March 5, 2012

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder Review & Swatches

Call it a highlighter, call it a finishing powder, call it a face brightener, call it an eyeshadow…Bobbi’s new Brightening Finishing Powder is a multitasking little demon that does a little bit of everything plus it comes in stunning packaging to really get you excited.

Released with the new Brightening Nudes Collection this little powder promises to brighten up your complexion and than some.

Take a look!

Well, wow…I’m more than a little excited about the packaging on the new Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder. Bobbi’s released plenty of drool worthy limited edition pieces but she rarely ventures outside her comfort zone with packaging and prefers to stick to her basic black compacts. Sometimes, occasionally, rarely she’ll throw us some cute packaging quirks like the recent ones you’ve seen during her Nudes & Neon and Tortoise Shell Collection releases.

But elegant? Well, you’ll see plenty of elegant in her makeup but her packaging remains for the most part basic and simple. However, with the new Brightening Finishing Powder she went with the big guns. This comes in a lovely silver mirrored compact and even has its own little velvet sleeve to store it in. How’s that for elegant?

This is a sheer, silky powder that features six shades of luminous color that work blended together to illuminate areas of your face for a natural, brightened finish. The pastel variations of pink, taupe, cream, and beige are a bit intimidating at first but actually work well together to create an overall radiance that brightens up dull skin while casting an ethereal glow.

Results are on the sheerer side so you won’t notice the glow under the harsher lights of your bathroom vanity or bedroom mirror however step into the sunlight and you’ll definitely see a lovely little glow on face that gives the appearance and illusion of brighter skin.

The powder can safely be used all over your face (not just on cheek bones) without looking glittery or shimmery. It’s a super silky, fined milled powder that has a soft, weightless feel which will set makeup beautifully on drier or combo skin (someone with more oily skin will want something a bit more mattifying). It doesn’t cast an eerie glow nor does it have a white cast so virtually any skin tone can get away with this one. You’ll notice the “glowing” effect more so on olive or darker tones where as with lighter skin you’ll notice a subtle brightening effect that eases dullness. You’ll see in my swatches a fine hint of shimmer is evident. However, that sparkle doesn’t run straight through the powder as it does have a very subtle layer of sparkle over the top but after a few uses this disappears. Granted, the powder does have a hint of shimmer but nothing as dramatic as what you see swatched below, refer to the second photo for the best idea of the finish.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder is a unique little product that promises brighter skin and delivers. The effects are subtle so if you’re expecting a full highlighting effect this might disappoint however if you’re seeking a hybrid product that works as a highlighting and a finishing powder in one this does just that. Multitask with it as a shadow as well or to highlight your brow bone area.

Note: I’m wearing the powder in my photo below but it’s very difficult to pick up how it looks on camera.

I liked this one a lot! So much so I ended up purchasing a back up.

Muse Approved for purchase.

Available now at your favorite Bobbi Brown counter or online at bobbibrown.com

Did you purchase it?

Love it?

Tried it at your local counter?

What did you think?

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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

  • Bee

    woww you look so cute in the pic 🙂 I guess the powder makes you look more healthy and glowy 😀
    Im so putting this on my list!!

  • Noelle

    I need to check this out in person.

    I bought the Rose Gold shimmer brick,that I’ve yet to use. I think I have buyers remorse. lol.

  • Nancy

    I was going to pass on this because of the amount of product I already own ……… but you are making me want it.

  • S

    So pretty, Muse! What are you wearing on your lips? It’s a beautiful color!!

    • the Muse

      ah one of the new clarins glosses I reviewed recently s! thanks for noticing 🙂

  • midori

    Hmm…I find the normal SBs to be too shimmery for my taste but this seems right up my alley. Alas, the price!
    Thanks for the review: )

    • the Muse

      my pleasure midori, alot less shimmery than sbs that’s for sure 😀

  • Miriam

    I’ve been looking for an all over brightening powder/highlighter without all the high shine of glitter/shimmer. I have medium to dark olive skin tone, do you think this could work as an all over color? Do you have any other recommendations?

  • Pau

    ohh it looks so pretty in the case! are youwearing it on your cheeks as blush? or on the entire face as a regular powder?

    • the Muse

      hi pau no I’m wearing blush under the powder on my entire face 🙂

  • sierrablue

    I purchased this one (remember, my last purchase before lent started) and love it. It is very subtle but makes me glow, I don’t have any regrets.

  • Mary The Muse Militant

    You definitely have that glow going on Muse. The powder looks amazing. I just checked the Bobbi Brown site and it’s there. I don’t need but I WANT!!

  • Shayne A

    Musey, you look amazing Love!!! Look at you, all dewyglowybrightfresh. This is the first I’ve heard about this powder, but now that I’ve seen how gorgeous you are, I want to be that gorgeous too. I couldn’t find the price in your post, but I will stop by my BB counter at my local Nordstrom’s and pick this up.
    BTW, what blush are you wearing? I love it!!
    How have you been??

    • the Muse

      aw thanks shayne you’re too kind! far from gorgeous ;-D It’s $50 the blush is Jill Stuart Aurora sadly dc 🙁 I’m GREAT 🙂 how are you!? Happy Weekend!

  • milktea

    It looks lovely on you! 🙂 Wish they had included the Asia ‘exclusive’ Bright Pearl highlighting powder compact in their US release!

  • Cathy

    How does this BB Brightening Powder compare to Hourglass Ambient Powders?