bareMinerals Light Show Face Palette

Just a friendly reminder that there's still time to enter my holiday giveaway for the Too Faced Sweet Indulgences Palette.  You can find all the info here. Thanks to everyone who's already entered! 

As I've mentioned a million times before, I'm a big fan of Bare Escentuals' Ready line of pressed products.

Well, except the Ready Foundation. That left me pretty underwhelmed.

But all the other Ready products that I've tried - eye shadows, blushes, eyeliners, highlighters - have been fabulous  - beautifully pigmented, creamy and smooth.

That's why I was really excited to try one of the bareMinerals Ready face palettes.  They came out with three for the holidays - one sold at Sephora, one sold at the BE website and boutiques and one sold at Macy's, Nordstrom's and other department stores that carry BE. I think QVC and Ulta may have similar palettes that are just a bit smaller.

I chose the Light Show Palette, available at BE website and in BE boutiques - mainly because of its gorgeous teal shadow.

Now, when I first saw these palettes, I loved the idea alone - four shadows, a blush, bronzer, separate little gloss and liner, all in one neat little package that is super convenient for travel.

In theory, that's all very true.

However, if I'm honest with myself, this would probably would only get me through a weekend trip. When it comes to both clothing and makeup, I am a chronic overpacker - even if I'm going to be away for three or four days, I need to have plenty of options to choose from.

It's ridiculous.

But that doesn't mean this palette isn't super handy.  I like the idea that I could do my makeup in the morning, toss this in my bag and have everything I need for touch-ups.

And the quality of the products in the palette are just as good as the full size shadows and blushes that you'd buy individually, so BE definitely didn't skimp.

It also comes with a glittery gold pouch that fits the palette, but could serve as a clutch for evenings out.

bareMinerals Light Show Palette (complete w. reflection of a sleeping puppy!) and gold pouch

The Light Show contains The Limelight Ready Blush, a light peach; The High Dive Ready Bronzer (which is available for sale individually), a deep tan; Marvelous Moxie Gloss in Super Power, a shimmery peachy-nude shade; Round the Clock Waterproof Eyeliner in 10 PM, a shimmery cool brown; and four eye shadows - Spotlight, a shimmery cream; Flash, a mauve-y purple; Flicker, a shimmery bronze; and Dazzle, a shimmery deep teal. 

BE Light Show Palette

BE Light Show Palette

The Limelight blush is a beautiful peach shade that looks super natural, but can easily be built up for a bolder look. It's a matte shade too, so you don't have to worry if you have enlarged pores or wrinkles that you don't want to call attention to.

The High Dive Bronzer is definitely a darker shade that I would ever choose for myself, but I find that it works just fine for an overall sun-kissed glow if I use a light hand and a duo-fiber brush. If you have medium to dark skin, I think it would probably be especially pretty.

BE Ready Blush in The Limelight (top) & Ready Bronzer in The High Dive (Bottom)

I love all of the shadows in the palette, but Flicker is probably my favorite. It's kind of an antiqued bronze shade that really brings out the blue in my eyes.  I like to wear it on the lid with Flash in the crease - a surprisingly pretty combination.

Dazzle, the teal shade, is stunning too.  I've worn that on the outer corner with Flicker on the lid and that is pretty fabulous too. Spotlight is a beautifully opalescent shade, but I find that it's a little too shimmery as a brow bone highlight.  I typically use it to brighten the inner corner, though it works well on the lid too.

Top row (l. to r.): Spotlight & Flash; Bottom row (l. to r.): Flicker & Dazzle

You might look at the Round the Clock Eyeliner in 10 PM and think, "A brown liner, big deal.  I've got millions of those..."  (Well, I did anyway.) But it's actually an interesting shade. It's a cool brown with silver micro glitter in it that makes it a little more special than your standard brown liner.

The Marvelous Moxie gloss in Super Power is a pretty peachy shade with tiny gold shimmer so you know I love it.  It's actually got some nude undertones too so it's a great option if you're going for a smoky, heavy eye and want to keep the lips simple. It's a great option if you just want a natural look too.

Marvelous Moxie Gloss in Super Power (top) & Round the Clock Liner in 10 PM (bottom)

All in all, this is a terrific palette. If you travel frequently for work or pleasure, it can be a real space saver.  Just toss some foundation, concealer and a mascara and you have everything you need for a full face. If you go to school or work for long hours, this is an ideal palette for easy touch ups.

I paid $54 dollars for the Light Show, but I saw that the price has recently been reduced on the BE website for $39.  It's a steal at that price - especially when you consider than you'd pay $30 for a Ready quad on its own and you get four shadows and all the other products here.

I definitely recommend giving it a look.

What new palettes have rocked your world lately?