Review: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer

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When I saw that Charlotte Tilbury was coming out with a bronzer I could not resist the thought of having another luxury bronzer in my collection. Can I just say, this came within a day. A DAY. To the middle of nowhere small town. I kept seeing my favourite influencers getting this in the mail. I couldn’t decide what shade to get, I was between the medium and the fair shade. The fair shade looked very fair, and one of my favourite creators Allana Davison got the shade fair and it was fair lighter than the fair shade in the filmstar bronze and glow. 

What do I look for in a bronzer. I just want something that isn’t going to turn me orange and something that is easy to blend out and is easy to use. I like a fool proof bronzer. I like a bronzer that you can just slap on and hope for the best, instead of really working with something. 

Here the claims on the website: “Darlings, discover my NEW! Airbrush Bronzer in Medium, a HYALURONIC ACID-INFUSED, SMOOTHING, PORE-BLURRING EFFECT MATTE bronzer for the face and body! This shade is perfect for fair to medium skin tones to create the appearance of a glowing, GOLDEN-GODDESS, sun-kissed complexion! Inspired by my 1 SOLD EVERY MINUTE worldwide PHENOMENON, Airbrush Flawless Finish powder*, my NEW! Airbrush Bronzer uses the same BEAUTIFYING AIRBRUSH DNA and fine-as-AIR FINELY-MILLED pigments to BLUR the appearance of PORES and SMOOTH over your skin to make you look and feel like the best, most beautiful version of yourself!”

The rest of the claims: “CHARLOTTE’S NEW! INNOVATION, NEXT-GENERATION BRONZER uses NEW! FLAWLESS TECHNOLOGY inspired by the fine as AIR, SMOOTH-AS-SILK PORE-BLURRING EFFECTS of the iconic AIRBRUSH family!

HYDRATING HYALURONIC ACID moisturises so that skin appears softer and smoother in seconds! SMOOTHING, SILKY MICA treated with amino acids to impart a silky smooth, long-lasting feel on the skin. BLURRING SOFT-FOCUSING SILICA adds a rich-velvety texture and reflects the light for a soft-focused effect. MICRO-FINE PERFECTING POWDERS deliver an invisibly thin, silky filter on the skin to add depth of colour and coverage. MAGICAL MICROSPHERES for increased pay off and an elegant silky texture. COVETABLE, COLLECTIBLE, SUSTAINABLE with Airbrush Bronzer refills (coming soon!)”

Admire this packaging

Okay, so when I first used the bronzer, I was a bit scared it might be too dark for my skintone. As soon as I used it though, it was definitely something that was similar to other bronzer shades in my collection. I would say this is a shade that is a bit warm, but not orange, and has a more neutral undertone than other bronzers. Upon application, I have used a fluffy brush and a stippling brush. The more dense brush, creates a more heavy handed application, and the stippling brush allows you to build up the product a bit more. This is a very smoothing bronzer on the cheeks, and goes over foundation very nicely without catching on anything. It also wears very nicely throughout the day and doesn’t fade away. 

The price: okay this is $65 CAD and you get  16 grams of product. This is a good bang for your buck. However, this bronzer is 100% overpriced for what it is. Yes, this goes on silky and smoothly, and creates a beautiful brontour look, but you can get similar vibes with drugstore bronzers or even less expensive mid range bronzers from Sephora.

Comparisons: Compared to the Filmstar bronze and glow this bronzer is slightly warmer. Compared to the Fenty bronzer, this bronzer is warmer and the Fenty bronzer (shade In da Sun) is slightly cooler. The Hourglass (Diffused Bronze light) bronzer is more shimmery and is cooler toned and a bit more red. The Maybelline City bronzer (002 Medium) is quite close in colour to the Charlotte Tilbury but is a bit warmer. The Anastasia Beverly Hill bronzer in Tawny is more red toned, and the Physicians Formula bronzer in sun kissed  similar in colour (I’d say 90% similar) but slightly warmer when swatched. The Charlotte Tilbury Bronzer definitely has a more neutral undertone as opposed to a warm yellow undertone that other bronzers in my collection have. 

