Bare Minerals All-Over Face Color in Pure Radiance

Bare Minerals All-Over Face Color in Pure Radiance--the name pretty much says it all. This luminous, golden peach powder looks like love captured and bottled; it just radiates purity and beauty.

A dusting of this fine powder gives skin a dreamy glow and imparts just a hint of color to the skin.

Not only do luminizers like this product give skin a healthy look, their light-reflecting properties minimize complexion imperfections.

Simply apply it as you would your highlighter--over the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, and a tap on the forehead and chin.

Benefit Miss Popularity

Now I don't know if illuminated skin will make you popular, but it sure does punch up a look. But despite the fact that I'll forever be dedicated to the power of illuminating powders, Benefit Miss Popularity precision highlighter wasn't on my running list of must-have products...

...until I did a swatch test on my hand at Sephora. Once the lights hit the golden white shimmer, the dazzle was out of control. This little baby was coming home with me.

This highlighter can be used anywhere on the face, but I mainly use it to highlight the inner corners of my eyes. This no-fail trick makes eyes look wide and bright. It does require a little blending after it's dotted on, but a pat of the pinky is all it takes.

Miss Popularity travels well too--even though it's a loose powder, the wand and well packaging keeps it from spilling everywhere. The built-in applicator is super convenient too, and now there's no excuse for not having luminous skin, even on the go.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Beige

Packing light is something I've never quite been able to pull off. A seven day trip calls for seven pairs of heels, seven tubes of lipstick, seven--you get the picture. But with the weather warming up and weekend trips just around the corner, I'm appreciating the multi-tasking potential of my Beige Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact.

Together, the fine shimmer of the nude toned strips makes for the perfect highlighter. Highlighting really accents and shapes facial features. From natural to glamorous, the beige glow works with any look.

The shimmer brick also doubles as an eyeshadow palette in a pinch. There's a golden white shade that makes a great brow and inner eye highlight, and shades of champagne, tan and brown make for terrific shimmering shadow shades. The powders blend into a sparkling, translucent veil that stays put.

Just be sure to pack a medium or dark toned matte brown eyeshadow for the crease (preferably one that doubles as your eyebrow color as well), and you've got eyeshadow options.

Smashbox Soft Lights in Prism

My nickname at work is Barbie (I totally embrace it), so to say that the MAC Loves Barbie Collection rocked my world--well, you know I mean it. Pearl Blossom Beauty Powder (pictured bottom left) has been in heavy rotation ever since its debut last February in the limited edition collection, but once the bottom of the pan started showing, panic ensued.

Until I found Smashbox Soft Lights in Prism, a perfect clone to my beloved. This silky, shimmering powder doesn't translate on the face as overly-pink. The color that shows up can only be described as magic.


Granted, I'm a huge believer in the power of highlighters, but the pink powder does something a little more kittenish, a little more girly than standard shimmery beige highlighter. In short, I cannot live without it.

Another beauty crisis averted. Phew!

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc

Shimmer palettes have been a wild success lately, and for good reasons. Shimmer can liven-up a dull complexion and create dimension. I have the Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Pink Mosaic. This shimmer is formulated with modern wearable pearl and it is definitely subtle, so it's ok to sport this to work. Fear not--there's no risk that you'll show up at 8 am looking like a disco ball!

A once-over with this powder gives a nice glow to the skin, and I love transforming the matte blush colors I have by simply sweeping some of this stuff on top. This shimmer bloc is also great to have on-hand for those days when you're pinched for time. Swirl this powder over the cheeks, across the eyelids, slick on some lipgloss and you're good to go!