Overview

Update

e.l.f. has discontinued this product, replacing it with the Essential Bronzer with Brush. While the product remains vegan, the brush is comprised of natural fiber bristles

Being on the fair side, I adore bronzers—even if I haven’t used them often. As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on foundation and blush, let alone bronzers. If I had blush on hand, I would use that on my forehead and nose to add a little glow. I also have the additional problem of finding bronzers that flatter my fair, but warm, skintone. Since discovering Everyday Minerals and e.l.f., I’ve been on the prowl for a little bronzing action.

At the moment, e.l.f. carries only four Healthy Glow Bronzing Powders: Luminance (a highlighter), Sun Kissed (my favorite), Warm Tan, and Matte Bronze.

Packaging

Like all products from the e.l.f. Essential line, the packaging feels cheap.

It’s not as bad as some of their other products. The compact contains a fair amount of pressed powder, unlike, say the e.l.f. Brightening Eye Color quads. The crystal plastic container is sturdy and not brittle. I actually like the transparent compact.

The Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder compact

There’s not much to say. The packaging is a little cheap, but it gets the job done.

Product

I first saw the Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder line on the e.l.f. website and wanted to give it a try. Based on e.l.f.’s website images and blog swatches, I decided I only wanted Luminance. Fair skin and all. Sun Kissed appeared too dark and pink, while the rest just seemed too dark. For some reason I can no longer recall, I decided against purchasing it in my first haul.

Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed

On a recent trip to K-Mart, I was pleased to see the store carried Sun Kissed and snatched it. Despite the images on the website, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Sun Kissed is a tame golden color with subtle pink undertones. It’s not much darker than my skin tone and the pink works unexpectedly well.

e.l.f. Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder Swatches in Sun Kissed and Warm Tan

I apply the bronzer to my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin with an Everyday Minerals Long Handled Kabuki brush. I’ve seen some complain that the product is soft and it is but I haven’t had any problems over-applying and I don’t consider the powder overly fragile. I do find it helps to give the areas I apply bronzer a good buffing to better blend the product into the skin. Otherwise it looks like there’s a faint swath of light gold across my forehead.

I haven’t dropped the compact (yet), but I wouldn’t be surprised if the powder broke or shattered.

Images

Final Thoughts

Pros: Good value, good pigmentation and colour
Cons: Not the most natural of ingredients, packaging is on the cheap side

I am surprised and impressed by the e.l.f. Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder. I’ve bought e.l.f.’s Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder (my review here) and that bronzer is much too dark. Sun Kissed, on the other hand, has just the right colour and pigmentation for my fair skin tone.

This product definitely lives up to its name.

Maybe there is a reason that the Cedar Rapids, IA K-Mart only carries this shade. All those super fair white people walking around. I swear that I’ve never seen so many blonde people in one spot before and I was raised in Southern California (so says the natural blonde).

I’m less interested in Luminance now that I’ve discovered Sun Kissed, as I worry it will be too light. I’d also give Warm Tan a cautious go, but I can safely say that Matte Bronze looks way too dark.

Bottom Line

I’d definitely recommend the e.l.f. Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder, even if it wasn’t one dollar makeup. Hopefully, I can try the other shades to get a better idea of this product line.