'tis the season to be jolly
Foreword
And just like that we are ten days away from Thanksgiving and forty three from Christmas. I know. I know! Since we have entered the ultimate gifting season, I figured now was the best time to chat about my top holiday beauty picks and in today's post we are going to focus on Becca x Chrissy Cravings Collection. We have two kits to go through, so without further ado - please keep on scrolling!
Glow Kitchen Kit
As you can see, this year's limited-edition holiday kits come in these stunning gold, book-type gift boxes. Inside the Glow Kitchen Kit (44 USD; Made in USA) you get a selection of face, lip, cheek and eye products.
Let's start with the 2-in-1 duo called Cinnamon Churro (aka "Glow Souffle Eye Shadow & Highlighter Duo") - you get your single eyeshadow (and a little mirror) on top and creamy face highlighter on the bottom. I haven't played that much with the brands' eyeshadows before, but this one in particular has an exceptional formula. It is a gorgeous mid-tone, foiled warm brown with finely milled specks of golden shimmer running through it. Buttery smooth to the touch, it glides on the eye like a dream delivering a rich pigment and eye-brightening glow. Great for both: every day wear and special (holiday) occasions.
The creamy highlighter has a very potent spicy cinnamon scent to it (since Chrissy is a fan of cinnamon buns). Surprise! However, you will not be able to detect it on your skin since it practically disappears as soon as you've blended the product out. I've never owned a highlighter that smelled like a real dessert, so if you feel a particular way about fragrances - make sure to give this one a whiff before buying.
The formula itself is quite unusual as well: this is practically a whipped, gel-meets-mousse type of a hybrid that is incredibly smooth to the touch. Unlike a traditional cream highlighter, it sets to a subtle, natural-radiant finish and does not move/slide around. You can wear it sheer or add an extra layer to make it that extra bit bright. Thankfully this highlighter did not accentuate texture/pores and looked very seamless on the skin. I would recommend applying it before your powder products.
Next, you get this beautiful little Confectionery Glow Powder in Cinnamon Sugar (it actually smells like one). This is a loose highlighter formula that comes in a lovely bronze-gold shade and is a bit similar to the brand's Shimmering Skin Perfector in the shade Topaz. The glow factor here is not nearly as vibrant compared to the brand's original pressed highlighters, but might work best for those of you, who prefer a slightly more toned-down, natural glow.
Cinnamon Sugar would look amazing on beauties with medium, tan and deep complexions. If you are on a fair-light side - use it over your bronzer instead, thus adding a soft veil of that "Chrissy Cheek Glow" (aka my favourite way to wear it).
Finally, we have Lip Souffle in Red Velvet. Aside from all things chocolate, red velvet happens to be my favourite dessert and when I realized that this baby smells like one - serotonin levels went up high!
This is not your typical uber matte liquid lipstick; quite the contrary - while it has a mousse consistency and looks demi-matte on the lips, it does not set. Think of it as a traditional lipstick, yet in a liquefied form; one that gives you a rose petal-esque, kissable satin finish. This is not the most long-lasting formula, so you will need to reapply it after meals. I would also recommend wearing it with a lip liner. This is such a comfortable, almost cushiony lipstick - ah, I wish Becca Cosmetics had an entire souffle line (with this exact scent).
Red Velvet is a universally flattering mid-tone mauve-brown colour; one of those shades that is going to look ah-mazing on every girl (and boy). Oh, did I mention it tastes like cake too?
Lip Icing Glow Gloss Kit
Now, if you are a friend to the blog (hugs!) then you might remember my It's A Glow Gloss Time! review (read here), where I basically professed my love for the brand's latest lip gloss formula (FYI: I am still a fan). Fast forward to October, Lip Icing Glow Gloss Kit (29 USD; Made in USA) is here and I couldn't be more excited.
As I have mentioned in my original review, these glosses feel incredible on the lips and normally have a distinctive minty scent. This limited-edition collection though smells like sweet vanilla and I am here for it! Chrissy "cooked up" four brand new shades that come in dainty, clutch-sized tubes. You get a nice selection of tones including:
Creme Brulee - sheer pink with iridescent shimmer;
Candy Cane - bright red with almost undetectable white pearl;
Cinnamon Bun - bronze with golden pearl;
Sugar Plum - mauve with golden pearl.
Please click on images to zoom in; as always all of my swatches are unedited and raw
Verdict
I am so happy to see brands come up with wonderful, wallet-friendly holiday kits like these two here. There was not a single badly formulated or faulty product in this collection. Needless to say, both Becca x Chrissy did a fabulous job (third time around). If I had to choose between two, I would probably go for the Glow Kitchen Kit - mainly because it offers such a unique selection of new formulas/products (the lipstick and eyeshadow in particular are so goood). Is there a product here that you guys loved the most? Let me know in the comments!
PR Samples; full disclaimer here