My Bronzer Collection (Reviews & Swatches)

Last week I showed you my favorite and least favorite self tanners, and this week it's my bronzer collection.  Tans are typically more popular during the summer months, so I figured this was a better time than any to do this post.  And I've just recently become obsessed with contouring, and a couple of the bronzers below are perfect for that!  All the ones I own are very affordable (with the exception of the MAC MSF which I received from a blog giveaway), although I'd love to try one of Tarte or Lancome's matte bronzers.  Keep reading to find out which of mine are my favorites and what purpose they serve best!

My bronzer collection all together!  I only have six (not including my two gel bronzers, Benefit Talk To The Tan and Too Faced Primed & Poreless Bronze Tint)

Wet n Wild ColorIcon Bronzer in Princess (top left)

This is another bronzer that I purchased due to rave reviews on the blogosphere!  I was always afraid of how dark it looked in the pan, but it's really all about having a light hand.  It's shimmery, so when I use  it I only apply sparingly along my cheekbones, nose, and temples and then buff out.  I also used this on films last semester because it helped make sure the actors' faces didn't get washed out by the lighting/camera (it was also a pretty universal color, as we didn't have a budget to buy different makeup for everyone!).  I don't get much use out of this, as I find it's just too shimmery and dark for my liking.  I think the color would be better on someone with a warmer skin tone.

ELF Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder  (top right)

This bronzer is what I contoured with a lot over the last year.  Even though it has tiny glitter particles in it, they don't really transfer onto your skin.  It has also been my bronzer of choice for its pigmentation and color.  It's dark if you apply too much, but a quick dusting along my cheeks, temples, and nose give me just a healthy amount of color.  I'm actually surprised I haven't hit pan on this yet, as I used to use it almost every day!  It's a high favorite of mine, and I might repurchase just because when I run out- I've also found myself using the blush out of sheer laziness because its pretty and in the same package as the bronzer. ;)

ELF Studio Golden Bronzer (bottom right)

I used to apply this all over my face last summer, can you believe it?!  It's gorgeous don't get me wrong, but very frosty (not so much shimmery).  You can tell by the pan how much I loved it- this, along with the above Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder were my two favorite bronzers last year.  I still love this every once in awhile when I want a multitasking bronzer and highlighter, but only on my cheeks/nose and then buffed out.  It's also probably too light for most people darker than an NC20- it hardly gives my face much color, but just enough to add a healthy "glow".  Really pretty- it flawlessly achieves that dewy look. 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Cheeky Bronze (LE- lower right corner)

I got this as a giveaway prize from Arezu last fall, but save it for special occasions.  I've come to the conclusions that MSFs aren't my thing- too shimmery/glittery- but this one is really pretty for that "summer bronzed" look.  I sweep it along my cheekbones either by itself or atop my Physicians Formula Mineral blush in Pink Glow (a matte peach blush) for a sunkissed look.  This would probably flatter warmer skin tones better, but I try to make it work!

Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Light (far left)

This is a natural matte bronzer that is perfect for contouring, and has recently become a favorite of mine.  It's more pigmented than the N.Y.C. Bronzing Powder, but still light so it's hard to overdo.  It's affordable between $3-$5, and the lightest of the three total shade offerings from this line.  I think a matte bronzer is an essential in everyone's makeup collection and I'm shocked that I only started using one this year!  I do wish it were a tiny bit darker in color, but it suits my fair skin just fine how it is.

NYC Bronzing Powder in Sunny (top middle)

Hello, new addition to my collection!  I just picked this up after seeing and reading about it for the longest time.  I got it home and realized it was close in color and finish to my Rimmel Natural Bronzer, because it's matte as well.  It's nice in that the color is natural on my light skin and it's great for contouring, and the pigmentation is much better when applied on your face versus the swatches below (for the swatches I had to rub my finger across the pan three times to get the payoff you see).  It's a great price though ($2.99), and does what it's supposed to do.  I love this so far and have been using it every day this week!

Daylight, flash

Note: Rimmel bronzer is Sun LIGHT not Sun Dance as labeled in the picture above, sorry!

Daylight, no flash

Same order as above

That's it!  Do you wear bronzer? (I know some people embrace their paleness, and if you do, I totally envy you and hope you can rub some of that off on me! ;) What are your favorites?  

Hope you all are having a great day! :)

MAY Favorites

*HARD CANDY* Sheer Envy Skin Perfecting Primer

I've come to love this primer because it feels more like a "base." I have other primers that are more like a clear gel and they feel like they didn't even go on your face. It doesn't smell bad and you get a lot for $8.00.

*REVLON* Colorburst in Hot Pink

I probably own like 100 lip glosses, but I must say this one tops the list. The color is perfect with my skin tone and it lasts. Just enough shimmer, not overbearing. A lot of glosses are sticky too, and I didn't have a problem with this one. I own two colors, but this is my favorite.

*GLAMOUR DOLL EYES* Foil Me

When I bought this, I was under the impression it was an eye primer. Well it is, BUT it actually goes on your eyes first, then you put your eye primer on, then your shadow. It truly makes eye shadow colors POP. It takes about a minute to dry. It isn't sticky, and has no smell. Makes shadows long lasting as well.

*ROCKET CITY* Colored Sparkle Powder in It's Spacey

I have never heard of Rocket City until I ordered from All Cosmetics Wholesale who gave it to me as my free gift with purchase. I have been using it as a shadow. It is a tad on the light yellow side and very shimmery. I love it. And the container is big, so it'll last a while.

