Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors: Comparisons, Swatches, & Application Tips
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector is available in three forms: liquid, cream, and pressed powder. Here’s how I would describe each formula:
- Original (Liquid) has the most slip with a thin, almost water-like consistency that spreads very well over even dry patches and mixes easily with other products (like liquid foundation, moisturizer, etc.). Best for anyone who likes a dewy sheen with less shimmer and visible color, best for all-over luminosity (I prefer mixing in with a liquid foundation). Due to the pump mechanism, it is harder to get a very small amount out (if I want to
- Poured (Cream) has nearly opaque color coverage with a stronger sheen than the liquid version. It has a thin texture that doesn’t feel wet or tacky on the skin, spreads and blends out very well so sheerer coverage is totally possible.
- Pressed (Powder) has nearly opaque color coverage with the strongest sheen and the most noticeable shimmer particles (I wouldn’t describe them as noticeable, only relative to the other two formulations). I find it easiest to over-apply and then have the finish emphasize pores with the powder version.
When deciding, I would think about what types of products you use most often and what level of coverage you would want to have most of the time. If you have drier skin, you may prefer the liquid or cream versions. If you have oilier skin, the cream or powder versions may appeal more. If you don’t like a lot of shimmer or want something that can easily be used all-over, I think the liquid is best. If you love shimmer and the more reflective the better, the powder is an excellent choice. I think the colors are fairly consistent across the board, particularly once applied to the skin, with the liquid versions giving the least amount of color due to their deliberately sheer quality.
- MOONSTONE: The liquid version is the sheerest, while the cream version is slightly yellower and more pigmented than the liquid and powder versions. The powder is the most reflective.
- OPAL: All three are very similar in color, though the powder appears a smidgen darker and has a higher sheen with the most noticeable color.
- PEARL: This is only offered in liquid and cream form at this time. Both versions have identical color to me with the cream version being more pigmented and giving a greater effect on the skin.
- ROSE GOLD: The cream version is slightly darker with a smoother sheen, whereas the liquid and powder versions are nearly the same in color but offer different opacities, and the powder version is more metallic on the skin.
- TOPAZ: The actual color is consistent across all three, but you’ll notice that the cream and powder versions are much, much more intense due to being a lot more pigmented. The cream version offers the smoothest sheen, while the powder version has a more shimmery finish.
Price Comparison
- Original (Liquid) — $41/1.7 fl. oz. or $24.12 per (fluid) ounce.
- Poured (Cream) $38/0.19 oz. or $200.00 per ounce.
- Pressed (Powder) $38/0.28 oz. or $135.71 per ounce.
Application Tips
- Original (Liquid) — I prefer mixing with other products, whether moisturizer or liquid foundation for an all-over glow, usually one pump. For more concentrated application, I’ll try to pump the tiniest amount out and pat over the area with my fingertip, then skim the fingertip in small circles using just the edge of the finger pad (less contact). I’ve used it over and under foundation, but if I’m using it all-over under foundation, I’d rather mix it as I think the results are more cohesive.
- Poured (Cream) — It works well on bare skin or over liquid foundation from my experience. I like using duo fiber or stippling brushes gently swirled in the compact, then lightly patted in three places along the cheek bone for initial lay-down of color, and then blend by swirling in feathery circular motions. Fingertips are also excellent for blending out the color once you’ve applied the initial amount.
- Pressed (Powder) — I reach for my least dense, most feathery brushes for applying these to get more of a luminous sheen of a finish than a really intense metallic sheen. For example, I applied all of the pressed powders with a fan brush for this post. Even a fan brush will still yield color and pigment, but it helps keep the shimmer at a luminous level that doesn’t emphasize pores. If you ever feel like you’ve gone over-board, dust a translucent or setting powder (in your skin tone) over, which will minimize some of the shimmer (and color, if you use a colored powder) but will not take it all away.
Links to Full Reviews
- Original (Liquid) — No reviews yet!
