BODY BRONZERS | SPRAY VS. LOTION AND HOW TO APPLY THEM
Body bronzers are an easy, simple way to "tan up" quickly. There are 2 kinds that I'll be talking about here, the spray and lotion. Regardless of formula, you'll get similar outcomes from both although there is one product here that has become my new Holy Grail this summer. Keep reading to find out.
SPRAY ON BRONZERS
Not nearly as intimating or messy as it sounds, I surprisingly found spray on bronzers were easier to apply that I'd initially thought. The trick to making it natural looking and streak free is all in the application. The sales associate at Sephora recommended I use a mitt to buff it in, but reached for a big fluffy body brush instead. I found the brush had more coverage vs. the mitt and I liked how it applied overall but it took a bit more time.
I used Sephora's Perfection Mist Airbrush Bronzer for face and body. For $21, it's the cheapest product I'm featuring here with no odor and an excellent bronze colour that's neither too orange or too brown with a light shimmer. It's good for those looking to amp up their existing tan since the coverage is more on the sheer side so I wouldn't recommend this if you're pale AF. It's also pretty transfer resistant as long as you don't sit in a hot car with leather seats during 30 degree weather. (It happened to me.)
LOTION BRONZERS
Easier to apply than spray, lotion bronzers are my personal fave. They're easy to mix with SPF, foundation or tinted moisturizer or they're perfect used on their own. They can applied with a mitt, but I prefer using my hands as I would lotion since it's super easy and practically fail proof.
First up with Benefit's Hoola Zero Tanlines. Let me start by saying I LOVE Benefit. I really do. The original Hoola is my favourite all time bronzer and contour powder. With that being said, I do not love this new product. While it's buildable in colour (yay!) and easy to apply (double yay), I find that the colour is a bit more on the orange side which gets more pronounced as it's layered. For reference, I have medium skin with olive undertones but my legs are a bit paler than the rest of me. (What you see on IG is all fake tanning and meticulous use of bronzer.) Like the Sephora mist, this one is probably best to accentuate already tanned skin, but then again I haven't seen how to colour looks on fair skin tones. Anyone?
Next up: Benefit's Dew The Hoola face bronzer, another new one from Benefit. Sure it's not a body bronzer but it feels right to talk about it here. Unlike Zero Tanlines, I really love this product! It looks natural and dewy on it's own or mixed with your existing makeup. I like to apply it with my fingers in place of foundation for a sheer bronzed glow. Then I just apply my concealer overtop in the areas I need and finally set it with powder. Instant Tan!
The last product is my new holy grail - Vita Liberata's Body Blur. This one is pricey at $50 + tax (!!!) and I probably wouldn't have bought it had it not been sent to me BUT, after trying it, I would definitely repurchase. Straight up, this product is more like makeup for your body but I freakin' love it!!!! I have small scars on my legs I could do without and Body Blur makes them all magically disappear. It's probably due to the micro light reflecting shimmer which helps skin appear flawless. I find the colour to be spot on and screams "I just got back from Ibiza".
Diana, (my BFF/ contributing beauty writer for WoahStyle) was reluctant to try this product but she did and also fell in love.
Michael (my blogger bestie) always comments when I wear it "you look so tanned!" and then I disclose it's fake and he screams "Oh really?!" in disbelief.
Even my bare legged pictures on Instagram look better and more tanned when I wear this bronzer. I just loooooooove it!
So downsides? The formula is similar to makeup, which I personally like, but other people might not. It also transfers. Not a lot, but enough so beware when wearing white or light colours. To my dismay, a bit transfered on my Stella McCartney denim tote and on my leather car seat when I was driving on a particularly hot day. With that being said, I still love this product and I reach for it every time I go barelegged. #addicted
10 OUTFITS TO WEAR THIS SUMMER
No matter how many clothes we have stuffed in our closets it seems almost inevitable to utter the words "I have nothing to wear". With that, I put together a list of my 10 favourite outfits this summer based on what you guys like on my Instagram (meaning the highest liked outfits). Keep scrolling for outfit inspiration that should last you well into next week.
