Jul 1, 2014

FOTD - Softly Bronzed

Believe it or not, I used to self-tan every summer but I stopped for a couple of practical reasons. It was fun to play with darker shades of foundation and bronzers, though.
I can't say a warm bronzed look is the best bet for me (one of the reasons why I stopped), so all the beautiful new bronzers came out this year have not really reached out for me on a realistic level. 
Still, I should have a bronzer or two somewhere, right? I do, and last Sunday, I felt like playing with them. 
(BTW, I have realized that Sunday is a perfect day to play with neglected makeup and challenge myself. I know, I am incredibly late to join this "Sunday Stash Shopping" party.)


Cargo Beach Blush (Coral Beach), Cargo Eyeshadow duo (Sardinia) and Bbia pigments (02) were used for the "softly bronzed" look.



I like using blue or teal on eyes if I am to use warmer shades for the rest of my face, but this look being a challenge, I chose brown and gold for my lids.

As usual, my eye makeup is super simple.
I put on the brown shade from the duo close to my lash lines and blended it out using the lighter pink shade.
The bronze gold pigments were placed in the center of the lids using my fingertip.
I lined the lower lash lines with the same brown shade and applied the mascara.


Since my complexion is about the same color as before and my hair is quite dark, I did not want to overdo with bronzer.
Cargo Coral Beach Blush is a ideal mix of blush and bronzer, and it is just perfect for this soft look.


Armani Rouge D'armani Flash Lacquer 103 swatch
On the lips, I used the Nude Lip Set from Armani (reviewed here).
I am not a fan of wearing gloss in summer, but in this case I had no choice since I looked like a dead woman when I wore the lipstick only. Adding the nude lipgloss (103) put some life back into my face.


Overall look
(Makeup items used are listed at the end of the post.)


I am not entirely happy with the finished look because I do not particularly feel pretty wearing these colors together - you might laugh, but hey, isn't this why we wear makeup? To look pretty, but more importantly, to feel pretty? ;)
I guess I can play up the eyes or wear more colors on my lips in the future.
This was a challenge anyway, and for that, I'm quite satisfied. I think adding a bit of glitters and lipgloss has worked to liven up the whole look otherwise that would have been a total disaster.



Any tip to wear bronzers on light complexion without looking unnatural?
Do you think I need to look at more bronzers, or am I going to be okay for now? ;)




*Makeup Items Used For This Look*


Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani (103)
Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer (103)
Cargo Beach Blush (Coral Beach)
By Terry Sheer Expert Foundation (02 Neutral Beige)
NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder (Translucent Crystal)





Join the conversation!

  1. I found bronzer hard to get into, too, but lately I've kind of fallen in love with it! The Armani one and surprisingly the Too Faced Chocolate one (even though it smells odd, lol) have been really nice! Adds a nice warmth and glow. I agree - makeup is meant to make us feel pretty :D

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    1. I think I would be more into contouring and bronzing if I learn a little more about it in depths. I don't find the conventional ways (to look slim and with more cheekbone definition) work for me that well.
      I want to keep experimenting on different looks on my weekends, though. I might stumble on something I really like, who knows? ;)

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  2. Wearable, simple, yet elegant! Love every aspect of this look! I've never tried any Cargo products before but I know it's got a pretty good ranking across the board! Love how you incorprated the bronze on the lid as opposed to only the outer corner! Great job!

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    1. Thank you, Steph! ;)
      Cargo products are really underrated. I personally really like their pressed powder formulas. The blushes are really worth looking into if you get a chance.

      Delete
  3. Wow, what a gorgeous look. I how how natural and elegant it is!

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    1. Thank you!
      I'm happy to hear that you like the look! ;)

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJuly 02, 2014

    I think you look gorgeous! I have that Cargo blush/bronzer some where, but it looks hideous on me. It looks great on you!

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    1. Aww thank you, Tracy. :)
      I'm sure the Cargo blush does NOT look hideous on you. LOL. I need to mix the color well before applying. It is more like a warm blush color to me.
      I think I'm going to look into those NARS contouring ones since they have cooler undertones.

