Power Glow

When mega Youtuber Jaclyn Hill collaborated with Becca, releasing a limited edition shade of their Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed called Champagne Pop, the frenzy was real. As a makeup junkie, there was no way I was missing out. I briefly contemplated using Shop and Box, but was holding out for a better option. Thankfully, Becca decided to release a limited quota of Champagne Pop to Australian customers through their local online stockists. (I'm not sure if they have any plans for it to be sold at Sephora stores in Sydney.) I pre-ordered mine on 13 July, paying $60.01 with $6.95 shipping and using a $5 off first order code. Delivery time was estimated to be mid-August, but the shipment was delayed and arrived 9 September. That was kind of disappointing, since I was already planning on going to the States from 29 August to 12 September, and knew I'd most likely to be able to buy Champagne Pop there. But in any event, I was just glad when it finally arrived safe and sound.

Becca Champagne Pop

l-r: Dior Amber Diamond, Charlotte Tilbury Highlight, Becca Champagne Pop, theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer, Stila Kitten

I'd never owned any of Becca's powder highlighters before, though I've been tempted by the lightest shade Moonstone. The popular Opal seemed a bit too dark and orangey for my tastes, and the other colours like Rose Gold and Topaz looked more like shimmery blushes than highlighters. Jaclyn Hill describes Champagne Pop as her "dream shade", and from early reviews and swatch comparisons, it was apparently a cross between Moonstone and Opal. Makes sense to me, since I'd always thought it strange there was such a huge jump from the pale Moonstone to the noticeably darker, warmer Opal.

The texture of these highlighters is very soft, smooth and almost creamy, similar to theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer. It's incredibly pigmented that you only need a light touch for BAM! HIGHLIGHT. It's one of those products where the brush you use becomes very important in not overdoing it. I've been reaching for the long, small and fluffy Burberry Eye Brush - Socket Line No.09 to apply Champagne Pop to my cheekbones and brow bone. It probably doesn't give as much precision as I'd like, but it limits the placement of the product and diffuses the edges so the highlighter isn't so stark and prominent on the face.

I do find because it packs such a punch and is so reflective, if the brush has too much product, it can feel and apply in a slightly gritty and chunky way. To avoid that, I'd be mindful to use a small amount each time, not overloading the brush, applying the highlighter precisely and lightly to the skin, and going over the edges of where it's placed with a clean brush to softly blend it out into the surrounding skin. I sometimes even pat the highlighter with my finger to take off excess product and gently work it into the skin more.

Colour-wise, it's a peachy gold. Compared with other high end powder highlighters I have, Dior Amber Diamond (all shades blended together) is more pinky orange, Charlotte Tilbury Highlight (in the Filmstar Bronze & Glow) is more beige/champagne, theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer is the most similar in terms of texture and pigmentation but champagne in colour, while Stila Kitten is a silvery rose gold. On my skin, Champagne Pop leans more yellow than peach, but overall translates as a relatively pale neutral gold.

It has this strong metallic smell reminiscent of cheaper eyeshadows made in China, which I wasn't expecting. Of course, it doesn't affect performance, but is one thing I noticed that I haven't heard anyone mention. I also don't think this is the most finely milled highlighter I've tried. If anything, Champagne Pop does lean more shimmery than sheeny, but I guess that's the tradeoff for mega effect. I find the Highlight shade in Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow to be superior and better quality, but Champagne Pop is still a product I'm happy to have. I'm not sure if anything can outdo it for pronounced glow, and sometimes, you just want to shine — loudly, obnoxiously and unapologetically.