Overall rating: 4/5. I think that this is worth it if you have it in your budget. This is 100% something that I would purchased if you want to treat yourself and have the ability to do so. As someone who would have never normally purchased this, now that I have the means it was a pleasant treat to buy this and have it in my collection.

The swatches

Left to right: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush bronzer Medium, Film Star Bronze and Glow Fair, Fenty IN DA Sun Bronzer, Hourglass Bronzer Diffused Bronze Light, Maybelline Bronzer 002 Medium, Anastasia Beverly Hills Bronzer Tawny, Physicians Formula Bronzer Sunkissed

Sephora VIB Sale Haul Part 2

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This is my second haul…and I want to acknowledge that not everyone during this pandemic not everyone has the opportunity to be spending nor the income at this time. I am in a privileged position to be able to treat myself and I am in no way bragging or telling you to buy any of these items. I got products I’ve had on my love lists for so long and am finally financially able enough to purchase what I want.  I wanted to share the rest of the things I purchased with you all.

All products laid out.

Let’s start with the two new blushes. I got a Clinique blush and the Patrick Ta Blush in She’s Sincere. I was really interested in trying more shades of the Clinique blush in Rosy Pop because they seem to be an iconic, well priced blush at Sephora. I also wanted to try the Patrick Ta blush because I haven’t heard anything about it and really wanted to try it. So far, both blushes are beautiful and easy to use. The Patrick Ta one upon swatch doesn’t look like much, but when on the skin creates a beautiful, buildable flush.

Clinique Rosy Pop Blush
Patrick Ta Blush in She's Sincere

I then got a few base products. I got the NARS Tinted moisturizer, the Too Faced Born this way foundation, and the Milk makeup flex concealer. I wanted to buy some items for a post that I am planning for the future. I also got the Kiehls Glow Hydrator after seeing The Anna Edit use this. It is so nice and so far a lovely product. For reference, I bought the tinted moisturizer in Alaska and the Too Faced Born this way foundation in Porcelain. I got the Milk Concealer in Buff.

Left to right: NARS Tinted Moisturizer, Kiehl's glow skin hydrator, Milk flex concealer, Too Faced Born this way,
Too Faced Born This way foundation review

I also bought a few highlighters (I know as if I need anymore). I got the Tarte Twinkle Highlighting palette, the Benefit high beam, the Kosas Contrachroma blush duo, and the tower 28 Super Dew Balm. I know this is a lot of highlighters for someone who already owns many. However, in an effort to research for my upcoming comprehensive Sephora Beginners Guide, I wanted to try and find highlighters that were user friendly, but also not super expensive.

Benefit High Beam, Milk Flex Concealer, Tower 28 Super Dew Balm
Kosas Blush Duo
Tarte Twinkle Lights Palette

Did you pick anything up at the sale?

PS in depth reviews to come

Sephora Haul Pt. 1

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I am slightly ashamed to say that I made three Sephora orders. This is the first year I’ve honestly had the financial freedom to buy really, what I wanted from the store. Needless to say… my makeup purchases can stand now for the rest of the year. I was really inspired by Michelle Wang, and Samantha Ravendhal for many of these purchases.  

This was a Michelle Wang inspired purchase, the Natasha Denona Diamond, and Blush palette. This palette creates such an editorial glossy glow and has many options for the blush and highlight lover. When I saw this being used by Michelle I was completely enamored, and it was on sale for half off. So far, I am really enjoying this. All the products layer really nicely, which was the intention of the palette. 

Natasha Denona Darya Palette

The next item was really inspired by the fact that these were teased so long ago, the Fenty Cream Bronzer in Butta Biscuit. This bronzer comes in 7 shades, similar to the powder bronzer. This is a super creamy, sheer buildable formula. You can apply this with your fingers, and a sponge, and a dense brush. My preferred form of application is with a dense brush because you can build it up quite easily. 

