ELF Studio Blush & Bronzer vs. NARS Orgasm & Laguna

W7 Africa Multi Bronzing Face Powder at New Look

Being ever so fascinated by the cute packaging of Benefit products, I could not resist getting a much cheaper copy - W7 Africa Multi Bronzing Face Powder that is only available at New Look (Anspach). It costs 4,99 EUR for 8 g, it is very pigmented, so work with a light hand :-). Luckily, it has no smell. No shimmer, just a nice sheen, but beware, the colour is quite dark.

 

Rival de loop Terra Powder in 01 natural sun

Rossmann, a drugstore in Germany, offers its own brand of cosmetics and skin care, Rival de loop. It is very low priced and it features many of the products that the "traditional" cosmetics houses (L'Oreal) neglect.

Enter the matte bronzing powder (the only other brand to have a matte bronzer is Catrice), 2,99 EUR, 9,5 g. The packaging looks cheap, but then, you can not expect a lot for 3 EUR. You do get a little mirror and a pouch, though.

The product is not extremely well pigmented, but I like to think of it as an advantage, if you like to build up the colour, because you could use this as a contouring powder. I dust it on my cheek bones to get that sun kissed look, because I never sunbathe and I always use SPF 50 on my face, so it is nice to get some colour :-). You get what you pay for in this case, but I am happy I got it (saves me time for finding a good contouring shade).

Bronzers - Essence Sun Club shimmer, Maybelline Terre Indienne

Being tanned used to be so popular that people were throwing themselves into sunbeds, effectively damaging their skin. No need for this when you have a bronzer in your makeup bag :-)

Choosing the correct shade is of extreme importance with bronzers, as any darker shade will make your face look dirty or shock and horror - yellow!

You can also use bronzers to contour your face or to warm up the neck or the cleavage. Place the bronzer where the sun would naturally hit - the cheekbones, chin and nose and blend well!

I am using Essence sun club all over shimmer for eyes, face and body (cca 5 EUR) for blondes (lighter skin), 8 g, in 01 ibiza sun (which I believe to be a dupe of Bobbi Brown shimmer brick) and Maybelline Terre Indienne poudre for teint clair (a little mirror included). I think this one costs around 10 EUR.

I really like both of them, but for different reasons. Essence one for its strong pigmentation, the smell and versatile use. Maybelline Terre Indienne blends perfectly into your skin, it was a lovely shimmery, glowy effect on your skin and it still manages to look very naturally. I will definitely repurchase these products!

Bottom swatch: Essence, top swatch: Maybelline