Bronze on a Budget

Bronze is just one of those things that comes hand in hand with summer; everyone wants that tanned golden skin.

Best of the Bronzers

When writing this post, the sun is shining and summer appears to be on it's way, but I am scheduling it for the future, so who knows what the weather is doing. Anyway, due to the nice weather, I've been digging out my bronzers, trying to pretend I've just spent the week in St Tropez (a girl can dream!)

First up Clarins Bronzing Duo in Light. I bought this hoping it would be a nice contour colour, but it definitely a bronzing shade. What I love about it is the fact it is quite light, which is nice as I'm of the paler variety, and it has hint of shimmer in it that leaves a lovely healthy glow on the skin. Perfect for days you want a healthy sunkissed glow.

Next, my favourite 'bronzer' bronzer; Benefit Hoola. For me this tops Nars Laguna and is great for an all over colour to my cheeks. It is slightly orange, rather than brown, but blended out nicely it looks lovely.

Finally, a mixture of the two, but from the highstreet, Collection Mosiac Bronzer. This swatched the best, and is so pigmented. On the skin it looks so glowy and bronzed and just basically summer in a pan. Perfect if you're on a budget. 

For a full review on each, just click the name (it's a link)

What are your favourite bronzers?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Benefit Hoola

Ah, one of the most hyped bronzers out there, bar Laguna obviously. Benefit's Hoola has a definite cult status here in the beauty community, and for good reason.

This is the perfect summer bronzer colour which really adds depth and golden bronze look to the skin.I retired it for the winter, but now it's summer it's back with vengeance.

Whilst it does have the slight orange tinge most bronzers have, this one doesn't make you look like you're mom was a carrot.

I really do love this bronzer and can't wait to start wearing it more in the summer.

What do you think of this product?

Laura xoxo

Bronzing Brushes

Tis the season to bring out bronzer, and I thought I'd share with you my favourite tools for the job!

For the Heavy Handed : The RT Duo Fibre Face Brush. We've all been there (too many times) where we over apply and end up looking like we've rolled in wotsits; but not anymore. No matter how much your cake onto the brush, only a fine layer will make it to your face. Whether it be contouring or full on bronzing, this brush will be your best friend.

For the all over Bronze: The Sigma F20. To be honest, any large brush will do this job, but this one is my fave. Sweep it in the product, then sweep it all over the face in the usual spots. Simple really.

For the Precision Piece: The RT Multi Task Brush. If you want to be more precise with your bronzing, maybe more contouring, then this brush is your guy. It fits the hollow of my cheek perfectly, whilst still blending to give a bronzed glow.

What are your favourite bronzing brushes?

Laura xoxo

Review: Clarins Bronzing Duo in light

Now, why did I pick up this product? Honestly, I'm not so sure, but for some reason, whilst watching True Blood (of all things) all I could think about is how I wanted this product. Why, I have no clue; but alas, a couple of days later, it was mine.

As you can see, this product contains two colours, a lighter and more dark colour, and a lot of shimmer within the darker side, however it doesn't look too shimmery on, more glowy. Personally, I like to swirl them both together.

Light//Dark// Mixed

As you can see there isn't that much difference in the colours, and they do lean toward the orange side, but nowhere near as much as say Nars Laguna.

Whilst I do like this product, it wasn't the powder version of Illamasqua's Hollow that I was hoping it would be. Yet for something I just thought in my head that I wanted, and went and bought, I'm pleasantly surprised.

Do you have this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Battle of the Bronzers

In this little blogging world we have, there seems to be two stand out bronzers. Benefit's Hoola and NARS Laguna. I have professed my love for Hoola many a time, but when ASOS had a 25% student discount, I caved and got Laguna to see what all the fuss was about, and I thought I'd do a comparison post of the two.

Hoola appears to be a lot more pigmented, and in this picture it looks darker than Laguna but in real life I find it to be the other way round. Laguna does carry a faint shimmer in it, which doesn't transfer to the face, whereas Hoola is straight matte.

So do you need both? In my opinion, yes and no. Yes, if you are a beauty obsessive, as you can tell the subtle differences, but no if you are sane/not a beauty obsessive.