Fenty Cream Bronzer in Butta Biscuit

The next item I wanted to buy is the limited edition Hourglass highlighting palette. This was something I missed out on their previous relief, and I really wanted to try it so I decided to take the plunge. This is a beautiful powder highlighter palette. And I say that because this does not wear or look like a powder, it is silky and glossy on the skin without emphasizing texture. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Highlighter Palette

I also wanted to try a Tarte Foundation and at that, a stick foundation. I wanted to compare this to the Colourpop stick foundation. I have been interested in Tarte Cosmetics and so, naturally, I bought the stick foundation in fair neutral. The matte clay sick foundation. This is a very matte foundation, and I am still testing it out, I definitely do not like the brush application and cannot decide if a sponge is the best mode of application. A review will be coming. 

Tarte Matte Stick Clay Foundation

Another splurgy item I ordered was one of the Charlotte Tilbury quads in Mesmerizing Maroon, apparently made to emphasize green eyes.  This is now sold out. This is an absolutely beautiful formula, and the shimmers are again, what I keep taking from JamiePaigeBeauty is a mature shimmer on your eyelid. This is such a sophisticated soft formula and has minimal fallout. This is so outrageously priced for four shadows and I haven’t quite decided if I can wholeheartedly recommend this product, but what I can say is this blends itself right out.

Charlotte Tilbury Maroon Quad

What did you pick up from the sale?

Review: Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Eyeshadow Palette

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I want to start out this review by saying, I don’t watch Jaclyn Hill nor do I keep up with the drama that surrounds her. I think she gets a lot of flack, but she is a talented makeup pioneer in the content creator space and I respect her for that. I am not going to get into the lipstick debacle or any other releases, but this palette is something my best friend loves and I was like, if it’s good enough for her it is good enough for me. 

Okay let’s start with the claims”  This is not your average palette. That’d be boring. We (and most importantly, Jaclyn Hill) don’t do boring. This palette is a 2-year love affair. 35 OMG eyeshadows that Jaclyn whipped up, formulated, tested, re-tested, and perfected. They were created to deliver not only the best colour payoff but also an amazing application. Mattes, shimmers, satins, foils, and glitter: all pressed to perfection…just the way Jaclyn wanted. Her dreamy colours are now your reality. So whether you’re pressed for time or have time to play, this palette is your bestie. Because a girl (and guy) needs to have options”

The claims are all true. When I first got the palette, I was expecting to be overwhelmed by the size and underwhelmed by the quality. I had a morphe palette that I used once, and since gave to a friend, and the shadows were mediocre at best. These shadows, dare I say, are anything but mediocre or at the very least have comparable quality to my Tarte palette and my naked palette, as well my Anastasia.  PS I ordered this palette from the Morphe website and I did not get any duties.

This palette is needless to say a surprise. This is a big palette. It has 35 shades. Which I feel like is a lot of shades for the average consumer. However, if you don’t have any palettes in your arsenal this might be a good palette for you. I find that all of the shades in this palette really do work well together. Any shade goes with any other shade. Now the one I have is the re-release and all of the shades have the names under the shades. I did watch her video and it was nice to see how much work went into the palette – going back and forth with the lab and the thought that went into the palette. There are also multiple finishes including, satin, matte, and metallic and each name has a meaning to her and has a particular thought behind it. 

I wanted to compare the formula to other formulas in my collection because Morphe does pride itself on affordable shadows, however this palette is $50 CAD on Sephora and the Morphe website. I split my palette collected based on the $50-60 range, the $30 range, the drugstore prices and the $60 and up range to compare the quality of the formulas. 

Compared to my Natasha Denona Biba (shamefully $170 CAD), the mattes in the Morphe palette are less dense in feel, but have the same bendability. The shimmers are not a noticeable difference. 

