Tarte Rainforest After Dark Palette: Swatches, Review, and Looks

Hey Pandas!   I finally caved and bought something I have been eying since the press releases. I have a thing for snakes. I really like what they stand for in regards to change and rebirth...and I think of myself as a Slytherin at heart, so naturally the packaging alone intrigued me.

The palette is circular and made to look like wood with a gold, curled-up snake embossed on the top with a purple jewel. The embossed snake was already slightly scratched, which dissapointed me, but all of the ones in store (I bought this at Ulta) were slightly scratched in some way.

The box itself is rather pretty and embossed with a snakeskin pattern. The palette retails for $38 and comes with a blush, bronzer, highlighter, and six eyeshadows, all in Tarte's signature colored clay formula.

 There is a large mirror, bit it has a bit of trouble staying up at some angles by itself, but that isn't a big issue for me. Overall, the packaging is sturdy.

This palette is purples, plums, golds, and browns, making it a great fall palette. For swatches, keep reading!

Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Face Illuminator: Swatches and Review

Summer, for most people, is all about being a bronze Goddess. Although I like to embrace my pale and my new mantra has become 'Pale is Pretty too!', I was still sucked into the new Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Face Illuminator ($8).  

 This bronzer/highlighter comes in a squeeze tube (a type of packaging I love because it is sanitary and less wasteful than a tub of something) and has a whipped, creamy consistency. 

 

This stuff is highly concentrated, and you only need a little dab to do both of your cheeks. You could use this on your whole face, but it is glimmery, so beware!

 

 

Here is a pea-sized amount spread out on the back of my hand in natural light. I love the way it looks so dewy! It does have a light bronze/rose gold color to it, so it can also serve as sort of a blush/bronzer/highlighter all in one.

 

 

Although I think the overall effect is nice, I don't think it is for me. For those with a nice base tan, or darker complexions, you will find this a pretty highlighter. I think this may be a bit too much to use all over for really pale girls, and I will use mine as a cheek highlighter only. It is also a little hard to blend evenly and while it goes on like a whipped foundation, it feels gel-like when on and has this odd cooling/tightening sensation on my cheeks. It isn't anything alarming and didn't bother me beyond the first few minutes after initial application, but it was weird nonetheless.

 

 

 If you wear minimal makeup and love a bronze glow, this is for you! This looks best on bare skin as it is hard to blend with liquid or powder foundations. I like the concept and the effect (after a lot of trial and error) but the high maintenance of this isn't worth it in my opinion.

Have you tried the Dream Sun Illuminator? Thoughts?

 

Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Face Illuminator: Swatches and Review

Summer, for most people, is all about being a bronze Goddess. Although I like to embrace my pale and my new mantra has become 'Pale is Pretty too!', I was still sucked into the new Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Face Illuminator ($8).  

  This bronzer/highlighter comes in a squeeze tube (a type of packaging I love because it is sanitary and less wasteful than a tub of something) and has a whipped, creamy consistency.  

 

This stuff is highly concentrated, and you only need a little dab to do both of your cheeks. You could use this on your whole face, but it is glimmery, so beware!

 

 

Here is a pea-sized amount spread out on the back of my hand in natural light. I love the way it looks so dewy! It does have a light bronze/rose gold color to it, so it can also serve as sort of a blush/bronzer/highlighter all in one.

 

 

Although I think the overall effect is nice, I don't think it is for me. For those with a nice base tan, or darker complexions, you will find this a pretty highlighter. I think this may be a bit too much to use all over for really pale girls, and I will use mine as a cheek highlighter only. It is also a little hard to blend evenly and while it goes on like a whipped foundation, it feels gel-like when on and has this odd cooling/tightening sensation on my cheeks. It isn't anything alarming and didn't bother me beyond the first few minutes after initial application, but it was weird nonetheless.

 

 

 If you wear minimal makeup and love a bronze glow, this is for you! This looks best on bare skin as it is hard to blend with liquid or powder foundations. I like the concept and the effect (after a lot of trial and error) but the high maintenance of this isn't worth it in my opinion.

Have you tried the Dream Sun Illuminator? Thoughts?

 

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Deluxe Edition: Review and Swatches

Hey Pandas! Summer is basically here, and I have another bronzing product to show you! 

