Review | Catrice Sun Glow Shimmering Bronzing Powder for Medium Skin 010 Shimmering Bronze

Summer might be coming to an end but doesn't mean we cannot make our tans last longer! The easiest way to do it? Catrice Sun Glow Shimmering Bronzing Powder of course!

I have had this bronzer for a few good months now and I have been reaching for it quite often these days, mainly to pair with neutral makeup looks for that sun-kissed look. 

The packaging is quite sturdy and closes with a satisfying click. You also get a good amount of product - 9g so are guaranteed to enjoy a lot of uses out of this bronzer. I really like the weaved pattern of the bronzer as I think it adds interest to the product.

As the name implies, the bronzer is a shimmery one but in my opinion, it's not that shimmery on the skin and personally, I think it's a good thing...no one wants excess shimmer on their face when trying to look natural! After all, the sun doesn't give us a shimmery tan!

The bronzer has three different shades which can be sued alone of blended together for a more natural finish. I personally prefer to use all three shades when I'm tanned and the light shade when I start to lose my tan.

L to R: light, medium, dark, all three shades blended together

I'd say this bronzer has a good lasting power and it has become one of my favourite products. 

Catrice products are available from different pharmacies across Malta & Gozo. To find your nearest stockist, check out Catrice Malta on Facebook.

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Review | Aero Minerale Makeup Mist Hydrating Mineral Bronzer in Malibu

Good morning ladies :) How is your week going so far? I still wish I am still at Comino Island with my boyfriend and his family and a couple of friends. We all needed a moment of relaxation to get away from it all and top up my tan a little bit while at it as well!

 

But before that, I cheated my way to a gorgeous tan thanks to Aero Minerale Makeup Mist Hydrating Mineral Bronzer in Malibu that was in the last Meg's Makeup points package I received.  I have always shied away from self-tan, tanning lotions and the likes for fear of ending up looking orange so I was a bit sceptical about this product. Here is what I think about it now that I have tried it.

 

Although the packaging is nothing out of the ordinary, I like the shimmery pink can and the pink mirrored cap but at the same time, I am not at all happy that the cap doesn't close tightly. The product also comes with a little ingredients and

 instructions leaflet in the cap and the shade name and approximate colour is on the front. I like that it comes in the form of a spray and it delivers an even mist.

 

Contrary to most tanning products that are usually white in colour and then develop to the shade they are supposed to, the Aero Minerale Bronzer is already the colour it is intended to be and that makes it easy to see which parts you have missed. The colour is a light-medium tan with a slight shimmer and it is the lightest colour out of the two available variations. It has a faint smell which I can't really explain but I'm glad it goes away once the product dries because I don't really like it.



Heavy swatch of Aero Minerale Hydrating Mineral Bronzer in Malibu 
Perimeter shows the colour of the product when blended into the skin.

 

Application is very straight forward...just shake the can, place it inches away from the area and spray the product in a zig-zag motion, leave to dry and go over any bits you have missed and you're good to go! Alternatively, if like me, the shade is still a little dark for you, mix the spray with your favourite moisturizer and apply it over your skin. I even use this on my face and it didn't break me out. The product dries quickly and is easily washed away so I wouldn't recommend this if you sweat a lot.

Having said that, I would recommend this product to prolong your tan during the winter and if it were available in Malta, I would surely stock up on it!

Aero Minerale Makeup Mist Hydrating Mineral Bronzer is available in two shades and retail price is $19.99 for 50mL of product.

Have you ever tried any products from Aero Minerale?

Product received for free from www.megsmakeup.com.


 

Make-Up Collection {Part 1 ~ Storage Cabinet & Face Products}

Hello loves :) I thought of sharing my make-up collection with you in a series of posts where I will divide the products in different categories.  I will also link the reviews to the different products so you would know which I have already reviewed and if you would like me to review any of the non-reviewed ones (if any) or  you simply want to know if I still like the product as much as when I initially bought it or if I have changed my mind about it or anything, just leave a comment down below :) 

I will start with face products today.  You will see that I as much as I love to collect make-up, I am not much of a hoarder in this regard as I just don't get the point of having say 10 peach blushes when you only have one face lol but that's just me! So don't expect a huge collection.  Also, my make-up is mostly drugstore with the occasional high-end product or two.

Anyway, first up are some pictures of the cabinet where I store all my make-up.  The cabinet is located in my room just under a half-length mirror and I apply my make-up standing up.  Mum & Dad had bought it for me after I had been complaining that I didn't have any more space to store all my make-up.  I quite like it being white and the drawers are all very spacious especially the wicker baskets.  Mum will however take off the flowery cloths and sew some out of left-over fabric from my curtains and bed-spread so that the cabinet matches my room more.  

