Price: $13.99
Product: 5.5/10
Packaging: 6/10
Value: 5/10
Overall Grade: D-
As you all may or may not know, I've been searching for a good bronzer at a low price. I've been trying to stay away from higher end bronzers as I'm on a budget. All the drugstore bronzers I've tried have been a miss so far but I decided to continue my search and try Revlon's Colorstay Mineral Bronzer.
The Packaging: The packaging is flimsy and cheap. The lid is clear to display the bronzer inside the compact. The compact opens and closes fine but I know that sooner or later, the plastic lid with crack or it'll break all the way off (I've had this problem with Revlon packaging before.) The brush included is a joke –it's too tiny to do anything with.
Above from left: Revlon Colorstay Mineral Bronzer Brush, E.L.F. Kabuki Face Brush
Claims to last up to 16 hours!
Ingredients
Other Possible Ingredients
Above from left: CARGO Blush, Revlon Colorstay Mineral Bronzer
The Product: First off, this stuff is tiny. You can even see how tiny it really is in the picture above –it's only 0.04oz/1.13g. Secondly, this is yet another bronzer that "looks glowy" in the pan and swatched but on my face, there is no glowiness or shimmer whatsoever. It's almost matte but leans more towards an almost satin finish. It also looks slightly muddy which really put me off. (The lighter shade was way too light so I had to go with this shade.) If I really buff it out, it looks alright as a contouring shade but it's still a bit muddy and obvious.
Now why am I giving it such a low grade? The minute I applied the bronzer, my face started to itch extremly badly. Now I've mentioned before that powder products (usually drugstore) do irritate my skin but the "itching" or "irritation" usually goes away within a few minutes. However, I left this bronzer on for a good 30 minutes. I finally had to remove it because my face was itching so badly. Once it was removed, my skin was a bit red and irritated. Because of this, I cannot comment on it's "16 hour wear time" claim.
The Color: Swatched, it appears to be a glowy, slightly shimmery, medium bronze with some orange and peach to it. It looks pretty light actually. Once it's applied, it looks too muddy on my medium skin and the shimmer doesn’t show up.
Above (no flash): Revlon Colorstay Mineral Bronzer in "Deep Bronze"
Above (no flash): Revlon Colorstay Mineral Bronzer in "Deep Bronze"
Overall: The reason why I'm not giving this bronzer an "F" is because it at least looked half decent on my face. However, it didn't look like a bronzer to me and looked more like a contouring shade. It was too muddy and there was no glowiness to it (once it was applied.) Also, it's way too small for the $13.99 price tag and is too expensive for a drugstore product.
I cannot remember the last time my skin reacted so badly to any product. This left my skin reddened and extremely itchy. If this hadn't made my skin so irriated, I woul've given the bronzer a D+ or low C-.
I feel sad that the Revlon products I've been buying lately have been complete "misses." I think I may have to move onto higher end bronzers since I've been having now luck finding an affordable one that works. Any suggestions before I move onto higher end bronzers?
:( Sorry to hear about this! I agree, it is too expensive for a drugstore product... and even worse that it irritated your skin!!! I've been using ELF's $3 Studio Warm Bronzer and I like it a lot. It adds nice warmth and I also use it for contouring. I also have it in Golden but it's a bit light/shimmery for me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really dabbled in any other bronzers so I don't really know what else to recommend lol >_<
I've been wanting to try that bronzer for months!! I was just really hate their shipping prices but there's a sale going on right now for the Studio Line. Thank you for the recommendation. =)
ReplyDeleteEeek. I think the MAC MSFN is breaking me out, I don't wear it often, but when I do I get zits on my chin.... and we all know those take forever to go away.
ReplyDeleteI bought one of these mineral blushes from Revlon and returned it because I felt stupid for paying so much it was like $14US or something.
Sorry to hear this didn't work for you, but thanks for being honest! ;)
Oh.. if you haven't tried any Physicians Formula bronzers, you should, they are nice. I like the bronze booster a lot.
ReplyDeleteOmgosh me too!!! I really liked the way MSFN looked but it broke me out -and not just on the chin, but a few on the cheeks. I was SO angry.
