RapidReviews is a series in this blog where I provide quick reviews of new products. Longer posts of curated edits (which are my favourite thing to do) can be found outside this series on the rest of the blog.

These new palettes from Burberry and Suqqu are truly beautiful to look at - and incidentally, look somewhat similar at first glance. If you were debating whether to buy one or the other (or both), I hope this quick review helps you out. The Suqqu Powder Blush Compact is limited-edition and the Burberry Essentials Glow Palette (in 01 Fair to Light Medium) may also be limited edition thoug I am not entirely certain of that. The Suqqu is $67 and the Burberry is $90. However, for those in the US, you can only buy the Suqqu palette on UK websites (Selfridges, Harrods) and at least with Selfridges, where I bought mine, I had to pay a whopping $30 for shipping so my total pretty much matched the Burberry palette (of course, if you’ve bought the annual $50 free shipping deal at Selfridges, then shipping would be free and this palette is considerably cheaper than Burberry). Each of these palettes has two obvious highlighters (both on the extreme right - top and bottom rows) of each palette. Of the 4 additional shades in the Suqqu palette, 3 are obvious blushes, and 1 can be used both as a blush or bronzer depending on your skin tone. The Burberry palette has 2 blushes, 1 powder bronzer (top-right) and 1 cream contour (top-left).

The Suqqu palette comes in a slim, shiny black case - very understated, but nice and heavy in your hand - feels very luxurious in the way that only minimalist design can feel. The Burberry palette is slightly less understated - though still quite restrained in its choice of packaging. The palette is larger and square-ish, but still sleek - there is nothing bulky or boxy about it. It comes in a beautiful, highly reflective gold casing that is embossed with the standard Burberry plaid pattern. Both palettes are beautiful.

L to R: Suqqu Powder Blush Compact, Burberry Essentials Glow Palette

Differences between these Palettes

Formula

While both are great formulas, they are very different. Let’s start with the highlighters - while both are proper highlighters as in they really amp up the glow/shine/sparkle, the Suqqu highlighters are a tad more muted and a bir grainier to the touch - though not in a bad way - just a slightly heavier powder. The Burberry highlighters are lighter and the powder appears more finely milled and these are definitely shinier than the Suqqu ones. And when I say shiny, I mean literally, it looks like they shine on my skin - no glitter, just shine - an effect that I find is unique in this formula.

The blush formula is also very different - Suqqu blushes are matte, highly pigmented, and take a bit of effort to blend - though the result is gorgeous. However, I think Burberry blew it out of the park with its blush formulas. At first sight (and swatch), these formulas appear to be slightly shimmery and that is not usually a quality I go for in my blushes (I tend to leave the sparkle to my highlighters). However, while these are slightly shimmery blushes, applying them on my cheeks completely upended my apprehensions - in fact, it has been a long time since I’ve been surprised by a blush formula given all the new products being churned out these days. This formula is the bomb. I do not say that lightly as a long-standing and passionate defender of blush on my cheeks. I also say this as someone who doesn’t usually like shimmery blushes on my face. This formula is, really, truly, the bomb. I picked it up on a blush brush and patted it on my cheeks and it blended instantly and almost all by itself without me doing much (if anything), stayed true to its color in the pan - something that doesn’t always happen with shimmery blushes, and imparted an instant rosy glow that I cannot quite describe in words. I’m a big, big fan.

Finally, the Burberry palette has a powder bronzer and cream contour. The powder bronzer is also slightly shimmery - but very, very minimally so - and is feather-light to the touch. The cream countour formula however, is absolutely beautiful - it’s the softest, most blendable, beautifully pigmented cream that you can sheer out to your heart’s content without too much work. I don’t contour a lot but even I am tempted to contour everyday because I just want to play with this beautiful formula!

Colors

As you can see from the swatches below, some of the colors are similar when swatched - however, I do think there is a significant difference when applied to the face because the formulas are different and the color behaves differently because of that. For blushes, the Suqqu palette applies more densely and the colors are more pigmented on my face, whereas the Burberry colors go on very lightly, almost like a sheer veil that you can then build up. Suqqu blushes include a bright pink (a personal favourite), a peach, a dusty brown-rose with mauve undertones, and a peach-bronze. The Burberry has a pale pink blush with lilac undertones, and soft peachy-pink blush. Suqqu highlighters are warmer and slightly darker than the Burberry highlighters. The Suqqu highlighters can probably be described as a pink champagne and a gold champagne, while the Burberry highlighters include a silver-white shade and an extremely pale champagne shade. The Burberry powder bronzer/contour is a very light latte shade with an almost imperceptible sheen. This color would actually look great on the eyes! The Burberry cream contour is a warm, chocolate-y brown that, while appearing quite dark in the pan, can be sheered out for a light wash of warmth.

Suqqu palette in natural light, in the sun

While I also really like the Suqqu palette, the Burberry surprised me, and frankly knocked it out of the park with these formulas. No wonder then, that both the shades in the Burberry palette appear to be currently sold out online (in the US) but may be available in store (it’s also still available on the LookFantastic UK website, at Hudson’s Bay in Canada, and Australia!). I have to admit I wish I had picked up the second shade when it was available but I honestly couldn’t imagine how amazing this formula would be. I’ll keep you updated in case it comes back in stock online. If you want to buy just one palette this Fall (and if you can get your hands on it!), this one would be my solid recommentation.

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