Elizabeth Arden | Pure Finish Summer Escape Bronzing Powders (LE)

Created with the incredibly talented Rebecca Restrepo, Global Makeup Artist of Elizabeth Arden – an absolutely lovely woman that I’ve had the immense pleasure of personally meeting (and picking her brain!), the Pure Finish Bronzing Powders in Warm Glow 01 & Deep Glow 02 released with the limited edition Summer Escape Collection, have turned out to be the biggest surprise hits for me. Upon first glance, I was tempted to dismiss both as A) not suitable to my skin tone and B) too sparkly, but there’s some kind of sorcery at work here, because these are the bronzers I have been reaching for the most this entire season. Housed in nautically themed round compact cases, the bronzers within bear a unique veined/marbled appearance and come in a domed shape. These are baked mineral powders that give a transparent – yet still buildable – coverage, and are meant to provide an overall healthy glow to the skin. Some of the key ingredients, according to the company: (you can read the full ingredient list by clicking to enlarge the photo further down my post)

Vitamin E – provides antioxidant benefits to soothe and moisturize
Mica Minerals – help to illuminate and brighten the look of the skin
Soft Focus Microspheres – help to blur any skin imperfections thus minimizing the look of fine lines and/or wrinkles

There’s a small natural hair kabuki brush that is included with each bronzer, and while it’s of a decent enough size and feel, I prefer to use my own brushes for a more natural bronzed look. With regards to application, I experimented with several ways in using both shades; at the start of the Summer season with my still-pasty Winter skin, I used Warm Glow 01 as an overall brightener (applied with a large fluffy brush) – which also happens to be the perfect bronzer shade for those with light/pale skin tones. Once my skin began taking on some light colour, I still applied a first sweep of Warm Glow 01, but then followed that up with Deep Glow 02 along the areas where the sun would naturally highlight: cheeks, temples/forehead, bridge of the nose and top of the chin. Now that I have a bit more colour, I use Deep Glow 02 alone; first dusted all over (neck and ears included) using a large fluffy brush, then I go in for more definition and depth (using a denser powder brush) by depositing a more along the cheeks, forehead/temples and bridge of the nose. After about 20 minutes of applying Warm Glow 02, the visible golden flakes of this powder somehow seem to then almost fuse with the skin, not only becoming less apparent, but morphing into a lush warm glow. buy nolvadex online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/nolvadex.html no prescription

Elizabeth Arden | Pure Finish Bronzing Powders, Summer Escape Collection 2014

Elizabeth Arden | Pure Finish Bronzing Powders, Summer Escape Collection 2014, domed profile

Warm Glow 01 Bronzing Powder, limited edition (CAN $45.00) | A light tan hue with what appears to be more of a cool gold shimmer throughout, but which will also suit medium-toned complexions. This is the perfect shade for providing an overall light sun-kissed glow, or used as a bronzer for those with light to pale skin tones. Warm Glow 01 can also double as a highlighter for medium to darker skin tones – without fear of it coming off as ashy.

On my skin (light-medium), this shade definitely worked best as a luminizer that also gives a touch of warmth.

Elizabeth Arden | Warm Glow 01 Bronzing Powder, Summer Escape Collection 2014

Deep Glow 02 Bronzing Powder, limited edition (CAN $45.00) | A deep caramel hue with visible golden shimmer throughout. What appears to be a muddy orange undertone actually translates to a gorgeous warmth when applied, while the shimmer seems to also meld into the skin with the wearing, providing a truly beautiful luminosity. The perfect bronzer shade for light-medium skin tones, but definitely way too dark for those with the lightest complexions (because of the visible shimmer, I wouldn’t suggest this shade be used for contouring). buy rimonabant online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/rimonabant.html no prescription

I find that all bronzers need a few minutes to ‘develop’; after initial application, wait about 10 minutes before adding more, as the colour tends to deepen on its own with the warmth of your skin as well as any contact with your natural oils. You can always add more if needed, but taking away usually ends up a big mess.

Elizabeth Arden | Deep Glow 02 Bronzing Powder, Summer Escape Collection 2014

Elizabeth Arden’s makeup range has been steadily making its mark in the industry, and this year’s Summer Escape Collection has been an overall pleasant surprise. If there’s one criticism I have, it has to do with the packaging which feels a little cheap to me and at this price point (not as steep as some of the higher end brands, but definitely more expensive than mass market), it doesn’t seem to match – which is also something of a contraction when you consider that these products are made in Italy, and just like that, the packaging issue is redeemed (what can I say? I’m a total sucker for detailed/luxury packaging). That being said, the exterior thankfully has nothing to do with what’s inside, which happens to be absolutely stellar and well worth investing in (I’ve already planned on a backup of Deep Glow 02). buy cymbalta online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/cymbalta.html no prescription