The Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand Collection definitely falls into two camps. One great, the other not so.
First up, Surf Eye Palette. I just don’t get this at all and I feel we have been here many times before with Bobbi Brown. While on the surface, it looks like it’s going to give pops of colour, in fact, the pigment is so bare that initially I thought maybe there was something wrong with the product. The green shade and the pretty duck egg blue translate to nothing but the merest nuance of colour, although they have plenty of fine shimmer and sparkle. They’re also different in texture to the other other shades – harder somehow and even with my most trusty swatch brush, I found it hard to pick up any colour at all.
You can see from the swatch that it is the lightest of palettes. Of course, that’s really going to suit some women who love the nuances that Bobbi is so good at – all I’m saying is that the payoff isn’t as good as it looks as though it might be. Those two shade in particular are supposed to be super-light, but even with that in mind, there is light and there is nothing.
Similar to this
The second palette, Sand, is much, much better!
Sand ranges from traditional matte nuance to smacks of colour, and I feel it just delivers more – there is no shade I’m disappointed with here, other than maybe the first, very pale one which is hardly showing at all. However, if you’re a Bobbi fan, then you’ll already be used to these ‘maybe’ colours. At £48 a pop, I think I want every shade to be completely and reliably present!
Anyway, there are some beautiful Sheer Lip Colours, which I’ll pop in a separate post, which I LOVE and two limited edition Brightening Blushes, which also get a thumbs up. It’s this month for launch so you’ll be able to find it at usual BB counters.
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19 comments
I’m not a fan of pastel eyes anyway so almost think I might prefer a subtle wash of colour that just reflects the pastel shades when the light hits it 🙂 The second palette is definitely the winner for me though – I would love to take this with me on holiday!
http://www.ceejayell.blogspot.co.uk
The Sand Palette looks like the one I would naturally reach for, more ‘ME’ shades in there. Looking at the swatches of them both the first palette is a little disappointing but the second one is gorgeous
http://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/
How can you even do a look with the first palette beyond an all over wash? Not enough contrast to do a contour or crease… It’s a shame because with full pigment I bet that blue and green would be lovely
I need the Surf one even it is poorly pigmented. Pastels are my colours, 75 € here well, it shall me mine ( Sand is beautiful but I have such colours already ). I love the blush and the lippies too, it is a summer collection worthy of the name IMO.
All of the shades in the second palette look amazing, such beautiful colours!
Mia xx
http://miararaa.blogspot.co.uk/
I’ve definitely defended Bobbi on here in the past when you’ve said her palettes were a bit boring but I definitely agree with the first one! I want to know where the newness is! I do love Bobbi but this is just boring… The second is pretty but still leaves something to be desired.
Both of these look lovely
L x
http://workingmumy.blogspot.com
If I recall correctly the blue and green eyeshadows are the sparkle eyeshadows in the palette. It means it is essentially just sparkles (glitter) like the the individual sparkle eyeshadows you can get from Bobbi brown.
Also why I did not get it. I thought the blue and green would be beautiful for summer with the more neutral shades but I’m not into glittery stuff.
Yes, you’re correct.. but there is so little colour that I think they are there to make the palette look pretty, not your eyes.
Bobbi has some fantastic makeup, but I can hardly believe that she continually gets by with these crappy eyeshadow palettes. I wouldn’t be able to work in her quality control department. Everything related to eyeshadow always gets a pass.
I agree wholeheartedly with GRLNXDOR. I have purchased 4 of Bobbi’s palettes in the past. I was disappointed in every one. There is no color payoff. You have to go back to the product again and again for it to show on your eyes (unless it is the darkest colors). The palettes are expensive and so not worth it. You can get better color payout from the drug store’s offerings. I just don’t understand how her palettes continue to sell. I am not even tempted.
Ridiculous that these retail for £48…
Jane do you have any info on the new nude on nude palette? I came accross it on the HoF site this morning- http://m.houseoffraser.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-hof-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=202923133&cm_mmc=Google+Shopping-_-Product+Extensions+And+Listings-_-Bobbi+Brown-_-_Bobbi+Brown+Nude+on+Nude+Eye+Palette&$$ja=cgid:7042086955%7Ctsid:44970%7Ccid:146503915%7Clid:56007525835%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:29472703315%7Crnd:10836436502485947572%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o1%7Cmt:
It looks pretty, but I can’t find any reviews/swatches anywhere.
no, I’ll try and find out some more about it.. looks rather good!
I saw the Nude on Nude palette on the BB site this week & like you I’m interested and can’t find any details.
I’ve found two posts on it so far: one here with swatches http://lipstickandotherfrivolities.blogspot.co.uk/
and one here http://www.jenniferpeffer.com/2014/07/bobbi-brown-nude-on-nude-surf-sand-palettes/
So disappointed in BB eyeshadows. The palettes always look beautiful but seem to rarely perform. I was dying to get my hands on that colourful palette until i saw swatches. Oh well, at least i save some money.
I hear you about the shadow finishes. I understand that Bobbi goes for a more layered approach to creating eye looks. So you start with a matte base, build up your colour and shape with the matte, metallic and/or shimmer wash shades, and then use the Sparkle finish shadows to layer over the top (which is why they are so sheer). I personally find the Sparkle shadows work best when patted on with a finger. It is quite different to other brands where you might expect more opacity from all the shades in a palette.
Sand really does look like the better choice from them both. I’d be disappointed if I paid all that money for Surf and that was the pay off I got. Perfect review – thanks!
http://www.lovefromlucky.blogspot.com