Top Summer Bronzers for 2014 - Fake it, Don't Bake it!

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Fake it, Don't Bake it Series

Monitoring sun exposure and maintaining skin health go hand-in-hand! As many of you know, I've been regularly seeing a great dermatologist for a couple years now after having a precancerous mole biopsied and removed. I get checked every 3-6 months (depending on whether new, odd moles are found) and I'm no longer supposed to get any real sun exposure unless it's in limited amounts with extremely high SPF protection. I tan easily, I've only gotten 1 super light sunburn in my entire life and I'm certainly not fair, yet this just goes to show you that no matter how bulletproof you feel when it comes to the sun, everyone should be aware of the potential damage sun exposure can have. Get those annual derm checks, ladies and gents!

I will be the first to admit I love being tan. I always have and I always will! Now that I can no longer get a decent tan naturally, I've been on the hunt for the right body and face bronzers for the last couple years and I like to share some of my finds each summer. I've done the whole spray tan thing on and off since I was younger, but it can be hard to find the time. I find it's so much easier as a busy mom to have fabulous bronzers on hand before events, vacations, daily wear, etc. I'm also super picky and hate when bronzers are too orange or even too warm for my particular complexion. I think a lot of girls struggle to find bronzers that look "natural" on them. We don't all wear the same foundations, so why should we assume everyone can wear the same bronzers?

I've got 6 fabulous Summer 2014 bronzers to share with you today. None are what I'd consider oompa-loompa-orange and I've included both cool-toned and warm-toned bronzers so there's something for everyone! Also, if you've never checked out Red Carpet Kolour, I reviewed their medium body glow bronzer last summer and I have to say, it's still my favorite from 2013. 

6 Top Summer 2014 Bronzer Pics & Swatches - Kevyn Aucoin, LUSH, Pacifica, Perfekt, Milani, Vapour

Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights

Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights (swatched heavily)

LUSH Charisma Skin Tint

LUSH Charisma Skin Tint

Milani Baked Bronzer in 07 Sienna

Milani Baked Bronzer in 07 Sienna (heavily swatched)

Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzer Body Butter

Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Butter

Perfekt Matte Body Perfection Gel in Tan

Perfekt Matte Body Perfection Gel in Tan

Vapour Solar Translucent Bronzer in Mirage

Vapour Solar Translucent Bronzer in Mirage

Summer 2014 Bronzer Reviews - Kevyn Aucoin, LUSH, Pacifica, Perfekt, Milani, Vapour

Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights Review

Product Type - pressed powder bronzer

Finish - satin

Shade - cool-toned deep brown tan with super fine gold shimmer

On the Face - slightly satin-shimer (not sparkly); super finely milled; perfect for cool-toned complexions

Price - $48 (9 grams)

Where to Buy - Nordstrom.com   

My Thoughts - This is an absolutely stunning deep bronzer! It translates cool-toned on the skin, which is fabulous for cool-toned girls like me that find warm bronzers don't always work for them. This is easily among the finest milled pressed powder formulas out there, making it buildable and easy to work with. Super stunning! I'd love to get my hands on its lighter counterpart, Tropical Days, so that I can use it to complement Tropical Nights as a highlighter. Definitely give this a try if you're looking for a new powder bronzer.

LUSH Charisma Skin Tint Review

Product Type - tinted moisturizer 

Finish - nearly matte

Shade - sight coppery light milk chocolate brown

Scent - no real fragrance

On the Face - super light-weight and creamy; takes a min to set; provides wash of bronze, but not super pigmented on med complexions

Price - $18.95 (.7 oz)

Where to Buy - LUSHUSA/LUSH stores

My Thoughts - First of all, doesn't it look like sparkly chocolate pudding? Or is that my never-ending chocolate addiction talking? I don't know, but it is a lovely product regardless! It's super light-weight and almost has a whipped moisturizer feel to it. It doesn't set super fast, so you have a minute or so to smooth it out. I do recommend waiting for it to fully set before applying anything else over it. For me, this provided a light wash of bronze on my medium complexion, but no real pigmentation per say on my face. I always swatch on the underside of my arm, which is the fairest area on my body, so that products show up a bit better for you guys. This isn't super shimmery and does translate a bit warm on the skin. If you have a super cool complexion you may want to try this in-store prior to purchasing just in case you don't like the effect, but according to LUSH it is meant for all complexions. 

