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!
