Bobbi Brown Shimmering Sands and Shadow Sticks Review and Swatches

I Bought It Affiliate Commision

Bobbi Brown’s Shimmering Sands Palette has been out for a while (and I’ve had it for quite a while), and I debated about even putting the pictures up since it seems to be almost gone. But, a friend asked me about it at work last week, so here are my pictures of it!

I should start by explaining that I’m a big fan of Bobbi Brown. I own a lot of products from her (and yes, I bought all of them), and I’m a sucker for her palettes. I’m always drawn in by the neutral colors and the pretty, but not overdone, shimmer. However, I seem to mostly collect those palettes. I rarely use them. Why? My problem is actually with the level of pigmentation. I need a lot more product to get the results that I want, especially compared to other similarly priced brands such as Too Faced or MAC. So, the Bobbi Brown tends to sit there in my drawer. And then after a while I usually give my palettes away to my mom (who is also a sucker for a Bobbi Brown palette).

After much experimentation, I finally have figured out how to get the results that I want, and I have to say I am now obsessed with this palette and the Nordstrom Sale Exclusive, the Secret to Standout Eyes (here’s my review).

1. Sand Castle
2. Copper Sand Shimmer Wash
3. Beach Bronzed Shimmer Wash
4. White Sand Sparkle
5. Suntan
6. Golden Sand Shimmer Wash
7. Seashell Shimmer
8. Beach Pink Metallic
9. Bronzed Sand Sparkle
10. Sunkissed Metallic
11. Seashore
12. Black Sand Sparkle

Do you see why I can’t stop buying these palettes? See the pretty neutral tones? See the subtle, but definitely present, shimmer? Yes, so good!

These pics were taken over Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer, and I use a q-tip when swatching on to my arm. The q-tip keeps the colors from running together, but it also increases the pigmentation a bit. Obviously brushes are softer, so on the lid the results are softer as well. To get these results on the lid, I either need to swap out my primer to a glitter primer, which is stickier and will grab the pigment better (my favorites are the ELF Glitter Primer or Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue), or I need to layer the shadows over a cream shadow such as a shadow stick or MAC paint pot.

When I purchased my Shimmering Sands Palette, I also ordered a trio of Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks (note, my trio set is no longer on her site but you can buy all three of these shades individually).

I’ve tried using the shadow sticks alone, over primer, etc. I’ve found that I get the most staying power when I apply a primer to my lid first, then draw the shadow on my lid and blend it by lightly patting with a fingertip. It lasts pretty much all day that way, though I admit that since the 3 shades I bought are basic mattes, I find that look a little boring.

So, this is the best way to wear both of these products. I’ve been layering them! A little primer, then I use the shadow stick and pat a few times with a finger tip. Then I use a brush to apply the shadow. The look is very pretty, and nothing. moves. all. day. long. Really, it looks perfect late at night, even after a hot, humid day.

I’m thinking about trying out a few more shadow sticks (Golden Bronze looks really pretty), and I’ve been using the shadow sticks under a lot of my Bobbi Brown shadows. And since using glitter primer has transformed how the Bobbi Brown shadows look on my shadows, I have 3 that are just hanging out on my vanity. And yes, I’ve already bought the Telluride Eye Palette. It’s amazing.

Bobbi Brown’s Shimmering Sands Palette
Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks
I Bought It Affiliate Commision