TRIED AND TESTED: Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Summer Escape Bronzing Powder, €36
The lightest of three available shades is still very dark. The powder went on streaky and blended (after a lot of buffing) to an unnatural-looking orangey-brown. The amount of sparkly pigment makes this a poor choice for both subtle day make-up and evening contouring. I applaud the brand’s efforts to infuse make-up with antioxidants but I wonder about the benefit of it in a dusting of a bronzer.
I was very impressed by how fresh the application of this bronzer looked after a full day’s wear. The fine powder is quick to blend and Skinny Dip (the lightest shade) makes fair skin look believably sun-kissed. Again, this brand’s use of antioxidants in make-up is admirable but perhaps best saved for cream products in packaging that can keep skincare ingredients stable.
This is among the finest bronzers I’ve tried. Talc-based and easy to blend, the powder is perfect for creating a healthy, natural glow for day. The texture is very smooth, making streak-free application especially easy. This bronzer is also sparkle-free and therefore ideal for contouring cheekbones.
Bahama Mama looks worryingly dark in the compact but does not go on that shade. In fact, the soft powder buffs nicely to a sheer bronze on fair skin. It can also be built up to a warm shade for medium complexions. This bronzer is fragrance-free and has a matte finish that will not emphasise wrinkles or large pores. The price is fair for a product of this quality.
This is a fantastic, reasonably-priced body wash for all skin types. It is minimally fragranced but the generous concentrations of skin-soothers like oatmeal and wheat protein still make it worth considering if skin is sensitive. The formula rinses clean with no residue, without stripping skin.
This clear cleansing gel is fragrance-free and won’t irritate even very sensitive skin. The lightweight formula leaves skin soft and hydrated, without greasy residue. In a pinch, this makes an effective shampoo.
This more-ish cream wash can be used in the shower but is best in the bath, where it pampers skin without drying. The formula contains six natural, gentle cleansers and skin soothers like milk protein and coconut extract. This wash contains very little fragrance.
This lightly-foaming oil is the perfect choice for those with very dry skin or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The formula is fragrance-free and super gentle, blended with one-fifth omega oil and a coconut-based cleanser. The oil leaves a fine residue.
This creamy moisturiser is best suited to normal to dry skin. The formula is minimally fragranced and provides sheer coverage with a satin finish and a hint of healthy-looking colour. The active sunscreen ingredient (titanium dioxide) is gentle on skin but factor 15 is far too low for daytime protection, even if liberally applied. If you like to use make-up base as your sole sun protection, look for something with SPF20 or higher.
This lotion-like moisturiser suits normal to dry and combination skin. The formula doesn’t have any skin-improving ingredients and the one bonus it does have — sun protection — would be more useful if it were factor 25 or higher. This is a classic tinted moisturiser in that it does not cover blemishes but evens skin tone and minimises redness. The finish is dewy and healthy-looking.
The texture of this product has more in common with a lightweight cream foundation than a tinted moisturiser, which may account for the price. Nevertheless, the formula is highly covetable: fragrance-free, skin-perfecting and easy to blend. The broad-spectrum sun protection ingredients are suitable for all skin types and there are 15 shades to choose from. The make-up sponge included in the handy mirrored compact is worth holding onto.
This is another base marketed as tinted moisturiser with the coverage and texture of a light foundation. The satiny finish is expensive-looking and negates the need for concealer. The formula is fragrance-free and blends in seconds. Oily-skinned ladies will likely find this product too rich.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
