Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Review

I spotted the new Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer ($14.99 at Ulta.com) on a recent trip to Kmart and was super excited because I had seen it on their website but none of the drugstores near me were carrying it. It wasn't cheap at $14.49 (Kmart price), but there's a $4 instant coupon on the package that you can use at the register that helps out quite a bit. I don't really own too many bronzers, as they tend to look very orange on my pale skin, but I do like to use them sometimes in the summer when I have a little more color to my face. Still, I may be a sucker for packaging but this one looks so pretty and tropical and the name "Butter Bronzer" makes me think it'll be perfect for my dry skin. So keep on reading to find out what I think! 

Kiko Modern Tribes Essential Bronzer Review & Swatches

Kiko Essential Bronzer from the Modern Tribes Collection ($27, On Sale $12.90) is hands down one of the most beautiful bronzers I've ever seen with it's wooden packaging and marbled powder. A Kiko store just opened near me and I was so excited to finally purchase some of their products after seeing raves on YouTube and Instagram...but then I hesitated to review them because they had no online store in the US and only a few retail stores on the East Coast. I felt bad posting a review of a product that not everyone would have access to, but that's all changed thanks to the fact that Kiko has just opened up their US web store! Plus, for a limited time, a lot of site is on sale, including this bronzer so it's a great time to grab it if you want one. So let's take a look! 

Kiko Milano Modern Tribes Essential Bronzer in Warm Melange

New Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blushes and Healthy Skin Blends at CVS and Walgreens

Yesterday, I spotted some new Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blushes and Blends at CVS and Walgreens. I rarely post about Neutrogena because it's not the most exciting makeup line, if I'm being totally honest. I keep wishing that they'll create some more interesting products because some of their formulas are good quality and great for sensitive skin. Unfortunately, they tend to get lost in the shuffle amidst more exciting launches from L'oreal, Maybelline, Revlon, Rimmel and CoverGirl. But I have to say...these new blushes caught my attention. Maybe it's because I'm a blush junkie but it could also be due to the clean, sleek new packaging and beautiful shades. So let's take a look...

New Cover Girl Tru Magic Bronzer Review- Chanel Soleil Tan dupe

The idea of a cream bronzer thrills the heck out of a dry-skinned girl like myself who just ends up looking muddy/dusty when using powders.  A while ago, I was tempted to try Chanel's Soleil Tan, but couldn't bring myself to spend $48 on a bronzer.  There are a few other high end options...I think Hourglass makes one as well.  But nothing at the drugstore...until now!

Yesterday, I spotted this at my local Walgreens, so those of you on my Facebook page got a heads up early!

This is what Cover Girl calls a "Soft Touch Balm" rather than a cream, and the name fits.  The color is sheerer than you'd expect from a thick cream, but enough to give you a fantastic glow. It glides on effortlessly, needs minimal blending, and looks fresh, dewy and radiant on my skin (not a speck of shimmer).  It has the consistency of a primer- very gel-like and makes your skin feel like velvet.  It doesn't sink into fine lines or pores which is another huge plus for me.

My only complaints are that it comes in one shade (although this shade is perfect for my fair skin, but darker skinned girls might not think it's enough), and that it comes with a sponge, but there's no compartment to put the sponge in, so it has to sit on top of the product.

Other than that, I'm in LOVE.  This was around $8 and I might just go back and buy up the rest, because things like this don't tend to stick around long and I think I've found my HG bronzer.

Here's a swatch on my arm (in daylight).  This isn't blended and so that you can see it better.  When blended, its the perfect bronze shade- not orange and looks very natural!

I'm going to add this to my dupes board on Pinterest, and if you haven't checked it out yet, there are tons of great drugstore dupes, so stop by when you get a chance!

Spotted in Store- Revlon Escapism 2012 Summer Gucci Westman Collection

Hey everyone!  I'm back from my fabulous trip to Charleston, and I bring with me some news of new summer product launches! 

First up, is Revlon's new Summer 2012 Collection, Escapism by Gucci Westman!  These colors all just jumped off the shelf at me, and it's rare to see this many things that I want all in one collection!


