In case you missed the first four posts in my Makeup Series, click here to read them! Each week I focus on a different makeup category and review some products in that category that I’ve tried (both drugstore and high-end.) This week, I’m reviewing Bronzers! Most of you are probably already familiar with how to use bronzer. These can add color to dull skin, and I wear some every day! Some I use for a gentle sweep of color, and some I use for a more heavy contoured look. Feel free to read all about my favorite brushes for applying bronzer (affordable options!) here. Below, you can click the name of any of the bronzers that I reviewed to see more details and shop the item.
Here are the drugstore bronzers:
Neutrogena Shimmer Sheers – These seem to be discontinued (I got mine years ago) but I linked to where you can still purchase them on eBay. This was marketed as a shimmery cream you could use on eyes, cheeks, and lips. I agree it can be a nice eyeshadow and works great as a bronzer, however this would be strange on the lips if you ask me! Anyways, just thought I’d mention it since it is still in my collection, but I won’t go into too much detail since it is an older product barely in circulation anymore!
L’Oréal True Match • $8.89 in ‘Cocoa’ – I first came across the idea to use this powder in a way-too-dark shade as a contouring product from a beauty vlogger, and fell in love with the look ever since! This is just a normal pressed powder you would usually buy in a shade matching your skin tone, but if you buy one a few shades darker, you can dust it on your cheekbones as a contour/matte bronze! In my everyday wear, I pretty much use this one everytime I want a matte bronze.
Now for the higher end bronzers:
BareMinerals ‘bareSkin’ Sheer Sun Serum Bronzer • $28 (for full size) – I received this sample and tried it out once, but I am just not really a fan of liquid bronzers. If you do appreciate them it might be worth checking out, but I personally find powder bronzers much easier to use and place on the face. What I can see myself doing with this serum instead is adding a few drops to a foundation to create an all-over tan look when my skin looks a bit pale or dull.
Benefit Dew the Hoola Matte Liquid Bronzer • $28 (for full size) – This is also a sample I received and tried out a few times but was just not feeling the liquid formula. I could do the same thing as above mentioned with mixing it into a lighter foundation. This one is a tad thicker of a formula than the BareMinerals one, as you can observe in the swatches below. It is also a lighter color which might be better for lighter skin tones.
The Balm Bahama Mama Bronzer • $20 – This is a powder bronzer that is a matte brown. It comes out lighter than how dark it looks in the package, check out the swatches below! I love this for a powder contour/matte bronze just like I use the L’Oreal Powder above for. I would say this shade is a bit cooler, whereas that one is a warmer tone.
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer • $30 (for full size) – This is the second time I’ve received a deluxe sample of this bronzer, and I just love it! It is probably the lightest of my matte bronzer powders, but it is definitely a goodie! I keep this in my makeup bag for my on-the-go and travel bronzing!
The Balm Betty Lou-Manizer Bronzer • $24 – This my favorite shimmer bronzer ever, ever, ever! I love this one so much! As I’ve mentioned in the past, The Balm often has 50% off flash sales on their website, so follow me on Snapchat and Instagram to be notified when the next one is, then jump on this product!!
Tarte Parke Ave Princess Bronze and Glow Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint ($10 – MAJOR SALE) – I bought this a while back because of the amazing sale price (it is originally $32) but I can kind of see why it was an unpopular item. The thought of having a bronzer and blush in one easy packaging lured me in, but it is not as convenient as it looks. To use the blush you just unscrew the clear cap and rub it onto your face or makeup brush. I’m not crazy about the formula or how it applies. Then, to use the bronzer you twist off the blush end and it is a squeeze tube where you can squeeze the bronzer onto your fingertip or a brush. I wasn’t crazy about how that formula applied to the face either (clearly, I am not into liquid bronzers at all!) This is the lightest of the ones I have, as you can see in the swatches below:
Above (no flash) / Below (with flash) left to right: TheBalm Bahama Mama, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil, L’Oreal True Match Powder, The Balm Betty-Lou Manizer, Tarte Park Ave Princess, BareMinerals Sun Serum, Benefit Dew the Hoola, Neutrogena Shimmer Sheers
Have a great week babes!