Here's a quick rundown of how I store all my make-up in the cabinet, starting with the smaller drawers first...

In the first one, I mainly keep face products as well as some lip products while in the one beneath it, I keep my false eyelashes and other eye products.  In the third drawer, I keep all bits and bobs I use to tie my hair as well as fancy bobby pins etc and in the last one, I keep all my taller nail polishes such as China Glaze and Orly.

In the first wicker basket, I keep my brush-roll and other loose brushes in their covers as well as the brush shampoo and daily cleaner.  The second basket, houses all my eyeshadows while the third one, holds all my perfumes and some body lotions.  In the bottom-most one, I keep my Philips hair-dryer and New Look straighteners.  

On the top of the cabinet, I keep the brushes I use on a daily basis, basic make-up products I reach for most often and my hair brushes and deodorant.

That out of the way, I will let you have a nosey into my face products collection :P

e.l.f. Studio Blush in Candid Coral

e.l.f. Mineral Blemish Kit

e.l.f. Mineral Booster in Sheer

e.l.f. Studio Warm Bronzer

NYX Concealer in a Jar in CJ12 Green

Max Factor Creme Puff in 85 Light 'n' Gay

essence stay natural concealer in 01 Soft Beige

e.l.f. Tinted Moisturizer in Rosy Beige

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in 180 Sand Beige

NYX HD Foundation in HDF02 Soft Beige

Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream

e.l.f. Studio Complexion Perfection

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in 100 Ivory

Inglot Under the Make-up Base

e.l.f. Studio Make-Up Mist & Set

Rimmel Powder Blush in 004 Pink Rose

e.l.f. All Over Color Sticks in Pink Lemonade & Persimmon

So that's all of my face products collection ladies! Do we have any common products? Do you like these kind of posts?

Monthly Favourites: May 2011

Time for monthly faves again ladies! This month, I have really been loving my neutrals (and not wearing any foundation when possible) so that is basically what you will see in this post. I have also included some accessories I have been wearing over and over again, so let's start with the make-up: 

e.l.f. Studio Warm Bronzer ~ with the natural look being more favoured this month, I have been opting for this bronzer more frequently as it gives a nice glow without making me look OTT.

e.l.f. Studio Complexion Perfection ~ I have hit pan badly on this and I will definitely repurchase it! It's a must have in any make-up bag!

e.l.f. Mineral Lipstick in Natural Nymph ~ I have really been using this lipstick a lot either on its own or in combination with other lip products.

Cover Girl Trio in Cafe au' Lait ~ my favourite neutral eyeshadows... I had used up the second shade and the last shade happened to get smashed after I managed to drop the compact so now I'm only left with the brown shade :( P.S. I have also managed to smash half of my Max Factor Creme Puff, e.l.f. Desert Haze nail polish and another no name nail polish + the afore mentioned eyeshadow in less than 24 hours last weekend... definitely not a favourite!

e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF15 in Goddess ~ My favourite lip gloss when it comes to the natural look as I find it gives my lips a nice hint of colour without looking too obvious.

Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara in Black Black ~ I finished my e.l.f. Lengthening and Defining mascara so I have been using this instead and so far, I'm loving the results. I will definitely get more of the elf mascara though.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Minerals Loose Powder Foundation in 100 Ivory ~ when I just want a little coverage, I have been using this foundation more lately and I re-discovered how much I really love it!

Barry M Shimmering Body Creme in Golden Reflects ~ I like the creamy texture of this product and I have been using it mostly in the inner corner of my eyes for definition.

e.l.f. All Over Color Stick in Persimmon ~ the versatility of this product is what makes it a firm favourite of mine! I use it on my lips, on my cheeks and even on my eyes for a put-together-without-much-effort look!

e.l.f. Shimmer Eyeliner Penicil in Boldly Bronzed ~ what better way to stay natural looking and accentuate your eyes than with a shimmery bronze pencil?

e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeliner in Metallic Olive & Midnight ~ I love the staying power of these creme eye shadows from elf. In fact I'm planning on getting more shades cos I love them so much! 

I have also been enjoying my first China Glaze polish... Awakening. I'm still in awe at how this polish 'changes' colour according to the angle at which light hits it. Here are a couple of photos:

Left: full colour mani; Right: used the same polish for the flowers' centres

With regards accessories, I have been really enjoying wearing the following items:

Anchor earrings, blue and purple rhinestone encrusted cuff, shoes from Marks & Spencer and my New Look cross-body bag.

What were your favourites this month ladies?

Mid-Week Beauty Master class: Bronzers

Last week, we had a look at blushers, now we will focus on their cousins... bronzers! Bronzers are not just for summer, however, you need to find the shade that looks best on you so you don't look OTT (click here for more bronzer blunders to avoid).  Bronzers are a great way to contour your face and give it a nice, warm glow all year round. Let's have a look at the bronzer options available out there!

