Operation Beach

It's almost time to head off on Summer holidays here in the UK and this year I am so excited as we are heading to Croatia for the first time. I don't tend to wear much makeup when i'm away, but I will be slipping a few fast favourites into my clutch. Here my little edit for operation beach.

Becca Beach Tint in Guava £20.00 - Glowing colour for your cheeks which is also waterproof.

Chanel lip gloss in Imaginaire (similar here) £26.00 - The perfect coral gloss.

Tom Ford lipstick in Paradiso (similar here)  £36.00 - A more intense coral pink colour for dinner out.

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser in Nude  £58.00 - For when you need a tiny bit of coverage (with SPF 15).

New CID i-gloss Compact Shimmer Powder in Coral Crush £24.00 - A quick swipe on the cheeks which also works as a highlight.

Clutch by Star Mela at Iris £32.00 - I just can't go past a boho embroidered clutch!

Becca Beach Tint

Last week I posted about Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector which I picked up at my local Space NK, and truth be told, true to form I didn't buy just the one item. I also treated myself to Becca's Beach Tint in Guava. This may be a strange item to purchase in February in London where there is absolutely no chance of me seeing a beach but anyhoo .....

Beach Tint is a water-resistant blush and it comes in 8 glorious shades, each one as lovely as the next one. Choosing one colour was difficult, each shade is named after a fruit and even smells like its namesake. I came home with Guava which is a bright pink shade which blends out to give the cheeks a very natural flush. I have been known to hit the blush a little hard so being quite a sheer tint, this is a good product for someone like me.

I was a little shocked at the teeny tiny size of the tube once I got it out of the box (7ml), but as you only need a small amount I think this will last me a decent amount of time.Texture-wise, the closest product I can compare it to is the Pixi Sheer Cheek Gels (which you can read about here).  I love the fact that these are oil-free, streak free and water proof making them ideal for warm climates, it is just a shame I no longer live in one!  The price is £20.00 / $42.00.

After not being around for a while, Becca has been relaunched recently at Space NK (UK) and David Jones stores (Aus). They also have a good online store which you can see here, as well as some of the most beautiful advertising campaigns I have ever seen .... sigh.

Luxe versus Less, Illuminators. Becca versus Revlon

I recently invested in a product I had wanted for absolutely ages - the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, only to get it home and realise it is rather similar to the Revlon Photoready Skin Lights in Bare Light. Something happens to me in Space NK. I go into a vortex and my eyes glaze over. I can't remember what I already have or what I really need and end up spending way more than I meant to. For this reason, I don't venture in there often as I just can't be trusted.

Obviously I had to do a comparison. First off the Becca version is much creamier than the Revlon which is much more liquid. I find the creamier texture easier to blend and you can get the product exactly where you want it without over doing it. If you are planning to mix it with your foundation then I find the Revlon one easier to mix and a little lighter to wear over the entire face. 

As you would expect, the Becca packaging is much more luxe however I do get annoyed with these pumps as they also dispense way more product than you need. Even though the Revlon is runnier in consistency, is is much easier to get the amount you want out of the tube so you don't end up wasting it.

As you can see from the swatches, once blended into my hand they are almost identical. Becca's version does come with the addition of being SPF 20+ which is a bonus if you live somewhere where the sun actually shines. Obviously in London this is not really necessary.

Top: Revlon in Bare Light, Bottom: Becca in Opal

Partially blended ....

Fully blended and you can't really tell which is which ....

The Becca comes in 4 shades, and it is £33.00 / $66.00 for 50ml. The Revlon also comes in 4 shades and it is £11.99 / $29.95  for 30ml. While I love the Becca brand, the packaging and the whole philosophy behind the makeup, I just can't ignore how good these Revlon illuminators are ... and at almost half the price I think I will always have them in my kit and perhaps keep the Becca for personal use for those days when i'm feeling expensive!