Filmstar Bronze and Glow versus Bar of Gold

Filmstar Bronze and Glow palette above and Bar of Gold below

So I thought I would do a little comparison between Charlotte Tilbury's highlighters, I'd thought about doing this a while ago but then the Bar of Gold sold out but I recently saw on Charlotte's Instagram that she's re-launched it. Yay!
I'm pretty sure it is limited edition again but who knows.. it might be re-launched again next year if there is enough demand..

Anyway- onto the comparisons, I will be comparing it of course to Charlotte's other coveted highlighter from her Filmstar Bronze & Glow palette in the shade light to medium. Now the Bar of Gold I have is from her first launch a couple of years ago and I am assuming that the formula and packaging is the same. 

Charlotte Tilbury's Bar of Gold, Skin Gilding Highlighter

A little bit about the packaging on the Bar of Gold, it's well- cheap- is a bit harsh but kinda true.. it's like a cardboard box with a magnet closure and of course we all know the packaging of the Filmstar palette is just gorgeous, rose gold, good weight to it, nice strong clasp closure, great sized mirror, all round lovely.

The Bar of Gold just doesn't have the same quality packaging or look about it, no mirror, just a rose gold cardboard box with magnetic closure, its lightweight- good for travel I guess and pretty small but miles away from the Filmstar palette's packaging.
And if you buy it online like I did and have some of her other products the packaging for this might be a little bit of shock like, it was for me. That being said mine is a couple of years old so the packaging may have been up-graded but from what I can tell online it still looks the same. Not that it changes how amazing the highlighter is I thought I would just get that out in the open first..

Price comparisons - Filmstar is $68 USD and the Bar of Gold is $42 USD, now compared to product given for that price, you get a net weight of 16grams for the Filmstar although you do get a bronzer and a highlighter for this so for the sake of the review lets half it, so 8grams and for the Bar of Gold you get 5.5grams. So there is clearly a difference between the two, you're getting a lot more highlighter (and a great bronzer) in the Filmstar palette than the Bar of Gold.

Both photos above taken in direct sunlight, no flash. Top Swatch is Bar of Gold and Bottom Swatch is Filmstar Bronze and glow highlighter.

Now for the actual colour comparisons, I tried to get as real to life images of the swatches as possible. Pre swatching these next to each other I was nearly positive that the Bar of Gold was darker than the Filmstar highlighter but my brain must of completely made that up as the Bar of Gold is definitely lighter and slightly more on the yellow/light gold shade.
They are both beautiful highlighters and are different. They both have that gorgeous glow about them, both can be build up to create the most intense highlighter ever, if that's what you want or can just be dusted over to give a subtle illusion of youth and glowly golden goddess-ness.. 

Both photos above taken inside natural light, no flash. Top Swatch is Bar of Gold and Bottom Swatch is Filmstar Bronze and glow highlighter.

The Bar of Gold has slightly more shimmer, in the way of teeny tiny bits of glitter in it compared to the Filmstar highlight which still has it but just slightly less. The Filmstar feels slightly more buttery but really they both feel excellent. They both give that illusion of youthfulness that we all dream of in a highlighter.

Wearing Charlotte Tilbury's Bar of Gold has a highlight on cheekbones, below eyebrow, on mobile lid on top of Champagne diamonds shadow stick, down the centre of my nose, cupids bow and tear ducts. Photo taken inside in natural lighting.

To round it up they are both gorgeous golden based highlighters and can be used in so many different ways, eyeshadows, tear duct highlighters, put on top of lipsticks, cover your whole body in... Loads of uses! They are so gorgeous I feel like eating both of them right now (I'm too weird!)

The Bar of Gold is a lighter highlight colour, slightly lacking in the packaging department and is not as good value compared to the Filmstar palette. The Filmstar palette has excellent packaging, that mirror!, and you get much more bang for your buck compared to the Bar of Gold.

Same highlighted places as above but photo take in direct sunlight. Wearing Miranda May on my lips with a touch of Mega Melon Juicy Shaker in the centre of my lips.

So to round it up I would say, if you are deciding between buying either the Filmstar palette or the Bar of Gold definitely go for the Filmstar Palette but if you already have the Filmstar palette and want to add to your collection you wont be disappointed, it is gorgeous and definitely different, although the packaging lets it down I still absolutely love mine and use it often.

Matte Revolution

When Charlotte Tilbury launched her make-up line I was pretty, ok VERY, excited and went overboard and purchased lots and lots of goodies but one goodie I feel like I completely overlooked was her Matte Revolution lipsticks.

Charlotte Tilbury, Matte Revolution Lipsticks
Left- Sexy Sienna, Right- Lost Cherry

They are gorgeous.

Unlike any other matte lipstick I've tried, they don't actually feel matte when they are on the lips. They actually feel, dare I say it, moisturising.

Swatches, Left- Sexy Sienna, Right- Lost Cherry 

They wear beautifully, like an absolute dream. No dodgy ring left around the outside of your lip after you've eaten or had a drink.

They are buttery, yes seemingly a matte can be buttery, and doesn't show up any dry skin that you might have on your lips. Very forgiving.

Wearing Sexy Sienna

Whilst being long lasting they are not completely indestructible but you can easily top it up without your lips becoming thick and cakey. Don't get me wrong they are long lasting, a good few hours of gorgeous wear.

Wearing Lost Cherry

I personally don't even wear them with a lip pencil. With no bleeding out from your lip line.

I find the formula and level of matte-ness very wearable. Day or night. And of course, like everyone I, love the packaging, kind of reminds me of original gold Estee Lauder lipstick packaging, from way back. Love. And the unusual shape of the bullet, makes for easy application.

Her colour selection is pretty amazing and will definitely be adding more to my collection soon.

Christian Louboutin does RED

 

Look at how outrageously fabulous this nail polish is? From the giant spike as an applicator to the perfect little shoe like box it comes in. It is just fab.u.lous.

Might I add, it was a fabulous gift that came with a no doubt fabulous price tag to match, but none the less I love it! How couldn't I?

But lets get down to the nitty gritty, is it actually worth it?

Upon my first trial of it, I was beyond impressed with its colour pay off, normally with nail polishes I am definitely a two coats kindo gal. But the Christian Louboutin nail polish is definitely a one coat wonder and I mean one coat.

It goes on like a dream, no smearyness, no lines and you cannot see the whites of your nail tips through the polish and yes that is just after one coat. Very impressive. 

Now I did find it slightly tricky with my first application and having to paint it on with this large spike, but now that I've tried it out a few times I am completely used to it. And the applicator brush is a very nice indeed, no splaying and fanning out of the bristles when pressed down onto the nail.

When I didn't use a base and top coat I did notice some chipping after a few days, but with my trusty OPI base and top coat I have had a good two weeks wear out of it with no chipping. It just started to wear off the ends of my nails and grow out.

So again very impressed and naturally it has lasted even longer on my toes, dare I say 5 weeks, ok that is slightly gross, but they are still looking good. The colour has not faded and again no chipping.

Mmm now lets discuss the absolutely deliciously divine colour, it is in my opinion the most perfect red, it is just beautiful, so classic and oh so very chic.

It matches the soles of his shoes just perfectly. Numerous compliments guaranteed.

Knowing what I know now about this delightful nail polish I might have even been tempted to purchase it myself but if you are stuck for gifts for anyone who you know loves Christian Louboutin then perhaps you've found them the perfect gift.

I know I love mine more than I ever thought I would have.

Is it dinner time yet?