Powder Bronzer is the most common type of bronzer available and you can find it in either a plastic compact or in a jar with a sifter (much like mineral foundation powders etc). Bronzers in compacts may either be just one single colour or a mixture of colours swirled together or else different separate colours in one compact (usually 4 or 5 shades).  The best way to apply this type of bronzer is with a contouring brush and always remember to use a light hand especially with highly pigmented products.

Bronzing Pearls are an alternative way to get a sun-kissed glow without looking too obvious.  You just have to swirl your brush over the pearls to get some product on and then just dust it on your face as shown below (same places apply for the powder bronzer).

Bronzers are best applied to critical points on the face to give your complexion a nice, healthy glow rather than risking looking too orange like you just had your face fake tanned.  They can be very tricky to apply so first make sure you get the correct shade for your skin tone.  I use elf Warm Bronzer since you get 4 colours in one compact and you can choose which shade to use or swirl them all together depending on how dark/fair your skin is.  Like all other make-up products and techniques, bronzer application need practice to get it perfect so go on, get your brushes and bronzers out and experiment to find your best shade and become a pro at getting a sun-kissed glow without going out in the sun! Have fun ;)

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5 Bronzer Blunders to Avoid

Bronzers are very sought after these days, but do you know the critical steps to making this complexion-enhancing trick work for you? You should, because everything from skin type to brush type can affect your bronzed look. Read on to find out the five most common bronzer mistakes so you can avoid looking fake and start looking fab!

~ 5: You Forget that Real Tans Don’t Sparkle

Spending time in the sun can give your skin a glow—but it will never, ever make it sparkle! Avoiding bronzers with large flecks of shimmer or glitter will not only make your bronzed effect appear more natural and sophisticated, but you won’t have to worry about the shine flaking.

~ 4: You Choose the Wrong Texture for Your Skin Type

Just like with your foundation or blush, how a product works on your skin depends on the interaction between the texture of the product and your skin type. Luckily, there are plenty of bronzer options to suit every skin type. Dry skin may prefer lotion-like liquid bronzers or prefer to moisturize a few minutes before applying powders, while oily skin will appreciate gels and most bronzing powders.

~ 3: You Overlook the Rest of Your Body

We’ve all seen that woman who has that beautifully bronzed complexion—that ends at her jaw line. When we’re looking intently at ourselves in the mirror it’s easy to forget that our made-up faces are part of a bigger picture. Keep in mind that your bronzer should add warmth and a subtle glow to your face, but it should not separate your head from the rest of your body. If you don’t self-tan, consider adding a bit of liquid bronzer to your sunscreen or body moisturizer to add some color from the neck down.

~ 2: You Apply Way Too Much Product

Bronzer should be used to warm up and accentuate your natural skin tone—not to create your skin tone alone! Begin by using it sparingly, like a highlighter on the tops of cheekbones, the bridge of your nose—places that would naturally get more sun. Instead of a fluffy powder brush, try a wide fan brush (you can even get a large one at the craft store) for applying bronzer. You should apply with feather-light pressure, and remember it’s easier to add more than to remove a heavy-handed application. Another tip is to apply your bronzer before your eye makeup, otherwise it’s even easier to go too heavy.

~ 1: You Pick Out the Wrong Shade and Tone

Unfortunately, there are many bad bronzer shades out there, but selecting the right shade for your skin is absolutely critical. Avoid shades that are too orange, too red, too gold, too sparkly, or too brown. Search for shades that are light latte or caramel brown. Mild pink or really soft red to copper undertones are ok, too, because tan skin often has these undertones naturally. The very best way to see how a bronzer shade will look on your skin tone is to literally test it on your finger. If it has even the slightest orange cast, move on to the next one.

Monthly Favourites: July 2010

July is nearing its end and that means it's time for my favourite products for this month.

And here are the stars for this month:

~ e.l.f. Studio Warm Bronzer (click here for a full review)

~ Nailene Bedazzle Nail Art stickers in Earth Angel (for a review click here)

~ Rimmel Powder Blush in 004 Pink Rose: I bought this blusher a few months ago because I wanted a healthy pinkish colour. It is my fave blusher because it blends in naturally with my skin tone.

~ e.l.f. Waterproof eyeliner pen in Coffee and Black (only one is shown)

~ e.l.f. Eyelid Primer

~ e.l.f. Earth and Water Mascara Duo in Brown (shown) and Black

~ e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara (for a full review of all e.l.f. eye products mentioned above, please click here)

~ e.l.f. Nail Polish in Lilac (click here for a review on e.l.f.'s nail polishes)

~ e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF15 in Goddess (click here for a full review and a sneak-peak at my lipgloss collection)

Lara xoxo