Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow Review, Photos, Swatches

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow ($39.00 for 0.31 oz.) is described simply as a “yellow gold.” It’s exactly that: a sheer, sparkling traditional gold, so it has warm, yellow undertones. Guerlain Terracotta Sun in the City has a comparable look but is a more opaque product. Chanel Empreinte de Chanel is more orange. MAC Sun Rush is slightly more orange. Chanel Shimmering Tweed is also similar.

According to Bobbi Brown, the Shimmer Cheek Glow is a gel and powder hybrid, and it’s supposed to give a “just back from vacation glow.” I think the brand should have done a better job describing this product, particularly the texture and the overall effect of the product. It’s very, very sparkly. It’s not really shimmer–the particles are larger than that, and the way it looks against the skin is more like Bobbi Brown’s Sparkle eyeshadows. This feels a little wetter, more gel-like compared to the Sparkle eyeshadows, but I felt like they were comparable. Also, something I noticed while photographing the compact was that the product had separated from the edges, and it will slide around. I’d describe it as shrinkage.

On the skin, I’m not sold. It’s too sheer and ends up giving a sprinkling of sparkles but doesn’t evenly highlight the area. I kept focusing on my cheeks and seeing the attention being drawn to my pores. This–to me–is that disco ball effect that some worry about with shimmery, frosted, and more metallic highlighters. It gives a certain look that does appeal, but I don’t think it’s something I’d reach for regularly; it’s a glistening, almost wet-like sparkle and metallic glow. I love that look on lips, but not so much on cheeks, because I think it emphasizes imperfections on the skin. The sparkle also travels while you wear it, so you may find sparkle on your nose, chin, or even in your mouth. It wore about four and a half hours on me before it seems to have disappeared or traveled elsewhere.

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow
Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Cheek Glow

17 Comments

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Christina Avatar

You could not have said it better, Christine!  I tried both shades when they first came out and thought, “hey! This is exactly the same as their sparkle eyeshadows, but on my cheeks!  Eek!”  The pink is actually a bit more wearable than the gold.  From the description, I thought it was going to be like another MAC, Estee Lauder product, but it’s not like that at all!

Kafka Avatar

Heh. There’s a very catchy song called “Shiny Disco Balls” by Who Da Funk. On topic: given the shrinkage and separation, I guess BB wasn’t kidding about the item being fragile and to handle with care. Is that warning on the label common? Either to BB or to makeup in general? Because I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen it.  I don’t usually keep the boxes to things but I checked those few NARS ones I still have left and nope, don’t see it there.

Miya Caballero Avatar

hey temptalia whats your favourite glitter base? i really like LA Splash but lately it seems like after a few hours it makes my makeup crease! i use a good eyeshadow base when i put the main eye makeup on, but it seems like the sticky LA Splash completely voids the eyeshadow base as if i never put any on after only a few hours. no bueno, i love glitter…

Miya Caballero Avatar

or maybe i’m applying it wrong, i dont like to use the applicator on the wand, i actually wipe some off onto my ring finger then pat it onto my lid, then use the same finger to “pick up” some glitter and pat it on top, so i don’t use any brushes. or maybe i’m using too much? i dunno but after an hour or two all of my makeup goes into the crease 🙁

Shelley Weyand Avatar

Thank you for giving a review on this. I was on the fence about it. I will stick with my beloved BB shimmer brick collection.

zeinab Avatar

I actually like how this looks, I just don’t think I’d have enough occasions to wear this to. I also think the fragile warning would put me off, I’m guessing this isn’t something you could safely put in your purse to take to a nightclub. 

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