Powders aren’t usually the makeup product I find myself looking at and going ‘wow, I really want that’, but a little while ago (ok, a long while ago) I saw this cute little release from Bourjois to celebrate their 150th anniversary and I couldn’t resist. Even if I did think to myself, what will I actually use it for?
Bourjois released this to celebrate their 150th anniversary as the Java Rice Powder is one of their best selling products ever, women were wearing this back in 1879 can you believe! I love the vintage looking, mint green packaging. This may or may not have been a bit of a selling point for me, please don’t judge. It’s marketed as a transparent, one shade suits all powder that can be used to brighten and highlight the skin or be used as an all over setting powder, and when I originally bought this their were practically no reviews anywhere online so it was a bit of a gamble!
Although I’m not usually one for powders, I’ve kind of fell in love with this product. It doesn’t totally wow me, but it has snook it’s way into my daily routine and I do actually quite enjoy using it. The photo above doesn’t really do it justice, it shows it’s pink hue but not the shimmer unfortunately. In real life it definitely has a visible shimmer to it, to a point where you might think, ‘am I really going to put this all over my face?’ Well, yes my fellow beauty lover, you are. The pink hue you see in the pot doesn’t appear anywhere near pink on your face (I will say I’m not sure how this will fare on darker skins), and the slightly scary shimmer translates into a gorgeous radiant glow that lights up your skin beautifully. The powder itself is so smooth and leaves my skin feeling very silky when I use it, and as someone with dry skin I can happily say this works fine even over my pesky dry nose.
If you’re not one for an all over glow, the Java Rice Powder is just as lovely when used in specific areas as a subtle highlight. Over your cheekbones, down your nose, and my favorite place, under the eyes. After I’ve used my current favorite under eye concealer, the DiorSkin Nude Hydrating Concealer, I use this not only to set my concealer in place but also to brighten the area and make myself look more awake. I don’t know what it is but lately I’ve found myself being constantly tired, and my skin seems to be suffering from the same lifeless feeling. It’s a bit dull and just generally tired looking, so this product does a nice job of making me feel and look slightly less like a zombie. My only gripe with this product is I find the packaging to be a little messy, when I first opened it loads fell out of the little holes and it’s never been the same since.
Another thing I want to mention is the smell. Oh. My. Word. I haven’t actually worked out what it smells like yet, but the only thing I can think of is ‘candy’. I feel so American saying that, but you know those little love heart sweets you get? I think that’s what it smells like, but I will report back another time when I’ve eventually decided.
I’ve heard this being compared to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, and I’m going to be trying that myself after Christmas so I might do a little comparison post when I do! What do you think of the Bourjois Java Rice Powder? A nice product, or just a novelty? Tell me your thoughts! :)
