bareMinerals Return to Radiance AD Shipment 3

I'm sorry that I've been MIA this week - I've been fighting off a cold, so I've been really tired and cranky.

But few things make me feel better than some new makeup, so it was perfect timing when my UPS guy showed up with the third installment of the bareMinerals Return to Radiance TSV from QVC on Monday.

Well, the Nyquil definitely helped too.

Before I get into specifics on the kit, I just wanted to explain that I'm going to change the way I do these posts about future TSV installments.  Instead of giving an item by item review of the entire kit like I would with a new TSV, I'm just going to focus on the new products or shades. 

I feel like this makes the most sense - I do these posts even though most of the AD kits aren't available for sale because I know that some TSV shoppers postpone delivery of their AD kits so they can check out the new shades online and see if they like them.  It only follows that the new products/shades are the ones to focus on.

In some cases (like with this AD set), some of the products are also available for sale on their own so there's value in doing swatches and giving my opinion on them. 

I'm also going to try to limit my commentary on a product's general formula and stick to the specific shade include in the kit - maybe it's just me, but I feel like I repeat myself constantly, babbling about how much I like these Marvelous Moxie glosses or how fabulous the Ready Blushes are, and I really don't want to bore anyone.

In the future, if I don't discuss a product's formula in general terms, it probably means that I've discussed it previously so you can just go back and check an earlier post. Of course, if a product's formula seems to change with the shade, I'll certainly mention it.

Whew.  A lot of introduction, I know.  I hope you're still with me.

Like the previous Return to Radiance installments, the kit includes eight products:

• Prime Time Neutralizing Foundation Primer
• bareMinerals Original Foundation 
• bareMinerals Concealer
• Prime Time Primer Shadow in Champagne Toast
• Ready Blush in The Close Call
• Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Smooth Talker
• Soft Focus Face Brush
• Fast & Flawless Blending Brush

From l. to r.: Fast & Flawless Blending Brush, Soft Focus Face Brush, Prime Time Neutralizing Foundation Primer, bareMinerals Concealer in Bisque (top), bareMinerals Original Foundation in Fair

 
The Prime Time Primer Shadow in Champagne Toast is a pretty golden brown, almost bronze shade. It's not a terribly unique color - I have several cream shadows that are similiar - but it's one that I use often because it's easy to wear and really flatters blue eyes.

bareMinerals Prime Time Primer Shadow in Champagne Toast

bareMinerals Prime Time Primer Shadow in Champagne Toast

I have noticed that Champagne Toast seems to wear better on its own than the Prime Time Primer Shadows, Nude Glow and Cameo Pink, that came in previous kits. Those two are fairly sheer, so they seem to fade by the end of the day if I don't layer a powder shadow on top.  Because Champagne Toast is a darker, more opaque shade, it lasts much longer. 

The Ready Blush in The Close Call is bronze taupe shade. I was a little put off when I first saw it in the pan because it looked pretty dark and... well, brown. 

But actually, it's somewhat similiar in color to the Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed. Exposed definitely has rosy undertones, while The Close Call is an orange-based shade. However, on the cheeks they look pretty much the same - really pretty and natural.

bareMinerals Ready Blush in The Close Call

bareMinerals Ready Blush in The Close Call

bareMinerals Ready Blush in The Close Call

It's probably not a color that I would have picked out myself, but it's actually one that I think I'll use pretty often.

The Close Call is available for purchase on its own anywhere that BE products are sold. It retails for $22.

The Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Smooth Talker is a lovely golden pink shade with subtle gold shimmer.  It appears slightly brighter in the photos than it actually is - it's a soft pink that would work for virtually any skin tone as an everyday lip color.

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Smooth Talker

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Smooth Talker

You can also purchase Smooth Talker on its own at BE retailers. It retails for $18.

I'm very happy with all of the new shades, but I'm kind of sad the AD was over.  I wouldn't mind getting a few more of the Ready Blushes.

Yes, I know I'm a total glutton.

Do any of these shades grab you?