My bronzer Collection

Updated April 2020 

Although summer is fading and autumn fast approaching, a bit of bronzer can prolong a summer tanned look. I have medium olive skin and while I am amazed to find that there's still a lot of orange bronzers out there, especially in the drug store I've managed to find and recommend ones that aren't.I generally use Zoeva's Angled blush brushes (127 Luxe Sheer Cheek and 128 Cream cheek) to apply these bronzers below.

Sleek contour kit in light 

Although this is sold as a contour kit/palette the warm brown makes it more suitable for bronzing. It's very pigmented, fairly long wearing and includes one of my all time  favourite highlighters. For such a cheap price this is fantastic value for money. When I hit pan I will definitely go out and buy another.  Sleek online and Superdrug £6.49

Benefit Hoola Cream Bronzer 
Easy to use.

Ben Nye in Contour No 2  
Although sold as a contour powder the warm brown makes it ideal for bronzing.This is extremely pigmented and so requires a light hand and although I apply using a slanted contour brush I would recommend a fan brush so that you don't over apply, see my full review here. I absolutely love this, the pigment, the price everything and will definitely repurchase if I hit pan on this. Available from Treasure House of Make Up at £11.22 they are also available in the USA with other stage makeup brands such as Graftobian and Mehron.

Boots Natural collection in Milk Chocolate

 This is actually an eye shadow, one day I decided to try this as an Bronzer and the warmth of the brown really brings a healthy tanned glow to the face. At it's also very cheap and would suit paler skin tones. I would definitely repurchase as this is a double duty product.

From Boots £1.99

Boots No 7 Perfectly Bronzed Duo bronzer 

This is from a holiday set but is exactly the same as the one in current No 7 regular line which comes in a mirrored compact. Although this has tiny sparkles of glitter they don't really show up when worn so I've put this in the matte category. A good colour for a bronzer and I would repurchase this again. From Boots £12

The Benefit Cosmetics Hoola line is their best seller for a reason but  I would say the best value and all rounder are the Ben Nye Contour powder and Sleek Contour Kit.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms Review

I finally got a chance to try out Clinique's famous Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip colour balms: The Stick That Started A Worldwide Trend or felt like it at least.
These are mini versions from Glamour Magazine in 06 Woppin' Watermelon (centre picture on the left) and 07 Super Strawberry (centre picture on the right.)

If I had to describe these in one word it would be comfortable. As in Comfortable and carefree not comfortable and boring. These are basically tinted lip balms, but in a easy twist up crayon that was appealing to make up lovers, make up newbies and those who don't wear make up, preferring to go au naturale. So their target market was basically everyone- see how clever they were there eh? These are nice to wear on the lips, definitely moisturising without making lips feel dry or tight at all or give that obvious wet look like Vaseline does. Because they are so comfortable you may find that frequent use means you'll go through the lip colour Balm quickly. These don't have any taste or scent which is a big plus as I have asthma and those of you who have allergies will appreciate this as well. This is fitting since Clinique's brand and ethos is based on being hypoallergenic / allergy tested. They are also not sticky, tacky or waxy either.It's great that these automatically twist up and that no product is wasted if you had to sharpen them. Unfortunately it does transfer on to cups like other lip balms but because they are fairly subtle they wear off evenly.

Super Strawberry is a red that's very close to pink and is darker. Out of the two I prefer Super Strawberry.

Woppin' Watermelon is paler with a lilac tint a colour which which I wouldn't usually gravitate towards but it looks ok on my lips and works as a nude shade.

Because these are lip balms the lighter colours will show up subtlety, the darker and brighter colours such as Jumbo Jasmine and Two Ton Tomato have more impact appearing like a diluted lipstick/stain. (Although Super Strawberry does stand out) This is a bonus if you feel you cannot carry off strong lipsticks colours such as red then I would try Two Ton Tomato  which may give the desired look but in subtler finish than lipstick or to dip your toes in the water by wearing bright lip trends such as Orange. Additionally If you want more bang for your buck (or pounds over here) then I would opt  for a dark or bright colour or try Clinique's new Chubby Stick for Lips Intense, for a more pigmented look. 

Clinique's Chubby Sticks Lip Colour balms are basically tinted lip balms in a convenient form. They feel lovely on the lips and definitely moisturise as they claim to.The colours show up but often subtly. I do think these are expensive for what they are, however Clinique were the ones who pioneered the lip crayon and didn't have to worry about a competitive price, they were the ones to set the trend for chubby sticks. I really like that these have no scent or taste something which is absent from the copycat products such as Revlon' s which taste of mint which I hate. Clinique do set the bar high for quality and I would recommend these if you have the money to spend. 

Clinique Chubby Sticks Moisturizing Lip Color Balms are £17 and available from Clinque Online,  Boots  and all good department stores. 

You may like it if...You don't like wearing lipstick but want a little colour, have allergies to taste and smells of products,hate anything sticky like some lip glosses or are high end brand conscious
You may not like these if..you are on a budget, or if you like pigmented lipsticks.