Best of the bronzers. (Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder)

Member Name: Vaula

Product:	Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder
Date:	28/06/09 (140 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Best bronzer shade I've found, fine smooth texture, applies well, pot lasts ages, value for money.

Disadvantages: Still that slight hint of orangy tone in it. Not mineral-based.

I found this bronzing powder after testing every bronzer I could get my hands on in Boots and Selfridges one day, by painting my hands stripy with the different shades. Since I've got pale skin, I need to be careful with the shade and darkness of the bronzer I use, as I can easily end up looking very un-natural by having something too orange, heavy or dark on my face.

Most of the products I tested seemed way too orange for me when I was checking them against my skin in daylight. I can't really see the point of this, as no skintone turns orange when it tans, and that's what the companies are surely supposed to try to emulate. Are they thinking a dull brown colour, that would look a bit boring and nasty in a pot, but would be a lot more natural in end result, wouldn't sell as well?

Well, this Benefit bronzing powder is as close as I got to the 'dull, brown, natural' shade I was hoping I would come across. I have actually started to test the darker shades in normal powders to see if they would do better what bronzers are supposed to, but so far this Benefit one is the best I've found.

It is packaged in a purple, rectangular box made of stiff cardboard. The surface will wear off from the edges and corners when it moves in your bag, but hey, who cares about the box. The bronzer comes with a cute little rectangular-shaped brush as well, one that sits inside the pot with a plastic cup in between the brush and the product. I wouldn't use the little brush, unless you've got nothing else handy, as it's difficult to apply the product with the awkward little shape. Just use a normal round powder/ blusher brush instead.

The colour of the product is a nice fairly light, just very very slightly orangy, brown, with no shimmery, sparkly, or glowy particles in it, thank god. The powder is pressed, and has a fine, good quality feel to it. It is easy to apply on its own or mixed with a powder/ powder foundation for a more lightly tanned -looking result. It will leave a subtle, matte finish (I don't mean powdery, just not glowy).

I know I use mine sparingly, and have had my 11g pot for over 18 months now. Still, it looks like I've only scratched the surface of the pot. So good value for money, as you can currently buy it online at £22.25.

I would recommend this for any skintone from pale to mid-tones.

Summary: Quality product, the best bronzer I've found so far.