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When I first saw the two highlight and contour palettes created by Maryam Maquillage with Pixi Beauty, I was really excited because it looked like she really took the time to create extremely versatile palettes for all skin tones – and I was right. In this Pixi and Maryam Maquillage review, I’m going to share which palette I think is best for specific skin tones and show some swatches. At $20 each (with the corresponding double-sided Pixi + Maryam Maquillage brush, $14) , these palettes are definitely worth a glance next time you’re wandering around Target or online shopping at PixiBeauty.com.
L to R: Strobe + Bronze, Strobe + Sculpt
Maryam Maquillage is a social media sensation, with over 1.3MM followers on Facebook and nearly 1MM on Instagram! Known for her amazingly contoured and highlighted face with amazing bone structure, it’s easy to see why a highlight and contour set was most appealing to the self-taught makeup artist.
As a social media starlet who hangs with all of the cosmetic industry’s stars, I expected her products to be incredible high performance, highly pigmented and easy to use (because, after all, it’s Pixi Beauty which is advertised as beauty for the everyday woman/man/makeup lover).
One thing I have to mention from the start is that these palettes are confusingly named. In large letters, one reads, “STROBE & BRONZE,” but then in smaller writing, it says, “Glow & Bronze Palette.” The other reads, “STROBE & SCULPT,” and in smaller writing, “Highlight and Contour Palette.” Maybe it’s just me, but it is annoying and confusing to determine which is meant for what. I mean, aren’t they all for your face to highlight, bronze and contour!?
Maryam speaks of the Strobe + Bronze palette as more of a ‘sunkissed goddess’ palette; perfect for work or play. The six shades are all on the more forgiving, easy to wear side. Four of the six have a sheen/shimmer to them and two are matte. None are advertised as actual contour shades in this palette. The brown shades are meant for basic bronzing all over the face. These mineral-based powders create more natural definition and luminosity.
Surprisingly, my favorite highlight shade is the medium, lilac shade! It really brightens and lights up the face, but I love that she included the peach and light bronze highlights, also. The three highlighters make it easy to work well on a variety of skin tones.
Out of the bronze hues, I disliked the shimmer bronze. It just made me look like a glitter ball when used alongside the shimmer highlights. However; the two matte bronzers are great – extremely pigmented and not too warm-toned. A little goes a very long way with these bronzers.
I’d recommend the Strobe + Bronze palette for pale to medium skin tones, or those with medium to tan skin tones NOT looking for a bold contour. If you have more texture to your skin, I would proceed with caution because the shades with shimmer can accentuate uneven texture if you apply too much. Pick it up at your local Target, or online at PixiBeauty.com.
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The Strobe + Sculpt palette has much deeper, matte bronze/contour colors. Maryam says these shades are her pick for a defined and glowing look. The contour shades vary from a medium neutral bronze, a cool, deep-toned contour, and a dark (repeat, DARK) chocolate-brown contour. This is probably the darkest shades of contour I’ve ever seen in the drugstore, so if you’re more tan-deep skin (MAC NC42 and darker), you definitely should check this palette out right away!
The highlight options include one matte banana-color shade – perfect for locking in foundation/brightening under eye concealer without being too white/ashy against the skin. It can also be used as a matte highlighter on the cheekbones if you find shimmer to be too obvious. The other two are shimmer shades in a warm, coral/peach (amazing for medium/dark skin) and a golden/champagne (perfect for light/medium skin).
Maryam also recommends using this palette as eyeshadow, which I tried a few times and it worked beautifully because of the great variety of matte brown colors for the crease and as an eyeliner.
If you’re ready to step up your highlight/contour game, don’t love shimmer all over your face, OR are more medium/deep skin tone, then the Strobe + Sculpt palette is for you. Out of the two palettes, this one is more of my personal favorite because I’m more comfortable with highlighting and contouring. Get it online on PixiBeauty.com or you may find it at your local Target (I couldn’t find it on Target online).
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I’m a bit torn on this Strobe + Sculpt brush. Initially, I was so excited about a synthetic (soft) double-sided highlight and contour brush because – hello, time-saver – but after a few uses, I noticed I was having some issues with blendability.
I love this brush for the convenience factor and it’s also well-made. You can tell it’s a quality brush; not one hair has fallen out over daily use. After having issues blending out the shades from Maryam’s palettes using the brush, I gave it a shot on other highlight/contour and even blush shades I own. I still had a weird issue with blending. To be honest, I have a feeling I’m going to be in the minority in not loving this brush because I LOVE A GOOD BRUSH, but I just can’t say it’s groundbreaking.
For the $14 price tag, if you don’t have a contour brush to deposit color precisely the way this one is shaped, then I think it’s worthwhile to give it a shot. You can find it on Target.com, possibly at your local Target, and at PixiBeauty.com.
Have you tried these palettes or brush yet? What are your thoughts? I hope you found my review helpful and decide to try one (or both) of these high quality, versatile palettes on Target or at PixiBeauty.com! They get two thumbs up from me 🙂
-Steffanie
