I've got bronzers out the wazoo but I don't know exactly how I want to use them or anything, I just know I like to have them...? I'm trying to learn how to use it because I think my face could use some of the warmth, but I'm just taking baby steps for now. Also, I'm trying to be really good about sunscreen these days, so using bronzer can at least make it look like I've been in the sun at least once. After all, that's why Too Faced has so many of their bronzers-- to keep people safely fake tanning instead of risking their health! I'm totally lusting over Snow Bunny and their Bonjour Soleil palette but I don't think I've graduated to that level so I can't justify getting it... yet?
Physician's Formula Matchmaker powder, NYC Sunny bronzer, Benefit Hoola
The PF powder is not technically a bronzer, it is a 'pH powered matchmaking powder' or something, but when it's on my face it's a little too dark and warm for me, so it's a bronzer on me for all intents and purposes.
The NYC bronzer is something I got on a whim, because I had heard it was so awesome and so cheap!!! It's okay. I like its sheerness, which is good for bronzer rookies.
Benefit Hoola I got in a set with a bunch of other minis. I don't super love it but it's a good bronzer for sure. More pigmented than the NYC Sunny bronzer, but it's not obnoxiously orange so you can contour with it.
The NYC bronzer is something I got on a whim, because I had heard it was so awesome and so cheap!!! It's okay. I like its sheerness, which is good for bronzer rookies.
Benefit Hoola I got in a set with a bunch of other minis. I don't super love it but it's a good bronzer for sure. More pigmented than the NYC Sunny bronzer, but it's not obnoxiously orange so you can contour with it.
Too Faced Sweetheart Beads, BH blush/bronzer duo in Tulip, Sephora Baked Bronzer in Honey Heat, NARS Laguna, NARS Lovejoy
Too Faced makes absolutely the cutest packaging, and this is no exception. I mostly use this as an overall illuminating powder thing, because the gold shimmer is gorgeous and really flattering on me. However, if you focus on just the brown beads, it's a nice bronzer in a pinch. Actually, though it's shimmery and I'm not about that, the brown color itself is perfect for contouring.
BH Cosmetics offered this duo for like $3 with a $25 purchase I think, so I got this. The blush is super pigmented, but the bronzer is really smooth and silky and a really nice example of a shimmery bronzer done right. It's glowy, it's not sparkly.
The Sephora bronzer is my first adventure into a big-girl bronzer! I really love it, because you can customize how much shimmer you want by getting more product from the shimmer or matte/satin side. They have a darker color too but it seemed a little off for me so I picked this up and it's been my go-to for weeks (if I ever decide I need it). Its red undertones mimic a natural tan and it's really good for making oneself look actually tan, instead of contouring or adding a 'just got back from the salon' orange tint.
NARS Laguna is apparently The Best Bronzer Ever and I can see why you'd love it if you're into bronzer. It's smooth, it's buildable, the color is neutral and has just enough pretty gold sheen. This little baby size isn't really big enough for me to use it a ton and love it, but I'm definitely intrigued and I'll continue to use it. But since it's also the size of an eyeshadow single, I love it for that.
NARS Lovejoy is technically a blush but it's the brownest blush I own and when I put it on, it looks like I've added and blended bronzer right into it, and I can definitely see the appeal of that! Plus since it's so red, if you apply it veeeeery lightly as a bronzer on the points of your face that would sunburn or tan first, it looks REALLY natural because it looks like you got a faint sunburn with your tan. This is not as unappealing as it might seem. It looks pretty good.
Bonus swatch: Hourglass Radiant Light isn't reeeeally a bronzer and it's not included in the photo but color-wise it functions as a bronzer on me and the finish is to die for if you don't like obvious added color. I like to apply the other colors in the palette it came in, and then use this one on the edges of my face for natural warmth, and the tops of my cheeks for a little 'sun.'
BH Cosmetics offered this duo for like $3 with a $25 purchase I think, so I got this. The blush is super pigmented, but the bronzer is really smooth and silky and a really nice example of a shimmery bronzer done right. It's glowy, it's not sparkly.
The Sephora bronzer is my first adventure into a big-girl bronzer! I really love it, because you can customize how much shimmer you want by getting more product from the shimmer or matte/satin side. They have a darker color too but it seemed a little off for me so I picked this up and it's been my go-to for weeks (if I ever decide I need it). Its red undertones mimic a natural tan and it's really good for making oneself look actually tan, instead of contouring or adding a 'just got back from the salon' orange tint.
NARS Laguna is apparently The Best Bronzer Ever and I can see why you'd love it if you're into bronzer. It's smooth, it's buildable, the color is neutral and has just enough pretty gold sheen. This little baby size isn't really big enough for me to use it a ton and love it, but I'm definitely intrigued and I'll continue to use it. But since it's also the size of an eyeshadow single, I love it for that.
NARS Lovejoy is technically a blush but it's the brownest blush I own and when I put it on, it looks like I've added and blended bronzer right into it, and I can definitely see the appeal of that! Plus since it's so red, if you apply it veeeeery lightly as a bronzer on the points of your face that would sunburn or tan first, it looks REALLY natural because it looks like you got a faint sunburn with your tan. This is not as unappealing as it might seem. It looks pretty good.
Bonus swatch: Hourglass Radiant Light isn't reeeeally a bronzer and it's not included in the photo but color-wise it functions as a bronzer on me and the finish is to die for if you don't like obvious added color. I like to apply the other colors in the palette it came in, and then use this one on the edges of my face for natural warmth, and the tops of my cheeks for a little 'sun.'
SWATCHES- PF Matchmaker Powder, Benefit Hoola, NYC Sunny, BH Bronzer in Tulip, Sephora Baked Bronzer in Honey Heat, Too Faced Sweetheart Beads (focusing on the bronze), NARS Laguna
Sephora Baked Bronzer in Honey Heat, Too Faced Sweetheart Beads (focusing on the bronze), NARS Laguna, NARS Lovejoy, and bonus swatch Hourglass Radiant Light
TIP: Don't contour with shimmery bronzer. Just don't. Matte bronzer is your friend. Shimmery bronzer is totally fine for 'actual bronzing' which I have determined to mean 'faking a tan' which means putting it kind of all-over your face and especially where you would naturally tan/burn-- forehead, nose, upper cheekbones, chin, etc. The reason shimmery bronzer is okay for this is because obviously, when you get a sunburn, it's sparkly. Or because it reflects more light and looks more natural and pretty.
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