Bronzer Options For The Summer

I've traditionally always been a powder compact bronzer gal (this one and this one are holy grails). I never truly ventured into any other territories until now. I decided to test out a few different types of bronzers (of course I had to throw some regular powder ones in for good measure) and share my favorites of the bunch.

1. Make Up For Ever Pro Fusion Bronzer in 10 and 15 - So much buzz surrounding these bronzers and for good reason. They are stunning. I have both a matte (10) and a shimmer (15) shade and wear them equally. They do apply quite sheer which is nice because I don't have to worry about having a heavy hand. But for those that want a bolder application, they are buildable. The matte one is my favorite (surprise, surprise) and wears great as a cheek color or contour. The texture is powder but feels smooth and silky like a gel which allows for an effortless application. I prefer a stiff and densely bristled brush rather than something a bit fluffier since I find that it really buffs the product into the skin for a seamless finish.

2. NUDESTIX Bronzing Pencil - Those who love to use fingers as their primary means of makeup application will love this Nudestix bronzer pencil. Just like the Nudestix lip and cheek duos and magnetic eye pencils, this is easy to blend and perfect for a quick application without a lot of need for accuracy. One side is matte and one side is shimmer and I like to use them separately as well as together. The shimmer is great for cheekbones when dabbed lightly and the matte shade for contouring. While some bronzers just add warmth to the face, I find that these are great at adding dimensions and some light sculpting. 

3. Laura Geller Bronze and Brighten in Medium - While I have heard of Laura Geller makeup before, this is my first time trying anything from the line. I am a sucker for anything marbled, so I instantly was drawn to this bronzer. Just from the first swatch, I could tell this would secure a spot in my regular makeup routine. As you can see from my below picture, this bronzer by far gives the most even application - with no streaking or patchiness. Because of it's slight rosy undertone, I find that it wears better as a cheek color rather than a contour or traditional bronzer. It gives a nice flush and glow to the cheeks and goes with any eye or lip I pair with it. 

4. Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Instant Mineral SPF 45 - Is it a bronzer? Is it a sunscreen? Is it a powder? I had all the questions when I first tried this product. But those questions slowly faded into oblivion when I applied it and said "who cares what it is?! It's beautiful!!!" LOLZ to how easily I can be swayed. I loved the ideas of a loose powder with a hint of color that could also provide some sun protection during the day. It's perfect as a weekend product to add over a tinted moisturizer or as a touch up throughout the day, but surprisingly I love it during the week with a more polished makeup look. I dust it all over my cheeks and forehead to give a subtle wash of color. I definitely don't think it should replace sunscreen, but it can add an additional layer of protection for my skin throughout the day without messing up my makeup.

5. Stila Aqua Glow Perfecting Bronzer -Truth be told, this was the one bronzer I was most hesitant to try. Liquid or gel bronzers never really excite me and when I first swatched this, it appeared to be very streaky. No thank you. But I pressed on for the sake of the blog (I'm such a martyr) and used a buffing brush to apply in hopes that it would make a difference. Welp, it most certainly did. I used my Real Techniques stippling brush which applied the color evenly to the skin allowing for a smooth and buildable application. I primarily kept it to my cheek area and then popped the apples with a bright coral. It is even sheer enough to mix with my makeup to give my face a nice bronzed glow and find it's the perfect solution for some foundations that may be a hint too pale. 

*pr samples included

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Video: New Skincare First Impressions

I've only been testing out these products for a short time, but wanted to go ahead and do a first impressions video to put them on your radar. Stay tuned over the next few weeks and months to Instagram (you are following me, right?? hmmm??!!) and I will give updates as to how they are working for me. Scroll down to watch the video and don't forget to subscribe!

Below are the products that are mentioned in the video:

Murad Firming Peptide Body Treatment

Murad Detoxifying White Clay Body Cleanser

Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Vitamin C Brightening Cleansing Powder

Kiehl's Precision Lifting and Pore Tightening Concentrate

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

For The Mask Lover

Cleansers and masks are my two favorite skincare items to use and test. I mean, don't get me wrong - all the other stuff is fun too, but masks and cleansers often provide instant results which is so gratifying. Here are three new masks that just hit the market that you need to know about.

1. Peter Thomas Roth Brightening Bubbling Mask - Quick - you only have 2 minutes and need a boost for your skin - what do you do?! You apply this new PTR mask and BAM! Glowing skin in just a few minutes. Yes you will love the results from this, but using it is half the fun. It applies as a light gel and then begins to foam up and fizz while on your face. No stinging or burning, just tingling and feeling like your face is in a glass of Alka-Seltzer. Lol. What's left after you rinse this off is bright (like noticeably bright), soft and hydrated skin. I typically do not have a lot of time in the morning when I'm getting ready (I am not an early riser - boo), but this mask is so quick and effective that I've been using it on the days when my skin is feeling blah and needs a pick-me-up asap. And then applying make-up after is a dream. Hello, flawless!