Here are some close ups of the colors for your viewing pleasure:

Custom Eyes palette in Beach Beauty

Nail Enamel in (left to right): Gold Coast, Red Bikini, Surf, and Sheer Seafoam. 

Lip Glosses in Bellini, Sizzle, Crystal Water and Sunbaked.

Cream Blushes in Coral Reef, Flushed & Pinched ( I bought flushed, so look for my review soon!)

Bronzer in Bronzed & Chic

And finally, the Highlighting stick.  This is a twist up, creamy stick that you're supposed  to use under brows, on top of cheeks, down the bridge of the nose, and on your cupid's bow.  It's a pretty golden shade. 

So which of these new products are you most excited about?  I can't wait to try the blue and seafoam polishes, cream blush, and highlighting stick the most!

Milani Bronzer XL Review

Recenly I spotted Milani's Bronzer XL at CVS, and I just couldn't resist the ginormous packaging (it's bigger than my hand!). I tend to use a giant brush and blend bronzer down my neck and chest, so having a lot of product to work with is a good thing.  This one comes with a matte bronzer on one side, and a lighter shimmer powder on the other.  
You can use each one individually, or swirl them together to get shimmer-bronzer.  

I chose the lighter of the two shades that were at the store- 01A. 

First, I swatched the matte side heavily on my arm so that you could see the color better- it doesn't actually come out this dark with regular use. You can see the bronze section in the middle, and my pale skin on the sides.  

Below is the shimmer swatched over the matte bronzer.  When I swatched the shimmer alone, it didn't show up on camera.  But you can see how it gives the bronzer a nice sheen- it's not sparkly at all, definitely more of a shimmer.

I really like this bronzer- it gives you 3 different options, and tons of product for $7.  The powder itself is soft and pigmented- a kabuki brush really picks it up nicely.  

Have you tried this bronzer?  What did you think?

New Milani Products spotted at CVS- Baked Blush and Bronzer XL

Some new Milani products showed up at my local CVS this week! 
First up were some baked blushes. The description says, "A luxurious powder blush that features a mélange infusion of colors baked on Italian terracotta tiles. Easy to use, sensorial in texture, the nuances of color become extraordinarily luminous. Silky smooth application leaves your face looking healthy and radiant all day."
 I thought these had been around a while, but the display said "New" so maybe they've been reformulated? Or added new shades?

Some close ups:

Next up, is Bronzer XL- these compacts are huge, and definitely have enough product to be considered a body bronzer as well.  

The description says," A 2-in-1 bronzer, matte and shimmer, perfect for all-over color! First, sweep matte bronzer all over face, neck and body to create instant, healthy, sun-kissed radiance. Second, dab the pearlescent shimmer bronzer to add touches of luminosity! The oil-free, silky-soft powder formula feels luxurious on skin, with a fresh and light fragrance."  I actually bought one of these, so a review is coming soon!

Have you tried these?  What did you think?

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Bronzer Review in Glistening Sun

Last weekend at Harmons I spotted Maybelline's new Dream Bouncy Bronzer.  It follows on the heels of their very popular Dream Bouncy blushes that were first released in January 2012.  There were two available shades, and I went with the lighter one, since I'm fair, called Glistening Sun.  

It has the exact same texture as the Bouncy Blush...it feels like silly putty when you dip your finger into it, and it's an extremely lightweight cream that melts into the skin and feels like a powder. 

The next photo shows what happens when you dip your finger into the product- it leaves a dent in the putty-like product and then you can just push it back together with your finger into its original shape.

Here's what the color looks like on paper: 

And here's what it looks like on me (not rubbed in): 

And here's what it looks like rubbed in: 

I found it to be a little bit orange on me at first, but once it was rubbed in, it wasn't too bad. I think since I have pink undertones instead of yellow, anything with a tiny bit of orange seems to pop out more.  It does have a lot of sparkle, which makes me want to limit how much I use.  I would probably just wear this as a highlight in any areas I'd want a little bit of a glow, such as my cheekbones.  With this much shimmer, I don't think I'll wear this all over- it would just be too much.   

Have you tried this yet?  

Spotted in Store- Maybelline Summer Glow Bronzers and Dream Bouncy Bronzer!

