I'm a huge fan of bronzing and contouring, especially when the summer comes around and a tanned face doesn't look out of place. On the other hand, contouring is reserved for night time affairs. I can't be walking around in broad daylight with two stripes down my nose!
I have a pretty sizeable collection that I want to share with you, just to show you that not all bronzers and contour powders are shimmery, matte, red toned, or yellow toned, or anything in specific. It really depends on what purpose you're trying to achieve and what flatters you best.
Let's go from right to left, bottom to top, left to right (mindf*cked yet?) and see what I have.
Benefit Hoola bronzer: Perfect for NC20-30s who want to contour or bronze up the face. Either way it's a matte brown that's neutral enough for all over or in the hollows of your cheeks.
Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light: This kit comes with a champagne highlighter and is PERFECT for contouring. It's very cheap but not too accessible (I got mine only in a swap...)
Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette: I always get compliments wearing this palette on my cheeks, and the contour color is very light and can't look harsh. However, the highlighter and blush requires a light hand.
Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Natural: This is a very red toned bronzer that I find perfect for when I'm NC35-NC45. It looks great all over as it mimics how my skin reacts to being sunburnt. It also looks great as a contour shade as it is on the cooler side.
Bobbi Brown Blush Palette in Pale Pink and Tawny: Next to Pale Pink, Tawny seems to be a bronzer, at least with my terrible eyesight and lighting in the bedroom. In broad daylight, it's actually a lovely ...tawny color blush. FML. Do NOT use this to contour.
Dolce and Gabbana blush in Tan: Now this is what you use to contour. It's like a grown up version of NYX Taupe (which I didn't care for and swapped away) but much more flattering and cool. It's almost grey, very subtle, and could probably work for NC/W15 to NC30. I always choose this one to contour my nose.
Too Faced Bronzer in Chocolate Soleil (Medium/Deep): I used to own its sister Milk Chocolate but found the smell too sweet for my taste and gave it to my mom for a contour. It really does work for a contour, but the scent was diabetic... This one works great for NC30-NC40 me all over or in the hollows of the cheek. Love!
Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Bronzing Veil Tropical Nights (what in the actual hell) bronzer: I like this one, but I haven't had a chance to play with it. I will definitely have to pull it out for this summer. It gives off a "reddish burnt sparkly summer beach babe" vibe.
Guerlain Terracotta La Selection de L'Ete (another rech betch name eh?): This one is a little too light for my liking, and honestly it looks too fancy for using. I tried it once and it reminded me of a profesh summer cocktail party look or something O_O ...sort of pretty but nothing wild.
AND LET THE SWATCHES BEGIN:
From left to right: Hoola, BB Natural, Choco Soleil, KA Celestial, Guerlain, BB Tawny blush (silence! lol), Naked Flushed, D&G Tan, Sleek in Light.
The following pictures were taken in either direct or indirect sunlight. I think it does matter to see how a bronzer will look in dimmer lighting, but it's also a false representation that won't help you choose a good color that looks "non-insane" in sunlight.
All colors were swatched twice. You can always build color up as desired. No primer. My inner forearm is about...NC25 (the back part is crispy at NC45.)
This is indoors, with the sunlight behind my arm. Everything is actually hazy to the point where it would work as either bronzer or contour, but the red toned shades are looking cray cray.
This is indirect sunlight, I'm standing right in the doorway under a patio.
This is another view. I'm indoors, but there's more sunlight. I just wanted you to see the various texture and tones of the bronzers just to get a feel of what could work for you.
Final one, this is outside. See how natural the D&G looks, like a shadow? It's definitely very faint in pigmentation but for good reason imo. Everything else looks absolutely orange in comparison.
I'm pretty happy with my collection at the moment; I don't think it's necessary to expand. After all, I don't even do bronzer on a daily basis especially now in the throes of winter. Well there is sunlight but come on, bronzer in the office doesn't sound right to me.
My favorite at the moment for contouring is TF Chocolate Soleil, since I think they've taken the scent down a notch since I've last purchased. I also really enjoy Benefit's Hoola at the moment for an all over color, since I find that the new Garnier BB cream I'm trying (while great for oil control) is a tad too light ...so I've been liberal with the bronzers.
Can't wait for summer when it's appropriate to just be dark. I love both the pale princess and beach babe look on myself. Plus, being tan for me definitely gets more attention from men. Interesting right?
xo Be.
