Tarte Tarteist Pro Glow & Blush Palette ($45.00 for 1.18 oz.) is a cheek palette that features one highlighter, one bronzer, and four blushes. I quite enjoyed how they applied and lasted throughout the day across the board, though two shades could have been more blendable than they were. The biggest “issue” I had with the palette was the inclusion of both Electric and Amp blushes–they’re just too similar to have in the same palette. I also think that the palette would have benefited from one blush having a more satin-to-pearl (less intense) finish to make it a more well-rounded set of shades.
Natasha Denona Icy Nude/Pink-Champagne Mini Diamond & Glow ($19.00 for 0.141 oz.) includes a highlighter and blush, both of which originally appeared in the Darya palette. I found that the color/finish was similar to the originals, though the texture of the blush wasn’t quite as soft and creamy by touch (but applied and blended out the same), while the texture of the highlighter was a very slightly creamier. The pans are like oversized eyeshadows, so if you tend to use medium to large-sized, fluffier brushes, you may find the pans too small. A tapered highlighter brush fit well within the pan, and the blush brushes I tend to use fit as well, though they’re a little smaller (by preference) than “average” would be my guess.
Colour Pop Crème de la Crème Pressed Powder Highlighter Quad ($18.00 for 0.44 oz.) includes four powder highlighters, which are best characterized as more subtle to moderate highlighters; they’re not over-the-top at all (definitely less intense than most of their powder highlighters I’ve tried thus far). They’re on the lighter side, so they’ll work best for fairer complexions or layered over stronger blushes to give them more a shift but not tons of shimmer, but I’d be curious to hear from those with medium and deeper complexions on how these red. The texture on these was odd; they felt like a drier (almost dried out!) cream-based product rather than as smooth and creamy as their powder highlighters but not at all like their Super Shock Highlighters. They went on better than I expected, and the overall performance was there, but the texture caught me off guard.
Colour Pop Dream Sequence Super Shock Highlighter Palette ($18.00 for 0.60 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette featuring two glittery highlighters and two more pearly highlighters. All four performed well with pigmentation that was as described (more opaque with fingertip application, more buildable with brushes), were easy to apply and blend out, and stayed on for a solid 10 hours. These shades can also be purchased individually (in pots).
Fenty Beauty Holiday 2018 Match Stix by the Dozen ($129.00 for 1.20 oz.) contains 12 miniature-sized Match Stix with five shades from the permanent line and seven new shades. I reached out to the brand multiple times trying to find out whether the new shades were going to be added to the permanent range in the future or if they were limited edition and exclusive to the set, but I wasn’t able to get an answer. The packaging for the set was similar to the Mattemoiselle 10/10 set (which I was able to get confirmation about; those new shades will be added in the future) and not the limited edition, holiday sets, so here’s hoping they will be added in the future. The formula was consistent with the permanent range–medium to full coverage, fairly blendable, a drier, more powder-like finish on the skin. Some shades were drier, sheerer, or harder to blend out, which was how the permanent range was for me as well.
Each Match Stix contains 0.10 oz. of product, and a full-sized Match Stix contains 0.25 oz. and retails for $25.00 or $100.00 per ounce, which gives the set a total value of $120. It includes a roll-up case that they can be stored in. Worth nothing, the miniature Match Stix are not magnetic, whereas the full-sized ones click together for easy hunting in one’s bag (per the brand at launch).
NARS Heartbreaker Holiday 2018 Cheek Trio ($42.00 for 0.36 oz.) includes three blushes from the brand’s permanent range. Oddly, the brand’s often-released Orgasm blush fell short here; it was firm and stiff to work with, heartbreaking really… Luster was dustier in the palette than it has been in its standalone format but was easy to work with, just not quite the same in finish. Amour seemed fairly consistent with the last version I have, though.
