggest using some sort of eyeshadow blending brush that’s bushy for application.

Sadly, as mentioned, Aube is sold exclusively in Japan so this could prove a little difficult to locate online for a reasonable price. E-bay and online shops tack $10-$20 on retail prices however with careful hunting around you can get a deal!

  • Anyone who has dark circles and feels concealer just isn’t doing the job (brightening powder can def blur imperfections such as fine lines, dark circles, etc…)
  • Anyone who wants a fine, silky powder to set concealer!
  • Anyone with tired, puffy eyes (this can liven things up considerably!)

  • Anyone not interested in online shopping (you’ll have to purchase this online as it’s not something available in store).


I highly recommend checking this one out particularly if you suffer from finer lines, puffiness, and/or dark circles. The powder really does a great job of brightening things and gives the appearance of more flawless you. I purchased this directly from Japan for 2,600 yen/around $30 USD. It’s worth it in my opinion as it works quite well. It’s not taking the place of my Skin Food powder however it’s a close second.� If tracking this down sounds unappealing you can always indulge in Benefit Camouflage Powder, not as good, but a great second choice!

Likey very much!

If this post interested you, you might wish to explore more Aube. Visit there site at www.sofina.co.jp

Muse Approved for purchase!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Eve

    Lol well doi! Now I see them! They must of not have loaded earlier…yeah, we’ll say that. :p

    • the Muse

      lol eve…confused…… 😀 I just reloaded it and I see them?! glad you see ’em!

  • Lindsay

    That is one unique brush! Too bad it doesn’t work well..

    Muse, perhaps Eve means swatches? Like on your hand?

    • the Muse

      too transparent to swatch Lindsay sadly 🙁 sigh. but perhaps yes that’s what she meant? 😀

  • Eve

    No no, it’s fine now. 🙂 For some reason the pictures in the package didn’t load earlier. Either that or I was too eager and scrolled down too quickly!

    • the Muse

      glad they are there now Eve! :-D!!!!!!! i didn’t swatch btw b/c it swatches transparently!

  • mon

    Wow at that brush! I love packaging and innovative design. I wish US drugstore brands had cuter packaging and cool details like that folding brush. Too bad the brush isn’t practical here. Maybe it’d be better if they had with a blush?

    • the Muse

      mon isn’t the brush kinda freaky cool? 😀 me too sigh. I’d say the brush would be ideal for blush 😀