Massive Beauty Purge Project: Bronzers
If you watch my Instagram stories, you probably already know that I am currently in the middle of a massive beauty purge. I decided to document the process on the blog, because I personally find decluttering, empties, and purge posts oddly satisfying.
I realize that it’s not normal for most people to have this amount of makeup in the first place, and I do not take this privilege for granted. These days I treat the excess of beauty products as part of my job, and I am definitely one of the lucky few to do something I love for a living. I do my best to be mindful of the amount of products I accept for editorial consideration, but things tend to pile up over time anyway.
Today we are purging the bronzers. I didn’t have a lot of them to begin with because it’s one of those product categories that I don’t really use much. But even among the few I do have, I found some clear favorites that I reach for all the time. Do I love the other bronzers? Yes! Do I need them, since I don’t even use them anymore? I think you know the answer to that one.
STARTING POINT:
I started with nine different bronzers and contouring products. Here they are, plus mini-reviews on each.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer 01 Light* ($37) – This cult bronzer is a best-seller for a reason. It adds beautiful warmth to the skin without emphasizing skin texture, and looks very natural. It really does make the skin look ‘sunlit’. The formula has very fine shimmery particles that add a hint of glow without looking glittery of shiny. It’s a very subtle effect.
Vita Liberata Trystal Self Tanning Bronzing Minerals* ($55) – This unique powder bronzer has been one of my favorite products for several years now. The tint looks very natural, and the formula actually contains self-tanning agent DHA, so after a few days you won’t even need to apply the bronzer – your cheeks will have a subtle, but visible fake tan.
Makeup Geek Sunkissed Bronze Luster* ($22) – This is the best bronzer for fair skin I have ever used. It’s not orange, red, or gray, it’s more of a neutral beige tone with very slight hint of peach. It complements fair complexions so well that it looks like natural shading. And the formula is matte!
Rodial Instaglam Compact Deluxe Contouring Powder* ($57) – I know everybody loves NYX Taupe for contouring, well, Rodial’s Instagram powder is a high end contender. This matte neutral beige powder is finely milled, and looks like second skin. I simply adore it for contouring, using as an eyeshadow, and just adding subtle definition to my skin.
Perricone MD No Bronzer Bronzer* ($35) – I partially introduced you guys to Perricone MD No Makeup Makeup products in this blog post, and this liquid bronzer is also part of the collection. It’s a very pigmented, beautiful product, that will look great on warm skin tones. I decided to find it a new home because the shade is too warm for my complexion.
Palladio The Definer Contour & Highlight Duo* ($12) – More of a contouring duo than a bronzer, per se, but I figured I’ll throw this pen into the mix. The shades look very natural and will complement fair and medium complexions the best. This is a wonderful product to travel with, since it’s small and not a liquid. The only reason I am tossing it is because it’s past the expiration date.
Kevyn Aucoin The Neo Highlighter Sahara* ($58) What kind of crazy person would get rid of their Kevyn Aucoin makeup, am I right? I absolutely adore this highlighter [which by the way looks like a bronzer on me, that’s why it’s here], but I would rather have one-two bronzers that are matte and then add shimmer and glitter as needed.
Givenchy Croisiere Healthy Glow Powder 2 Douce Croisiere ($53) – I bought this bronzing powder on a recommendation from my old friend who adores all things Givenchy, and for a long time this was my go-to bronzer. It’s firm in the pan, so the beautiful design will not disappear after a few brush strokes. and the powder itself feels like silk on the skin. It’s a nice shade for the summer when everything appears warmer. In the winter it just makes me look orange though, haha!
Aerin Kaleidolight Palette Illuminating Powder ($70) – This palette is meant to be used with a big fluffy brush swirled across all pans at once. It has color-correcting and brightening pigments, and also adds beautiful healthy glow to the skin. It’s also probably the most aesthetically beautiful product in my bronzer collection.
The survivors: Makeup Geek Sunkissed Bronze Luster and Rodial Instaglam Compact Deluxe Contouring Powder.
WHAT’S LEFT:
With so many gorgeous products on the list above, I bet you had no idea which ones would end up staying in my stash. The two lucky bronzers I plan to continue using are Makeup Geek Sunkissed Bronze Luster* and Rodial Instaglam Compact Deluxe Contouring Powder*. I know some of you may find my picks shocking, because I will be getting rid of gorgeous goodies from Aerin, Kevyn Aucoin, Givenchy, and others, but trust me – even the bronzers that I will be either tossing or re-homing are fantastic. It just so happens that they don’t work for my current makeup style, and some of them I haven’t reached for in over a year.
