Top Summer Bronzers - Drugstore and High End

I love a bronze-y look pretty much all year round, but there's something about the Summer months that really make me want to dive head first into my bronzer collection, (obviously fully expecting to look like Beyoncé..). I don't like things too red, too orange or too glittery, so choosing the perfect bronzers can sometimes be struggle, particularly in the drugstore when most of the bronzers tend to be saturated in shimmers. 

I've narrowed it down to my go-tos from both drugstore and high-end, so hopefully you'll find a new bronzer to fall in love with!

e.l.f Blush & Bronzing Powder in St Lucia

Max Factor Creme Bronzer in Bronze 10

The e.l.f bronzer is actually a duo with a blush, so I guess you're really getting bang for your buck with this product! The blush is actually a little bit too light for my skin tone, so I'm just focusing on the bronzer. It's such a beautiful toasty brown that really brings warmth to your complexion. If you're looking for a little on-the-go palette, this is the perfect package as it comes with a sizeable mirror too! I'd say this is great for light-medium/medium skin tones, and they do lots of other duos with different tones, so there'll definitely be a perfect match for you. 

The new Max Factor bronzer has fast become my current favourite! It pretty much goes against everything I like in a face product, yet somehow it's perfect! When I say it goes against everything, I'm talking about the fact that it's visibly loaded with shimmers AND it's baked, (I'm not too fond of baked products). I'd actually been looking at this bronzer for a while, but I was so sure I wouldn't like it when it was on that I'd put off purchasing until the right offer came along, (hello Boots 2 for 3!). It creates the most perfect golden bronze-y glow, and adds just the right amount of shadow on my skin. The shimmer is undetectable, instead creating a super natural glow. If you're looking for a new affordable bronzer for the Summer, this is my top recommendation. 

Sephora Collection Bronzing Powder in Bali

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Tom Ford Soleil Bronzing Powder in Terra

I've spoken about the Sephora Bali bronzer hundreds of times on my blog, so I won't ramble on too much, but if you're able to get it, it truly is one of the most beautiful bronzers! A perfect mixture of warm and cool tones, and blends like a dream. I'm going to be so sad the day I run out of this little gem! It ain't easy for us UK girls who love Sephora!

One that's definitely not new on the scene, but that's certainly a cult favourite is the Benefit Hoola Bronzer. They've extended the Hoola franchise into creams and liquids, also bringing out a lighter version of everyones favourite bronzer. I'm a true fan of the original Hoola bronzer, and I find it works on my skin tone no matter how it differs throughout the seasons. It's actually pretty similar to the Sephora bronzer in terms of colour, it's the perfect mixture of warm and cool meaning it also provides a subtle contour too. I tend to use bronzing products the same way I would a contour powder, and I love Hoola for this.

Ahhhh, this is the real deal when it comes to 'high-end' products. Tom Ford is the business, and if you're spending some serious money on your make-up, it better be the best thing you ever put on your face. I picked up the Tom Ford 'Terra' bronzer after some serious hype over it, and it truly is worth it. Particularly with the amount of product you get in the pan, it marginally justifies the whopping price-point! It's slightly warmer than the other bronzers, but definitely not orange and there's absolutely zero fall-out. If you're in the market for splashing out on a bronzer or if you're a luxury beauty fanatic, it's definitely one to add to the collection as it will last a life-time.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and maybe discovered some new bronzers to check out! Feel free to suggest some more that I might like too!

Summer Face Essentials

As the weather is rapidly getting warmer, and the sun is shining, our makeup/beauty routine tends to adjust accordingly. I love my makeup to reflect the weather, and nothing screams summer more than a glowy base!

KIKO Glowing Potion - (linked similar)

I discovered this product around a year ago when it was released in a beautiful summer range that KIKO created. At the time, I was a little dubious about slathering this over my already oily skin, but I've very much embraced my more 'radiant' complexion, (probably a nicer way to word it?), and I adore using this as a makeup base! It's a milky white consistency, and adds a gorgeous subtle glow to my skin. This would be a dream for those with dry skin. As this was a limited edition product, I've linked the updated version for you to check out!

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

As for getting your complexion in check, I've found I've been reaching for my Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue for those days that I don't want a thick, heavy foundation on my skin. I'm somebody who needs my skin to breathe, and I'm not particularly fond of full coverage foundations, (regardless of whether my skin requires it or not!), so this is my best friend at the moment! It's not actually marketed as a foundation, but instead a 'tinted hydrating gel cream'. It does still provide a nice amount of coverage, so don't be put off by that. I find this to be very dewy, and I can often find myself needing to blot down my t-zone, but as I mentioned before, I don't mind a bit of extra 'glow'. Now, I'm not a girl who likes to apply foundation with my fingers, and I'm always straight in there with a buffing brush or beauty blender, but this really does require finger application. The only other option, which I'll be exploring in the next week is the dual-fibre brush that's designed for it. I applied the complexion rescue with it in the store a couple of days ago, and the result was beautiful!

Maybelline The Eraser Eye Concealer

I guess concealer is a pretty basic face product, but it's something I definitely avoid skipping! This doesn't necessarily apply to everybody, but I have fairly dark circles, or at least dark enough that when I don't wear concealer, I could easily be mistaken for a convict on the run.. so concealer is a must for me! I have a whole host of concealers that I love and would recommend, but I selected this one as it's the one I find I can wear without having the put the rest of my base on. It's lightweight, blend-able, and offers a natural glow to the skin.

Loreal Glam Bronze Cushion Bronzer

This could possibly be favourite product out of the whole bunch, and I've had it for under a week! Some might say that's too soon to make a judgement on a product, but when you know, you know. Since purchasing this, I've used it every day. I'm confident that most of us had been awaiting the highly coveted 'cushion' products from L'oreal to land in the UK, and the minute I spotted them on the shelf at Boots, it was straight into the basket! I actually hadn't intended on purchasing the bronzer as I'm not really a 'bronzer girl', but when I swatched it on my hand, it was so natural and beautiful, I had to give it a go. I don't use the sponge applicator that comes with it, I use a dual-fibre stippling brush to buff it into the areas I'd usually contour to give some natural definition. I feel like I'm fully converted to this product, the fact that it's a cream/liquid consistency and gives my skin extra glow is a winner! 

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

I first heard of this blusher from Kathleen Lights, who raved about how beautiful this pot of peachy goodness was. Since we can't purchase Milani in the UK, I took to Amazon to pick up this gem for around £5! The price does vary as it's on Amazon, but either way I highly recommend picking this up when you can! It gives the softest peach glow to the cheeks, and I find myself reaching for this all the time in the warmer months.

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

I'm a huge fan of highlighters all year round, but there's something about a golden glow in the summer that really appeals to me! This is such a unique highlighter in my opinion as it has a beautiful sunny yellow undertone to it, it almost looks like the sun is beaming from your skin, (hence the name!). I'd have never thought to pick up a holy grain highlighter from a high street clothing store, but it's a winner for the warmer months. Perhaps this is more suited to those with a yellow undertone, but they do have other shades that might be worth checking out. The formula is buttery soft, and you get so much product for the mere £10 you pay. 

What is your makeup base routine in the summer? Comment below!