I'm taking up a new hobby: I've decided to become a gem collector. 

I'm starting with Bare Escentuals' newest kit, Topaz.  This comes-with-everything kit has three shadows you can use either wet or dry (Luminous Topaz, Lush Topaz, and Smoky Topaz); a rosy pink blush, one jar of their super-popular Mineral Veil powder foundation, a lip-plumping Buxom lipgloss in Tempest, and three brushes. 

Like all Bare Escentuals products, these shadows and powders are made with real mineral, so they're easy on even picky, sensitive skin (ahem...like mine).  The treat with this particular collection, though, is that the formulas get an extra bit of sparkle from pure crushed topaz. 

Effect: Gorgeous glittering that's subtle.  Here's the proof: 

This shot was taken in my kitchen.  But when I step outside and let the sun catch these hues:

Shazam!  Gotta love that sparkle and glitz!  What's especially nice about these shadows is that the glitter is really subtle.  Your eyes gleam at certain angles, under certain lights, but the shades are still matte enough for day use.

While I fell immediately in love with the shadows and blush (cannot...resist...glitter...), I've always been a fan of Buxom lips.  Although I've never noticed plumper lips as a result of wearing it (as the claim states), I do like the cooling feel of the gloss, plus its stay-put power.

My only complaint with this collection is the one-color-fits-all Mineral Veil, although the quality of the brushes MORE than makes up for an unused jar of MV - the wet/dry liner brush alone is sooo luxe.

Are you a Bare Escentuals fan?  Then you'll love this kit.  And if you're a shimmer fan...this box contains a few jars of heaven.