2. Kate Somerville Nourish HydraGel Mask - Dehydrated skin sufferers - this one is for you! I try so many different hydrating masks, but very few give my skin that shot of water that I need. Soothing, nourishing and calming my skin is fine, but that final step of a really serious dose of hydration is not always there in the hydrating masks I use. This new one from Kate Somerville truly ticked off all those boxes and gave me everything I needed from a hydrating mask in one application. As you can see from the above picture, it's a delightful thick gel texture that envelopes the skin immediately and begins infusing it with moisture. An added bonus is the additional ingredients (vitamins A and C) that help to address other anti-aging concerns and dark spots. Basically it's what we have come to know and expect from Kate Somerville products - they are a one stop shop for great skin.

3. Kate Somerville EradiKate Mask Foam Activated Treatment - Can I be honest for a minute? (it's my blog, so I am thinking the answer is "yes") I don't want to need this mask. If we are truly speaking our truth, I could really be happy without ever getting any blemishes thus foregoing the need for this mask. But sadly, my hormones have another plan for my face so here I am. And at the point when my face needs an acne mask, all I care about is does it work or does it not? Thankfully this falls into the "it does" category, though sadly many do not. The texture is different from other acne masks I have because it's a thin gel that foams up and tingles as it's working. The colloidal sulfur helps to remove impurities from pores and reduce blemishes, while the advanced botanical complex helps to calm and soothe the skin. This has been one of the first acne masks that I've tried that helped to really fight those nasty blemishes without leaving my skin a barren desert of dryness and flakiness. My skin actually felt quite balanced after which I feel is a huge reason why it helped to reduce my breakout so quickly. I try to use this more as a spot treatment however unless a large portion of my face is breaking out at once (which can happen along my chin) - which I feel helps target it a bit more and allows me to treat the remaining, non-acneic parts of my face with a different mask.

*pr samples included

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Beauty Bits: Masks I Use To Hydrate, Soothe And Recharge My Skin

“A mask a day keeps the lines away” is one of my many skincare mottos I try to live by.  Now I do have a ton of different masks that target different issues, but the category I enjoy the most is my hydrating, soothing and recharging masks.  Typically these are masks that I use to give my skin a boost when it is looking dull, tired, dry or irritated – basically when I want a real pampering session.  I am always on the hunt for new ones in this category so feel free to leave me a suggestion below or tweet me @alittlebitetc and let me know some of your favorites.  But for now, let’s talk my picks:

1. NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask – I am all over the NARS makeup, but this was actually my first foray into the skincare.  And I was thoroughly impressed.  The name is spot on with how the product both looks in texture and the results you get after using.  A hybrid between a gel and cream, this mask is like an intense drink of water for my skin.  Suitable for any season because being hydrated is necessary 24/7/365, right? Right. 

2. Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque (c/o)  – Again as with the previous mask, this product is aptly named, though I think they left out a word – “MAGIC”.  This mask is AH-MAY-ZING.  Full disclosure: I had this product sitting in my medicine cabinet hidden behind some other products (it’s possible, my cabinet is stuffed. Evidence here), and had overlooked it for months.  Then one day, I finished the product in front of it and came face to face again, and I decided to give it a whirl, and have not looked back since.  Packed with a multitude of vitamins A,C, E and F, this gave me as close to perfect skin as possible after use.  My skin was smooth, hydrated, even toned and felt better than it had in a long time.  I now call it my ‘secret weapon’ mask and use it when I need a quick fix.  And it delivers every time.

3.  Mario Badescu Calma Mask – I feel peaceful just saying it’s name – Calma Mask.  And that is just what it does – calms my skin the heck down.  I find that especially when my skin is acting out hormonally and I am desperately trying to treat it with numerous acne products, I pull this out to help give my skin a much needed break.  I often use it to balance my skin AFTER I have used an acne/drying mask, and find my breakouts clear up much faster.  A blemish free Maree is a happier Maree.

4.  Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask – This mask was my summer time BFF after being out in the sun or needed a momentary cool down to a long day in the heat.  I would pop it in the refrigerator for a few minutes before and then slather on as necessary.  Instantly refreshing and soothing, it’s like a spa in a jar.  Now that the weather temps have dropped (I miss you, summer), I find that this is still so helpful to my skin a few times a week, and depending on the week, sometimes daily.  Soothe, refresh, repeat.

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