To be honest, I think 2 bronzers is one too many, but this was such a close tie that I wasn’t able to get rid of either one. I will monitor which one I reach for more often, and if I notice that either one of them is sitting around unused for long periods of time, then it means it has to go, too.
When was the last time you purged your makeup collection? What’s your favorite bronzer, if you have one? How often do you go through your makeup collection like this? Let me know in the comments below!
*Indicates PR samples.
I find decluttering, empties, and purge posts oddly satisfying as well! Nice job purging!
Thank you!
Wow, that’s a lot of bronzers! I don’t use bronzers though I see a couple in your swatches that I could use for the occasional contouring. I am giving away a contour palette and bronzer to a giveaway winner right now!
Way more than I needed, that’s for sure 🙂 I do use them on occasion, but not often enough to warrant owning this many.
I wonder how many bronzers I actually have. I so rarely use them that I don’t think about them often. I bought a surprise package from Makeup Geek in December and one of the products is Sunkissed Bronze Luster. I haven’t touched it but I seriously might do that now although it looks a little dark for me. The Kevyn Aucoin one though! Yikes. I hope it goes to a good home.
Same here, I was surprised to pull out as many as I did. I rarely wear bronzers, but MUG is always my #1. Kevyn Aucoin is going to a VERY good home – new owner is a huge fan of the brand 🙂
I love when you do these kinds of posts! I just got rid of my Vita Liberata powder without giving it a fair try. The DHA seemed weird to only put on parts of my face. But now I wish I still had it!
It was actually one of my favorite bronzers before I discovered MUG and Rodial. The DHA effect was very subtle but it was kinda fun to wake up with slightly defined cheeks 🙂
I need to do another purge soon. You’e right it IS satisifying to clean out.
Right? it’s the best feeling ever!
I purge my make up collection when my mother and sisters travel down here to visit. 🙂 LOL. I’m with you on the bronze products though – i don’t have many, as I’m pretty pale so I feel like I don’t know how to properly use them without showing a harsh line.
I am pale too and MUG Sunkissed bronzer is the best bronzer ever. I highly recommend!
I commend you for doing the purge! Have you watched the movie purge? Anyways, I’m with you. I constantly purge because I hate clutter! Good job and yes it’s oddlt satisfying to see what’s being get rid of
I haven’t watched the movie, the ads seemed scary haha 🙂
Doing a purge always feels so good! My niece is usually the one who makes out so well with all my various purges.
Good for her! I usually give first dibs to my mom and sister, and then everything else goes to friends and other relatives 🙂
I am still working on my purge but it’s been really stress relieving and refreshing.
It feels so good to get rid of things we no longer use, doesn’t it?
I wish I could find a bronzer that wasn’t too orange!
That’s why I love Rodial bronzer, there’s not an ounce of orange in it,
I think the 2 you kept are perfect choices. The Givenchy was my 3rd choice until you said it looks orange on you in the winter. Nevermind! Lol
Yes, it looks a tad too warm and it’s just not a good match for my skin. The texture is divine though.
I just don’t get around to using bronzers all that often.
Neither do I, yet somehow I managed to accumulate all of these haha!
I need to purge my makeup too, I’m a hoarder and seldom put on makeup
Purging unused products feels so satisfying! You should do it 🙂
I really need to evaluate all my lippies. I have so many and I end up just putting Vaseline on my lips! The two you kept work well with your skin tone, some of those were too dark.
I am afraid to look inside my lippie drawer 😀
I can’t really give any input to the bronzer dilemma, I don’t wear it. But they all look pretty to me!
Glad you like them!
I feel like I’m the only person who doesn’t use bronzer lol
You are most definitely not, haha! I am just so pale that I like using a little bronzer to warm up my complexion 🙂
I remember having TONS of products growing up, but now only have about 5 makeup products I use (and not even daily). I think it’s just a personal preference, but I LOVE the idea of minimizing makeup. I think it’s crazy that people keep makeup for years and years, especially since it’s something you put on your face…and has an expiration date. Anyway! haha. Great post.
I am definitely guilty of hoarding makeup for years, mostly because I forget that I even have it. Old products get pushed farther and farther back into the drawer so I only ever find them during these purges.