- Poured (Cream) — Moonstone (A-), Opal (A-), Pearl (A-), Rose Gold (A-), Topaz (A)
- Pressed (Powder) — Blushed Copper (A-), Champagne Gold (A), Moonstone (A), Opal (A), Rose Gold (A), Topaz (A)
Becca Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured, Pressed
Becca Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured, Pressed
Becca Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid
Becca Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured
Becca Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
Becca Opal Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured
Becca Opal Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured
Becca Opal Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid
Becca Opal Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured
Becca Opal Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
Becca Pearl Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured, Pressed
Becca Pearl Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured, Pressed
Becca Pearl Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid
Becca Pearl Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured
Becca Rose Gold Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured, Pressed
Becca Rose Gold Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured, Pressed
Becca Rose Gold Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid
Becca Rose Gold Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured
Becca Rose Gold Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
Becca Rose Gold Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed with Translucent Powder
Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured, Pressed
Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector — Liquid, Poured, Pressed
Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid
Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured
Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
AMAZING guide! Thank you so much. I’ve been dying to try them especially the liquid ones xx
Happy to help!
this was such a great post, christine! i know not a lot of people have tested the poured out, but i think this was a great comparision! i need me some moonstone in my life!
Glad I could share!
You’re a genius, thank you so much for this post Christine! So very helpful!
No prob, Agata!
The only thing holding me back from buying the Pearl liquid is that it has mineral oil 🙁 and I have a tendency toward clogged pores. BUT I WANT IT. Sigh.
Aww! 🙁
Does Kevyn Aucoin’s Celestial have any mineral oil? There’s also one by Koh Gen Do that is pretty white like Pearl.
Hi Christine! Which Koh Gen Do product is that? 🙂
Aqua Foundation Illuminator in IL00! I bought mine at 🙂
Will you be reviewing the Koh Gen Do Christine?!!
I don’t have any plans to review it at this time (I’ve had it for a year? or so, and I’ve already shifted it to my backlog), sorry!
Hey again, Christine!….for some reason it won’t let me reply to you last comment so I am doing it here. Understandable, you are working super hard to keep current with all your reviews. That said, would you have any thoughts or impressions of the Koh Gen Do from wearing it throughout the year? I am really trying to wage whether or not I would be better to invest in it over Becca’s formula. Thx! 🙂
Probably too many replies 🙂 (They stop nesting after awhile.) It’s really light on me, so I’d only consider recommending it to someone who is light-medium or lighter (I’m medium). It’s a bit thinner and more water-like, so it is easier to mix it in with products than use it on its own, and it is very subtle. It’s more brightening than illuminating, compared to Becca Pearl.
Really helpful review as thank you for pointing out about the mineral oil. I was on the verge of purchasing moonstone in liquid form but will look elsewhere, as I too get blocked pores & would be cross after forking out £30 for it not to suit my skin
Oh, this is SO helpful!! I was getting so confused over the many options and colors. I have 3 already and have been eyeing Moonstone, it’s so pretty, but it’s usually sold out.
Hopefully you can get Moonstone next!
It took me more than 6 MONTHS to finally track down Moonstone in the Pressed formula, but it was sooo worth it!
I like the mixing with foundation idea for the liquid formulation. Which would you recommend for an East Asian skin tone? I’m debating between Moonstone and Pearl right now.
Moonstone 🙂
pearl is recommended for fair skin tones; moonstones works well light-medium.
This is an amazing cross reference for all of the Becca highlighters! I have the Opal liquid and the Rose Gold powder. I wish Becca would make all the liquid ones available in travel sizes permanently, there’s just so much product it’s hard to ever finish a bottle. It’s nice getting a deluxe sample size of them even because they last so long!
That would be awesome! Do the travel sizes still have a pump? I can’t remember…
unless you are talking about the wands that came out over the holiday, no pump- squeeze tube but it’s a generous amount for travel size
the ones at christmas had a doefoot applicator, which sounds much easier from your description!
No pump, but a squeeze tube! They still contain a lot of product at .68 oz!
I agree. I bought my liquid of opal when they first came out and it is at least 3/4 full. It will probably go bad before I get through half of it! The one I have was when they actually had SPF in them! LOL.. I probably should replace it. But I am not using it for sunscreen in any way and it seems to work just as well as some small trial tubes Ulta gave out at the holidays. I also think they would be easier to store in a smaller size. It would be super nice to half the price and half the size! 🙂
Oh my gosh I’ve just realized mine is 2 years old & contains SPF too! Eep! 😐
I made an account to comment on this post – thank you for creating such a comprehensive post!! Definitely the best Becca highlighter breakdown I have seen yet. I wonder why they don’t make Pearl in a powder?
I can only think that maybe the formula ends up being too white? as a pressed powder, but I have no idea!
That was my thought, as well! The Pressed formula can be sooo intense.
they actually used to have it but discontinued for some reason
How did you know I was in need of a comparison of all the Becca highlighting products? I was just at Ulta yesterday swatching the powders and got so overwhelmed when I realized I had more than just powder options. Now I know I should stay away from the liquid versions, they’re too mellow for me! I love my highlighters, so I think I’ll stick to either the cream/poured or pressed powder versions.
