Comparison of the ELF Golden bronzer vs ELF Warm bronzer!

This will be a quick comparison of the ELF Golden bronzer & the ELF Warm bronzer.  

I have owned the Golden bronzer for months now & just bought the Warm bronzer at a local Winners.  Quick side note, it was $6.99CAD which is a large mark-up as you can purchase this online at eyeslipsface.com for $3USD, plus shipping.  But, I really like the Golden bronzer & wanted to try the other bronzers in the mineral line for a while now.  I don't have an ELF order pending, so I decided to buy it now.  

I primarily use the Golden bronzer, swirled all together, as more of a highlight.  There is some color to it but it is subtle.  I don't use it to contour or on my forehead, because it has quite a bit of shimmer in it.   You can use the colors individually, but because of the shimmer in them I typically don't do that, except to use the top right pinkish color as a cheek highlight on it's own.  

This is how they look along with the website descriptions of these products;

Golden Bronzer- An illuminating shimmer that is subtle and radiant. Ideal for summer or year-round. 

Warm Bronzer- The warm shimmer that will bring a glow to your face. Ideal for summer or year-round.

After reading the descriptions I wondered who (besides me) would even think they needed both, other than one is supposed to make you subtly shimmer & one gives you a shimmery glow.  Hmmm.  Now in my defence I will admit that I originally thought I had found the matte bronzer from ELF, but it turns out that is the 'Cool bronzer'.   

Here they are side by side, you can see the Golden actually looks like it has shimmer & it's more subtle in the Warm; 

Golden Bronzer                  Warm Bronzer

Colors from bottom to top of my hand: 1) Top left color from golden 2) Top left color from warm 3) Top right color from golden 4) Top right color from warm

Left shades from bottom right of bronzers: Bottom from Golden, Top from Warm

Right shades from bottom left of bronzers: Bottom from Golden, Top from Warm

I need help with labelling of these swatches so I hope that makes sense.  What sticks out to me is that the color payoff was stronger for each individual color from the Golden bronzer vs. the Warm.  That is surprising considering that the Warm bronzer actually looks a bit deeper in color in the pan.  

This is my attempt to get a swatch of all the colors swirled together; 

Can you see it?  No?  I know, it's barely visible but if you look near to the top side of my arm you can see a slight shimmer.  That is the Golden bronzer & the Warm bronzer was to the left of it.  Sad...I know, but I tried.  

Bottom line for me is that I don't think there is a need to own both of these bronzers, as they are incredibly similar. The only real differences come when you swatch them individually & primarily that was only for the bottom two colors.  The top colors swatch as pretty much identical.  I also can see a bit more shimmer from the Golden bronzer when swirled together, but it is barely noticeable.  Otherwise they are exactly the same to me.   

I do plan on getting the Cool bronzer eventually, and will be curious to see if there is much of a difference there.  What do you all think of these?  Do you own the any of the bronzers from ELF?

Best of 2010 - Blush

This will be my last post of the year so I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have taken the time to read my blog & share your time and thoughts with me.  I appreciate it so much.  I look forward to more of the same in 2011 and want to wish you all a very Happy New Year!  So, on that note...on with the show. 


This picture is a bit embarrassing...I can just hear some of you thinking 'how much blush does one need'?  Well apparently, a lot.  I just want to point out that most of these are primarily drugstore blushes, and not higher end.  I do love a NARS, Benefit & Cargo blush and am definitely planning to try a Stila cream blush next year.  But I just photographed ones that I bought or used for the first time, & I think you can all agree I showed great restraint ;)  I have decided to break this category up a little differently, as you will see below.  

Best of 2010 - Blush

Starting from the bottom left; Sheer Cover Pressed Mineral blush in Pinched; Maybelline Dream Mousse blush in Soft Plum, Pink Frosting, Cloud Wine; Covergirl Tru Blend Minerals; Clinique 01 Glow Blush; (forgot Benefit's benetint in top pic) Hard Candy in Honeymoon; Milani minerals in Luminous; Covergirl Cheekers in Classic Pink; AVON smooth minerals in blushing mauve; ELF Studio Line in Tickled Pink & Candid Coral; Rimmel in Santa Rosa; Annabelle in Rose Fawn - 44; ELF Mineral blush in Rose; NARS in Orgasm; NYC blushable creme sticks in Berry New Yorker, Urban Spice, Plaza Pink, Big Apple Blush

Favourite Powder Blush 2010 
It's another tie!

ELF Studio Line Blush in Candid Coral & Tickled Pink 

These are great little blushes.  To start the packaging is adorable, sturdy little containers with a see thru window on top, so you don't have to turn it over or open it to see the color, as well as a little mirror inside the compact.  These have surprisingly great color pay off, with only the very slightest shimmer to them.  The Candid Coral does remind me of NARS Orgasm, as many people have suggested, but a softer version of that blush.  The Tickled Pink is great for that grown up flush of color on your cheeks.  Both are only $3 each, very hard to beat that!  The only downside is that these are only available online (at least in Canada) at eyeslipsface.com.

Annabelle Blush in Rose Fawn - 44

I first bought this blush years ago & loved it, and am not sure why I forgot about it.  I spotted it  again earlier this year, picked one up and fell in love all over again.  This is truly an almost fool proof blush, that would compliment most skin tones.  A little goes a long way but you can apply more to get a deeper plumy pink tone.  This has no shimmer & gives just a beautiful velvety finish.  Unfortunately I think this brand is only available in Canada, but if you live here or you can find it, you really must try it!