 

This is the Physicians Formula Bronze Booster (Deluxe Edition). Fancy right? It retails for about $10, but Ulta is always putting PF on special it seems. This is touted as a "Glow-boosting, airbrushing, bronzing veil" and is in the shade Light to Medium.

 

I really like the packaging. It is a rather large disk with a gold-tone case and a bronze, curved bottom. The bronzer itself is embossed with a sun shape. I always love their packaging! This also claims to have "Glow-activating" technology. So, if you have a tan already, this will help keep it longer.

 

 

The packaging includes a nice mirror and a secret-compartment with a decent brush. This product is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, gluten free (who knew?!), oil free, fragrance free, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist approved.

 

I can get behind all of those things!

 

 

Now, as far as the formula: this is silky soft, really long lasting, and has a light shimmer to it. It doesn't feel like you are wearing anything with it on. It leans ever so slightly orange-brown on my super pale skin, and since I (obviously) do not have a tan to speak of, I can't comment on the glow activating technology. However, it does appear much more natural when buffed lightly onto my cheeks.

 

This is a great product! But I am still on the lookout for a matter bronzer. Any suggestions?

 

Panda Approved

 

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Deluxe Edition: Review and Swatches

Hey Pandas! Summer is basically here, and I have another bronzing product to show you!  

 

This is the Physicians Formula Bronze Booster (Deluxe Edition). Fancy right? It retails for about $10, but Ulta is always putting PF on special it seems. This is touted as a "Glow-boosting, airbrushing, bronzing veil" and is in the shade Light to Medium.

 

I really like the packaging. It is a rather large disk with a gold-tone case and a bronze, curved bottom. The bronzer itself is embossed with a sun shape. I always love their packaging! This also claims to have "Glow-activating" technology. So, if you have a tan already, this will help keep it longer.

 

 

The packaging includes a nice mirror and a secret-compartment with a decent brush. This product is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, gluten free (who knew?!), oil free, fragrance free, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist approved.

 

I can get behind all of those things!

 

 

Now, as far as the formula: this is silky soft, really long lasting, and has a light shimmer to it. It doesn't feel like you are wearing anything with it on. It leans ever so slightly orange-brown on my super pale skin, and since I (obviously) do not have a tan to speak of, I can't comment on the glow activating technology. However, it does appear much more natural when buffed lightly onto my cheeks.

 

This is a great product! But I am still on the lookout for a matter bronzer. Any suggestions?

 

Panda Approved

 

Khroma Beauty Endless Summer Matte Bronzer

Well, the Kardashian's are at it again with their Spring/Summer 2013 makeup offerings!

 

 

The Khroma Beauty Endless Summer Matte Bronzer is just that...a bronzer...but it really isn't totally matte. It has the slightest bit of finely milled shimmer. I am okay with that, but it really is not accurate advertising. It comes in a .52 oz large plastic disc and is thankfully rather large. Suggested retail is $14, but Ulta is carrying it for cheaper at around $8...I have no idea why, or they severely messed up my transaction. I am not complaining!

 

This bronzer has three shades, a fair color, a slightly orange bronze and an actual bronze color. Swirled together they are supposed to give a nice bronze glow.

 

 

Things I am happy about:

This is not too dark or fake looking like the Kardashian's real tans.

It has a nice texture and feels good on my skin.

 

Things I am not happy about:

It is more of a glow than a bronzer. And I really wanted a bronzer.

It is a bit too warm for my skin tone.

 

Fans of Khroma Beauty will love it (I am hit or miss on the whole venture, but I am still curious) and fair girls looking for a light luminescence will love this. However, it does contain talc and mica as the first two ingredients and it is not wallet friendly unless you get lucky like I have.

 

 

I am not sold on this as matte or a bronzer, which were the two reasons I bought it :(

Price: 6/10

Performance: 8/10

Color/Wearability: 8/10

Packaging: 8/10

Overall Quality: 8/10

 

Total: 38/50 = C = Grumpy Panda

 

What is your favorite matte bronzer?

 

 

 

 

 

Khroma Beauty Endless Summer Matte Bronzer

Well, the Kardashian's are at it again with their Spring/Summer 2013 makeup offerings!

