Press Sample & Purchased (Affiliate Links)
The Makeup Wars! Team decided to close out the summer by featuring our favorite bronzers, and I selected my all-time favorites from a few of my most coveted luxury brands.
HOURGLASS Ambient® Lighting Bronzer ($50.00 each for .39 oz. from
HOURGLASS Cosmetics,
Space NK,
Barneys New York,
Sephora,
Nordstrom,
Bergdorf Goodman,
Net-A-Porter,
Liberty London and
Blue Mercury):
HOURGLASS Ambient® Lighting Bronzers: These lightweight bronzers are fused with the gorgeous illuminating effects that define the HOURGLASS cult-classic Ambient Lighting Powders, and the end result is spectacularly luminous bronzers that are, in my opinion, peerless. They offer buildable coverage coupled with a natural glow that offers a radiant finish that is nothing short of perfection. Unlike traditional bronzers, which are often flat and have a tendency to oxidize, these beautiful powder bronzers utilize, "Photoluminescent Technology for seamless blending and color transitions."
These gorgeous in the pan, and on the skin, bronzers are handmade using an, "advanced miscelare technique" which mixes the powders to create the perfect balance of pigment and powder, and that is precisely why each one is unique.
Diffused Bronze Light is described as a, "cool bronze shade fused with Diffused Light, a soft, pale yellow powder, to mimic a ray of warm sunlight" that is ideal for light to medium complexions. It boasts the perfect amount of luminosity without being glittery. It is ultra-finely milled, and it glides across the skin effortlessly and deposits pigment evenly. It neither settles into fine lines, nor does it emphasizes pores. It is utterly gorgeous, and is, without question, my current favorite bronzer. It should be noted that it remains true to color, it never oxidizes, and it wears all day without fading.
Nude Bronze Light is described as a, "neutral bronze shade fused with Nude Light, a soft, translucent powder, to mimic a subtle warmth" that is ideal for light to medium complexions. It is finely milled, albeit a bit more stiff and slightly less luminous than Diffused Bronze Light, and it glides across the skin effortlessly and deposits pigment evenly. Like Diffused Bronze Light, it neither settles into fine lines, nor does it emphasize pores. It, too, remains true to color, it doesn't oxidize, and it lasts all day long without fading.
According to HOURGLASS,
Ambient® Lighting Bronzer fuses the illuminating effects of Ambient® Lighting Powder with bronze pigments to add depth and dimension for a natural, sun-kissed glow. The sheer, airy formula sweeps on softly for a healthy-looking, radiant finish.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
• The airy, lightweight bronzers fuse the illuminating effects of Ambient® Lighting Powder with bronze pigments to deliver buildable color and a radiant finish.
• While traditional bronzer tends to be flat, Ambient® Lighting Bronzer uses Photoluminescent Technology for seamless blending and color transitions.
• The hand-made powders are formulated using an advanced miscelare technique - which means "to mix" in Italian - creating the perfect balance of pigment and powder, and no two look alike.
• Ambient® Lighting Bronzer can be used alone for subtle warmth and contouring or paired with Ambient® Lighting Powder to create depth and dimension.
AVAILABLE IN 4 SHADES (2 NEW SHADES):
•
LUMINOUS BRONZE LIGHT - a medium tan shade fused with Luminous Light, a champagne pearl powder, for a softer, candlelit warmth. Ideal for fair/light complexions.
•
RADIANT BRONZE LIGHT - a warm bronze shade fused with Radiant Light, a golden beige powder, to mimic a summer glow. Ideal for medium/deep complexions.
•
DIFFUSED BRONZE LIGHT [Shown] - a cool bronze shade fused with Diffused Light, a soft, pale yellow powder, to mimic a ray of warm sunlight. Ideal for light/medium complexions.
•
NUDE BRONZE LIGHT [Shown] - a neutral bronze shade fused with Nude Light, a soft, translucent powder, to mimic a subtle warmth. Ideal for light/medium complexions.