I SMEARED SNAIL CREAM ON MY FACE AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED
You've probably heard all about the Korean skincare trend of snail creams but have you actually tried it? I for one never thought I would because the concept is so gross. I mean to smear snail mucus all over my face for the promise of what? Soft skin? Big whoop. I'll pass and give me the next skincare trend to review thank you very much.
Then a couple of things happened.
1) My best friend/ blogger at globalgarcon.net / skincare aficionado, Michael would not shut up about the snail cream from The Face Shop. Generally when he tells me I need something, I listen but I wanted to ignore this particular recommendation.
2) A PR agency hooked me up with said snail cream, face wash and emulsion. It's like the universe was trying to tell me something...
As a blogger I get a lot of skincare/ makeup to try from various brands but only a fraction of what I'm gifted makes it to the blog. When I got the snail products I really wasn't keen on trying them but after one two many beers, I bravely reached for the snail emulsion and face cream and slathered up before going to bed.
The next morning I was shocked to find my skin was supremely hydrated and looked well rested. Considering the lack of sleep and beers from the night before, I'd say not bad! It's rare to find a product that gives you immediate results!
I looked into it some more and found the benefits of snails mucus are:
- Hydration; snail secret slime that protects them in different ways and keeps them well moisturized which means it's an excellent humectant for our skin.
- Reparative; snail slime contains hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, Collagen, elastin in addition to zinc, iron, copper and manganese. All which helps them repair their skin and ours. (Read more here.)
- Firming; the acids and nutrients in snail mucus not only repair the skin but also help firm it by replenishing and retaining moisture. It's also said to help support cell regeneration.
So, after waking up with firmer, clearer more hydrated skin after my sleepless night of drinking am I jumping on the snail band wagon? Maybe a little but with one foot off. I'd like to know more about how The Face Shop harvests their snail slime for one. Also, I'm not keen on the smell. It has a faint fragrant odor that I could do without but it's not gonna stop me from using it!
Get me some snail eye cream stat!
xo, Nathalie
IN THIS POST:
THE FACE SHOP, HWANSAENGGO ESCARGOT Golden Firming Emulsion
THE FACE SHOP, HWANSAENGGO ESCARGOT Golden Firming Cleansing Foam
THE FACE SHOP, HWANSAENGGO ESCARGOT Golden Firming Cream
THE LITTLE BLACK ROMPER
A shirt tied around my waist (from Frank & Eileen) hides me belly considering I'd just hoovered gelato and waffle cone just minutes before. Had it not been for pigging out I might have not reached for this plaid top, which I think, makes the black romper much more exciting.
I call this outfit my nod to the 90s. Easy to wear, casual with a little touch of glam.
Queue, the Isabel Marant sandals because every girl (and boy) needs a fab sandal. It almost makes the outfit don't you agree?
How do you guys add your personality to your little black romper?
10 FAVE LITTLE BLACK ROMPERS
I'm wearing:
Aritzia silk romper (from SS15)
Frank & Eileen linen top (exact here)
Isabel Marant Jaeryn sandal (sold out for the season)
Saint Laurent cross body wallet (exact here)
Felony Case, black marble print for iPhone 6+ (coming soon)
Lisbeth Jewelry necklaces
Larsson & Jennings Norse watch (exact here)
STYLE CRUSH: LIZZY VAN DER LIGT
One glance at my current style crush Lizzy VDL and you'll understand my love of colour and pattern. Her personal style is bold, unapologetic, eclectic with a nod to rock and roll and, the perfect balance of feminine and masculine.
Lizzy, style me, or just let me shop your closet because damn girl, you get me.
LE GLAM MASH UP
LE CASUAL IN THE CITY
LE HOT LIZZY
HOW TO ROCK BOOTS IN THE SUMMER
Sometimes a badass pair of boots is all you need to make a summer outfit more cool and effortless. I'm wondering why I haven't worn these Giuseppe Zanotti's sooner considering they were my go-to's for months. (I blame the gold Gucci's) They'd look super cute with a printed mini dress and obviously they go well with tiny shorts and an oversized top. The boots say "I don't give a f---" and yet they're comfortable enough to wear all day long.
