In the picture above, from top moving clockwise, you can see Le Metier de Beaute Blonzer in Maldives Magic, e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher in Bronzed, MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden and NARS Laguna.
NARS Laguna is my oldest and most used bronzer, I'm not sure if you can see but the pan does have a tiny dip in the centre. One of the most interesting things about comparing the bronzers was the difference in pigmentation when swatching. Laguna has medium pigmentation and I neither have to work hard nor use a steady hand to apply. Both the Le Metier Blonzer and e.l.f. Natural Radiance blusher are highly pigmented and caution is required. At the other end of the scale, I was surprised by how hard it was to swatch the MAC Bronzer. The swatch you see below was three or four swipes of the pan and really required building up.
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| Direct sunlight |
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| Indirect sunlight |
All of the bronzers are quite warm. Also, they all contain some gold shimmer but to varying degrees. The e.l.f. is the most shimmery and has an almost coppery element to it. MAC Golden is quite shimmery, although I think that's difficult to detect in the swatch but I do see it on my face when applied. The lack of pigmentation explains why I seem to be able to add quite a lot without looking overcooked. I think this is actually an occasion where low pigmentation is a good thing as it allows more control.
The Le Metier Blonzer has a lovely smooth texture and feels lovely to the touch. I do find this trickier to work with as you pick up a lot of colour with a brush. If I don't remember to tap off the excess, it can look like I've attempted to apply cocoa powder to my cheeks. I have discovered that it's fairly easy to blend out if do mess it up!
NARS Laguna is my favourite of these four bronzers. I think because it's not as warm and leans more brown than orange, it's a better choice for my pale skin. The medium pigmentation is probably another reason that I like it so much.
Although I know I don't *need* any more bronzers, I still feel the urge to hunt down the most flattering and natural looking bronzer for my colouring. I have struck the Dior and Chanel off my list for now but Edward Bess Daydream is still very tempting. Which is your favourite bronzer? Do you have quite a collection or is it something you use infrequently?
I love your comparison reviews, and this is another excellent one :)
ReplyDeleteMy all-time favourite is the E Bess one (Daydream) followed by a very close second Chantecaille Capri. I went through this bronzer-obsession phase a couple of years ago and managed to amass three Guerlains (the Blonde mosaic being the best on for me) two Lancasters (lovely combinations of blusher & bronzer tones), a Fresh three-pan palette (two bronzers and a blusher), the Hourglass cream blush/bronzer palette, a couple of E Lauder summer exclusives, Benefit Dallas, the same LMDB you have and an assortment of gel bronzers.
I know it sounds like I'm boasting (not a good look and not my intention), but I am genuinely perplexed: of them all, I only really use my two favourites. I don't even rotate them like I do with blushers. And still I went and got the new Chanel one...Why?????
Moral: you probably need fewer bronzers than you think you do.
Or do you?
Nx
I have Edward Bess in Daydream, but I actually prefer Armani Sheer Bronzer #1. I really think you'd like that one, Jane. It's very dark and chocolaty in the pan, but it applies sheer and has cool rose undertones.
ReplyDeleteIn all, I like bronzer better in theory than I do in practice. I go through phases where I wear them, and then not at all. Some of the bronzers I have tried and rejected have been:
- NARS Laguna, too warm
- Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder, too dark
- 3CC Cool Bronzer, too dark
- Benefit Dallas, too muddy
- Bobbi Brown Antiqua, just a blusher really
- Prescriptives Cool #1, too dark and murky
I swapped or tossed them all because they all seemed to wear *me* and make my face look a bit dirty.
I now have the Ellis Faas S303 to try, and that will be interesting, as I have never used a liquid bronzer (though the one by RBR is tempting). Even Bess is slightly too golden for me; it's the GA bronzer that has stood the test of time.
Great post, they all look gorgeous! Thanks for the pictures. My favorite bronzer at the moment is Annabelle Zebra Pressed Bronzing Powder (:
ReplyDeleteBronzer's are devine! I use them to contour. I love the photograph taken and the swatches, very nice
ReplyDeleteI have quite a few bronzers which I should use more! My favorites are Armani #1 and Chantecaille capri.
ReplyDelete@Nina: You’re right. I definitely need fewer than I think I do…..however, I’ve seen swatches of Chantecaille Capri today. I. WANT. IT!
ReplyDelete@Zuzu’s Petals: Both you and Nina have give me even more food for thought here. Thanks for your comments, they’re going to be so useful to others too. I spotted a picture of an Armani Sheer alongside Capri today and I think both need investigating. The brozer collection will not be shrinking, it seems!
@GABY: Thank you. I’m intrigued to see what the Annabelle Zebra looks like. Does it have a cute print?
@Renay: I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures. I go in and out of phases of using bronzer. I find it does make a big difference to my look though.
@luv2smilexo: More mentions of the Armani and Capri. I feel it’s a sign ;)
Jane x
Just like you, the Chanel and Dior ones didn't tempt me enough to get them...Surely, they're pretty, but I think I'd end up looking too pink or muddy-never a good look!
ReplyDeleteAnd like you, I enjoy my Laguna A LOT: love the shade and the medium (call me perfect) pigmentation! Is why whenever I shop for a new bronzer I always pick the one shade that' more similar to Laguna (which come to think of it kinda defeats the purpose of a NEW bronzer, but hey ho)!
xx
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess (Soft Matte); always a winner for me!(and I can use it convincingly to fill in fake tan mistakes or tan lines!)
ReplyDeleteCargo BeachBlush in Miami Beach - very pigmented but blend it out and you end up with a soft, radiant look!
XXXX