Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Nudey Tuesday: E.L.F Studio Warm Bronzer Review, Swatches, Photos

Repurchase: No
Price: $3.00 (0.4339 oz)
Product: 19/25
Packaging: 3.9/5
Value: 10/10
Overall Grade: B-
Today's Nudey Tuesday product is the E.L.F. Studio Bronzer -something that's been recommended to me time and time again by so many. I've been yearning to try it for the longest time too and scored it for half off during one of the E.L.F. sales. I'm really glad I didn't pay full price.
The Packaging: Most of the products from E.L.F.'s Studio Line look like a bunch of NARS knock-offs. The Studio Bronzer is no exception. The bronzer is packaged in a plastic matte black compact with a convenient mirror inside -great for on the go. The reason I'm not too fond of the packaging is because it looks and feels very cheep to me (I guess you get what you pay for!)
Product Description, Directions, & Ingredients
The Product: I've very inbetween about this bronzer. On the upside, it's smooth, fairly pigmented, and blends easily. It looks pretty natural in person and is good for a subtle bronze with a slight glow (the color isn't too dark or light.) I really do love the shade that the 4 shades combined makes. Also, you can use the 4 shades separately if you wanted (for a bronzer, highlighter, blush.)
Now on the downside, the bronzer is a bit chalky and very powdery -tapping off your brush before applying is a must (check out the bottom photo.) I found that if I looked closely, the areas where I applied the bronzer looks cakey -even if I blend it out. This may be more apparent in my case because I have dry skin but just be aware of that. Also, in flash photos, you can see a lot of glitter! This is not something I'd wear if I was going somewhere where I'd be photographed (weddings, parties, etc.)
UPDATE: I'm assuming because of the mica, this broke me out (small bumps) after about a week of use. So stay clear of this if you're allergic to mica.
This happened after using the bronzer once. See how powdery it is?!

The Color: All shades contain shimmer. (See above picture to see which number goes with which color.)

1. Golden tan with a nice sheen.
2. Light peach with a hint of pink.
3. Glowy beige.
4. Brown-bronze with sort of reddish tones. (Most pigmented)
5. (All shades mixed) Medium warm rosy bronze with a nice glow.

Swatches..

Above (no flash) from left: E.L.F. Studio Warm Bronzer in 1, 2, 3, 4
I had a really hard time getting swatches because my camera wasn't picking up the colors correctly. I'd say this picture is about 85% accurate -the shades are darker and more pigmented. The brown all the way on the left has redder undertones and it's more "brown" than in the photo.
Above (no flash) from left: E.L.F. Studio Warm Bronzer mixed
Above (with flash) from left: E.L.F. Studio Warm Bronzer mixed

On the Face.. (I applied a lot and didn't blend too much so you could see it. You do not see all that shimmer "in person" -the shimmer is a lot more noticeable in flash photos.)

Overall: As I said, I'm very inbetween about this. It's more powdery and chalky than I expected it to be but on the upside, the color payoff is good and the color is gorgeous. I don't love this bronzer but I don't hate it either. I can see myself getting a few good uses out of it but I will not be making it my every day bronzer -it just looks too cakey and powdery on my skin.

Where To Buy: E.L.F. Cosmetics, Target

5 comments:

  1. I feel like if it wasnt so chalky and powdery.. if it was more like a normal bronzer it would be a winning shade!!!

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  2. Definitely would be great if it wasn't chalky. =P I think the color is gorgeous -I wouldn't mind less sparkles though.

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  3. honestly other than ELF nail polish, blotting tissue and liquid eyeliner I don't find their stuff great. their eyeshadows are too sheer and same as their blush... The good thing about them is that they're so cheap! but yeah I'd rather spend more buying more pigmented eyeshadows, blushes etc

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  4. oh and I agree, there needs to be more musicians that are talented instead of seling sex! I'm listening to a few bands and singers that are truly talented unfortunately they get overshadowed by these mainstream pop singers like justin bieber on the radio. sigh. Whatever 12 year old says is what we like these days I guess!

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  5. I'm not particularly fond of ELF either. I've tried some products that I think are OK but nothing "amazing so far." When I review them, the grade ALWAYS gets boosted up for the value -I mean come on, you can't beat $1-3! I agree though, I probably won't buy again from ELF for a while.

    Oh geez Justin Bieber. Don't even get me started!! I don't understand why time would be wasted on a little boy with a girly voice when there are so many other talented people to sign. =(

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