I'm almost tempted to retire my sandals for the rest of the summer. Almost.
xo, Nathalie
An oversized top by Frank & Eileen (called the Eileen) balances off the look of short shorts. It's made of Italian linen so it keeps you cool on those hot summer days. The fit of it is oversized so be sure you grab your true size when buying it. I'm wearing an XS.
Show off some leg! Ankle boots during the summer look best with mini dresses and short shorts.
PHOTOGRAPHY by: Vincent Ko @ vincent-ko.com
Thanks to the lovely team at Frank & Eileen for supplying me with beautiful linen shirts each season. I can't thank you enough!
HOSTING A GIRLS NIGHT IN WITH PALM BAY
When Palm Bay approached me about hosting a girls night in, I thought “alright let’s do this”. But then my day to day life got really busy and hosting a night with the girls seemed like the last thing on my mind.
Thing is, I was making a big deal out of nothing and forgot the big picture. I’m seriously blessed with the greatest friends ever and when we get together it’s like time hasn’t passed. Hosting a night in for my girls is super easy. All we need is some good food and drinks and before we know it, we’re laughing so hard we’re about to pee our pants (ok not really). I’m lucky this all came together when it did because my girls and I vowed to make more time for each other and turn this into a monthly thing.
xo, Nathalie
This post was sponsored by Palm Bay. All photos and opinions are my own.
Special thanks to my girls, Janet and Diana for helping my girls night in come to life!
HOW TO USE FACE BRONZERS & SELF TANNERS
Getting your bronzer on and faking a tan is easier than you think, especially when you're using makeup. I've put together few of my favourite methods to fake a flawless tan.
MAKEUP
For an quick fake tan I like to use a tinted moisturizer in a shade or two darker than my skin tone. The trick to making it look natural is to bring the tinted moisturized down to the neck so the colour appears seamless. If you don't want to buy a darker moisturizer or foundation, Make Up For Ever makes an awesome brown liquid pigment that will adjust your makeup colour in a couple of drops. Remember, water and oil don't mix so be sure to pick up the pigment formulation that's right for the makeup you're going to be mixing it with.
LIQUID BRONZER
Benefit launched the liquid version of their famous Hoola a couple of months ago called Dew The Hoola. I prefer to use it in place of a tinted moisturized and apply it on top of my SPF. (Sun protection is key people!) It gives me a natural tanned glow that I really like for the summer, kinda like the no-makeup makeup. If you're looking for more coverage, just mix a pump of liquid Hoola to your existing makeup and voila! (I personally think the colour of Hoola is perfect for my medium olive skin tone but I can't see it making a difference on anyone who's medium-dark. Benefit needs to release it in a darker shade so that everyone can try it's awesome bronzing powers.)
POWDER BRONZER
I'd be lost without powder bronzer. Benefit's Hoola is my all time fave for contour. To warm up my face I like shimmery bronzers like Edward Bess and Rimmel. Just use a big fluffy brush and blend the powder around the perimeter of the face - forehead, cheeks, jawline and chin. With a clean brush go back in and blend away any harsh lines so the bronzer looks natural. I've recently been to a couple of events where girls have used so much bronzer and contour that I can literally spot it in a crowded room. Not cute. Blending is your BFF when it comes to bronzing so take your time.
SELF TANNER
For those who don't want to be mixing foundations and liquid bronzers daily (and trust me, it's super easy), then self tanners are for you. Vita Liberata sent me their Self-Tanning Anti Aging Serum to try and it is awesome! Every time I use it, people I haven't seen in a while ask me where I've been on vacation. Just add a drop or two to your moisturizer and that's it! At $63, it's not cheap but trust me when I say you will get a natural flawless tan. This stuff doesn't stink and won't turn your skin orange.