Milani Baked Bronzer in 07 Sienna Review

Product Type - baked powder bronzer

Finish - fairly matte

Shade - red-toned medium brown

On the Face - butter in pan, but slightly clingy to skin when applied; nicely pigmented

Price - $8.99 (7 grams)

Where to Buy - limited edition and available at select Walgreens

My Thoughts - I think that for a drugstore bronzer, this is a pretty decent product. I love that it's matte and the color is certainly one that would complement a variety of complexions. In the pan this feels silky and butter. When applied, I found mine was a tad clingy to skin, but could be fairly evened out. I haven't heard others having this issue so far, so it may just be my compact. I found the packaging a tad difficult to open so be warned. There is a brush in a compartment below the main area where the pan of product is held. I personally never use the brushes included as I tend to prefer my own brushes more, but it may be great for those that like products that are super on-the-go ready. All in all, for the price this may be a great bronzer for budget beauties.

Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter Review

Product Type - bronzing moisturizer 

Finish - shimmery

Shade - warm caramel brown

Scent - coconut

On the Skin - some pigment; lots of fine shimmer; melts nicely into skin; very moisturizing

Price - $18 (5.25 oz)

Where to Buy - Ulta.com/Ulta stores

My Thoughts - This has a moderately strong coconut scent, which is very pretty if you like tropical scents (I do!). On the skin, this has a little bit of pigmentation, but mostly it offers a shimmery caramel warmth. This melts beautifully into the skin and is as moisturizing as other Pacifica body butters I've tried in the past. I think this is a a good option for someone that wants to add a bit of a healthy glow to their skin without going too heavy on deepening their color. 

Perfekt Matte Body Perfetion Gel in Tan Review

Product Type - bronzing gel (more of a mousse-texture to me) 

Finish - ultra matte

Shade - neutral light brown

Scent - slight fragrance

On the Skin - super matte; sets quickly; probably best suited to normal skin not dry

Price - $48 (3 oz) 

Where to Buy - Sephora.com/Sephora

My Thoughts - This is easily one of the most matte body bronzers I've ever come across. I would actually describe its texture as more of a mousse than a gel, but regardless it was fairly easy to work with. It does set fairly quick so make sure you smooth it in evenly right away unless you want to wipe it off and begin again. This is meant to be water and sweat resistant, but I did find that I was able to mostly remove it with water and a little soap fairly easily. I wouldn't recommend swimming with it unless you test it ahead of time to see how well it adheres to your skin with water exposure. On the skin this translates to a nice neutral light brown that I think will complement a wide range of complexions. As it is ultra matte, I did find this worked best on already hydrated skin versus dry skin. I would definitely suggest giving this a try, it's a great temporary tan in a tube! This does not contain paraben, sulfates or phthalates. 

Vapour Organic Beauty Solar Translucent Bronzer in Mirage Review

Product Type - solid translucent bronzer

Finish - satin-matte

Shade - light red-brown

Scent - slight fragrance in tube but not much on skin

On the Skin - creamy and moderately thick; convenient application; moderate pigmentation

Price - $36 (9.92 grams) on sale as of the time of this post for $25.20 on Beauty.com

Where to Buy - Beauty.com

My Thoughts - This is a convenient face bronzer in a twist-up tube that is creamy and moderately thick in consistency. It takes a minute or so to set. While it has a scent in the tube, I didn't feel it had much of a noticeable scent once applied. The finish is satin-matte and definitely translucent. It is a warmer shade, so probably best suited for those that aren't super cool complected. This wasn't a super deep color, so it's probably best suited for those with fair to light-medium complexions. If you're a medium to deep medium this may not have too much of an effect. All in all, a convenient option for fairer beauty lovers looking for something to travel with! 

Final Bronzer Recommendations

Bronzers for Fair Peeps

• Vapour Solar Translucent Bronzer in Mirage
• Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter
• LUSH Charisma Skin Tint (with a light hand)

Bronzers for Medium to Medium Deep Peeps

• Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights
• Perfekt Matte Body Perfection Gel in Tan
• Milani Baked Bronzer in 07 Sienna

Full Body Bronzers

• Perfekt Matte Body Perfection Gel in Tan
• Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter

Facial Bronzers

• Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights
• LUSH Charisma Skin Tint
• Milani Baked Bronzer in 07 Sienna
• Vapour Solar Translucent Bronzer in Mirage

On-the-Go Bronzers

• Vapour Solar Translucent Bronzer in Mirage
• Milani Baked Bronzer in 07 Sienna

Have you tried any of these bronzers? Have any of these caught your eye?

Note: Products in this post were provided by PR/the brand for consideration. All opinions stated above are my own based on my personal experience and have not been influenced by PR/the brand.