YouTube Made Me Buy It: Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask

Hello everyone! It is time for another “________ Made Me Buy It!” This time, YouTube made me buy the K-Beauty Bubble Clay Mask from Elizavecca. Read on for the review!

What it is and why I bought it:

This mask is definitely a fun, gimmicky product, as it turns into foam on your face! Other than the label, there is no english on it, so the correct application is mostly up to you. I have seen people say it’s good for removing makeup or for cleansing pores, but I think it probably has a few other benefits as well. However, I was a bit skeptical, even though I saw a lot of YouTube videos with people saying how much they liked it. I figured I’d give it a try and I am happy to tell you that I am in love with it and I am so very pleased that I bought it!

How much?

I got mine off of Amazon for between $10 and $12.

What it looks like:

When you open the container, you see an inside lid that holds a small spatula, and once you remove the lid, you see the grayish green product. My favorite way to apply it is to scoop a bit of product onto my hands and spread it on my face. It bubbles quite rapidly, and applying it with your hands instead of with the spatula keeps it from bubbling before you’re done. It has a really refreshing smell, and feels cool on your face, so it’s great after a hot summer afternoon or a long day at work.

What it does:

Once spreading it on your face, it starts to bubble immediately. It tickles horribly, but leave it on, I promise it’s working! Remove after about 5 minutes, or after it has bubbled quite a bit. Definitely use a washcloth to wash it off, because the bottom layer (that has not turned into foam yet) is harder to get off and is quite sticky. I love to use it a few times a week to remove my foundation and cleanse my pores. My skin has been a lot happier when I use this and my other mask (from Ulta, I’ll do a review soon!) a few times a week!

Should you get it?

It’s a really great product to remove face (NOT eye) makeup or to do a deep cleanse. It DOES irritate some skin types. Mine is somewhat sensitive and combo/dry, and it doesn’t irritate my skin at all or dry it out. It did irritate my sister’s skin, so I would suggest giving it a test run with a patch test before covering your entire face with it, and remove if it starts to burn. Most skin types shouldn’t be irritated with this mask, though.

I would suggest giving it a try if:

• You are looking for a quick mask to cleanse your skin or remove makeup.
• You do not have extremely sensitive skin.
• You are looking for a fun, Korean beauty product to try.
• You don’t want to spend a lot of money on skincare.
• You don’t have overly dry skin (it doesn’t seem to dry skin out but it’s not very hydrating).

Overall, I think it’s a great mask that I will enjoy thoroughly and possibly even repurchase! It’s reasonably priced and, as long as you apply moisturizer afterwards (as you should after applying any mask), good for most skin types.

Have you tried this mask? If so, how did you like it? What is your favorite K-Beauty product? What is your favorite mask? Let me know in the comments!

 

e.l.f. Daily Hydration Moisturizer

Hi everyone!

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post, I’ve been super busy this spring! I have quite a few new products that I’ve collected these past few weeks and this is one of many reviews to come! This review is on one of the new e.l.f. products, the Daily Hydration Moisturizer. I didn’t have high hopes for this product because e.l.f. can be pretty hit-or-miss, but I was pleasantly surprised. E.l.f. has definitely been stepping up its game, and I am really enjoying the new products! I can’t wait to try some of the other recently released makeup as soon as it gets back in stock online. Read on for the full review!

This moisturizer comes in a light blue bottle with a pump (YAY) to dispense the product. It comes with about 2.5 ounces of product, which is really generous for a nice moisturizer that’s under $10!

What the website says:

This lightweight, lightly scented moisturizer helps hydrate and nourish for glowing, healthy looking skin. Infused with Purified Water and skin-nourishing Jojoba, Aloe, Vitamin E and Cucumber to help soothe and protect the delicate skin area. Rich in antioxidants such as Shea Butter, Grape and Orange. 

Being a water-based moisturizer makes me very happy, as I am trying to regain the moisture I lost in the winter! It’s perfect for my combo/dry skin, because it gives me a dewy glow without feeling greasy. This definitely hydrates well!

What it feels like:

This is a wonderfully light moisturizer. It feels like a gel, almost like the Belif Aqua Bomb (which is approximately $38 for nearly half the amount of product), even though it is white like a lotion. Easy to spread around your face without excessive tugging (like with a thick cream) and two to three pumps is sufficient for all night (or day).