Price difference is 50p!!! With Hoola coming in at £23.50 and Laguna being £24, and you get the same amount of product 8g. So with that in mind, there isn't a lot in it.

When I first used Laguna I wasn't as blown away as with first application with Hoola, maybe because I already own Hoola, but Laguna has a certain charm about it, that just makes it call to you and you can't help but see what everyone else sees in it.

For a contour I would reach for Hoola but for that gorgeous golden glow, I will be reaching for Laguna.

So this 'battle' has kind of failed really, or ended in a tie, shall we say. I think it really does depend on the person and what they want.

Have you got either of these? Which do you prefer?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Chanel Bronze Universal

I didn't really think that I would be able to wear this product much in the winter, but the other week, I grabbed for it, and was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to wear. I find that applying this with a light hand and my Japonesque Safari Kabuki brush, it looks so effortless, and brings a bit of warmth to my face, which is needed in these cold months.

As you can see, it is very dark and oranged toned, yet when blended and lightly applied, it gives a lovely pop of colour.

I like to apply this as a soft contour, rather than as a bronzer, especially now that it is winter.

Have you been using any of your summer products now that it's winter?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Bourjois Delice e Poudre

This was one of the first bronzers I bought, what I didn't realise at the time was that there were two shades, 51 and 52. I stupidly picked up the 52 which is way too orange toned for me, so for that reason it has been cast aside, but I decided to bring it out again for this post.

Over summer I used this with a big brush to really bronze up my face, and I liked the look, but for this post, I tried to use it as a contour, which meant I had to use a really light hand.

It doesn't look too bad, but it is definitely a bronzer to be used with a light hand and take time with. I really hope that I can get another in a different shade, as it is such a good bronzer, and smell amazing.

Do you have this/use it?

Laura xoxo

Three Ways to Use: Soleil Tan De Chanel

If you read my post earlier in the week you will see that I've just started using this product more. When I first bought it, although I loved it, I kind of put it to the back of my collection as I wasn't 100% sure of a way to wear it. But now I've found three different ways to wear it and thought I'd share them with you. Obviously there are other ways and this isn't the law, but just ways I like to wear it.

First up brushes. Now I think the brush you use changes the way that this products works. The brushes chosen are the Elf Studio Powder Brush, my No.7 Kabuki Brush and the Real Techniques contour brush.

Before I show you the ways, I also thought it would be helpful to show you wear I apply it.

I do realise it look like I just put it all over my face, but I do just try to concentrate on the hollow of my cheeks, cheek bone, temples, nose and chin area.

Way One:

In this way, I like to take my Real Techniques Contour brush, or the Elf Brush, depending on my mood and how precise I want the look to be.
Before putting on foundation I place the product where I want the contour to be, the apply my foundation over the top. I find this works best when using my mineral powder foundation, rather than liquid.

(Just foundation and Chanel Bronzer.)

As you can see, the orange-ness has gone, and I am left with a nice contoured face.

Way Two:

For this I like to take my big Kabuki brush, which at the moment is from No.7 but I don't really like it as it's a bit rough, but can't justify buying another one at the moment, but it has completely ruined the look of my bronzer, sob! 

Anyway, I take the brush and just basically fully take the bronzer all over my face, again before foundation. I find that a kabuki makes it a lot farther, and it is less of a precise look. I like to do this before a night out so I look more tanned, rather than for a contour. I usually use a powder bronzer for that.

Way Three:

At the moment this has been my favourite way to use it, and I have done so daily for a while now. Again, I take my Kabuki, but this time on top of foundation, and with a light hand for a bronzed glow to my usual look. I would say perfect for summer, but let's face it, I think summer has better things to be doing this year!

So it is now love with this product. I hope I have given you some new ways to use it if you have it.

How do you like to wear it?

Laura xoxo

July Favourites

[insert usual 'my time has flown' comment here.]

Another month gone, more favourites for me to blog about!

NSpa Replenishing Moistuire Mask: This mask has really made my skin so soft. I have quite dry patches on the side of my cheeks and this has really helped with that. I love that it dries clear as it means I can leave it on for a while, which really helps my skin. My skin looks fuller and plumper (not in a chubby way, but in an 'ah so youthful' kind of way,) and I feel I can see an improvement in my skin after.

