Mineral beauty bronzer by Bella Il Fiore - review by Cori

The Mineral Beauty Bronzer is a monstrously-sized compact filled with golden hues to give you that sun-kissed boost when you're feeling a little pasty. It's also great when applied lightly with a larger brush for a subtle, shimmery glow. This bronzer is great for use on your face as well as your body.

I typically stick to department store, higher end make-up so I was a little nervous to give this product a go. Especially since my skin is white on the verge of translucent. I have to be extremely careful with bronzers so as not to end up looking like an Oompa Loompa. If you are shying away from this bronzer because you have fair skin, have no fear. It can be applied anywhere from light to heavy, and it incredibly buildable. This bronzer should compliment any skin tone nicely.

I would highly recommend making sure you have a proper brush to apply this with. It does not come with a puff or anything. I used a large brush since I needed a more subtle application, so I used a complexion brush and then blended with a kabuki brush, which is a great buffer. (If you don't have these, MAC has great ones or if you need a cheaper version the NYX brushes are great!)

Ingredients: Mica, Magnesium Stearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Gylcol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI77492, CI77499)

This bronzer feels light like a thin powder. It's very compact and a little bit goes a long way. Once applied, it feels very light. You won't feel like you have make-up caked onto your face. It's not clumpy or thick like cheaper bronzers can be.

It's very easily applied with any larger complexion brush. If you're on the fairer side, the fluffier the better. The smaller, thicker brushes will apply too much product and it's important to slowly build to the color you want to achieve. I used a large complexion brush and then used a kabuki brush to blend in. I applied more (with my larger, fluffier brush) bronzer to my forehead, cheeks, and nose where the sun would naturally darken better. I then used the kabuki brush to blend in with the areas around the rest of my face.

When using for body, I waited for my body lotion to penetrate completely so I had a easier to work with area. When applied to damp or recently-moisturized skin, it is incredibly hard to blend the product as it will stick in the first area applied. I used a very large, fluffly complexion brush for applying to my neck and any exposed skin. I had no problems with it rubbing off on clothing. But I would dress before applying the product and be careful when wearing light clothing.

This powder will stay in place, but reapplication may be necessary for extended use. I found mine faded as the day went on. Reapplication would be necessary after several hours, similar to some blushes. However, being sure to apply a setter or a primer first will help this.

This is a bronzer - if you are curious about taste I would probably seek out some help. Just sayin'.

Some powders have a strange odor, but this one does not. It smells very lightly perfumed if you stick your nose into the compact. It actually smells good, yet subtle. It reminds me of the Lancome powders and compacts that are lightly scented to overpower the powder scent. However, once applied you cannot smell the bronzer.

I have used this product several times since I received it. I have gone through a lot of bronzers in my time. I stick to MAC bronzers at this point, so I was comparing it to theirs. My first attempt at applying the Mineral Beauty Bronzer, I was going out so I applied a face primer, my foundation, a light powder, and then a light application the bronzer. I didn't notice any "slipping" or build-ups in areas like I have with cheaper products in the past. However, after the four hour mark I did notice a general fading of the product. I re-applied and that helped to keep my sun kissed glow last a little longer.

When I applied this product without a primer the next day, I noticed minor "slipping" and fading after 2 hours. It was nothing major but this is something I have learned to look for with bronzer. You can go from Bronzed Goddess to Medusa Monster pretty quickly if you're not careful. While it was not terrible, for this price point I was a little bit disappointed.

This product needs to be washed off with your regular facial cleanser and warm water. It washes off easily. But if you try to rinse it off with just water it's a little bit more challenging.

As far as the compact itself lasting me a while, I was hopeful due to the gigantic size. However, after about four uses, the lighter hues that help to balance out are nearly gone and I am left with what lies beneath the pretty pattern: the dark brown pigment. I am not so sure how well this will work on my pale skin without the balancers. (I'll be sure to update you though!)

WOW! I was dumbfounded when I saw how huge this compact is.

Bella Beauty's Mineral Bronzer comes in three different styles: leopard, safari, and squiggles. They are all the same color combinations, just in different patterns. It comes packed tightly in a box with packaging foam so it won't break or crack enroute to your doorstep. The front of the box is a light, pretty pink and the words "Bella Il Fiore" are written in black script at the top. The center of the box is open and the clear compact peaks out. The bottom says "Bella Beauty Bronzer". The sides, top, and bottom are pink with a black scroll design. The back has instructions to blend the colors for use on face and body for a glow. Below are the ingredients and their website, [link|http://www.bellabeauty.net].

This compact would be fine for travel, assuming you have room for a huge compact in your make-up bag. It's net weight is 38.88 grams (or 1.371 ounces). The compact is about 4.5 inches around! This won't even fit into my usual travel make-up bag. However, if you're going on a long tropical vacation and will be in need of tons of bronzer, then this would be perfect. You'll never run out!

As far as discretion goes, this product is purely cosmetic. There is nothing on it that screams "I got this from an online sex shop!" It would make a great gift for anyone who is into looking a little more tan.