      Delete
  5. I like the bronze eye look. I used to sun tan a lot and never thought I would need a bronzer in my collection. I stopped tanning for a long time and found bronzer gives a healthy color to my skin tone in the summer. You have beautiful light skin tone which I would die to have. Think you would look great with just a bit of bronzer for contouring.

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    1. I stopped self-tanning because it was too much of a chore to maintain the look properly. Plus the inevitable smell. LOL I relied on darker foundation and bronzer back then because I never put self-tanner on my face, so you can imagine how weird I'd look at the end of the day after removing the makeup.
      I'm starting to think I might have a beige brown blush that I can use for contouring as well. ;)

      Delete
  6. You always look great in your photos, we are our own worst critic! I say forget the bronzer and stick to blush, you have such a nice complexion and bronzer is very culture-dependent anyways (it's rarely used in Asia I find). You also look like you have nice and chiseled cheekbones already, no need to contour :)

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    1. Hey Meiko, thanks so much!
      To be honest, adding a bronzer on top of a blusher is a somewhat bothersome idea..cause I like simple makeup routines. Still those shimmery bronzers are so pretty to look at. One must think first if that is going to look good on herself first, I guess. ;D

      Delete
  7. Love how naturally glowy this look is on you Lena! I only self tan my body cause I'm just rubbish with bronzers :p

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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    1. Oh, I wouldn't think of putting bronzers on body. I think it involves too much of laundry? ;o
      It's been years since the last time I used self-tanners. I'd imagine it is much user-friendly and easier to use. I might give it another try. ;)

      Delete
  8. for me, i use bronzer more for contour; i try to keep it off my cheeks and more on the outskirts of my face to avoid looking "muddy".

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    1. Thanks for the tip! I will try that! :D

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  9. Totally love the look!! I'm in love with those pigments you reviewed, their glow is just like molten metal which I'm a huge fan of! I rarely bronze, it's not something I find as a necessary step. I prefer a good blush for giving me a contoured face. I do have a contour product that I use sometimes for slightly bronzing but I do more contouring than all over warming up! :p

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    1. Thank you, Sharlynn!
      I am having so much fun playing with these pigments. I think the wet formula makes all the difference.
      And I'm glad I'm not the only one who does not think bronzer is a must. I cannot agree with you more that good blushes are enough most of the times. ;)

      Delete
  10. A Sunday stash shop sounds like a wonderful idea! That Cargo bronzer is beautiful- I have one and you've inspired me to pull it out! Love the shimmery shadow as well- looks so pretty on you :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Stash shopping does work to tame some of the lemmings, too. I think I should do more of these. Thanks for the compliments! <3

      Delete
  11. I live this look on you, gorgeous complexion! I've been liking TBS Honey Bronze in 02 quite a bit as an all over powder to give a light color but I also love NARS Laguna and Guerlain Terracotta in 01. I guess it depends on how I feel in the morning. I don't I could do without bronzer! Oh love your lips, the combination is lovely! :)

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    1. Aw, thanks Hélène!
      I keep hearing about the TBS bronzer and now I am really curious about the lightest shade, but of course, Guerlain Terracotta, right??! I guess there is no escaping from thoughts on bronzers in summer. ;p

      Delete
  12. You look absolutely stunning Lena. I love the eye makeup most :) The pop of gilded gold on the lids is perfect!

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    1. Thanks, Sharina!
      I think glitters are fun to play with plus it makes it a bit easier to wear warmer toned colors for me. :)

      Delete
  13. THOSE EYES!!!!!!!!! I love love love what you did here. Wear bronze more often, girl!

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    1. Aw thank you, Lily!
      This is very encouraging! I will play with bronzer more often. I think I need to find a right shade with a subtle color! :)

      Delete
  14. You look great! Playing around is all good. :)

    My go-to bronze look involves more golds than pinks. It kind of softens up the muddiness of all the brown in a more harmonious way, but I can see why you lean toward pinks with your skin tone!

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    1. Thank you!
      I still am not sure what I want from a bronzer. Truth is that I have not tried something great like a Guerlain bronzer, for instance. I might turn into a bronzer manic one day. I'm not dismissing the possibility. LOL.

      Delete

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