Palettes laid out: Clockwise- Fenty, Naked Heat, Morphe Jaclyn Hill. Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury, NARS Ignited,
Clockwise: Jaclyn Hill Palette, Too Faced Sweet Peach, ABH Soft Glam, Tarte Tartlette in bloom

Compared to the Naked Heat ($68 CAD) another over $60 palette, The matte shades in the naked heat are dryer to the touch where as the Morphe are softer to the touch, with the same blendability. The shimmers in each palette are quire similar, but the Naked Palette’s shimmers are a bit denser and creamier. Compared to the Fenty Morrocan Spice ($79 CAD) the mattes feel very similar, but the Morphe ones pack more of a colour punch. For the shimmers, the formulas feel very similar. Compared to the Tom Ford palette which has 3 mattes and one shimmer. The mattes quite honestly, feel super similar to Tom Ford ($115 CAD) is more creamy, and the shimmer in the Morphe palette is more pigmented. Comparing to the NARS ignited palette ($74CAD) the matte shades are similar, but the NARS one has a bit less pigment and is a bit more patchy. The shimmers in the Morphe palette are smoother and swatch better. Compared to the Charlotte Tilbury Mesmerizing Maroon ($66 CAD) the matte shade in the quad is smoother than the Morphe and the shimmer shade feels smoother to the touch but the finishes are quite similar. . The Too Faced Sweet Peach ($65 CAD) has a bit of a drier more sheer formula for both the mattes and Shimmers and the Morphe PAlette has more dense shadows for both finishes

MAC Seeing Stars, Sephora Stories Palette, CORAL Huda Palette, ELF Bite Sized Quads

In the $30 – $55 range we first have the MAC Palette ($38 CAD) from the Christmas collection 2020. The shimmers in this palette feel in texture very similar to the Jaclyn palette. The matte shades in the MAC palette are less pigmented. The Huda beauty Coral Palette ($36CAD is a very similar formula to both the mattes and the shimmers in the Jaclyn Hil Palette. Compared to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam ($55 CAD) has a softer creamer formula and the Morphe is a bit more hard-pressed. The Tarlette in Bloom ($51 CAD) palette has more sheer mattes though easily blendable and a very similar shimmer formula. 

I only have a few drugstore priced palettes. Compared to the elf bite-sized quads in Berry Rad ($3 USD) the mattes in the Jaclyn Hill palette are denser and swatch more pigmented and the elf ones need to be build up, the shimmers are similar, but the Morphe ones are more tighly packed and have less fall out. The Sephora collection eyestories palette ($14 CAD)  has similar mattes to the Morphe, same density, and same lack of fall out. The shimmers in both palettes swatch very similarly, but the Sephora ones are smoother to the touch. 

The reason I wanted to go so in-depth about this palette is that it has mixed reviews and I wanted to give you options if Morphe isn’t your thing because I know that many people might find this palette a bit overwhelming because if you aren’t a makeup lover I don’t know how user-friendly this ange of colours would be. While I don’t wear colourful eyeshadow, it is nice that this palette gives you the option to do a different look as most of my palettes are not in the colorful realm but in a warm neutral or pink realm. This palette has a stellar formula, that feels different than the previous Morphe palette I owned. I find that you can create many looks and the shimmers are what Jaime Paige would call a mature shimmer. The shimmers and duochromes create more unique looks than your average neutral palette. In my comparison hunt in my stash, the undertones of this palette are all different and while there are neutral and warm shades, I did not find a single colour dupe in all of the palettes that I own only similar vibes.

The Swatches

Row 1: Enlight, Beam, Silk Creme, MFEO, Faint, SIssy, Little Lady
Row 2: Creamsicle, Butter, Pooter, Pukey, Hunts, Firework, Queen
Row 3: Obsessed, SBN, Hillster, Roxanne, Jacz, Buns, Cranapple
Row 4: Royalty, Twerk, Hustle, Meeks, 24/7, Chip, Mocha
Row 5: Pool Party, Jada, Diva, Enchanted, Central Park, Soda Pop, Abyss.

A few looks – tutorials to come