What it’s good for:

This is definitely something perfect for any skin type, because it isn’t oil based, nor is it too light (for dry skin). It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, too. I’d recommend to anyone!

What it’s NOT good for:

Deep hydration. If you’ve got desert dry skin, go for something like Cetaphil, a higher end moisturizer, or a doctor-prescribed lotion. This will definitely hydrate skin that just needs a little exfoliation and a good moisturizer to get rid of dryness, but it’s not good for anyone with seriously dry skin.

Specifics you may want to know:

• Water is the very first ingredient
• Approximately $8
• Gel-like feel
• Makes skin look very dewy and hydrated
• Light enough to use every day and heavy enough for nighttime use
• Pump dispenser

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely! I will repurchase as soon as I begin to run out. It’s available at some Targets, possibly Walmart, and online at eyeslipsface.com. Give it a try!

That’s it for this post, hope you enjoyed! I promise I’ll be back for more reviews on things like the new Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipsticks and the Tartelette Tease Eyeshadow Palette! Oh, and a very special, cult-favorite mascara 🙂

How did you like this post? Have you tried any of e.l.f.’s new products? If so, how did you like them? What skin type do you have and what moisturizer is your holy grail? Let me know in the comments!

High End Makeup Review: theBalm CabanaBoy Blush

Hi everyone!

Ever since I got a sample of theBalm’s FratBoy in my November Birchbox, I was dying to try the other ‘Boy’ blushes. DownBoy was the one I was hoping to try next, but I just couldn’t bring myself to pay $21 for it. I was looking around Amazon the other day, though, and found that all three blushes were on sale, but only CabanaBoy was $12. I did a little happy dance, as I had been wanting to try CabanaBoy as well, ordered it soon after and it just arrived! I was a bit concerned that it might not be authentic (you never know ordering from Amazon) but I was very pleased to open my package and see that it seems to be the real deal! I wanted to share a quick review with you all because this blush IS worth it! Read on for photos, swatches, and more!

This is a very, very large product for the price – it’s typically around $21 (though I got mine for $12!) for 0.3 oz., while NARS blushes run about $30 for 0.16 oz. It’s a beautiful dusty rose/berry with the finest shimmer imaginable – it doesn’t look shimmery on the face, just glowy. You definitely don’t have to worry about glitter face with this one. This is extremely pigmented. I mean, extremely. I tap my brush in it and it is WAY too much. I have to literally tap my brush, shake it off, tap it on a towel, and then apply it to my face. Plus side? It’ll last me forever! I am very fair, however, so if you are darker-skinned, this will probably be perfect for you. I was a bit worried that it would turn out to be a bit too dark for my ghostly white skin, but I was pleasantly surprised that if you use a light hand, it looks really pretty, exactly like the color your cheeks turn when you actually blush. I have found that FratBoy is the same way, so theBalm seems to do a really great job with making natural-looking blushes! It blends in well as long as you apply translucent or regular powder before applying this. It also works well for a really easy contour – use a tiny bit of this under your cheekbones like bronzer to create a rosy shadow. But the amazing thing about this? All of theBalm’s blushes double as shadows, but this one REALLY looks fantastic as an eyeshadow. It gives the perfect rosy smoky eye that looks great on any skin tone. Seriously, one of the best blushes I’ve tried. I love Wet ‘n Wild’s purple ombre blush if I’m feeling trendy, but for a natural, rosy flush, this is perfect. Swatches below! The three finger picture was with one run through of the blush, and the arm swatch was with about 3. As you can see, it’s quite pigmented and has the tiniest amount of shimmer, though it just looks glowy on the skin.

You may want to purchase this if:

• You are looking for a rosy, berry-toned, powder blush.This should work for almost all skintones, depending on how much or how little you put on.
• You don’t necessarily want a matte blush. This reduces the need for highlighter, as it gives skin a radiance, which is a plus!
• You want a high end product, but you want a good deal too.
• You want a worthwhile blush that will work all year round – through fluctuating skintones, weather, and seasons.
• You are okay with a cardboard, magnetic-closure package – this isn’t as sturdy as the NARS blushes, but it is pretty well packaged.

Overall, I highly recommend this blush. Perfectly natural and great for even very fair-skinned people like me! I love FratBoy as well, and I’m sure DownBoy is just as wonderful – so give one (or all three) of these blushes a try…I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Have you tried this blush? If so, how did you like it? What’s your favorite blush? Do you prefer drugstore or high end blushes? What blush colors do you like the best? Let me know in the comments!

