Nine Ways to Shine On This Summer - Beauty Addict

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Nine Ways to Shine On This Summer

Looking for some pixie dust in your life? Now that summer is upon us, top up that tan with a little nighttime shimmer. Check out these nine standout products in varying formulations, shimmer levels, scents, and price points. I've focused on neutral/colorless shimmers for this piece, but if you're on the hunt for a body bronzer, look no further than this post from last summer, with all the deets on how to get your bod browned without self tanner.

Now, on to the body shimmers!

Philosophy Surfer Girl Surf Wave Shimmer Lotion ($35, in a set) smells sweetly tropical and is packed with tiny white/silver bits. Right now it's available only in the Surfer Girl set, which also includes lip gloss and exfoliating body wash. Last year's version was yellow and came in red-accented packaging, while this year's incarnation comes in blue and white - I actually liked the golden tone of last year's better, but this new version will do just fine!

Summer by Kenzo Dry Oil ($35), the subject of one of last week's posts, is one of my all-time favorite summer essentials. It smells delicious, keeps your skin soft and moisturized, and adds just a bit of sheen and shimmer. Subtle, but gorgeous. I just can't get enough of it.

Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer ($8) is probably the most subtle of the bunch, with just a tiny touch of shimmer and a somewhat nondescript light citrus fragrance. Perfect for shimmer newbies or just a tiny touch of extra shine on your bod.

Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy Body Shimmer Lotion ($28) smells like honey and coconut (the tube says milk and honey, but I definitely get coconut), feels smooth and soft, and has a smattering of subtle gold shimmer. With the Midnight Cowboy name, I was expecting something a little more sparkly and ostentatious, but I was pleasantly surprised at how wearable and subtle it was. Thumbs up.

Tarte Celebutante Dry Oil Shimmer Spray ($28) smells like the beach and gives you a nice glow thanks to the oil and a good amount of champagne-hued shimmer bits. As "dry oils" go, though, I found this one to be a little greasier - and a little grittier - than my all-time fave, the Summer by Kenzo.

The Body Shop Satsuma Shimmer Lotion has a smattering of pretty gold shimmer and I'm loving the pump bottle, but the best part is by far the SCENT! I've been a fan of Satsuma for years and was stoked to discover that it's available in shimmer form. Sweet orange-y goodness, yum.

NARS The Multiple in Copacabana ($37) is a great alternative to lotion, and much more portable, too. This glistening, neutral pearl shade is my favorite choice for shoulders and collarbones, and is a perfect highlighter for browbones and cheekbones as well.

Bath & Body Works Radiant Silk Lotion ($14.50) feels amazingly silky on skin. The silvery shimmer particles are pretty tightly packed, but still not overpowering. Available in Japanese Cherry Blossom, Butterfly Flower, and Black Amethyst. Butterfly Flower is my current fave -- it reminds me of a long-gone BBW scent, May Bouquet, that I absolutely loved.

Benefit Bathina Body So Fine ($30) is perhaps the glammest of the bunch. The texture is similar to a NARS Multiple, but in pan form. Apply with the posh little velour puff for just a touch of pale pink shimmer and sheen -- this one's pretty subtle. Smells faintly of roses, but not in the old lady way. Delish.


Comments