Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector (Original/Liquid) ($41.00 for 1.7 fl. oz.) is described as a “golden bronze pearl.” It’s a muted, medium-dark coppery-brown with very fine, lighter gold shimmer. Giorgio Armani #100 (LE, $64.00) is warmer. MAC Golden Elixir (LE, $31.00) is slightly less golden. Tom Ford Beauty Bronzed Amber (LE, $58.00) is darker, redder. Becca Topaz (Poured) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery. Becca Topaz (Pressed) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

The original Shimmering Skin Perfectors come in tubes with a pump dispenser, and the formula is a “sheer cream-liquid” for “subtle luminosity” with a “water-light” feel. For how it compares to the other formulations in the family, please see this post. The texture is thin, water-like (but not quite as thin as true water) that can be used over or under foundation, on bare skin, or mixed with your favorite base products (moisturizer, primer, foundation). It takes a bit of time to dry down if patted on top of cheek bones or the like as a more targeted highlighter than all-over. It is as sheer as described: this is not going to yield a lot of color or shimmer, which is in line with how it is marketed, just that it might not be what you’re looking for. I prefer mixing this in with moisturizer or liquid foundation for an all-over luminosity that’s never too dewy or oily. I get a very subtle warmth when I mix Topaz in with my foundation, and I’d expect it might be greater for fairer skin tones but any color change will likely be lost on deeper skin tones. On the other side, it won’t lighten-up deeper foundations, so it’s a great way for darker skin tones to get an all-over glow that won’t give a lighter or off-white cast. When patted on cheek bones (and a bit lower, since it does give me some color) as a more traditional highlighter, it is more of a bronzing illuminator on my skin tone, and it lasts for eight hours on me. When mixed with foundation, it doesn’t seem to shorten or extend the wear of my foundation. The only downside is that due to the pump dispenser, it is easy to get far more product than you want if you aren’t mixing or using it all-over.

Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector (Original/Liquid)

Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector (Original/Liquid)

Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector (Original/Liquid)

Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector (Original/Liquid)

Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector (Original/Liquid)