 

INSTAGRAM MADE ME BUY IT: Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Hey everyone! So I decided that I am going to do a new post series called “_____ made me buy it.” It may be from YouTube, Sephora/Ulta reviews, Instagram, or a friend’s suggestion. This time, Instagram made me buy the Nivea Men’s Sensitive Post Shave Balm. Oh my goodness, the hype. Post after post after post was a closeup photo of this product, saying how wonderful it was…and I couldn’t stand it any longer. I had to go get it! So I went to my local Target and picked it up. In case you have absolutely no idea what the shave balm is supposed to be used for, and you’re thinking, “how is men’s shave balm important for makeup?!”, it is supposed to work as a primer. The second ingredient in it is glycerin, which helps makeup stick to the skin. Now that you know, let’s get on to the review!

This is approximately $5-$6 at my local Target, your price may vary. When you first open it, it smells like a really light cologne. It’s not a heavy, headache-inducing smell, and I like it, but if you hate the smell of men’s soap or cologne, this might be a bit too much for you. The smell dissipates within about 30 minutes. As you can see in the photo above, there is no drying alcohol and the ingredients seem to be non-irritating. It is a HUGE 3.3 fluid ounces, which is literally 10x more product than the travel size of the Hourglass Veil Primer, which is $18. So, you’re getting a lot of product! It comes in a glass bottle, which is good and bad at the same time, as the bottle is nice, but there is no pump! Oh well. A little goes a LONG way when you apply this, a nickel-quarter size amount will cover your whole face. Once you apply it, allow it to dry a little while and do not apply moistuizer immediately before this, as it will cause this to pill up. It smooths very well and your makeup will apply nicely over it. It may take a day or two for you to get used to the formis ula, smell, and texture, but once you do, I think you’ll really love it. It definitely was worth the $5 or $6 and is one of those products made for men that is a HG product for women 🙂 You’re getting a great deal and I definitely suggest taking a break from your high end primers to give this a try, maybe you’ll end up loving it!

Have you tried this primer? How did you like it? Is there a product made for men that you absolutely love? What is your HG primer? Let me know in the comments!

Review: Maybelline Matte Lipstick in 665, ‘Lust for Blush’

Hi everyone! I thought I would share a quick review with you because I picked up this lipstick on a whim a while ago, and absolutely loved it from the get-go. It’s the Maybelline Matte Lipstick in 665, ‘Lust for Blush.’

I’ve been really into matte lipsticks lately, but the problem with matte formulas is that they tend to be cakey and drying. This lipstick, however, goes on smoothly and doesn’t seem to be very drying. There are many, many different colors from this specific lipstick line, but I am in love with this color. It’s different from any lipstick I’ve ever tried, but it’s exactly what I have been looking for. It’s a raspberry toned mauve that looks especially nice on light skin tones. You could almost get away with calling it a nude, as it is extremely natural looking once it is on your lips. I wrote a review about Essence’s Lipstick in 03, ‘Come Naturally,’ and said that it was almost what I was looking for – a nude-mauve color. This fits the bill even better, as Come Naturally was a touch too light for what I was looking for. However, it’s a beautiful nude and I highly recommend anyone with a fair skin tone to try it! It’s very hard to find a nude for fair skin that doesn’t make you look dead (am I right?!), and Come Naturally is perfect for that. You can read my review here. Back to Maybelline, Lust for Blush is in the same color family as Come Naturally but is a good 2 shades darker. It’s especially beautiful for spring. As it is from a drugstore brand, it is very reasonably priced, I believe I spent about $6.50 on mine. I will be trying more colors from this line as the formula is perfect!

You may want to purchase this lipstick if:

• You are looking for a non-drying matte lipstick.
• You want an inexpensive product.
• You are not looking for a 24 hr lipstick, because this is not – it will wear off throughout the day.
• You want to choose from a wide variety of colors or are looking for a medium toned raspberry mauve.

 

Isn’t it a beautiful color? I think so. Hope you try it out and love it as much as I do!

Have you tried this product? If so, how did you like it? Do you prefer matte, satin, or gloss finishes? Do you like Maybelline’s lip products? Let me know in the comments!

 

January Favorites

Hello everyone!

