Basking in the BRONZE light!

You simply cannot deny that bronzer season is officially here. While I may be one who uses a touch of bronzer almost everyday throughout the year, I think that it is time to start using just a bit more.

There are just so many bronzers on the market, that sometimes I don't even know where to begin. I need to start somewhere, so today I will start with bronzers that can be picked up at the drugstore. I went bronzer browsing at my nearest CVS.

lumene.jpgI quickly noticed the display of bronzers from Lumene. These were almost in front of the door, at the end cap of the beauty section - great placement! The offerings include an Air-Light Bronzing Powder ($12.99), in a golden bronze shade, which is probably best for everyday light bronzing; Skin Couture Pearly Bronzer ($12.99) in Bronze Glow, which is more of a deep bronze to look a bit more naturally bronzed; and a large bronzer which is also an Air-Light Powder ($12.99), but this is in Dark Glow, and it best for a really bronzed goddess look.

milani_bronzer.jpgNext, I noticed a section of bronzers from Milani Cosmetics. They offer a Powder Bronzer ($4.49) in three shades, which is oil-free, and perfect for any skin type; Tiger Bronzer ($6.49), which is a swirled gel-like soufflé that is swirled in two shades of gleamed gold; beautiful Powder Mosiacs ($7.99), which come in six color palettes; and my favorite, Glimmer Stripes ($6.99) which features a subtle range of five colors striped over one compact, which are fantastic to use on both the cheeks and eyes.1_a.jpg

As I continued to browse, I think I found the largest selection of bronzers ever in one single line - Physicians Formula. They offer 40 unique bronzers for any bronzing need. And what I loved about these, is that most of them contained a bit of pink, for a more natural glow. First, there is Bronze Gems ($12.95) Matte & Bright Bronzer, Highlighter, and Eye 1_b.jpgShadow Powder on one, and this one comes in four shades; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Bronzing Veil ($11.95), which comes in a flow-through brush dispenser and is available in Light Bronzer, Medium Bronzer, and Bronzer; Shimmer Strips ($11.95) Custom Bronzer, Blush & Eye Shadow, which is similar to Milani's Glimmer Stripes, and is so silky smooth with really fine pearl particles  for the most beautiful glimmer, and this palette comes in seven 1_c.jpgmultiple shades; Powder Palette Multi-Colored Bronzer ($12.95), offers the right combo of colors in a pressed powder formula and comes in three shades; Pearls of Perfection Multi-Colored Bronzer ($11.95), which are beads of different bronzed colors that you brush over to get the perfect mix, and this comes in Bronzer and Light Bronzer; Magic Mosaic Multi-Colored Custom Bronzer ($12.95), another one of the most popular bronzer compacts from so many different companies, this comes in 1_d.jpgtwo shade combinations; Jungle Fever Bronzer in Leopared & Tiger ($11.95), which are bi-colored bronzers in a cute safari print pattern; Retro-Glow Mosiac Bronzer ($12.95) which is a multi-colored bronzer in a really unique mosaic design with a hint of shimmer; Summer Eclipse Bronzer ($12.95), available in Sunlight, Moonlight, and Starlight; Les Botaniques Botanical Bronzer ($11.95) which are the cutest two tone compacts in SunnyBuddy and SunnyBunch; Solar Powder SPF20 Bronzer $12.95) is available in two 1_e.jpgshades and is formulated with an SPF fo 20 for an added bonus feature; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder ($12.95) is best for acne-prone  or sensitive skin with it's unique blend of ingredients coming in both Bronzer and Light Bronzer; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder ($10.95) which is a very gentle formula in a loose powder form; and finally there is Baked Bronzer ($11.95) in Baked Bronze and Baked Tan 1_f.jpgand can be used wet or dry depending on the depth of color you wish.

In general, most of the drugstore bronzers are under $15 and offer the greatest selection of shades and formulas - I am so very impressed.

Also, be sure to check back here for the next few weeks as I will be posting more on my Bronzer madness.

Bronzing with Benefits.

If you are a self-tanning worshiper such as myself, you may look for a self-tanner that had benefits beyond the beautiful bronzing.

stives.jpgOne brand that I recently found that has a few different types of beneficial products in their self-tanning line up is St. Ives.  The line is called Healthy Brilliance. In the line are four products.

Brighten & Glow
This should be use prior to the actual bronzing products. This is made with natural sugar crystals to exfoliate while the added natural ingredients, including olive oil ester, leave your skin smooth, bright and glowing readying for your self-tanning product.

Firm & Glow
Using caffeine and ginseng, this moisturizer goes beyond a sun-touched glow to help naturally tighten and tone your skin.

Renew & Glow
With age-defying green tea and anti-oxidants, this body moisturizer helps you achieve a sun-touched glow and helps to reveal younger, healthier looking skin.

Protect & Glow
This is a body moisturizer with an SPF that helps protect your skin against harmful UV rays while it gently gets your glow on. And with the natural Shea butter, your skin feels softer and smoother as you use it.

I just started to use the Firm & Glow lotion to get my legs beautifully bronzed, and so far so good. The color is nice, and gradual. It has taken just about a week to get my legs where I feel they look nice and golden. Not too tan, but more naturally bronzed for Spring. 

You can buy St. Ives Healthy Brilliance products online at drugstore.com, while it can also be found at mass merchandisers nationwide.

 

Bring on the Caribbean Heat!

It is so nice and sunny and warm here in New England, that I thought it was about time to break out this new beauty from LORAC. 

lorac_carribean_heat.jpgThis Caribbean Heat Bronzer Palette has three complimentary shades in it to give me the most beautiful, bronzy glow. I just swirl the great little bronzing brush that came with it, all over the powder, and apply. I then used just a bit of the lightest peachy/pink and put that up higher on my cheekbones, over my chin, nose, forehead, and on my brow bone. It is a simple, but beautiful bronzed look.

This palette is just onto shelves now at Beauty.com or Sephora for $28.00. 

Bring on the HEAT!