Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Summer Beauty: The Body Shop

By

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I’ll never forget my first experience with bronzing products. Having an already tanned complexion, I never really saw the need to apply bronzer to my face or body. After all, brown is brown.

Turns out, brown is brown, but bronze is better. Back in the late 90’s, as a part-time employee at The Body Shop, a co-worker suggested that I try the “Brush on Bronze” powder beads. Hesitant that I’d look sunburnt, I used a light touch to sweep the shimmering powder across my face.

Well, Hello J-Lo.

I proceeded to become addicted to those little beads, applying them throughout the summer – and fall, and winter – until I finally weaned myself off the “Miami Beach” look.

This season, I’ve got my bronze on once again with The Body Shop’s new Honey Bronze line. Great news: “Honey” is not just a catchy moniker – all of the products contain Community Fair Trade honey from Ethiopia and beeswax from Cameroon. I received a wonderful assortment of products for review:

Pictured, from Left: Brilliance Powder in 01 Bronze, Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil, Honey Bronze Lip Nectar and Honey Bronzing Powder in 01 Light Matte.

The Brilliance Powder is a convenient brush/powder combo which allows easy, on-the-go application. I’ve never been a huge fan of hybrids, but this brush/product combination seems to work thanks to the sheer, light-diffusing particles of powder and no-mess applicator brush. The Brilliance Powder has a lovely iridescence which is all but impossible to pick up on camera, but nevertheless imparts just the right amount of dewy glow.

TBS’ Shimmering Dry Oil is just so close to perfection – alas, we’ll discuss it’s one tragic flaw in a second. With a tan-enhancing shimmer, streak-free application and non-greasy finish, it may be the perfect companion to bare legs this summer. (Remember to wash your hands after use!)

(Click to enlarge to see the glorious sheen.)

The one set back of this product for me is the heavy, heady fragrance – I can’t seem to pin point the exact notes, but it’s a thick, sweet floral scent. Unfortunately, the scent lingers and even mosquitoes approve – I was bitten alive the last time I used the oil. If TBS could somehow tone down the fragrance, it would easily be my favourite product of Summer 2011.

The Honey Bronze Lip Nectar is the perfect pout (and tan) enhancer; with a sheer yet sparkling shine, this honey-enriched gloss can be worn alone or over lip colour. I received shade 01 Honey Bunch which is a bright coral (right on trend, TBS!). On first impression it looks really orange, but it blends into a soft peachy-gold that is high on shine and low on tack. I actually expected it to taste like honey, but thankfully the gloss is flavorless. Curiously, I found that a layer of clear gloss on top of the Lip Nectar actually improves its wearability.

Finally, after tallying up all my bronzing powders (at last count, over 16), I realized that The Body Shop’s Honey Bronzing Powder in 01 Light Matte is the only truly matte bronzing product I own. The Light Matte shade would likely suit fair skin tones (they also have “Fair Matte” which is slightly redder and darker) but as you can see in the picture below, blends too well into my own medium skin to be worn as a bronzer. (Click to enlarge detail.)

I’d likely suit Medium Matte better, but, I’ve still been using the Light Matte as an all over face powder. It gives me a slight touch of colour and I love that  don’t have the “vampire in the sun” look with sparkles scattered across my face. There are four shades in total: Light, Fair, Medium and Deep.

Great news! All of the Honey Bronze products featured above are included in The Body Shop’s Buy 1 Get 50% Off, Buy 2 Get 1 Free or Buy 3 Get 2 Free current promotion! Discount will be applied to the lowest-priced items.


Honey Bronze goodies can be purchased online at TheBodyShop.ca or at a store near you.


Get ready to look like an ultimate sun goddess – one lucky reader will win a TBS Honey Bronze Gift Basket, including:

Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil
Honey Bronze Brilliance Powder (x2)
Honey Bronze Bronzing Gel For Face
Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder (1 of each shade!)
Mirrored Compact

… for a total value of $150!

To enter, simply visit The Body Shop and create a perfect makeup look to complement your glowing skin by choosing three (3) other products you love. Then, leave a comment here telling us about them.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena! (2 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” The Body Shop on Facebook
(5) Follow The Body Shop on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this TBS Giveaway Tweet.

I’ll draw for a winner on July 31st. Good luck everybody!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  26. Tania B

    I would love to try:1) Limited Collection for Eyes 01 Boho Beauty2) Baked-To-Last Blush3) Glow Enhancer Tinted – Shade 01tjbugnet at gmail dot com

  34. flowerchild

    -Nature's Minerals™ Foundation-Limited-Edition Hi-Shine Lip Treatment-Limited Collection for Eyes 01 Boho Beautythanksflower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com

  42. marlibu

    I like the 1. eye shimmer in gold2. Delipscious Sheer Lip Colour in candy3. mini brush kit becuase my makeup brushes are horriblemarlibupatgmaildotcom

  50. Jill-O

    Honey Bronzing Powder in lightDelipscious Sheer Lip Colour in sheer pomegranateAll In One Face Base in 01jillojello(at)yahoo(dot)ca

  71. 409cope

    I like :1.Baked to Last Blush2.Delipsious Tinted Lip Balm in Watermelon Crush3.Eye Definer in Brilliant Blue cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  82. Heidi

    I like Cocoa Butter Body Scrub, Cocoa Butter Creamy Body Wash, and Tea Tree Exfoliating Pads because your make up looks best applied on a clear dewy skin.