DIRECTIONS:
• Warming - Using the Nº 1 Powder Brush, gently swirl the entire compact to pick up the perfect balance of pigment and powder. Lightly apply all over face to achieve a sun-kissed look.
• Defining – Use the Ambient® Lighting Brush to apply Ambient® Lighting Bronzer as a subtle contour along the temples, hollows of the cheeks and jawline.
• Ambient® Lighting Bronzer works best when applied after Ambient® Lighting Powder and before Ambient® Lighting Blush.
• Explore the Ambient® Lighting Collection to create your perfect light.
DIFFUSED BRONZE LIGHT
NUDE BRONZE LIGHT
DIFFUSED BRONZE LIGHT: is a cool bronze shade fused with Diffused Light, a soft, pale yellow powder, to mimic a ray of warm sunlight. Ideal for light/medium complexions.
NUDE BRONZE LIGHT: is a neutral bronze shade fused with Nude Light, a soft, translucent powder, to mimic a subtle warmth. Ideal for light/medium complexions.
Note the lovely luminosity!
Compacts:
HOURGLASS compacts are elegant studies in Minimalism
FREE OF: Parabens, Fragrance, Talc, Nanoparticles, Gluten, and Not tested on animals.
Ingredients:
Top to Bottom:
Diffused Bronze Light
Nude Bronze Light
Clockwise Left to Right: Diffused Bronze Light, Nude Bronze Light, Iridescent Flash and Euphoric Fusion.
These Jane Iredale bronzers are actually multipurpose, ultra-finely milled powders that can be used on the cheeks, eyes and lips. Each of the shades can be used individually, or blended to perfection.
Rose Dawn is a cooler-toned palette, whereas Peaches & Cream is a warmer-toned palette.
Note the luminosity
Jane Iredale Bronzer Refill in Rose Dawn ($44.00 for 0.34 oz. refill from
Jane Iredale,
Nordstrom,
Skinstore, and
Amazon): This cool-toned, ultra-finely milled, pressed powder boasts a silky smooth texture that glides across the skin effortlessly, deposits color evenly, and it neither settles into fine lines, nor does it emphasize pores. It offers buildable coverage, a luminous natural finish and infinitely wearable shades. The beautiful pink shade is a wonderful blush color and the light pink at the far right is a lovely highlighter. I have actually found that I can create a full face of makeup with these four shades by using a wash of color on my eyelids with the darker shades, that I can also use as a bronzer, and by using the the blush and highlighter shade as described above. I was a bit skeptical about using it on my lips, but I successfully added a small amount to my lipstick for added luminosity. All four shades offer a lovely luminous finish.
According to Jane Iredale,
This bronzer refill by jane iredale features four luxurious shades in one that can be mixed and matched and swept across your eyes, lips and cheeks for contouring and highlighting for an allover, sun-kissed glow. Each bronzer offers buildable coverage with a luminous finish.
Four complementary shades can be swept across cheeks and lips to contour and highlight for a luxurious look that’s made in the shade! Pair with our sleek refillable compact.
How to use: Sweep across your eyes, lips and cheeks.
Features:
- Paraben-free; sulfate-free; phthalate-free; gluten-free; oil-free
- Dermatologist tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- Made in the USA
- Compact sold separately
Ingredients: Mica, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Pinus Strobus (Pine) Bark Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract. [+/- (May Contain) Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77489, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Carmine (Ci 75470)]
Rose Dawn blended
Jane Iredale Bronzer Refill in Peaches & Cream ($44.00 for 0.34 oz. refill from
Jane Iredale,
Nordstrom,
Skinstore and
Amazon): This warm-toned, ultra-finely milled, pressed powder boasts a silky smooth texture that glides across the skin effortlessly, deposits color evenly, and it neither settles into fine lines, nor does it emphasize pores. It offers buildable coverage, a luminous natural finish and infinitely wearable shades. The beautiful peach shade is a wonderful blush color and the light pink taupe next to it is a lovely highlighter. In fact, three of the four shades work individually as blushes on me. Like Rose Dawn, I have actually found that I can create a full face of makeup with these four shades by using a wash of color on my eyelids with the darker mocha shade, that I can also use as a bronzer, and by using the the blush and highlighter shade as described above. I was a bit skeptical about using it on my lips, but I successfully added a small amount to my lipstick for added luminosity. Three of the four shades offer a lovely luminous finish, but the coral at the far right is more matte.