Happy I could help! 🙂
I have to say – I LOVE Becca products. Look at that report card: so many As!! If anyone has oilier skin, try their matte foundation – it’s make such a difference in my life!
What are your favorites besides the matte foundation, Sherry?
Their Resurfacing Primer works really well (one of the best I’ve tried) and I’m a personal fan of The Beach Tint Shimmer Souffles. The Souffles last ages and come in a variety of tints (combining different colors with different finishes: guava/moonstone, fig/opal, papaya/topaz, etc.). I generally don’t like blushes but I love using the beach tints as a pale wash of color with a nice sheen. The Blotting Powder Perfector is next on my list (has great reviews) and then I’m going to try their contour products (after I’m sick of my Anastasia palette lol).
Thank you!! 🙂 Love the Souffles, too!
Thanks for the in-depth comparisons and swatches! I think moonstone might work for me, I hope my local space NK has it so I can try it out.
Also, the colour of rose gold in particular looks so pretty on your skintone!
Thank you, A!
Wow, your reviews are always very in-depth, but this one takes the cake! Great review!
Yay!
I agree! I couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
I am loving this overall review! I would also love to hear your thoughts about the liquid versions. Do you have plans to review them in the future?
Maybe! I’ve had some of them for a year or longer, but they’re just low priority items 🙂
(Pearl says all 3 but there is only 2 products!)
Thank you for this post!!! I thought I wanted the poured of moonstone but the pressed looks a lot better! ❤️
Fixed!
This is awesome Christine! I can tell you put so much hard work into it! I love the Becca luminizers and really, like you, pretty much all quality luminizers! I do have a question regarding the photos of the liquid luminizers. Do you have the product mixed in your base product and applied to your entire face or just on your cheeks? I am wondering if Topaz(liquid) mixed in a foundation would be too brown looking? And How Rose Gold(liquid) mixed would look, too pink/red?
Btw, I noticed you must be testing the IT CC cream..yeah! I just got some last week. I have only worn it a couple times and just for a short amount of time. I can’t wait for your review! I got medium which is a little orangish (or something is weird with the shade) on me and at this point could probably get “Tan” to help that. But, I wanted to make sure I liked it before buying another. But, I haven’t had enough days to be orange,lol.
For the photos in this comparison post, I’ve only applied them on my cheek bone – in the case that it’s a bit more color, it is blended slightly downwards (more like a blush), but I tried to apply all of them as highlighters 🙂
I think you could use either Topaz or Rose Gold mixed in, but you might find you need to use less of both vs. Moonstone!
Ok. Now that I look close I see. your skin just looks so good it really is hard to tell. Hmm.. I have all of them in the poured now minus Pearl which i have in liquid and I like sometime in winter. So, i may try that out eventually in store. But, I am the type of person who would own all of these and every other highlighter in triples if I could. I think my next venture may be the Topaz in pressed because I have wanted that for a long time. But, Since you have posted these reviews, I have been using my liquids a lot more and now am wanting to fill the ones I am missing, Topaz and Rose Gold in liquid too. Thank goodness these are permanent because my dryer decided to go out yesterday . My wallet is seething at me. But, Becca should personally thank you for this extensive review. Excellent job as always! 🙂
LOL! I have a feeling that you will not be able to resist taking Pearl home, to complete the set 😉
Haha! You know me too well! 😀
I (ca. NC 25-30) have mixed Rose Gold into my tinted moisturizer for months now. It gives no discernable colour with a peach coloured, natural tinted moisturizer. I use some extra on the cheekbones, nose, middle of the lip etc.
I was surprised despie the relatively dark look of the product when pumped on the hand, it does not give any pink or red colour. Just a lovely natural sheen. It actually looks more natural on me than Opal, which is good as well.
I definitely need Pearl in both the fluid & Poured formulas!
YAY! 🙂
Your guides rock, Christine! Thanks for taking the time to do them. They’re beyond helpful. I need another highlighter like I need a hole in the head, but seeing these swatches makes me think I need the poured version of whatever shade in my life now!
So glad everyone enjoyed it! 🙂
great article- just wanted to note that the poured version is the most expensive one with only 0.19oz of product… noticed this as this is the reason I haven’t run out to get one yet!
Thank you! I wanted to keep them in the same order, but my brain was calculating them from cheapest to most expensive, lol!
Love the pressed powders as they add a delectable sheen on the cheeks. Everything looks lovely on you Christine.
