Nov
2012
Tried & Tested Trio : Bronzers
I was looking at recent photos of me and realised that my face looked flat as a pancake 
Being Asian means that I have flat features like flat nose and flat boobs – but alas, NOT A FLAT STOMACH!!! Gurrrr!!!! Anyway, I decided to crack open a few bronzers to see if I could incorporate them into my make-up routine and learn to contour and define.
Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzing Powder in 14 Olive / Tanned Skin
Packaging : I really liked the packaging of Bourjois Delice de Soleil with the swivel mirror lid so I can view myself in all different angles (some were not that attractive – i.e. looking up one’s nasal cavities!) It comes with a flat contour brush which is a little scratchy but perfect for ladies who like to reapply bronzer on the go. The problem with any make-up compact which comes with a brush is that I will forget to wash it regularly.
Performance : There is barely detectable shimmer in Bourjois Delice de Soleil which means it is an almost-matte bronzer and is best used to define cheekbones. The colour is quite strong so it’s best to use a light hand otherwise instead of looking like a Bronzed Goddess, you can easily look like a member from Jersey Shore.
Perfect for : Creating killer cheekbones a la Kate Moss.
The Body Shop Bronzing Powder in 03 Medium Matte
Packaging : Simple, sturdy compact with mirror. Nothing wowee. I do like the hexagonal honeycomb-like embossed indentations. (It also reminds me of MAC Golden Nectar of which I do not own so cannot comment.)
Performance : You will see in the swatch later that the shade of this matte bronzer matches my skin colour very closely. This means that when I first used it, I was like – Uh, what’s the point? I can’t see any difference!!! But then I experimented with it further only to find that it provides a lovely subtle difference when I apply it on the sides of my nose to create a slimmer more defined nose bridge. I have also used it to create a fake crease on my silly Asian eyelids!
Perfect for : Subtle contouring for Asian flat-faced ladies like moi
Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Light to Medium
Packaging : Physicians Formula Bronze Booster reminded me of a yo-yo minus the string!! Anyway, it is jam-packed with not only a flat contour brush (slighty scratchy) and a powder puff (lovely and soft) and a lid with a mirror.
Performance : Those bronzing pearly beads totally remind me of Guerlain Meteorites (of which I also do not own!). It’s actually quite fun to use a kabuki brush to swirl the beads around to make a satisfying noise. Yes, I am weird like that! There is a lot of pearlescent shimmer with this bronzer so I dare not go crazy with it on my face. I just add it on top of my blusher to highlight my almost non-existent cheekbones.
Perfect for : A touch of radiance
Bronzer Swatches
So I still have a long way to go before becoming a master of contouring with bronzers, but I have had fun testing them out. Are you a bronzer fan? Do you have any tips you could give a bronzer noob like me?
The made up maiden
29/11/2012 at 4:32 pm (172 days ago)Ooh lovely! I really like the look of the Bourjois one! I own the same body shop one but haven’t used it yet! Love bronzers for contouring, I am using two from Inglot currently!
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
@The made up maiden, Can you believe I am an Inglot virgin?!!!!
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emmabovary
30/11/2012 at 9:24 am (171 days ago)I love that body shop bronzer, I like that it is pretty light (obvs I bought the lightest one for my fair skin!) it means it is harder to stuff up, and I can warm up my face without anyone knowing I have anything on. mwu hahaha
emmabovary recently blogged about..Lick the Icing
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
@emmabovary, Yes, we don’t want to look like an extra from The Shire
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Porcelaine
30/11/2012 at 1:58 pm (171 days ago)I usually use a darker foundation powder but recently I really like to use ELF’s All Over Cover Stick in Toasted (I’ll be blogging about it soon).
Porcelaine recently blogged about..NOTD: Australis Speck-tacular Crystal Top Coat Nail Polish
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
@Porcelaine, That’s a good idea to use a darker foundation powder! I might try that sometime
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Norlin
30/11/2012 at 2:15 pm (171 days ago)Loving the look of the body shop one tbh. It’s subtle and would be great when used to define cheekbones! But I do like the golden tinge in the physicians formula one too. That’ll be perfect for you know…when you’re going to parties and stuff?
Norlin recently blogged about..Colours of Summer: Coral & Mint
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
@Norlin, I need more parties to bring out the party bronzer
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Saumya
01/12/2012 at 12:14 pm (170 days ago)I have the Bourjois one n I quite like it, but like you m still in the art of practicing n mastering by brozer skills as I really need one
Saumya recently blogged about..Review – Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder in ‘Darkest Brown’
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
@Saumya, Yes, practice makes perfect
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Michelle
02/12/2012 at 8:28 am (169 days ago)Oooh, I might need to check out The Body Shop one as I’m super pale and prefer bronzers that are buildable rather than too scarily dark.
Michelle recently blogged about..November Addictions – Skin Doctors T-Zone Range
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
@Michelle, Let me know how you get on with The Body Shop Bronzer
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Personal Perspectives
02/12/2012 at 4:36 pm (169 days ago)I love my Two Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder – it’s my holy grail bronzer!
Personal Perspectives recently blogged about..Crabtree & Evelyn Haul – December 2012
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
@Personal Perspectives, Oooh thanks for the rec!
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Cynthia
03/12/2012 at 1:17 pm (168 days ago)I haven’t found my favorite bronzer yet, cause there are some that I tried has so much pigmentation in it. I would like to contour side of my cheeks to make myself look slimmer. Thanks for the reviews of each of your bronzer.
Cynthia recently blogged about..My winter look FOTD
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
@Cynthia, Yeah, it’s good to have bronzers which are buildable and not too pigmented. Contouring can make such a difference when done correctly
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Emily
04/12/2012 at 3:47 pm (167 days ago)I know this is totally random but I LOVE YOUR PHOTOS.
Emily recently blogged about..IsoWhey: An Update
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Ling Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@Emily, OMG!!! That is the best random comment I have ever had!!! Thanks babe, especially coming from you because your photography is brill! x
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Catherine (@bcrueltyfree)
12/12/2012 at 2:42 pm (159 days ago)This is such a great post – I LOVE this sort of comparison style post. The photos are super pretty too
Catherine (@bcrueltyfree) recently blogged about..Holiday Giveaway! INGLOT Eyeshadow Palettes
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Ling Reply:
December 27th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Catherine (@bcrueltyfree), Aww thanks so much
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