According to Jane Iredale,
If you want to try a monochromatic look this spring, create a subtle gradient peach eye makeup look and then keep your cheeks and lips natural with just a hint of color. Try jane iredale Peaches & Cream Bronzer. Mix and match the four peachy shades to create different eye makeup and blush looks. The bronzer can also be mixed with moisturizer or hair gel for dramatic effect on the body and hair.
Four complementary shades can be swept across cheeks and lips to contour and highlight for a luxurious look that’s made in the shade! Pair with our sleek refillable compact.
How to use: Sweep across your eyes, lips and cheeks.
Features:
- Paraben-free; sulfate-free; phthalate-free; gluten-free; oil-free
- Dermatologist tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Made in the USA
- Compact sold separately
Ingredients: Mica, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Pinus Strobus (Pine) Bark Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850)(Aka 202), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Ultramarines (CI 77007).
Peaches & Cream blended
TOM FORD Beauty Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moodlight ($80.00 for 0.42 oz. from
Nordstrom,
Neiman Marcus,
Bergdorf Goodman,
Saks Fifth Avenue,
Bloomingdale's,
Harrods and
Selfridges): is a stunning highlighting and illuminating powder duo that is ultra finely milled, glides across the skin effortlessly and it neither emphasizes pores, nor does it settle into fine lines. Both powders have a velvety smooth texture that make them both exquisitely satisfying, and easy, to use. While technically an illuminating palette, I use the bottom shade as a bronzer.
The luxe compact contains two generously sized powders with a total weight of 0.42 oz. The golden white shade, at the top of the compact, is a subtle shimmering highlighter that imparts the perfect ethereal glow to the skin. It does not contain large chunks of glitter, and is therefore appropriate to wear day or night. The bottom shade seems to modulate between a rose gold and a peachy golden shade that adds a touch of sun kissed color to the complexion. It contains a refined glowing shimmer that is equally appropriate during the day, or the office for that matter, and the evening. The two shades can also be mixed together to create what TOM FORD Beauty calls a "multidimensional glow."
I experimented in order to find the best brush to use with the TOM FORD Beauty Skin Illuminating Powder Duo, and find that I get the best effects with soft and fluffy brushes. A stiffer brushes tend to lay down more color than I want– therefore a fluffy brush gives me the more natural glow that I seek.
That the creamy smooth texture facilitates effortless blending is a supreme understatement. In fact, the texture is so enviable that you will find yourself looking for excuses to use these beauties. Both shades offer buildable coverage– should you seek a more obvious glow, but as previously noted, I prefer using a lighter hand to achieve a more natural glow. When built up excessively the finish becomes more metallic and less natural looking.
Furthermore, I noted exceptional wear-time for both powders– in fact both tend to wear all day without a primer on my combination skin, but your experience may differ. If you have particularly oily skin, then the use of a primer will certainly increase the wear-time of these shimmering beauties.
According to TOM FORD Beauty,
Tom Ford created this highlighting and illuminating powder duo to capture the two most flattering types of natural light on the skin—a soft white shade is like the luminous glow of daylight and a radiant golden shade is like the romantic illusion of candlelight. These lightly shimmering shades can be applied individually or layered together to create a multidimensional glow.
Overall Assessment: These are my current favorite luxury bronzers that are definitely covet-worthy. What are your favorite bronzers? Please be sure to click on the blogger badges below to se which bronzers were selected by the rest of the Makeup Wars! Team members!
Press Sample and Purchased. All views expressed are categorically my own (Affiliate Links).
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