The BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector™ Pressed highlighter in Opal has been taking the beauty world by storm since gaining popularity as a dupe for the limited edition Estee Lauder Heat Wave Illuminating Powder Gelee.
I own Heat Wave and it is my favourite highlighter of all time because it does make you look like a shot of summer all year round!
Heat Wave can only be bought off eBay or from a private seller at the cost of both your arms and legs , your BFF’s left eye and the spare tyre in your boot, if you’re lucky.
I’ve been to the BECCA store in Sandton a few times but nothing ever wowed me about this Australian brand, which since opening here in 2011, really hasn’t been given the oxygen it deserves.
I’ve never tried their range because at the time, I was looking for a full coverage foundation and their products are known to be one of those ‘enhancing a woman’s natural beauty’ ranges, which for me, my freckles and imperfect skin meant sheer coverage – and sheer was not what I was after.
On Saturday, I popped into the store to buy the highlighter to see if it was indeed the dupe that’s got everyone in a flap.
But after trying this guy out, I think it would be a shame if this highlighter gained popularity for being the ‘the dupe’. I don’t think it has to ride on the coat tails of the Heat Wave because this product is unlike anything I’ve ever tried and deserves a spotlight of it’s own
The packaging is simple. It comes in a mirrored compact. The compact is chocolate brown plastic with a metal circle covering the top part of the compact with the words BECCA engraved on it. The packaging is not wow, it’s got a kind of “army-weapon-grenade’ thing going on. But I can live with that because the product is AMAZING!
The shade Opal is described as “golden opal pearl.” It’s a frosted , shimmery soft gold shade with a hint of champagne.
It is a ‘powder highlighter’ but is creamy texture melts into the skin taking on a life of it’s own, adjusting to your skin tone (the perfect for a brown girl like me). This product is definite not chalky and didn’t apply patchy. And you don’t have to stand under a strobe light or at a 45-degree head tilt to see the effect, the luminescent pearls show up in any light so you’ll be taking your natural glow with you wherever you go.
It glides on the skin and I like to highlight my face using a soft tapered contour brush for a soft shimmer on the cheekbones, brow bones and bridge of the nose. It also works great on the cupids bow to create the illusion of fuller lips (Love!) Using a small stippling brush or a fan brush is great too.
How does it compare Estee Lauder Heat Wave Illuminating Powder Gelee:
Heat Wave is a tri-blend formula that’s a gel, powder, and liquid product in one. The formulas are unique to each product but both have the ‘wet powder feel’
The shades are a 99% match with Becca’s Opal being a touch darker.
Both products wear well and do not settle into pores or fine lines. It has a lasting power of about 8 hours. The main difference I find with the two is that Heat Wave leaves a soft sheen on the skin when blended out while Becca’s Opal is has more of a soft shimmer gives the look that screams ‘ I woke up like this!’
Price: R450
Where to buy: www.beccacosmetics.co.za
They have moved premises, to Sandton Towers. Address to follow.
One thought
Thanks for this post. I had no idea how similar the 2 are. Still lusting after Heatwave, & I do hope they bring it back, but if not, I’m satisfied with my Becca Opal