Thank you for the comprehensive review Christine – it has really helped choose the products we like. It is greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Genevieve! 🙂
You absolutely amazing! The time it must have taken to do this. It is so helpful. I swear you’re psychic there has been more than one occasion that I was considering buying something or was unsure of what color or brand the next thing you know you do a review on it. Lol
funny i got the lowlight/highlight duo today. I’ve been curious about the lowlight and since it has poured opal in it too i can try 2 things at the same time.
just wanted to let u know your appreciated!
Aww! So glad I can help you out from time to time 😀
Let us know how you like the duo!
Great post!but I have naturally “highlighted” cheeks (super shiny/oily) so i have no interest in highlighters. To me highlighters just look how my cheeks look when they are oily, i dont understand the fascination with them
If you were to take a picture of me now, my cheeks would have the exact sheen christines do in all the pics of this thread. Thats how shiny my skin is naturally, i have no makeup on and just took a sweaty nap…not sure why anyone would want to mimic this look
The grass is always greener 🙂
Thank you, Christine! This is very helpful! We appreciate it soooo much! 🙂 ❤
No prob, Chellie! xo
Thank you!!!!
Over the holidays, I bought the “spotlights” set, which had three liquid skin perfectors in tubes with a wand applicator. I really love them. I want more but wasn’t sure what I really wanted. This is so helpful. Rumor is that Sephora has a sale in early April, so I’m hoping to take advantage. I will definitely be getting a poured and a liquid, now to decide what colors!
Hopefully they stick to their regular sale schedule and have one in April!
Thank you so much for this post Christine! I have been having a problem deciding which color to get…and the form!
Have you been able to narrow it down at all? 😉
Oh baby you’re a ROCK STAR! Love this post.
Thanks, Gilbert! 🙂
Great post Christine. I’m a NC50 for reference. I own the pressed powders in Opal, Champagne Gold and Copper. I recently got the poured versions in Rose Gold and Topaz. Didn’t realize I had so many! I like a subtle shimmer. The Becca products are very nice and easy to build up or tone down if necessary.
They’re just too easy to acquire, lol!
Do you find Opal is warming at all or is it mostly sheen? Very curious to hear how it appears on deeper skin than mine! 🙂
Opal is cool toned, but it creates a wonderful sheen on dark skin. I use a fan brush and apply very lightly. I love golds and coppers, but Opal is a nice diversion (ha,ha).
Nice 😀
This is a great post! I have been a Becca lover for the last 15 years and I am glad to see them getting lots of love again! I wear Topaz liquid mixed with my primer. Topaz is the hue of my skin, so it gives me the most glowy base and increases Topaz’s wear time. I then put on foundation or TM and lightly powder. I still use another highlighter for sculpting, but a very subtle one like koh gen do or KA liquid candlelight.
Becca’s single eyeshadow’s are amazing, I was so sad to see them go, as well as their loose eyeshadows. I am glad I collected them many years ago. Do you have any?
I think I have one or two of their loose ones from eons ago, but I haven’t seen or used one in so long!
This post is so, so helpful.
Thank you, Kira!
I bought the little set of 3 travel-size liquid SSP’s. So far, I’ve really been struggling with them. I find that if I try to apply them over powder they disrupt my face products and make them go all patchy. But if I try to apply them under powder, then the powder just covers them up, and it’s like not using anything. Not sure how I could possibly use them. I’ve never had these problems with Benefit High Beam or the Stila All-Over Shimmer — those I can apply over my setting powder without a problem.
Any advice?
I usually apply them over liquid foundation but before setting powder, and I don’t have any issues with using them that way!
Are you using the applicator or fingertips to apply? I normally use fingertips if I’m applying as an actual highlighter, but for the liquids, I rarely use them that way (I prefer mixing in with foundation).
I’ve tried applying with a stippling brush and beauty blender. I’ll try using fingers and see if that works better.
I think I didn’t know what to expect when I bought them. I thought they would be more of a liquid highlighter, with actual pigment and more shimmer, but they are really incredibly subtle. They seem like they would be great to mix in with foundation if you like a luminous finish, but my goal for foundation is to be as matte as humanly possible. Thanks for putting more info out about them — I should have looked into these more before buying instead of just getting swept up in everyone saying they’re amazing.
Aw, sorry about that, Lisa! 🙁 They are definitely a very sheer product. You might like the Poured one better, but you may also find it too shimmery!
I think the pressed powders looked the best in almost all of the shades, thanks for the wonderful comparisons Christine!
