Escaping the sun is hard to do, but the last couple of years I cannot stand to sunbath in the sun for the life of me. Not sure if the sun’s rays have become stronger or what, but getting a nice glow has at times been challenging when I lather on tons of sunscreen and also hide from the sun. I do love using bronzers to give myself a natural looking glow, nothing too crazy though. I recently received a package from Benefit Cosmetics with all things bronzers, highlighters, essentially their available products that will give your skin a healthy, natural looking glow without exposing your skin to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Read below what I thought about the bronzers and highlighters.
Hoola Lite
Light Powder Bronzer For Face
Where To Apply: Across the chin, cheeks, and forehead for a natural-looking tan.
The bronzer blends smoothly, and it is so soft it feels like cashmere when I apply it to my face. Overall, I think this bronzer is best suited for fair skins which is what the instructions say as well. Even though my skin is not too tanned I found the shade to be a little bit too fair for me. I wouldn’t really say it gave me a bronzing effect, and it was actually a close shade to what my regular powder shade is. I can definitely see myself using the Hoola Lite instead of my regular powder, but not so much as a bronzer. If my skin was more fair, the Hoola Lite would have warmed up my complexion much more.It gave my skin more of a dewy effect rather than a bronzing effect, but also not to the extend I was expecting. I do love the fact that it is a matte bronzer which is why it can also substitute your regular powder to act as an all over finishing powder.
Benefit Cosmetics GALifornia Blush
Sunny, golden pink blush.
Where to Apply: On cheeks.
Benefit’s GALifornia golden pink blush is a beautiful bright pink shade with shimmering gold, for the perfect sunkissed glow that possibly compliments all skin tones. The embellished gold overspray lifts away with each use, (eventually you have no gold shimmer left), but the blush does have a subtle shimmer throughout so you are not going to run out of shimmer. I personally love very pink blushes, and some of you may find this blush a bit too pink, but if you want a more sheen look, just lightly run your brush over the product. I also love the signature Galifornia Dreamin’ scent which has notes of pink grapefruit and vanilla. It honestly smelled like dessert.
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Cream-to-Powder Quickie Contour Stick
A soft bronze, cream-to-powder contouring stick.Where To Apply: Define cheek bones, slim your nose, or sculpt and contour your entire face whole adding warmth to your complexion.
I have actually not used a contour stick before so I am still learning the proper way to use this to get the best possible results. The stick makes the application of the product incredibly easy, and the texture is soft and creamy, but not too creamy. Just the right consistency that allows it to set like a powder. The stick is also a matte just like the rest of the Hoola Products. Apparently the products lets you create defined cheekbones, a slimmer-looking nose, and an overall sculpted look with just a few strokes. It kind of did, but again if you have no idea how to use this product like I first was chances are you are not going to create a Kim Kardashian kind of contour. There are tons of videos on YouTube that helped me figure how to correctly use this contour stick. Be sure to apply multiple strokes of this product onto the cheekbones, nose, hairline, and jawline. Layer and blend using a blending sponge, or if you prefer like I do, use your finger. I do love the Quickie Contour Stick, but I think I would rather go for the GALifornia Blush.
Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion Twinkle Powder Highlighter
Nude-pink powder highlighter & luminiserWhere to Apply: Sweep on your cheekbones, cupid’s bow, along the temples or down the bridge of your nose.
You could technically apply all over your face but considering it has shimmer, it is best to avoid. It does give shimmer, but not over the top shimmer. So if shimmer is your thing this is not likely the product you want to be using. The highlighter is a superfine powder, and gives a sheer finish. This highlighter is a subtle version of a highlighter hence the nude-pink shade. I love wearing this product at work because it gives a very natural glow that doesn’t even look like you are wearing a highlighter more like it’s your own natural glow. I did find I had to dip my brush in the product quite a bit to get the right amount of product I wanted. Try swapping brushes, this helped to get more product on the brush. But you can also wear this product on top of your blush which gives it more depth. The scent of this product is also phenomenal.
Photography Laura Clarke Photography
Thank you to Benefit Cosmetics for sending me these amazing products
The only thing I did not like about the Benefit bronzer products is how rough the brushes felt on my skin. I thought they could be a bit softer and also even though the packaging is cut, it is not very practical when it comes to dipping your brush. Other than that I do think there is a product for everyone in the collection depending on your skin type and what bronzer effect you want your face to have.
Have you ever used any of the Benefit Cosmetic Bronzers? Which is your favourite?
At first I was so intimidated by the contour stick, but now I love it! I swipe it on from the top of the ear to the cheek and blend with a bristle brush. I love that it's matte too! xx Gabriellapastelsandpastries.com
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I've been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
I have been a lover of Benefit products for years, so I don't need much convincing!! But these products all sound wonderful – I especially want to try the Hoola contour stick – that sounds really simple! :)-Kristin xxwww.thedelilahblog.com