*PHYSICIANS FORMULA* "Happy Boost" Bronzer Palette

This is by FAR my favorite product by them! I also have the blush, but I love this bronzer! It has such a wonderful smell and delivers a subtle shimmer. It is not too bronze, more of a skin warmer. Then there's hint of pink on the heart that adds a slight glow. I use this just about every day!

Tan in a Can!

My experiences with self tanner have been horrid. I can never find one that is convenient and doesn't look horrible, that doesn't break the bank. I've tried Jergens, Sunny Days, Bare Bronze, and a few others. They just simply take too long, streak, or despite exfoliating, STILL stain the knees and elbows. What the heck?

Well I decided to venture into Bath and Body Works to pick up some Secret Wonderland body wash and spray and ended up browsing. I cam accross their "True Blue" body collection. There was a gtradual lotion tanner, and I am just like, nope...Kept browsing and found the "True Blue" Fast Drying All Angle Airbrush Tan.

I sprayed it on my arm, paid for my things and left. The next morning when I woke up, WOW BEAUTIFUL bronze glowing color! I was shocked! I immediatley went back and bought 3 more. They were buy 2 get 1 free. (They are $15.00/ 1 can)

I've used it on my arms and legs, back, and upper chest area. I have had no issues. It is so easy to apply. Dries completely in about 15 minutes. (I stand in front of a fan!) There is a slight smell in while applying, but it goes away. Color developed for me in about 5-6 hours.

It says you can re-apply 8 hours later and then every 2-3 days for upkeep. So far I have used just one can about 4 times...so I think it is worth it! I love this product, and I don't have to stand 20 minutes in a tanning booth, and well since PA doesn't want Summer sun to come, I can enjoy my TAN IN A CAN!!!

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY!

ENDS JUNE 25, 2011

http://purrceptivevixxen.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-hell-of-it-giveaway.html

Sally Beauty Supply & Wal-Mart Haul

So I picked up a few too many things (I do this a lot) I was only going to Wal-mart for a paper shredder, and Sally's happened to be next door, not my fault!

Oh yes, I thought it was about time you met one of my five cats! This is Gus, the biggest pain in my ass :) This was what I purchased at Sally's!

*HEMP Bronzing Moisturizer (will be doing a before and after blog post on this one!)

*Ultimate Pumi Bar (for my feet!)

*Heel to Toe Foot Repair lotion

*Beyond Belief Intensive Repair serum (Face & neck)

*Beyond Belief Pore Refining Clay Mask

*Correctionist Lip Line Correcting Treatment

*And some black sunglasses with rhinestones

My Wal-Mart Purchases:

*Hard Candy Glossoholic in Lush

*Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Strawberry

*Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula for Stretch Marks

*Hard Candy Sheer Envy Skin Perfecting Primer

Well reviews and swatches will be done at some point! I have so many things I want to blog!

Thanks to my followers!

Twitter me! I love Twitter!

Personal bloggity - - http://www.beautifullyfrantic.blogspot.com

(Where I rant and rave about fitness, people and well myself!)

 

 

Chloe loves bronzer?!

Hi girls!

So I'll admit right now... I'm a convert. I am now proud to say that I love bronzer.

What has brought on this monumental change, you may ask?

I finally broke down and got a decent bronzer (not, um, "inexpensive" like my Jane one).

Specifically, NARS Laguna bronzer.

I'll admit that the only reason I finally got this was because it was for free. Yes, free. Here in Canada, we have a lovely place called Shoppers Drug Mart, where you collect Optimum points. Once you get a boat-load of points (which is quite frequent for me and my mum, since Shoppers sells a lot of essentials!!), you can use the points as money. So, my mum and I had collected $170 worth of points. Shoppers has an off-shoot store called Murale which is strictly beauty, and you can use Optimum points there, so... we each got a few things (didn't use up ALL the points, though!).

So, my point is that Murale carries NARS, and I got this, and the NARS face primer.

NARS Laguna Bronzer... Oh wow. I never thought bronzers could be like this. But really my only other experience with bronzer was my Jane bronzer that was $5 (I use it in some of my videos, if you're interested in seeing it. Yuck.).

I was a little bit hesitant, because it seemed like this was one of those "trend" products that was being pushed on YT.

I was so wrong.

This bronzer is incredible. It's no secret that I am the palest person I know. So bronzer has always intimidated me a little. But using this, my face has NEVER looked "dirty", and I absolutely love the way the shade looks on my face and skin.

I think what is so flattering about this bronzer, on my skin at least, is the fact that it's brown, and not yellow-ish. It's straight-up brown/goldy, and it adds warmth to my skin without looking crazy. Yellow looks crazy against cool-toned skin. This looks perfect.

I use my big fluffy powder brush from POSH to apply this, and I love the application and coverage that gives. I sweep it into my cheek contours, then up onto my temples, then under the jawline, and blend everything out, all with the same brush. This has become my contour- I don't think I've used my MAC bone beige/emphasize duo since I bought this. Obviously there's always a time and place for contouring without the "bronze" effect, but since it's winter, I'll take all the warmth I can get!

There is a little bit of a sparkle to it in the pan, but I don't even notice it when it's on. I know shimmer can be a little off-putting to most people when they're considering a bronzer, but with this, there's nothing to worry about.

I can't believe I'm a daily bronzer-user now. Oh my, how the times have changed!!

xox Chloe