BENEFIT’S Hoola bronzer has been a mainstay in my make-up bag for close to two decades.
The same is true for most of my mates.
This month, the brand launched a cream version of the iconic powder that is already going viral.
So, I tested it alongside two cheaper options to find out if it will be the best cream bronzer, too.
BUDGET
17 MELTING CREAM BRONZER, 4g, £4, boots.com: 17 remains one of, if not the best, on the market with every make-up product in the line £5 or under.
Don’t be fooled by the bargain prices, the formulas live up to products that cost ten times as much.
The silky, balm texture makes this bronzer fool-proof to blend out.
It’s less pigmented than the other two but easily buildable so you can layer it up for a darker colour, or use your finger to apply directly to your face to speed things up for the deepest colour pay-off.
The best part is that the formula sets to a powder finish, so it won’t go patchy with a setting powder or leave your skin looking shiny or greasy.
MID-RANGE
No7 PRO ARTIST SOFT GLOW CREAM BRONZER, 36g, £19.95, boots.com: I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve told me this cream bronzer is a .
I hate to say it but I agree.
The creamy consistency is super easy to buff out, despite the formula being well pigmented, so you don’t need to worry about overdoing it, which is always a concern for those of us with sheet-white skin.
It stays put all day and doesn’t end up looking shiny or greasy on my oily skin.
I also love the packaging, as the pot makes it easy to swirl a brush through for an even, diffused application rather than overloading one area.
I crowned it one of the best launches of last year and it remains my favourite.
LUXURY
BENEFIT HOOLA WAVE CREAM BRONZER, 9g, £33, boots.com: Having been a long-term fan of the OG Hoola bronzer, I had high hopes.
The skincare packed formula, with the likes of jojoba seed oil, shea butter and avocado oil rich in omega fatty acids, provides a natural glow without the need for any glitter and leaves skin feeling hydrated.
I particularly like that there’s five shades, which is more than the other two options, so this will suit a broader range of skin tones.
It has a large mirror in the compact that is great for on the go.
The only thing I don’t love is the consistency of the cream, which is harder to blend out than I expected.
It works better with fingers than a brush, as the warmth helps melt it into skin.
PICK OF THE WEEK
I’VE got a stellar skincare offer up my sleeve for this long weekend.
LookFantastic The Dermatological Edit, £50 (but worth £170) features six full-size and five deluxe sample-sized products from some of the best, science-backed skincare brands.
Think Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum with an RRP of £49, as well as Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream and Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion as well as products from Coats, La Roche Posay, Vichy and Bioderma to name a few. Shop now at lookfantastic.com.
