Makeup Wars chose a topic for this week that is totally out of my comfort zone so I was sure I was going to bow out. I don’t fake tan, I don’t use bronzing lotions, and I barely wear bronzing cosmetics. But I gave this more time to come together in my head and I realized that I do wear bronzers every once in a while and the ones I use are so great that I need you to know about them. So I’m here with bronzers for those of you who don’t wear bronzers – I want to change your mind just like I changed mine.

Makeup Wars bronzers

favorite bronzers: IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Glow, Pixi Beauty Strobe & Bronze, Senna Brilliant Bronze
Right now Pixi Beauty Strobe & Bronze (aka Strobe & Chisel Palette) that was done in collaboration with Maryam Maquillage is what’s gracing my vanity table and therefore my face. I have to tell you how much I love this palette even though I didn’t think of it at first when I thought bronzers. Yes it’s in the name but I don’t use it in the typical bronzer way. I actually just use these 6 shades as highlighters and blush.

Pixi Strobe & Bronze (Strobe & Chisel)

Pixi Strobe & Bronze (Strobe & Chisel)
There are 3 glow shades: Highline, Empress and Lex (peach, pinky lavender, gold) that satisfy my crazy urges for highlighting. I lust after highlighters but I know I’m too old to get away with them. But this palette satisfies my craving because the glow shades add an iridescence without adding glitter. All three are great blush toppers or highlighting shades – and yes I’ve worn them on my eyes.

Pixi Strobe & Bronze (Strobe & Chisel)
The 3 bronze/chisel shades: City Kitty, Statuesque, 917) are bronze without being too brown. The only true bronze in my opinion is Statuesque. City Kitty is a warm matte light brown that looks very natural on my skin while 917 has more of a pink undertone (that’s what my camera was picking up); I’d describe it as a cool light satin brown.

Pixi Strobe & Bronze (Strobe & Chisel)
At $20 Pixi has created a bargain palette that will carry you through all seasons and will work no matter what level of bronzing you prefer.

IT Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow, Nude Glow and Heavenly Skin™ One-Sweep Wonder Brush #705
IT Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow comes in three shades: Nude Glow, Natural Glow, and Warm Glow. Lisa has reviewed these here and I was insanely jealous and insisted that she bring me the one best for my pale complexion. I have gotten so much use out of this that it’s unreal. If I’m not wearing my precious cream blushes then it’s all about Nude Glow.

IT Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow, Nude Glow
This triple threat has a little bit of highlighting, a beautiful blush, and a bronzing shade. I usually start with picking up the blush and applying it, then I’ll take the brush and sweep over all three shades to bring out the bronze and highlight. I make sure to use the brush from left to right to keep the lighter shades cleaner.

IT Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow, Nude Glow
This is so silky soft that you’ll fall in love with it just for that reason. But remember it contains an anti-aging hydrolyzed collagen, peptides and Vitamin C infused formula. No shimmer in this at all. The brush is another amazing one from IT Cosmetics though you probably have a dual fiber brush you can use. If you want the brush as badly as I wanted it then go to QVC.com to purchase the set for $2 more than the compact alone.

Senna Brilliant Bronze in Dawn
Senna Cosmetics isn’t one that’s talked about much on beauty blogs but it’s a fabulous brand. Brilliant Bronze comes in two shades: Dawn and Sunset. This too is a duo of highlighter and bronzer. The difference between these Senna bronzers and my others is that the Senna is glittery. Dawn is gorgeous for cool toned complexions but I’ll only wear it for “fancy”. I don’t want to glitter in the day but give me a good party and I’m up for it.

Senna Dawn Brilliant Bronze
Senna’s Brilliant Bronze compacts are baked minerals that are said to condition skin with amino acids and nourishing plant proteins.
All three of the above are cruelty free products.
One last one that I couldn’t find for the main photo is a great drugstore find: Covergirl TruBlend Bronzer.

TruBlend Bronzer from Covergirl
TruBlend Bronzer has no shimmer but there’s a satiny finish that gives me some glow. What I love about this is that there’s no orange at all – just a beautiful golden bronze that I can lightly use to perk up my ghostly skin. This came out with the Katy Perry collection in a variety of shades but it seems like just the darkest one, Bronze, is still available.
What do you think of my bronzers for people who don’t use bronzers? Would any of these be suitable for you? — Marcia
Join my friends who have their own bronzing favorites.