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The Three Best Bronzers*

DSC_0076I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news, but it kind of feels like summer is coming to a close. We’ve had an absolute tonne of rain recently, and it’s getting a bit cooler. Not only that but it’s getting dark earlier and I’m feeling paler than ever, so in an effort to combat the oncoming winter-blues, I thought I would gather together three of my favourite bronzers which are making me feel a little more human! I’ve not featured these three on the blog before, so I will have in-depth reviews of each very soon, but I thought you’d appreciate a quick overview!

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Burberry’s Summer Glow Warm Glow Natural Bronzer in 04 is the perfect choice for a super natural, beach ready tan. Packaged in a seriously luxe compact, etched with the iconic Burberry check, this is a real show-stopper of a bronzer, and I’m happy to say, the formula is as great as it looks! The powder is also pressed into an abstract check pattern, and it’s almost a crime to use it. Well, it would be if it wasn’t such a great little gem of a bronzer. It’s super lightweight and provides a seriously natural glow.

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Sisley’s Phyto Touch Illuminating Powder might just be the most glamorous compact in my collection! A seriously shiny silver compact, which opens to reveal golden sun beams, complete with an embossed ‘s.’ Sisley’s Phyto Touch looks like it should be used exclusively on Victoria’s Secret models as it’s just the most gloriously shiny confection. It’s a hybrid gel-powder which gives skin a serious glow and a natural hint of colour. I’ve been saving this one for evenings out as it’s such a gem!

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Last up is Rodial’s Instaglam bronzer. As the name would suggest, this one feels like a filter in a (rather glam) compact! Unlike the other two, Rodial’s offering is completely matte, meaning it’s just perfect for everyday wear. I love a dusting of this for days when I want to feel casual, yet still pulled together. It’s almost a multi-use product as, because it’s matte, it’s also perfect for a little subtle contouring.

Burberry’s Summer Glow is priced at £31 and is available here.

Sisley’s Phyto Touch Illuminating Powder is priced at £66.50 and is available here.

Rodial’s Instaglam Bronzer is priced at £52 and is available here

Tan-Luxe The Water*

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Despite living in Scotland aka the place where the sun never shines, I’ve never really gotten into fake tanners. They always seem a little messy and high maintenance for me. Plus I can’t stand when they make you smell weird and of biscuits, and no I been need to mention the annoying orange hands issue?

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Tan-Luxe seem to have the same attitude as me, and, as a result, have produced a real game-changer of a tanner. First off, you’ll notice it looks nothing like any fake tan you’ve come across before. Rather than the usual creams, gels and foams, this is a water which you simply spritz on clean, exfoliated skin. The bottle comes with a handy spray applicator, so you can reach awkward areas like your back without enlisting some help.

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Just before getting out of the shower,  I give myself a quick blast with cold water, just to make sure my pores are closed, giving me an even tan. I work from the bottom up so to speak, making sure to cover my skin with an even mist, then using a tanning mist, I use long, upwards strokes to rub it in. The formula does just feel like water, and doesn’t dry out skin, or leave it feeling oily, instead it just kind of disappears. I then head to bed and let the The Water do its magic. In the morning skin looks like I’ve spent a week somewhere rather exotic – there are no streaks or smears, just an even, believable tan!

Tan-Luxe The Water is priced at £33 and is available here.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Illuminator*

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Drops

Ok, so it’s not exactly news that I am just loving glowy skin at the moment. It’s just so pretty and fresh, and of course, perfect for summer! Estee Lauder obviously agrees, and they have just released their annual Bronze Goddess Collection, which is designed to keep you looking beautiful all season long!

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Packaged in a dinky little bottle, complete with drop applicator, the Summer Glow Illuminator might just be my favourite product out of the whole collection. When I first saw the Illuminator, I was worried it would leave too warm a cast on my skin (I have quite pink skin which I’m always toning down), but happily, I needn’t have worried. It’s the most glorious little product – after applying a light base and a little concealer, I simply dot a little of the illuminator over my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, my eyelids and my cupid’s bow. Then, just using my fingers, I blend it in and add a dusting of bronzer. Unlike may highlighter that leave a sparkling or frosted sheen, the Illuminating Drops give the skin a beautiful natural looking sheen. The drops make skin look so healthy and fresh, they really are just perfect for sunny weather. I can’t wait for warm evenings to add a little to my collar bones for an extra little sheen.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Drops are priced at £27.00 and are available here (UK) and here (US)

Maybelline Master Sculpt Contour Kit*

Maybelline Master Sculpt

For me, summer skin is all about really beautiful natural looking skin that’s got a golden glow. Basically I like to look like I haven’t really tried too hard, but, as usual, it’s looks like this that require a little extra attention to appear really effortless!

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So, in the hopes of looking naturally bronzed and defined, I’ve added Maybelline’s Master Sculpt contour kit into my everyday kit. Packaged in a dinky little compact, it contains everything you need to sculpt modelesque cheekbones – a pan of colour containing both a defining and highlighting shade, a mirror, and a little half moon brush.

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Using the kit itself really couldn’t be simpler. After applying my usual base and concealer, I sweep a light dusting on the contour shade in the hollows of my cheekbones, around my temples and around my chin, then blend. I’m after a super natural finish, so I only use a touch of the colour, but it’s so easily to build up if you’re looking for something a little more dramatic.

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I then add my bronzer like normal, then get to grips with the highlighting shade. It’s perfect if you’re after a natural, believable glow that looks like you’ve been on the green juice all weekend. Again, I use a light touch of it, focusing on the tops of my cheekbones, brow bones, the bridge of my nose and cupid’s bow. If I want to build up my highlight, I then go in with a different formula to add some sheen – although I keep this just to my upper cheekbones. Maybelline’s kit makes contouring feel so easy and effortless, and the formula is beautifully silky soft. It’s perfect for most skin tones too, as there are two colour ways to choose from!

Maybelline’s Master Sculpt Contour Kit is priced at £6.99 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

 

 

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer -Sun Kissed*

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OK, so Urban Decay are absolutely killing it with their brand new Summer collection. It’s all about having the most beautiful, glowy skin imaginable, and I am loving the look for summer!

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Before we even get onto talking about the bronzer, I think we just need to take a second and appreciate the packaging. I mean seriously, palm trees and rose gold?! They couldn’t be any cuter, and I feel like I should be laying on some California beach whenever I pull this out, not running around in Edinburgh!

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The new Beached Bronzers are available in two colours – Sun Kissed and Bronzed. Both are pretty medium-warm in tone, and even though they’re both matte, they give skin a wonderful, subtle glow.

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I was very kindly sent Sun Kissed to try, and it’s the lighter of the two, and it’s been an absolute god-send as I am seriously Casper-the-Ghost pale at the moment. After applying a lightweight base, I just sweep Sun Kissed over the high points of my face – my cheekbones, nose, forehead and chin.

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Since the bronzer is so finely milled, it just sweeps on, leaving you looking naturally bronzed. The sheen it leaves behind is absolutely beautiful, and I absolutely adore the levels of pigmentation in the product. I only need a light swirl of a bronzer brush to get an even amount coverage and colour. I then top off with a few swipes of the new Afterglow 8 Hour Highlighter in Sin (here) for the prettiest, glowiest, dare I say, summery-est look you can imagine!

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun Kissed is priced at £20.00 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

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