I know, I know. I’m late again for my monthly favorites post. I promise I’ll try to get it out sooner for February! This month was a good month. I found some products that I think will be favorites for months to come 🙂

Makeup Remover: Garnier Bi-Phase Micellar Cleansing Water:

This product is amazing! It removes waterproof mascara with less rubbing and irritation than makeup wipes. It has no scent or alcohol. It’s also so nice to remove lipstick! The downside is that you need to use cotton rounds, which can be annoying, but it’s a long term budget-friendly option, as makeup wipes can get pretty pricey! It does leave a slight oily residue, but you really should rinse or wash your face after taking off your makeup 🙂 8/10 stars, approximately $8.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water:

This is one of my absolute favorites. I purchased the travel size, and then I even bought the full size, I liked it so much! You can see my full review here, but in short, it’s a wonderful primer, setting spray, and makeup refresher. It makes your skin look hydrated and fresh. It’s easy to use and a very worthwhile purchase! 9/10 stars, approximately $16-$32.

Peripera Ah Much Real Cushion Blusher in Lively Lavender:

This was one of my K-Beauty purchases from Birchbox, and I am absolutely in love with it. It looks so natural, because it’s actually a really pretty light pink, not purple like the name suggests 🙂 The light lavender undertone makes it really flattering on fair skin. It’s fun to apply, compact, comes in adorable packaging, and is relatively budget-friendly. There are also other colors, but for fair to light-medium skin, I recommend this one! 9/10 stars, approximately $16.

Hard Candy ‘Glamoflauge’ Concealer in Ultra Light:

I have a full review on this here, but for those of you who just want a summary, it’s a medium to full coverage concealer that is super thick and creases in dark circles, but is fantastic for blemishes, rosacea, dark spots, tattoos, etc. The shade range is pretty nice, Ultra Light is a really good color for me (I’m extremely pale, and the lightest shade in concealers is usually too dark for me). This is a fantastic, budget friendly concealer that is wonderful for covering up acne spots. 9/10 stars, approximately $7.

Essence All About Vintage Eyeshadow Palette:

This is one of my very favorites. Essence has finally arrived at Target, which makes me very happy (as I shop at Target quite often), and Target has many of Essence’s new items! This palette has green, olive, brown, nude, and gold shades, which is just what I was looking for. It’s really flattering and the colors are easy to work with. The pigmentation is absolutely AMAZING, especially for a drugstore palette, and the colors blend beautifully. Fallout is minimal. I am planning on trying many more of these palettes, probably the Roses palette next. I highly recommend this, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! 9/10 stars, approximately $7.

IPKN Flash Cream Radiance Primer:

I love this! I got it as a sample in my Birchbox and fell in love with it immediately. It can be used as a non-glittery (YAY) highlight or as a primer. I love it for both! (I did find a drugstore dupe for this, which will be the subject of my next Splurge or Save!) This is definitely worthwhile, though, as it makes skin look dewy and fresh without looking shimmery or overly made up. I love the fact that it doesn’t have glitter in it, as most radiance primers tend to have at least a little bit. It’s a really fantastic sample and feels so smooth on the skin. 9/10 stars, approximately $28.

e.l.f. Lip Glow:

This is along the same lines as Dior’s Lip Glow, as well as many other makeup lines with a pH adjusting lip product. It looks extremely pale and sheer in the tube, but when it’s on your lips, it turns into a bright, punchy pink that is perfect for spring. It’s definitely a bit more expensive than most e.l.f. products, but it’s a really nice lipstick and turns into such a pretty color. Definitely glad I picked this up! 8/10 stars, approximately $6-$7.

The Original beautyblender:

Now this has totally transformed my makeup routine! My makeup goes on smoothly, looks natural, and blends flawlessly. I can even blend highlight and contour! I’m obsessed. Yes, I know it’s expensive, but it’s 100% worth it. Birchbox even has a sampler that comes with 4 samples and a beautyblender for only $20 ($50 value), so you’re practically getting the samples for free! It is unfortunately unavailable at the time, but it will hopefully come back! Definitely something that I will continue to purchase, as I haven’t tried anything quite like this wonderful sponge before. 10/10 stars, approximately $20.

That’s it for this post! I did leave out a few products because I am planning to do special posts for them. The products I left out are: NYX Brow Mascara, L’Oreal Magic Lumi Primer, Maybelline Matte Lipstick, Maybelline Matte and Poreless Foundation, and Nivea Men’s Post Shave Balm (yes, it really does work as a primer!).