ReplyDeleteYea you're right, the price is so ridiculous!! Thanks for the recommendation. I've tried a few Physicians Formula Bronzers and I've liked the ones I've owned in the past -but they were either super glittery or matte. I'm looking for something "glowy." Is Bronze Booster glowy?
Glowy... umm not sure, it's got little bits of shimmer, but not noticeable.
ReplyDeleteOh btw have you checked out retailmenot.com for ELF promo codes before? :) I come across a lot of good ones there. I think I recently saw one for free shipping on $20 order or something. I'm always scrounging through there and looking for codes I haven't used yet LOL ;P
ReplyDeleteBismuth Oxycloride!! no no no. That's the worst culprit making me breakout like nobody's business. It's the same ingredient in Bare Escentuals.
ReplyDeletethis sounds like an awful product! making your face feel itchy!? I have been turned off revlon products sice I've tried their nail polish. Hope you have better luck in your search next time!
ReplyDelete@ Justine.. Thanks. =) I really want a more "glowy" bronzer but I can't seem to find one! Everything is either matte or way too glittery. =\
ReplyDelete@ E.Motion in Motion.. I loveeee RetailMeNot. I always check for codes before I shop anywhere. =P There's a 50% off Studio Line ELF code right now but I'm not sure if I want to order anything since I don't know what else to buy (you have to spend minimum of $20 to get the discount.) Any suggestions?
@ NaturalNChicMakeup.. Thanks so much for letting me know! I really need to pay more attention on ingredients/research more on them. Thank Goooooodness I only used it once. Bare Escentuals face products made me breakout too -mineral makeup in general so I don't know what I was thinking buying this.
@ Pop Champagne.. Oh I know =( Thanks.. I hope I do too! The next bronzer I look for will probably be at Sephora since I'm having terrible luck with drugstore ones.
Oh no! Too bad this didn't work for you! I think you're going to have to go to Sephora to find that perfect, glowy bronzer; the drugstore isn't looking too promising!
ReplyDeleteI know. =( Well today I just picked up a Prestige bronzer so I'm hoping that'll work out. But next stop is Sephora!
ReplyDeleteI looove the Studio Blushes, Warm Bronzer, Blush & Bronzer Duo, Concealer pencil w/ brush, Eyebrow Treat & Tame, HD Powder, Powder Brush, & Concealer brush. Don't know if you've tried any of these out but they are my favs :D
ReplyDeleteI tried the Complexion Perfection powder too and it was pretty good... a little light but really brightened up my complexion. I've heard mixed reviews about the Studio eyeshadows so I haven't tried those out yet :/ I heard the Eyebrow kit was supposed to be good though. And of course I stay faaar away from all the Studio lippies LOL. Still a bit curious about them but I've had such negative experiences with ELF's other lippies (besides the Luscious Liquid Lipstick) that I'm scared to try any more >_<
Thank you for the recommendations dear! I'm so torn about ordering though because there are other places I want to order from but I only want to put in one order since I'm on a limited budget. =\
ReplyDeleteI heard the Mineral Lipsticks were good but I'm not sure because it's pretty difficult for me to find a great lippie. =P
Ya the elf bronzer in golden would definitely give glow and ya 50% off right now on the studio line.
ReplyDeleteAwww I just checked the site and it's sold out! =( What about warm bronzer? Does that give a glow or is it more matte?
ReplyDeleteThe Warm Bronzer is waaay better for a sunkissed glow. I use it for contouring too. It's more matte than Golden but it's got some subtle shimmer/sheen to it. Golden is more of a highlight IMO... it was really light and frosty on me and I don't even think I'm that dark >_<
ReplyDeleteDid a review w/ swatches here:
http://ectini.blogspot.com/2010/05/review-swatches-elf-studio-bronzers.html =)
I haven't tried them but I heard the lippies were good! I hate that the swatches/names are so misleading tho -_-
Ah, I hate that! There are several places I want to order from too but I've been trying to save :(
Thank you for letting me know about the difference between the warm and golden bronzers and awesome review! I think the warm bronzer looks way better (from your swatches) in terms of being a bronzer. You're right.. Golden looks better as a highlighter.
ReplyDeleteAnd I knowww right? Tough times. There's like 50+ places saved on my "favorites" tab that I want to order from.. and those are only the beauty/makeup places!