Sephora Favorites "In The Glow" Blush, Bronzer & Illuminizer Sampler

Today, I am very excited to show you a new Sephora Favorite set that I purchased yesterday.  This is the Sephora Favorite "In The Glow" Blush, Bronzer & Luminizer Sampler.  It is available in some stores, and it looks like it will be in stock online in the next few weeks.  It retails for $45 for 9 deluxe samples.

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I love blush.  It's my weakness, so I had to buy this set.  It's a great way to try out high-end products without paying the price for a full-size product.  Plus, the small packaging really is adorable.

This sampler includes 3 blushes, 3 bronzers and 3 highlighters. 

Let's take a look at the blush.

Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Flush - 0.17 oz - It looks really dark and scary, but the swatch shows that it is definitely wearable.  I think it looks almost like a gel, and it smells like gummy bears.  I can't wait to try this.

Stila Convertible Color in Peony - 0.07 oz - I love cream blush.  The color is beautiful, and it's very smooth.  I can't wait to compare this to my NYX cream blushes.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Spendor - 0.11oz - I love Tarte blush, and I love these smaller sized Tarte blushes.  If you haven't seen it yet, you should check out my post on the Tarte Fantastic Foursome 4 Piece Set that is also available at Sephora right now.  This blush does have glitter, but the color is really pretty.

 Here are swatches of the three blushes.

Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Flush, Stila Convertible Color in Peony, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Spendor

Here are the three bronzers.

NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna - 0.08 oz - This is probably one of the most well-known bronzers.  I have never owned it before, and I think it may be too dark for me during the winter.  It does have shimmer in it, and it has a mirror.

Too Faced Chocolate Matte Bronzing Powder - 0.08 oz - This has been on my wish list for a long time.  If I had stopped to smell this bronzer in the store, I would have bought it a long time ago.  It smells like hot chocolate and it's AMAZING.  Maybe a bit dark for my pale skin, but I love the smell.   

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic - 0.14 oz - This is really nice packaging for a sample size.  This is a bronzer, but it would also make a pretty highlight on someone with darker skin.  I was also told that this works great as eyeshadow. 

 And the swatches...

NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder, Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic

Last but not least, here are the highlighters.

Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Lumanizing Powder in Spotlight - 0.106 oz - This is soft and GORGEOUS.  I can't wait to compare this to my Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter from theBalm. 

bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Pure Radiance - 0.02oz - I had this before when I wore bareMinerals foundation.  This has a lot of fine glitter in it.  I prefer pressed powders, but this is a nice summer highlighter. 

Benefit High Beam - 0.13 oz - I am surprised I haven't owned this, because it seems like this comes in every kit that Benefit or Sephora sells.  This is supposed to be comparable to the Boots No. 7 High Lights Illuminating Lotion. 

Here are the swatches.

Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight, bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Pure Radiance, Benefit High Beam

 Overall, I'm very happy with the set, and I can't wait to try all of the products!

Battle of the Matte Bronzers: theBalm Bahama Mama vs. Benefit Hoola

It's been a month since I posted a Battle of the Highlighters comparing the Hardy Candy So Baked Bronzer in Tiki and theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer.  Oddly enough, I am comparing another product from theBalm today in my Battle of the Bronzers.

Today I am featuring theBalm's Bahama Mama Bronzer and Benefit's Hoola.  I don't have a full size Hoola bronzer, but the product is the same even if this is only the deluxe sample size.

 Here is what the Hoola full sized packaging looks like.  

Packaging:  Both of these products come in cardboard packaging.  Both have mirrors.  Hoola comes with a brush, but I never use the brushes that come with the products.  Bahama Mama is much more compact and easier to store than Hoola (the reason I opted for the deluxe sample instead of the full size).  I feel like there is a lot of wasted space in the Hoola packaging.  Since the bronzer sits lower in the box, I think it would be difficult to get the last bits of product out without destroying your brush once you have hit pan. 

Size:  Bahama Mama is .25oz, while the full size Hoola is .28oz.  The Hoola deluxe sample is 0.1oz.

Product:  Both products are a powder.  Hoola is a bit softer than Bahama Mama.

 

Color:  The swatches look very similar.  Both are matte bronzers, so they are perfect for contouring.  I don't think they make me look orange, and they don't look like dirt on my cheeks.  Bahama Mama is a bit darker and more bronzy.

Availability:  theBalm cosmetics are available on their website.  Certain products are available at Sephora.com, but I didn't see Bahama Mama on Sephora's website.  Hoola is available at Sephora, Ulta, and Benefit's website.  I'm sure you can also find it at other online retailers.      

Cost:  Both of these are higher end bronzers.  Bahama Mama is $19 on theBalm's website.  I found mine at Marshall's in a set for $10.  Hoola is $28 at Sephora.  Ouch. 

I got my deluxe sample size of Hoola in the Tan About Town kit at Sephora.  It was $12 and included deluxe samples of Some Kind-A Gorgeous in Medium (WAAAAAY too dark for me to use) and BadGal lash. 

Overall:  These are both good products.  Bahama Mama is nicer for your budget, but Hoola is a long-time YouTube favorite.  I would recommend that you try the Tan About Town kit to see if Hoola works for you before spending $28 on it.

Benefit Powderflage - $10 at Ulta Today Only!

If you were devastated by the rumors that the Benefit Powderflage Powder Concealer set was discontinued, then stop reading and run to your nearest Ulta immediately. Ulta has Powderflage for $10 (reg. $28) today only as part of their 21 Days Beauty sale! The limit is 2 per customer.

I picked one up, because I have heard rave reviews on YouTube. It is supposed to make a great setting powder for your under eye concealer. I found the last one in my store. The woman working at Ulta told me that the store didn't get very many, and it's not a product they usually carry. It might be worth calling ahead to make sure your store has a few in stock.

Don't get too attached though if you like this product.  It's no longer available on the Benefit website.