Honourable mention powder blush

 Rimmel London Powder Blush in 102 Santa Rosa

This picture does not do this little blush that could, justice.  It is actually more of a very light coral pink than it appears in this picture.  I just couldn't get a good shot for some reason.  I discovered these blushes this year & I really love them.  They are very affordable-I can usually get them for under $4 when Rimmel is on sale, and they have some very beautiful but subtle colors.  These are also great to experiment with different colors or layering.  I use this a lot, and can actually even apply it as a contour/blush in the winter.  With a bit of NARS orgasm, or ELF Candid Coral over top it's beautiful!  

Favourite Cream Blush 2010

Another tie!

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Pink Frosting & N.Y.C. Creme Stick in Plaza Pink

These are both great to give you that 'I just got off the ski lift' flush to your skin.  I just daub a bit on my finger and tap on to my cheek, & then rub lightly in little circular motions to blend.  The N.Y.C. does best if you rub your finger on the blush for a few seconds to warm it up, then follow the same idea as the mousse to apply.  I use all of the colours I have in both of these products, but these two are the colours I tend to grab for the most.  The mousse blushes are also beautiful as a lip stain of sorts-sounds kind of strange but trust me, try it.  Maybelline mousse blushes are typically about $9CAD and N.Y.C. creme sticks about $6CAD, but as always watch for sales! 

Least favourite blush 2010

Covergirl Trublend minerals in Shimmering Sands & ELF mineral 

blush in Rose

I think the picture almost says it all, these are MESSY with a capital MESS.  The Covergirl is just not a blush at all, it's a highlight at best but a chunky, glittery one that does not blend well. The ELF mineral blush came apart when I first opened it & I think that was a sign of things to come.  It is quite dark and the smallest amount of this was just too much blush for me.  It also does not blend well & tends to sit right where I first touch it to my face, to give you that awful clown paint type effect.  

To be fair the Hard Candy & the Milani blushes are also not really blushes either, but both of those work quite well as a golden pink highlight.  I think the Covergirl was being discontinued because I got it for a steal when I was in Florida.  Either way, I just do not recommend either of these 'blushes'.  

What were your favourite blushes for 2010?  Leave me a comment & let me know!

Florida Haul

In the spirit of shopping, I'm back with some details on what I bought in Florida, which by the way has some crazy gorgeous beaches and yachts that are bigger than anything I've seen in my life.  But I digress. 


Sephora Glitz & Glam kit  
This one had some items I couldn't resist!  There will be
a few posts on this kit and a rave of at least one item in here coming soon


Laura Mercier mineral powder foundation


Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel primer/foundation
A total spur of the moment purchase, review coming


Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse foundation 
You can not get this yet where I live in Canada (that I've seen) & I've been curious to try it.  

OPI Nail Envy
This is one of my holy grail items and I got this for a steal! This is all I pretty much ever use on my fingernails.  In Canada this costs about $21-$22 a bottle, which is insane.  In the States it was $16.50 and I found a salon that was selling these as kits with lotion & cuticle gel for %50 $8.25 each, crazy!  So I of course got 3.  So exciting. 

Wet N Wild Holiday palettes

These eyeshadows are raved about on youtube & are apparently hard to find.  Imagine my excitement when I found them, review pending.

Revlon lip gloss in Peach Petal

I really was excited to find this as I've never been able to find it in Canada.  This is one of those colors that has been much talked about & is a light creamy color that goes well on top of just about anything.  So far, I'm loving it and wish I had bought two.  

Essence of beauty crease brushes

I bought these because of a recommendation by Emilynoel83.  They were under $5 for two of them.  I can take some more pictures & post them if anyone is interested but basically these are smaller crease brushes, which are great for applying crease or outer 'v' colors.  I really like them - and not just because Emily does too :)

Covergirl Trublend Mineral Blush in Shimmering Sands

I must have a thing for glowing, shimmering, etc. right now because I seem to be drawn to these types of things.  This is a huge container of product that was marked down to $4.99, likely being discontinued.  It's a very light peachy pink color that I haven't used enough to form an opinion about yet.  I will say I wish I could send you all a sample because I will never get through this by myself.  

Milani Powder Blush in Luminous

This is the lightest color they sell and appears goldish pink in the container.  I put it on & can only see gold, not at all pink or blush in color, it's very odd.  I don't think I'll grab for this that often, because it really isn't a blush.  

Milani Liquif'eye Eye liner

I've only used one of these, I bought both black & brown, review pending.


EOS lip balm in lemon
I thought you couldn't get these in Canada but apparently Shoppers is now carrying them, although I'm sure they were much cheaper in the States.  They are really nothing special, the hype is pretty much un-deserved in my opinion.  They do smell delicious though & are fun to try so if you can find them at a price you like, I say go for it. 

Vaseline Cocoa butter vitalizing gel body oil 
I had heard this was great for dry skin so I decided I had to have some for the winter, and better yet it has that wonderful coconut, beach scent.  You don't need much of this or you'll be feeling like a bit of a greaseball.

ELF items

I found a few things I don't want to detail too much here because they are stocking

stuffers for certain people who may be reading this.  I also picked up another $1 ELF total face brush as mine was showing some wear & tear.  I wish I could find the brushes in stores in Canada, would make life so much easier.  

Well that's enough rambling for now.  I also got some cute Vera Wang sunglasses, a purse, a ring and some clothes but enough already right? Let me know if you want reviews on anything here.