I made a special trip to Harmon Drugs today, and discovered some new Maybelline products that were just released, including a new Dream Bouncy Bronzer!  Their Dream Bouncy Blush has been so popular since its release in January, and this bronzer probably will be as well.  So without further ado, here are some preview pics that you'll only find now on the Budget Beauty Blog! 

First, they have two new Luminizers- a Gold and a Pink:

Next, they have two bronzers, a lighter shade and a darker shade, and they have a shimmery stripe down the middle: 

And finally, the Bouncy Bronzer.  These also come in two shades, one light and one dark.  I picked up the lighter shade, so look for my review this week!

Which one of these new products are you excited to try? 

Milani Illuminating Face Powder Review- Amber Nectar

Last month, I posted about spotting the new Milani Illuminating Face Powders at CVS and I ended up going back to get one.  I chose Amber Nectar, because I thought the peachy tones would wake up my pale skin without overdoing it on the bronze.  

Since I have pale skin, I have to be careful when I choose a bronzer, especially in the wintertime.  A too-dark bronzer tends to look muddy on my skin, not to mention really obvious.  So, when I saw this powder, I was excited to see all the peachy pink tones mixed in with  the bronze. Normally when I get color from the sun, I will always get a little pink, so it's important for me to incorporate the pink in with the bronze to get the most natural sunkissed look.  I love the little rosette pattern too- it's so pretty!

I wanted to get a picture of this buffed onto my skin, but it really wasn't noticeable on camera.  So this is a swatch on my arm- I put it on thick so that you can see the color better.  I swirled all the colors together and this is the color it comes out: 

Once it's blended into the skin, it's the perfect bronze for my pale skin with a hint of peachy pink. It has really minimal shimmer too- just barely enough to kind of create a diffused airbrushed glow, but not so much that I look like a disco ball. 

The other colors are:

I'm really loving this powder!  Have you tried any of the shades yet?  What did you think?

Elf Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzer Powder- Nars Orgasm Laguna Dupe

When I worked at Sephora, one of my favorite palettes was the Nars Orgasm/Laguna duo.  I loved the peachy pink blush, and the perfect light brown bronzer that wasn't orange.  What I didn't love was the $41 price tag!  
When I was in Target recently, I saw an ELF palette that looked strikingly similar to the Nars one I loved so much- and it was only $3!

For a $3 product, I can't believe how high quality the packaging feels- the compact feels heavy and substantial in my hand. Here's the ELF palette on top, and below is a picture of the Nars version.

This compact comes with a peachy pink blush and a light brown bronzer, both with a little shimmer.  The powder itself is highly pigmented, which really surprised me for a $3 product.  When I dipped the brush into the pans, it picked the powder up very easily, with no effort at all. I also love that the pans are large which makes this very easy to use. 

I don't own the Orgasm/Laguna palette anymore, but I do have Orgasm, so I wanted to compare it next to the ELF blush.  The Nars is on the Left, ELF on the right.    

The colors were really similar, but I found that Orgasm is a bit pinker, while the ELF blush has a little more peach in it.  Here are swatches of the two ( I swatched them really heavy to show the color better).  ELF is on top, Nars is on the bottom. 

Next, I swatched the bronzer, and it's a really great brown based color- it doesn't turn orange on me. It's a little bit dark for my super pale winter skin, but I think it'll be perfect for summer! (Right to left, colors are: Nars Orgasm, ELF Blush, ELF Bronzer). 

I'm so impressed by this palette!  Even though the colors aren't identical, they're close enough between the quality packaging and high pigmentation that I can't justify spending the extra $38 on the Nars palette.  

Have you tried this palette?  I'd love to hear what you think!

New NYX Matte & Illuminating Bronzers

I just found out, and wanted to share with all of you, that NYX is coming out with two new body bronzers for Spring/Summer 2012- one illuminating and one matte.  I'm really excited about the Matte Bronzer, as it's really difficult to find a bronzer with no shimmer in it.  It also comes in a range of different shades, so there's lots of choice.  

How excited are you for these?  (P.S.- They're only $9!) Click on the pics below to find out more!