The Bobbi Brown Holiday 2012 Collection includes this Bobbi Brown Powder Eye Pearl Trio ($46 USD), a brand-new set of 3 pigments that boast ultra-rich pigmentation. This limited edition trio includes a shimmery champagne, taupe and black pigments in vials with sponge-tip applicators. This limited-edition collection features a huge variety of beautiful gifts at every price point, so be sure to check out the whole collection here.

I can’t remember the last time I saw Bobbi Brown release pigments like these!  The shades are stunning and I like the fact that they come in a trio instead of individually.  The product itself is pretty good as well- decent pigmentation and very sparkly (without being chunky). What I don’t like, is pretty much everything else.

Bobbi Brown Powder Pearl Eye Trio (L-R) Pink Pearl, Moonlight Pearl & Black Pearl

Sponge-tip applicator (with spring-loaded stopper)

Note the size

The shades include…

• Pink Pearl: Shimmery golden peach-champagne; this shade is my favorite because it really brightens up the eye and is the easiest to use.
• Moonlight Pearl: Shimmery taupe; I wish this one was more pigmented, but it actually seems to be the least-pigmented out of them all. Such a pretty color!
• Black Pearl: Shimmery charcoal; extremely pigmented and extremely messy. Be warned!

The vial each have a built-in sponge-tip applicator, and at first it may seem like a good idea… but it just leads to so much more mess than needed. Yes, loose pigment powders are typically messy and one must be careful when using them, but if these would have come in a wide-mouth jar instead of a vial, it would be easier to use and I’d probably like it a lot more.

The sponge tip is really big, for one thing, so it picks up a lot of powder (which usually ends up falling off of the applicator sponge before it gets anywhere near your eye). This also contributes to a lot of fall-out (especially with the black one). The first time I opened the vial of Black Pearl, I got it all over my hand and floor which was not fun!

I have seen some amazing reviews for these products… which made me wonder if I was somehow using them wrong? I’ve tried them dry, wet, by the sponge, by a finger, with a brush.. and I just can’t seem to like them because they are just so inconvenient!  Also, they must be used over a primer if you want any hope that they will stay on or not crease.

It pains me to not recommend a Bobbi Brown product, because you all know that I’m a huge fan. But in the world of beauty, there are hits and misses. If you were looking forward to these pigments, check out the Rich Caviar palette instead- it’s amazing!

What a mess! This happened the first time I opened the Black Pearl powder.

Swatches (L-R) Pink Pearl, Moonlight Pearl & Black Pearl

Summary

• Price: $46 USD
• Availability: Bobbi Brown
• Overall: As beautiful as these pigments are in shade and texture, they are just way too messy!  The packaging contributes the most to the difficult application, extreme fall-out and unnecessary spillage. If they were packaged in a wide-mouth jar, I think they would be much more appealing.
• Rating: C+