Happy to help, Livia!
Just wanted to say Thank You for this amazing post
My pleasure, Dua!
Ah this is fantastic, the perfect guide!
Yayy!
Hmmm now I think I really want to try the poured version. I have the pressed version (s ) but I tend to be a bit heavy handed . The cream sounds like it will work better for me
I think they’re very easy to blend out, even though the pigmentation is comparable to pressed!
I want them all. But look at opal though, that is simply divine. It has always been a favourite of mine and Becca’s shimmering asking perfecters (their powders especially) in general are amazing products
Opal is a nice one!
I keep eyeing these and avoiding buying them for the stupidest reason. I loooove opals. I have multiple pieces of opal jewelry and it’s my favorite gemstone. But I know it’s too dark for my skintone to be an easy fit. This post has made me realize I’m being silly and just need to buy Pearl and stop mussing around.
lol!
Not only is this a great guide, I have to notice how hard it must be to photograph highlighters on the face. Nice job and thank you!!
Thank you, Vanessa!
Let me tell you that I’m even more PROUD of YOU after this AMAZING job, to say the least !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much!
(Lauren)
Awww! 🙂
Incredibly helpful guide! I definitely know I want Topaz. Now I need to decide between poured and pressed lol
That is going to be a tough call!!
Christine, what would you recommend for someone that is NARS Siberia? Moonstone or Pearl?
Hey Mist,
If you just want a sheen, Pearl. If you want warmth, Moonstone. Pearl is really great for very fair skin tones that want that glow without adding color.
Hi Christine,
I’m wondering–I currently own the full size of the liquid Pearl SSP, which I adore and mix daily with my foundation, but I have samples of Opal that I use to travel with. Honestly, despite their difference in color, I see very, very little difference on my skin–if any! And I’m super pale. Do you have a favorite shade of the liquid SSPs? If so, what and why?
I’ve only tried three of them (Rose Gold and Topaz were just purchased so I could do this post!), and all three that I’ve tried are the lighter ones so I agree that they can be hard to distinguish, especially if you’re mixing them in with your base! Pearl brightens more for me, but I am darker than you.
If you mix, I don’t think you need all of them, but you may like Topaz mixed in if you want to add a little warmth all-over that’s less than bronzing – I expect that one you’d see some difference with compared to Opal!
is it weird i was staring at the product photos for a good minute? haha
Not at all!
Hi sorry but could you please tell me the exact names of each highlighter in the order they are shown above in the photos of the different formula I guess I’m just dumb sorry and thank you. Like left to right or something. So..sorry again.
They’re in the same order for all three: Pearl, Moonstone, Opal, Rose Gold, Topaz, except for Pressed, as there is no Pearl, Blushed Copper is the fifth one.
Thanks so much
Wow. This is sooo helpful! Seriously awesome guide!
Thanks, Maggie!
Christine, this is possibly the most helpful post you have ever written, I’ve been looking for a good comparison of the liquid and pressed shades for years. Also, your eye look here is so fresh and pretty 🙂
I just have a question, how do you think these compare to other subtle non-pore-emphasizing highlighters, like the Kevyn Aucoin ones for instance, in terms of “glow from within”-ness and longevity? I’d love to see you do in depth reviews of the liquid SSPs if you ever get time. Thanks!
I think the liquid versions are certainly comparable to Kevyn Aucoin’s. I think it would come down to whether you preferred one color over the other (I think KA might be somewhere between Pearl and Moonstone).
I missed this earlier but wow, thanks for summarizing everything and the application tips. This is very helpful. 🙂
Of course! xo
Lovely and informative post! I noticed you misspelled patches as batches when you described moonstone liquid in the first paragraph though
Thank you!
Hey dear ….. If am not wrong you reviewed 2 liquids last week …
pls add link
this is suchhhhhh a fab list
m confused what to take ??
I have pressed opal , rose gold and champagne gold already 🙂
How do the liquid and poured forms compair to NARS illuminators and multiples in consistency, blends illite, opacity, etc?
NARS Illuminators have much chunkier shimmer, while the Multiples are sheer and have horrible wear time.
Love these comparisons — I’ve been a diehard Opal fan for years, but now I’m itching to try Moonstone. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to see a clear difference, but Opal does have some serious color payoff, and I’m looking for more of a sheen/wet glowy look.
Thanks, Cori!
Thanks for putting this together. I’m trying to decide between Champagne and Rose Gold for a splurge purchase!
No problem, Jessica!