“B” is for Bronzer – Series Continues

So as promised I am continuing my series on great bronzers. In the last installment I reviewed two bronzers. One by Milani and one by Wet N Wild. Both are great finds considering the cost, range of shades available, and overall color pay off.

To the mix I’d like to add two additional bronzers. But before I review these two products, I need to elaborate on why I think bronzer is such a great option.

If you’re a makeup minimalist, bronzer is a great way to turn up your look with out layering on lots of makeup. I view makeup as a “time/place” thing. As in there’s a time and a place for all levels of makeup.

Possible scenarios –

For your best friend’s wedding, you might go all out. Spend an hour on perfecting just the right look for your home girl’s big day – We’re talking primer, photo flattering foundation, blush, highlight, contour, layers of eye shadow, liner, mascara, brow pencil/ powder, brow gel, and then finally – translucent powder to make sure you don’t end the evening looking a shiny mess.

For work you might just do the basics to help polish up and prep your face for the mean corporate jungle – tinted moisturizer, mascara, gloss.

For Saturday errands you might do something quick and easy that gets you out the door and to Target before the roads get too hectic – gloss and mascara

So I say all of this to say that makeup can be different things at different times. Your look (in my humble opinion) should vary based on purpose, event, time of year, amount of time you have, etc. There’s a time and place for every product. So going back to Bronzers – I think a good bronzer is a great summer time option for creating a soft warm look. After all, isn’t summer all about the glow!

I don’t know about you but I don’t particularly like the idea of liquid makeup in the summer…unless I’m getting all gussied up for an evening affair. And now that I don’t have as much time as I used to to get my thing together in the morning, I am constantly trying to find products that are great muti-taskers. Every morning can’t be filled with fan fare. This is why bronzer makes for a great option.

You can add warmth and highlight to your face all in one product. If you love that lit from within look that’s so popular on the red carpet, try using bronzer. Lately I’ve been bronzing my cheeks, lightly across the forehead, and dotting a tad at my chin. Since the areas you are bronzing will naturally be a little warmer than the areas not bronzed, you will create a look that is lit from within.

So now that I’ve written a dissertation on why I love bronzers, lets review a couple.

First up:
Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder
Cost – $13.99 (at Duane Reade)
My color – Bronzer Clay
My review – Pure love. I think this is the one for me (for now). It’s a perfect balance of matte and shimmer. Very rich texture which I love. Comes in a nice brown compact that looks tres sophisticated. Compact has a mirror. This might sound trivial but these little touches really do matter. I love that this bronzer acts as bronzer and blush all in one. It’s a very natural look.

Up next:
Mac Bronzing
Cost – $20
My color –Refined Deeper Bronze
My review – While this was initially love at first sight in the store, the lovin wore thin once I got it home in natural light. The shimmer was very obvious which I do not like. The coverage wears very well. I don’t recall having to touch up after the first application. I really loved this in the store and hate that I didn’t like as much once I got home. I’m still undecided on whether or not I’ll return this. It might make a great blush for me.

So my lovelies, this might conclude my bronzer series for the summer. I have reviewed four bronzers and and all at different price points. There are great liquid bronzers out there but my focus for this series was purely powder, as I think the concept goes hand and hand with easy breezy summer makeup.

So go out and glow,

Felicia