When Olivia Jade tells me about her first six months living in New York I can’t help but laugh. The content creator became a permanent resident last September, and it’s hard to imagine Jade — born and raised in L.A. with the sunny aura of a garden fairy — wading through slush during our worst winter in 11 years. “It was a nice shake-up, the first winter I’ve spent here,” she says over the phone. Nothing says “Welcome to NYC” like a blockbuster blizzard!
It also proved to be the perfect setting to test him Bronze and Glow BalmHer brand new bronzer-highlighter duo O.Piccolawhich officially falls TODAY AT 2PM PST/5PM EST. “I used to use it on days I wouldn’t even leave the house, just to see how long it stays on the face, whether it settles into fine lines, and how long it lasts. But since moving to New York, I really need it to give me a little bit of color because I look like a ghost.”
You’d never know it, I retort. Jade has long been known for having a bright, sun-kissed tune that expresses her love for Bronzer and highlighter from scratch his youtube channel 12 years ago. “(It) makes me feel more alive,” she says. “When I was 18, I created a capsule with the Sephora collection, and we came up with a bronze and highlight palette. That’s where the idea originated: What’s a more current, mature version of that palette?” Five years (and a lot of TikTok teasers) later, O.Piccola was born.
O.Piccola
Bronze and Glow Balm
For her brand debut, Jade has introduced a dual-ended bronzer and highlight balm in three shades: light with champagne pink highlights, medium with rose pink highlights and dark with gold highlights. The formula is creamy, the finish is buildable and not too glittery (“It looks really pretty even over matte makeup,” says Jade), and the sleek packaging is satisfyingly compact. “I travel a lot for work,” shares Jade, “and I wanted something I could throw in my bag, suitcase or even my purse when I’m on the go.”
(Image credit: Devon Trunk)
Ever the curious beauty editor, I’ll definitely have to ask what other products she keeps on her face. “I always have a lip liner or stain. I really like to overline my lips, so that’s always in the bag, as well as a kind of lip gloss, so my lips don’t dry out,” she replies admiringly. A swollen lip stain on a summer Friday, Kosas HotlinerAnd Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Universal Earth. “I got a tattoo on my lips less than a year ago—I’m so fed up of it and waiting for it to fade—so there are only so many lip colors I can use right now. It has to be in the cherry-red family, which is kind of obnoxious. Whenever I try to use a brown nude or another color that’s a little lighter than my tattoo, it doesn’t look right,” she laughs.
She will also add a little perfume oil-Liv1 Fragrance by Sarah Maxwell Beauty-Plus concealer and face mist to freshen up on the go, the latter of which will undoubtedly come in handy when the New York weather hits 180 and becomes unbearably humid. Jade, the eternal optimist, is curious to see how she Bronze and Glow Balm Remedy in summer. “I’m excited to test it out, but I’m confident,” she shares. You know what they say about NYC: If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.
(Image credit: Devon Trunk)
The balm has an intentional “rounded rectangle” shape that makes contouring easier. “If you press it under your cheekbones, it completely sculpts the section. Then you can flip it horizontally and sculpt your forehead, jaw line, and down to your chin. Then, if you flip it vertically, you can create a really nice nose contour,” explains Jade. (Don’t worry; she offers a tutorial video on this o.piccola website This shows how she uses it.) Because the formula is so creamy and forgiving, you can blend with a sponge (Jade’s favorite tool), a brush, or your fingers for a seamless finish.
On the highlight side, “I swipe right across my face,” says Jade. “Sometimes I’ll use my fingers if I want to be a little more precise with where I’m applying it. I also like to do a little button-nose highlight on the tip of the nose. I’ll usually dip my finger in the product and pat it on.” I immediately freak out (pun intended), telling her I’m also a fan of the button-nose highlight, despite some makeup artists claiming it can have an unnatural effect.
“This is polarization!” He agrees with this. “I think I’ll try to convince people that this is right.” It also helps that Jade’s formula has minimal glitter, which typically makes highlighters look more natural. “It’s a skin-like glow,” she says. “You can be wild and rough, and it doesn’t have to be irritating.”
(Image credit: Devon Trunk)
Finally, I have to ask: Where does blush fit into her routine? Bronzer, highlighter, and blush are a package deal. “I also love blush, but if I don’t have a lot of options and I want something to give my face life, I feel like tan and glow do more than just a color,” she says. That said, she considers bronzer, highlighter, and blush to be the best sun-kissed makeup trio. “It would be the dream, but I couldn’t figure out how to create a triple-ended product,” she jokes. We will have to wait with bated breath for the next much-awaited drop.
Shop Olivia Jade’s Beauty Essentials
O.Piccola
Bronze and Glow Balm
summer friday
swollen lips
make forever
artist color pencil
sarah maxwell beauty
liv1 fragrance
