Bobbi Brown’s limited edition Surf & Sand Summer collection was inspired by sandy neutrals, designed to create effortless beach to bar looks.
Surf Eye Palette
The collection includes two eye palettes: Surf - above, and Sand - warmer copper and gold shades. Surf includes 5 shimmering gold tones, a matte cream shade and blue and green glitters. I was surprised to see the inclusion of brights and expect most will have a marmite reaction to these: they aren’t for uber bright fans as the colour payoff is very minimal. The colour-shy are more likely to enjoy the subtlety, though really, the colour is barely detectable.
Bikini Bronze, the strongest gold tone (top right) is the one I’ve been reaching for the most. Applied over primer this looks super intense and can be worn alone or as the basis for a smokey eye, while the lighter gold tones look good for a daytime wash of colour.
Personally, I’d opt for the warmer Sand palette, which appeals to me due to the variety of my kinda tones, good colour payoff (in swatches I’ve seen) and the inclusion of a deeper shade for contrast.
Brightening Blush + Sheer Lip Color
The lightly pearlised blush in Pink (also available in Bronze) gives a subtle, pretty flush to the cheeks, which works well over bronzer on my skin tone but may not show up on darker skins. The first swatch is the main colour on its own and the second, all three swirled together, which looks pretty on upper cheekbones. I like this a lot and think I’ll wear it more in cooler weather when I’m paler.
Although described as sheer, the lipsticks can be built up to significant colour - I’ve used a double swipe for these swatches. Summer Nude is a more apricot tone than I’d normally go for, but surprisingly nice on the lips and gorgeously creamy in texture. Peach Sorbet is a soft coral with gold shimmer, something I’m not normally a fan of, but it does soften shortly after application into a really pretty shade.
Long-Wear Eye Pencil
Is it weird that my favourite from this collection is an eyeliner? Just look at it though… *swoon* - I’m a huge fan of bronze eyeliners and constantly trying new ones - and this one is utter perfection. It’s cooler and darker on application than expected, applies like velvet and lasts well on my eyes, perfect for a smokey smudge along the lash line.
In these pics I’m wearing the Pink blush (after a little contouring with bronzer), Summer Nude Lip Color, Sunshine Metallic Eye shadow (3rd left shade in palette, without primer) and the Bronze long-wear eye pencil.
Prices start at £18 and all products are available now at Selfridges or John Lewis.
If I had to choose from the Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand collection I’d go for the Sand Eye Palette, Bronze eye pencil and Pink Taffy lipstick. How about you?
