The Bare Escentuals Putting on the Glitz ($54 USD / $68 CDN) is probably my favorite out of all the gift sets from the mineral makeup mavens (bareMinerals, of course).  This 10-piece collection features 2 gorgeous eyeshadows, 1 eyeshadow base, 1 blush, 1 radiance (aka. highlighter), 1 full-size mascara, 1 full-size eyeliner (brand new formula!), 1 “Pretty Amazing” lip color, 1 double-ended brush (eyes on one side, cheeks on the other) and a gorgeous, sparkling clutch to carry it all in.  Be sure to check out the video review as well to see all the products in action.

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Kit

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Kit

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Kit

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Kit

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Kit

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Kit

The Clutch

We already know my history with bareMinerals, as I mentioned in my Box of Gems review, so I’ll get straight to the review of this kit.  The bittersweet part about my love for this kit is that this is my favorite out of all the collections coming out this holiday- however that is simply because the clutch is absolutely GORGEOUS (it TOTALLY matches my glittery pumps I was planning on wearing for New Years)!  Its a great makeup bag or fashion clutch….but let’s get onto the makeup because that’s the “real” star of this show.

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Clutch

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Clutch

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Clutch

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Clutch

The Primer Eyeshadow

The eye base is a new friend I’ve made.  The Prime Time eye bases are meant to be creaseless primers, and they really do make a fantastic base (slightly tacky, great for packing on bareMinerals eyeshadows on top), but they are also amazing on their own.  This Toasted Almond shade is definitely one of my favourites I’ve tried, and I’ve tried quite a few already (hint: the Strike It Rich review will be up this week)! It’s totally creaseless, works just like Bobbi Brown’s long-wear eyeshadows or Benefit’s creaseless cream shadows, but this one is a TAD harder to work with simply because I feel like it sets so quickly. And once it’s set, it’s not moving for no one (except for some eye makeup remover, of course).

Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Eyeshadow in Toasted Almond

Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Eyeshadow in Toasted Almond

Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Eyeshadow in Toasted Almond

The Eyeshadows

The eyeshadows are really gorgeous.  I love both shades- Glamtastic, a stunning neutral beige with a decent amount of pigment and just a touch of shimmer to brighten the eyes. I like wearing this one alone or with some eyeliner during the day…it’s slight yellow undertone helps to mask any redness on the eyes!  And then there’s Glitz- a simple stunner.  Unfortunately this shade is a lot prettier in the actual container; a gorgeous mixture of purple with silver, blue and a couple other shimmer colours thrown in.  It packs much more pigmentation when foiled, but for the look this kit is going for, its more of a smoky crease color that loses that amazing shimmer when used dry.  It’s still a drop dead gorgeous eyeshadow none-the-less.

Bare Escentuals Putting On The Glitz Eyeshadows in Glitz (left) and Glamtastic (right)

Bare Escentuals Eyeshadow in Glamtastic

Bare Escentuals Eyeshadow in Glamtastic

Bare Escentuals Eyeshadow in Glamtastic

Bare Escentuals Eyeshadow in Glamtastic

Bare Escentuals Eyeshadow in Glitz

Bare Escentuals Eyeshadow in Glitz

Bare Escentuals Eyeshadow in Glitz

The Eyeliner

The eyeliner is one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve come across.  This new eyeliner formula, the Round the Clock Eyeliner in shade 5pm is a nice deep purple (although it looks pretty much black on the eye), reminds me of a mix between Stila Eye Kajals and Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Perversion.  Super creamy, glides on like butter, but sets like a rock and will not budge!  Great for the waterline- but this product sets quickly too, so if you’re an eyeliner smudger, go for one eye at a time or you might be too late! Really happy with this formula, I think you will be too.

