Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Highlighting Powders: Nude Radiance and Golden Radiance
September 23, 2013
Burberry Beauty released two new powders in their Fresh Glow formula in Nude Radiance 01 and Warm Radiance 02 ($48 each for 10 g/.35 oz, made in Italy). These were part of a small collection for summer which included a new bronze version of their liquid Fresh Glow ($48), two Eye Trios ($47 each) and the two new powders. I’m late to the party with this release – was waiting to test in person but never made it to my nearest counter. I ordered the two Fresh Glow Luminous Highlighting Powders online sight unseen.
The Fresh Glow powders are designed to be alternates to the Fresh Glow liquid. I had tested the liquid version when it was released but the foundation along with the liquid both have some ingredient that caused an allergic reaction all over my face. I was disappointed since both products wear really well on the skin in terms of how they make the skin look. I was excited and hopeful that the powders would really be similar to the liquids.
The product description: Whisperlight texture gives instant radiance and healthy glow while gently protecting skin from the natural elements Ultra-fine illuminators for natural radiance. Compact alternative to Fresh Glow Fluid, for those who prefer a powder texture. Soothing rosa canina fruit extracts Microscopic rose shaped particles absorb oil and intensify light diffusion.
I found Nude Radiance to be a frosted white with a hint of pearl. It looks chalky on my skintone and is rather unflattering. There is a wide brush that comes with these powders which I found quite good at applying the powders to the face. This one however deposits a bit too much pigment to the skin. Even when using a sheer fluffy brush there is just too much chalky frost that applies to the skin. Right now I have olive-medium skin, Chanel B30.
Golden Radiance was also extremely frosty. It applies lighter than what you see in the compact primarily because there is so much frost. This one was a bit darker but emphasized pores and looked metallic on the cheeks. No amount of blending would make it look good.
I did test these on the eyes though and found they make stunning eye colors. The pigment and shimmer are more forgiving on the eyes and much more flattering. I’ve been looking for a frosted nude for quite some time for the eyes – Golden Radiance just might be my holy grail nude shimmer (although expensive for just one eyeshadow color).
Here they are swatched:
Compared to last spring’s Sheer Summer Glow Powder (limited, but still might be available in stores).
Overall thoughts: Overall thoughts: My feelings/thoughts about the powders are mixed. The two new powders from Burberry don’t really fit my ideal for something that is luminous or glowy. While the pigment, texture, blendability are amazing, I found these to be overly frosty/shimmery which resulted in emphasized pores and for the pale one a chalky finish on the face. I tried layering over other colors and under bronzer to sheer out the frost. It was still a bit too frosty for my taste. I was hoping for a slightly more pigmented version of the Sheer Summer face quad. I really wanted to love these! I’m normally fine with larger amounts of shimmer on the face, for reference I can easily and comfortably wear most of MAC’s MSFs and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. That being said – I do find they work as shadows. I prefer the Golden shade since it’s not as pale/chalky on me. But in general for highlighters these are not among my top picks.
Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Highlighting Powders in Nude Radiance and Golden Radiance retail for $48 each. Available now at Burberry Beauty counters and online at Nordstrom and Saks.