What did you think of my favorite products this month? Have you tried any of these? If so, what did you think of them? Let me know in the comments!

 

January 2016 Birchbox

Hi everyone!

I’m sorry I haven’t been posting much lately, now all my catch-up posts will be coming at the same time 😛 Anyway, today is my January 2016 Birchbox post! This month’s box was very fun, especially because it came with stickers to customize it! Read on for the review 🙂

I picked the “gratitude” sticker. There are quite a few other options such as “ambition” and “risks.” Let’s get started on the samples!

Harvey Prince “Bailando” Perfume:

First of all, this is a spray bottle, which is great. It’s a somewhat spicy, Oriental-ish scent, with a bit of musk and floral. It’s really nice for evening, and fall/winter. I definitely wouldn’t say it’s a daily, spring scent! Oh well. I do enjoy it, and it’s always nice to have extra perfume samples laying around for special occasions. 6/10 stars. Full size is approximately $28-$57 (there are different sizes).

Eyeko FAT Liquid Eyeliner:

This is a really well pigmented, felt-tip liner. It’s great for beginners but is nice for anyone, as you just sweep it on and go! The line is relatively thick (hence the name, there’s a skinny liquid liner by Eyeko as well). I haven’t worn it throughout the day yet, though I did read some reviews that said that it smudged during the day. I swatched it on my hand, though, and wore it throughout the day – it didn’t smudge or fade through washing my hands and doing everyday activities, so I can’t give you a definite verdict on the smudging 😛 This sample is full-size, which is a great plus! Overall, a nice liner that will get a bit of use. 8/10 stars. $16 full size.

IPKN Radiance Primer: 

This was my sample choice and I am so glad I picked it. It’s a fantastic primer that can even make matte foundations look gorgeous and radiant! It can be used as a glowy, NOT GLITTERY highlighter as well. I was considering getting the full size and then came across a fantastic dupe, watch for my next Splurge or Save post :D! However, I think that it is still a worthwhile purchase, as it is just so beautiful and glowy and smooth. Plus, it’s not glittery! I highly recommend. 10/10 stars, approximately $28 full size.

Shiseido Ultimune Eye Concentrate:

This is a nice sample size but is definitely directed toward an older age group, so it’s not a very good choice for a lot of people (especially with the hefty price tag!). However, it is supposed to help with dark circles, so I am giving it a try! I haven’t noticed a huge difference so far, but I haven’t been using it very consistently. It’s nice to have an eye cream every once in a while, so I like the sample, but I would NEVER purchase the full size (it’s so expensive!). It is a very comfortable serum and comes with quite a bit of product in the sample size. Definitely will use it up! 7/10 stars. Approximately $65 full size.

Whish Body Butter:

I get a lot of lotions and body butters from Birchbox, but I don’t mind, especially with my dry skin! Also, Whish is a new brand I’ve been really wanting to try, so I was pleased to see this in my box. I was hoping for any scent other than the Lavender, which is what I got, but it actually smells pretty good. The scent seems to be floral-y and sweet, mixed with lavender. It’s actually really nice. The sample size is nice but there’s not a lot of product in it. I’d love to try more of Whish’s products, as this pleasantly surprised me. 7/10 stars. Approximately $24 full size.

BONUS SAMPLE: Kerastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte Shampoo

This was my bonus, one-time-use sample. I didn’t include it in the pictures because I already used it 😛 Obviously, for a shampoo, one use isn’t enough to tell if I liked it or not, but it did seem pretty nice. Unfortunately, it’s extremely expensive, so I won’t be purchasing it again. It was nice to see that Birchbox added a bonus sample, though, as I have been subscribing since November! 6/10 stars. Approximately $40 full size.

This month’s Birchbox was pretty nice. I’m going to give it a solid 8 stars. Plus, I love the box design!

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? If so, how did you like this month’s box? Anyone with the same products? Let me know in the comments!

Review: Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Ultra Light

Hey everyone!