Bare Escentuals Round the Clock Waterproof Eyeliner in 5pm

Bare Escentuals Round the Clock Waterproof Eyeliner in 5pm

Bare Escentuals Round the Clock Waterproof Eyeliner in 5pm

The Blush

The blush is totally up my ally!  The deep rosy berry shade is Gorgeous (no really, that’s its name) and i’s just bright enough to make a statement, but simply use a light hand and its totally wearable.  This satin finish blush will last you forever and a day though, you need SO little.  I’m also happy to see the click-top lids to prevent irreversible damage to clothing and furniture upon opening (which I’ve done many times).

Bare Escentuals Gorgeous Blush

Bare Escentuals Gorgeous Blush (Open filter)

Bare Escentuals Gorgeous Blush

Bare Escentuals Gorgeous Blush

The Highlighter

The highlighter is pure glitz and glam in a pot.  This Luxe Radiance is a super light, sheer baby pink powder laced with shimmer that will make you simply glow.  Keep in mind this product isn’t the most natural looking radiance they have…it’s definitely more of an evening product with visible shimmer, but looks stunning on cheekbones none-the-less. And when I say cheekbones, I mean it…. don’t go putting this all over or you may run the risk of getting mistaken for the disco ball by other party-goers.

Bare Escentuals Luxe Radiance

Bare Escentuals Luxe Radiance (click-top filter)

Bare Escentuals Luxe Radiance

Bare Escentuals Luxe Radiance

The Lip Color

The lip color in Perky is a really gorgeous peachy-pink shade; the perfect neutral to enhance the lips without making them stand out too much. The formula is moisturizing with a nice shine (not goopy or sticky at all), but it lacks some sort of nice smell. Not that it smells bad, but I just kinda wish there was some sort of vanilla or fruity scent with it… a little disappointed! It also didn’t last too long, maybe an hour or two, but it won’t hold up on eating and drinking- so be prepared to reapply (I don’t feel this is much of an issue though, because the shade is so natural its pretty fool proof). I do LOVE the applicator though, a hybrid between a doe-foot and a brush, it’s genius! Check out the video to really see it work.

Bare Escentuals Pretty Amazing Lip Color in Perky

Bare Escentuals Pretty Amazing Lip Color in Perky

Bare Escentuals Pretty Amazing Lip Color in Perky

Bare Escentuals Pretty Amazing Lip Color in Perky

The Mascara

The mascara was a bit of a let-down for me.  I was really hoping for some monstrous, fake-looking lashes after using this new Flawless Definition Volumizing formula, but really it left me with not much of a difference than Maybelline Great Lash (and for me, that’s not a good thing).  Love their original mascara for its lengthening and defining ability, but this just didn’t give me the volume I crave.  The brush is very similar to a Benefit BADgal type mascara. A good everyday mascara, but not something I’d reach for if I’m going for a dramatic look.

Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara

Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara

The Brush

…or should I say brushes? The Luxe Cheek and Eye double ended brush in this kit is pretty handy- I managed to complete an entire look on myself using just that one brush.  It’s soft and works great, but it’s hard for me to say if it will last the test of time…I don’t have a positive history with Bare Escentuals brushes.  A few months into their use and after a couple deep cleanses, they manage to turn into scratchy, painful tools that just aren’t pleasant. I’ll definitely report if these ones are an improvement.

Bare Escentuals Luxe Cheek and Eye Brush

Bare Escentuals Luxe Cheek and Eye Brush

Bare Escentuals Luxe Cheek and Eye Brush (Cheek side)

Bare Escentuals Luxe Cheek and Eye Brush (Eye side)

Bare Escentuals Luxe Cheek and Eye Brush

See More

• Video Review

Summary

• Price: $54 USD / $68 CDN
• Availability: Sephora and Sephora.com
• Overall: My favorite holiday kit from Bare Escentuals (mainly for the gorgeous clutch) but also because the shades are very pretty and work together very well. Universal colours with a step-by-step guide, this makes a great gift for anyone and everyone (including yourself)!
• Rating: A-