 

 

The Khroma Beauty Endless Summer Matte Bronzer is just that...a bronzer...but it really isn't totally matte. It has the slightest bit of finely milled shimmer. I am okay with that, but it really is not accurate advertising. It comes in a .52 oz large plastic disc and is thankfully rather large. Suggested retail is $14, but Ulta is carrying it for cheaper at around $8...I have no idea why, or they severely messed up my transaction. I am not complaining!

 

This bronzer has three shades, a fair color, a slightly orange bronze and an actual bronze color. Swirled together they are supposed to give a nice bronze glow.

 

 

Things I am happy about:

This is not too dark or fake looking like the Kardashian's real tans.

It has a nice texture and feels good on my skin.

 

Things I am not happy about:

It is more of a glow than a bronzer. And I really wanted a bronzer.

It is a bit too warm for my skin tone.

 

Fans of Khroma Beauty will love it (I am hit or miss on the whole venture, but I am still curious) and fair girls looking for a light luminescence will love this. However, it does contain talc and mica as the first two ingredients and it is not wallet friendly unless you get lucky like I have.

 

 

I am not sold on this as matte or a bronzer, which were the two reasons I bought it :(

Price: 6/10

Performance: 8/10

Color/Wearability: 8/10

Packaging: 8/10

Overall Quality: 8/10

 

Total: 38/50 = C = Grumpy Panda

 

What is your favorite matte bronzer?

 

 

 

 

 

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster

Okay, so I will admit it, I have wanted one of those bronzers with the cute little bronzing beads forever!

So I used my Ulta birthday coupon (look for it if yours is coming up!) and got this. Also, Physician's Formula is 40% off at Ulta until Sunday, so hurry up and get over there!

 

This is the Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow Boosting Sun Stones in Light to Medium. It retails for $14 and is a large gold and brown plastic case that houses the stones, a puff, and a brush for application.

 

Aren't they so cute?

 

This is for someone with fair to medium skin that wants a bronze toned glow. This is also for anyone who already has a tan from the beach or pool and wants to prolong it. The ingredients in this product enhance the tan, prolong it, and nourish the skin.

 

 

You can apply this one of two ways. Either use the brush and swirl it in the stones, buffing it on your face, or use the puff to pat and swirl.

 

 

The effect is beautiful, but there is not a lot of color. You can build it up and it will still remain relatively sheer. It gives a nice, healthy glow, but not really a bronzing effect on me, so I am a bit disappointed. I will have to wait and see how it works when I do have a light tan.

 

This is a good quality product. I love the packaging, the amount of product you get, the cute factor, and the good-for-you ingredients. To it's credit it does market itself as a bronze BOOSTER, not a bronzer, so it is my fault for thinking it would give me some supermodel glow.

Price: 810

Performance: 9/10

Color/Wearability: 8/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

Total: 44/50 = B+ = Pleased Panda

 

What is your favorite bronze enhancer? Do you use self tanner or will you be using a product like this for a glow?

 

 

 

 

 

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster

Okay, so I will admit it, I have wanted one of those bronzers with the cute little bronzing beads forever!

So I used my Ulta birthday coupon (look for it if yours is coming up!) and got this. Also, Physician's Formula is 40% off at Ulta until Sunday, so hurry up and get over there!

 

This is the Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow Boosting Sun Stones in Light to Medium. It retails for $14 and is a large gold and brown plastic case that houses the stones, a puff, and a brush for application.

 

Aren't they so cute?

 

This is for someone with fair to medium skin that wants a bronze toned glow. This is also for anyone who already has a tan from the beach or pool and wants to prolong it. The ingredients in this product enhance the tan, prolong it, and nourish the skin.

 

 

You can apply this one of two ways. Either use the brush and swirl it in the stones, buffing it on your face, or use the puff to pat and swirl.

 

 

The effect is beautiful, but there is not a lot of color. You can build it up and it will still remain relatively sheer. It gives a nice, healthy glow, but not really a bronzing effect on me, so I am a bit disappointed. I will have to wait and see how it works when I do have a light tan.

 

This is a good quality product. I love the packaging, the amount of product you get, the cute factor, and the good-for-you ingredients. To it's credit it does market itself as a bronze BOOSTER, not a bronzer, so it is my fault for thinking it would give me some supermodel glow.

Price: 810

Performance: 9/10

Color/Wearability: 8/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

Total: 44/50 = B+ = Pleased Panda

 

What is your favorite bronze enhancer? Do you use self tanner or will you be using a product like this for a glow?