OK, I know it’s almost $20, which puts NP Set’s new Contour & Highlight Palette firmly on the high end of the budget/drugstore makeup spectrum, but please don’t let that sway you from giving it some thought, because it’s a close cousin of one of my favorite products from the Hourglass Cosmetics line.
It has it all! — almost. Everything you need to sculpt and brighten your skin, like a warm, golden coppery bronzer similar to NARS Laguna, but with a satin finish; a peach blush with a sheen finish; and two highlighters, one, a neutral light pink, and the other, a warm golden beige.
If you’re angling for sun-kissed California girl skin, the bronzer and blush do it to it, babe. I’d probably use the bronzer more to add overall warmth, though, than to do any heavy-duty cheek chiseling, but overall warmth is exactly what I want when I’m rushing to get out the door.
So that’s the bronzer — a solid performer — but it’s not my favorite thing about this palette…
That distinction goes to the highlighters. 🙂
Are you familiar with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders? Well, these are like those, but they cost less than half as much ($22 versus $45, unless we’re talking about this holiday set).
Similar sheen, buttery texture and gentle brightening effect. The lighter shade on the far left of the palette resembles Dim Light, while the pink shade on the opposite end channels Mood Light.
I wouldn’t say they’re exact dupes, though, as I think the NP Set highlighters create a more muted glow than the slightly more radiant effect created by the Hourglass Ambients.
I also think the Ambients last significantly longer (like all day long) on my skin; the NP Set highlighters (and the blush and bronzer, too) begin to lose steam after 5-6 hours, but that’s not bad.
I like what NP Set has done with this palette. A lot. Because the products are so useful, and it’s nice having them all in one place, it has busy mornings written all over it.
Even if you’re strictly a blush gal, or you never wear cheek products, I think it’s at least worth a swipe, if only to feel the lush, silky powders (imagine touching RyGos’s mane after he does a 10-minute deep conditioning hair mask). 🙂
PRICE: $19
AVAILABILITY: Available now online and at Target stores
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+/A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Do you ever go to Pasta Pomodoro? It’s good, right? We went to dinner there tonight. Yup, sometimes nothing hits the spot like a big plate of pasta.
But then there’s the inevitable food coma that ensues, Zzzzz…
I love the packaging on this! And the products seem really nice too.
It’s a nice combo! I really like the blush shade. 🙂
The blush and the pink highlighter are so pretty! Would love to own this one.
The blush and the pink highlighter look so pretty! Would love to own this one!
I do love a good face palette (not enough brands do them) and the blush in this one is stunning!
This face palette looks great. I will have to have a look at it next time I am at target. Btw, I have a jacket with the same exact print and it looks like the fabric is the same too 🙂
This is a really great review. I love having a look around at other bloggers content for inspiration.
Yasminesbeautifullife.blogspot.com.au
Looks like a nice palette. But of course you can make anything look fantastic 🙂
Like the blush shade very muchh 🙂
I’ve been really into these sort of cheek palettes lately. I find them very handy, especially for traveling or just keeping in your makeup bag.
The palette looks really nice with the higlighter, contours and blush.. It’s like a all in one palette.. Lovng ur application.. it has really brigtened up ur high points 🙂
I’m in my 30’s already but I’m just now learning about highlightes! Where have I been, right? This looks like a good set to buy so I can start learning the how to’s on highlighting and contouring. Thanks for the tip.
This would make a good gift for a makeup lover. 🙂
I think it can come in handy and it’s kinda cute but I never contour my face, dunno why lol. I’m the worst, I just sweep my blusher on and that’s all for me… 😛 It looks gorgeous on you though.
Going to have to check this out next time I’m in Target. I have been eyeing the Hourglass Ambient Powders but have put off purchasing bc I haven’t seen swatches of the one’s I’m considering on skintone like mine (NC20). Dim Light and Mood Light are some of the one’s I’ve been considering and seriously…? People use these “highlighters” all over their skin?
This looks gorgeous, as does the price!!!
A well put together palette!
My attention got scattered when RyGos’s freshly conditioned hair was mentioned. Sigh..
What a neat little palette. Karen I love your blazer! Super cute, where did you get it?
i just found this set at marshalls for $4.99 tonight , so i googled some swatches/reviews .
SO excited to find out that the highlighters are very similar to the hourglass ambient powders .
can’t wait to play around with it !