Dior Amber Diamond: There hasn't been many days since I got this little beauty that I haven't worn it! I love it so much! It is so versatile, both an eyeshadow and a highlighter. It gives a gorgeous glow to the face, and the bronze in it really makes the product perfect for summer!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey: I've worn this everyday since I bought it, enough said, no?

Avene Cleance K Cream Gel: This has really helped my skin, I'm not going to go into too much detail here, but my full review is here!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer: The perfect bronzer. Not too orange, not much shimmer, just the perfect bronzer really! (Oh I already said that, ooops!) To sum up, it is the perfect bronzer! (De ja vu?)

And another little mention for my Enrapture Totem Styler, I love the looks I've been able to create with this tool. So versatile!

Other Favourites of the Month:

Favourite Nail Art: http://hollyarabella.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/3-step-flower-nail-art.html

Favourite Helpful Post:  http://shen-moo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/tip-top-summer-shopping-tips.html

Favourite Look: http://jazzabellesdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/inspired-by-audrey.html

Favourite Shopping Partner: http://treat-party.blogspot.co.uk/

Favourite Person Who Tweets Cute Things: http://andpeaches.blogspot.co.uk/

What have been your favourites this month?

Laura xoxo

A Box of Benefit

I saw a post on Hayley's blog (here) and it was one of those moments where you read a post, think 'oh dear lord I need me that' and go straight to the website and purchase the product. (Ahhh the power of advertising.)

At the moment there is a deal on ASOS, where if you buy either Hoola or That Gal, you get two free samples with it. I went for the Hoola box, mainly for the Watts up because I wanted to try it so much. Also I loved the Hoola sample I got, and would've bought a full version anyway, and this seemed the perfect opportunity. (That is my story, and I'm sticking with it!!!)

As you can see, the samples are quite small, but still you can't grumble really.

For a review on Hoola, check here, I love this bronzer, not orange and gorgeous contour and all over bronze look.

So I don't know if I like this 'stain' idea. On my lips I placed it on top of carmex, mainly 'cause my lips are really dry at the moment and I didn't want it to cling. On my cheeks, especially in this picture, it looks like a rash on my cheek haha! It doesn't look that bad in real life, but I think I'll be sticking to powder blushes.

This product is kind of why I bought the box, silly I know, but I was really torn between getting this highlighter and the Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow in Ice Gold. I do really like this product, it gives a nice subtle glow, and I love the creamy formulation, however I think it's a bit too warm toned for me, which is fine for summer, but I think when it runs out, or when I get enough money to justify the Jemma Kidd, then I'll get that one! But I have nothing against this highlighter.

You can get this box, here!

What do you think, do you get things just for samples too, or am I completely crazy?

Laura xoxo

Benefit - Tan About Town

***Bargain Alert***

I was in my local Boots, as I usually spend most of my time there apparently, and was at the till to pay, I only had two bottles of Pepsi Max in my hand and an Eat Natural bar (I love those!) and saw this little package for a mere £9, so into my hand it came, and it followed me all the way home. (I did buy it, just to clarify!)

This is how it was lovingly packaged! I love it when things are organised like this, it pleases my OCD mind!

So inside this little kit contains, a Bad Gal Mascara, Hoola, and some foundation which I don't really get. But I think it's still worth it for the Bad Gal and Hoola.

Foundation type thing. I think it's a bit too dark for me, but going to look into in summer.

I think this mascara is really good. I think it's just as good as my favourite mascara (Max Factor High Definition) but the price difference will be having me going back to Max Factor, but if you've got the cash to splash, go for it!

I really, really like this. I think it is a really good contour shade, it's slightly orange in this picture, but it looks so good in real life (if I do say so myself.) I really want to get this now. (Can you hear my purse screaming? Step away from the Benefit counter)

Also I feel like I should say, I love the size of this. I think that high end companies should sell their products for cheaper and this size, as some times, we are never going to finish the big packages they get, and we will be able to buy and try more. Maybe one day?

So this is my face of Benefit, I also have a the new Hello Oxygen foundation (review to come) on and my Hervana blusher.

What do you think of this pack? Bargain, or not bothered? 

Laura xoxo