  83. Annie1

    12 Apricot Shimmer blushLimited Collection for Eyes 01 Boho BeautyWaterproof MascaraA bit of each and I'll be good to go!tynancyrobster at gmail dot com

  91. tumyii

    the three products i think would complement glowing skin for a great summer makeup look would be:1. limited edition high shine lip treatment in pink cream2. limited edition tailored cheek tint in hot pink3. waterproof mascara in blacki think other great choices would be the eye definer in black and the eyebrow kit in brunette or brown!tumyiix at gmail dot com

  99. Holly

    I like the Skin Primer Matte ITNature's Minerals Bronzing Powder (warm sandstone)Delipscious Sheer Lip Colour (Sheer Candy)mildlyamusing at gmail.com(also they make the BEST eye makeup remover)

  104. Nicole

    Three products to complete my summer look:1. Nature's Minerals eye colour in Molten Bronze2. The Body Shop Waterproof Mascara3. Born Lippy Watermelon Lip BalmThanks for the great contest!sunshine_279 at hotmail dot com

  119. Glogirl

    I would choose these products:-Eye color in Pink Champagne-Cheek color in Tea Rose-Flawless Skin Protecting Concealer in Shade 01

  136. ksceviour

    I love the Glow Enhancer Tinted – Shade 01Limited Collection for Eyes 01 Boho BeautyNature's Minerals™ Foundationksceviour at hotmail dot com

  144. Debbie

    I would also like the Eye Definer (Shimmering Steel)Delipscious Tinted Lip BalmBaked-To-Last Blushmommakoala(at)cogeco(dot)ca

  180. Rebecca

    To create my look, I would use Glow Enhancer Tinted – Shade 01, Hi Shine Lip Treatment, and Waterproof Mascara!rebthecatsitter at gmail.com

  193. MissT

    I would use these to compliment the tanned look.1)Eye colour in Pink Champagne2)Baked-To-Last Blush Petal3)Limited-Edition Hi-Shine Lip Treatment Juicy Peach

  211. D.Calvert

    I love their Nature's Minerals™ Bronzing Powder, Baked-To-Last Blush, Waterproof Mascara , love the body shop!!calvert0 at telus dot net

  240. CaroleM

    I like the nature's minerals eye colour in amethyst, the eye shadow brush to go with it, and the lightening touch cover up.

  254. Amy

    I like the Pink Champagne eye colour, the sheer toffee delipscious sheer lip colour and the shimmering steel eye definerthanks!amym_brown @ hotmail.com

  272. dor

    I love the …All In One Face BaseLiquid Eyeliner and the Delipscious Sheer Lip Colour Perfect for the summer.dorcontest at gmail dot com

  283. andalene

    I love Body Shop products but we have no store near where I live. Sadly, it would be online only for me – I'd love to win this. I really like the Limited-Edition Tailored Cheek Tint, the Limited-Edition Hi-Shine Lip Treatment and the Limited Collection for Eyes 01 Boho Beauty. abrennan09@hotmail.com

  287. Belinda M

    I chose the Nature's Minerals™ Cheek Colour, Glow Enhancer Tinted – Shade 01 and Hi-Shine Lip Treatmentbluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

  320. Caitlin

    Hey Lena! I've done all of the above!!! And on a side note: the bronze oil – I've been using it for a little over a month or so, and it is AMAZING!!! It really gives your skin a nice tan with a little glow. NOT orange-y.

  364. Diana

    From the body shop I would like the Vitamin E mositure creamNatrulift firming day creamgoldiez at hotmail dot com

  389. Burcu

    I like Spa Wisdom™ Africa Honey & Beeswax Hand and Foot Butter, DeoDry™ Dry-Effect Deodorant Fresh & Floral Roll On and Vitamin E Hand & Nail Treatmentfrankburcu(at)gmail(dot)com

  391. missbobloblaw

    I'd grab a Brow & Liner Kitto play up my peepers, and eye shimmers to do the same.I'd also get some Lightening Touch to help mke my glow look flawless!

  409. Crystal

    I love Body Shop! I'd chooseNature's Minerals™ Foundation-Limited-Edition Hi-Shine Lip Treatment-Limited Collection for Eyes 01 Boho Beauty

  489. Jennie Yuen

    The 3 things I'd love to have:- Nature's Minerals™ Eye Colour – Nature's Minerals™ Bronzing Powder- Nature's Minerals™ Eye Shadow Brushsweetcivic604(at)yahoo(d0t)ca

  520. Soozle

    I would pick up:1) Cheek Color in Tea Rose2)Eye Shimmer in GOld3) Born Lippy ™ Raspberry Lip Balmsbabij2 at shaw dot ca

  529. Fiona

    Fiona's Body Shop Picks: – Nature's Minerals Eye Colour – all colours- Total Energy Uplifting Spritz- Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescuefionabarnowl at care2dotcom

  609. Jennifer L.

    I would love to try:- Baked-To-Last Blush in "petal"- Colourglide™ Lip Colour in "pink flirt"- Limited-Edition Tailored Cheek Tint in "hot pink"jentam777 at gmail dot com

  656. jonandjules

    I'd like to try theLimited-Edition Tailored Cheek TintDelipscious Sheer Lip Colour in Sheer PomegranateLightening Touch (for my dark circles)jonandjules (at) hotmail (dot) com

  741. TinyTotsx2

    I would love to try Eye Shimmer in Gold and Hi Shine Lip treatment in perfect pink and last but not least Cheek Colour in Tea rose. I love the Body Shop

  853. Hailey

    I would love their coconut milk body lotion (as I am nearly out…my fave), the cocoa butter moisturizing stick, and the boho beauty eye collection (which of course is out of stock)