So I wanted to give you all a full review on one of my new favorite products, and guess what? It’s under $10! Usually under $7, in fact, depending on where you live. Anyway, it’s the Hard Candy Glamoflauge concealer in “ultra light.” Read on for the review and swatches 😊

I love this concealer. It’s inexpensive, comes in a nicely sized container, comes with a TINY concealer pencil (which nobody uses, but whatever 😜), and covers everything! It does have oil in it, which means that it can clog pores, so if you are extremely acne prone or have very sensitive skin, this may not be a good idea. However, for everyone else, it’s fantastic! It covers well, has a nice shade range (ultra light is actually really light!! 😁) and is very inexpensive. I prefer to mix with my Maybelline Master Conceal (which is a tad too dark and thin) because Glamoflauge is VERY thick and heavy, so mixing it thins it out. I then apply a streak of product over blemishes with a stiff concealer brush and blend with my fingers. A beautyblender would also work. A fluffy concealer brush won’t blend this, as it is too thick. As for dark circles, it can be used if it’s done SPARINGLY. Too much will crease. It’s best for blemishes, birthmarks, rosacea, and tattoos. You can also mix a little bit in with lotion, foundation, or tinted moisturizer for more coverage! All in all, a definite repurchase, though I won’t be running out of it anytime soon! A little goes a long way 😊

You may want to try this if you:

-Have normal/slightly dry/slightly oily skin

-Are looking for a full coverage concealer

-Are looking for a budget friendly product

-Fit into the very light to somewhat deep skin tone range

-Don’t mind blending with fingers

-Are looking for a blemish, rosacea, or birthmark concealer

-Like (or don’t mind) squeeze tube containers

That’s it for this review! Hope it helped 😊

Have you tried this concealer before? If so, how did you like it? What’s your favorite concealer? Let me know in the comments!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water Review

Hi fellow beauty lovers!

I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Smashbox’s Primer Water and decided to share a quick review with you all. Enjoy!

P.S. – Check out my new Instagram! I’ll be posting updates that may not be on here 🙂 my username is red_lip_classic01. I’d love for you to follow me!

Smashbox claims that it can be used as a refresher, setting spray, and/or primer. I’ve used the spray as all of the above, and found that I prefer it as a setting spray or refresher, though it is amazing as a primer as well (I do tend to prefer silicone primers, so I don’t use this as a primer as often). If your foundation is a bit too cakey, spray this on to smooth things out. If you hate silicone primers, spray this on before you apply foundation (it’s silicone and alcohol free). If your face is looking a little flat, spray this on to give you a healthy, dewy glow. Seriously, it makes your face glow without shimmer or highlighter! It doesn’t make you look oily, just dewy. I bought the travel size quite a while ago to give it a try, and I loved it so much that I purchased the full size! I use it almost every day, and I have no need for setting spray or a refresher spray anymore. It’s the perfect product to take on a trip, as it is a fantastic multitasker! I highly recommend this…I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! Price is approximately $16 for the travel size and $32 for the full size.

Have you tried this product? If so, how did you like it? What’s your favorite primer or setting spray? Let me know in the comments!

Splurge or Save? Bronzer Edition: NYC Sunny vs. Benefit Hoola

Hello everyone!

Splurge or Save seems to be a pretty popular post series, so I decided to do another one! This time, I’m comparing two bronzers: cult favorite Benefit Hoola and NYC Sunny. To those of you who don’t know, Splurge or Save is an ongoing post series where I compare a high end product and a drugstore product. I include photos, swatches, and “showdowns” on specific traits, and I give my final verdict (including which I would repurchase and why) at the end. I hope you enjoy!

The Contenders:

Benefit Hoola

NYC Sunny

Price:

Hoola runs about $28 and Sunny is approximately $3. Do we have a winner? I think yes. Sunny wins this round by a mile!

Pigmentation:

Both have good pigmentation, though Hoola has a good deal. Obviously, if you like to build color, more pigmentation can be a con, but for me, it’s a big YAY! It’s easy to swipe, tap off, blend a little, and go, instead of taking time to build up the color. Plus, you use less product! Hoola wins this round.

Packaging:

Hoola is in a pretty, island themed box, which includes a magnetic lid and a brush. Sunny is in a slim, plastic compact. While Sunny DOES have nice packaging, especially for traveling or throwing in your purse, the packaging design of Hoola is a bit better. Some may like Sunny’s compact better, but for me, Hoola’s packaging is superior.

Color:

Anyone with fair or light skin like me who’s tried to search for a bronzer knows that the shades (especially drugstore brands) run orange. Obviously, if you’re trying to contour, orange is not an option! I was so very pleased to see that Hoola was NOT orange. It’s a slightly yellow toned medium brown that looks amazing on fair to light/medium skin. Sunny, on the other hand, is a reddish, slightly orange tan. It’s not as orange as some bronzers, but it does lean that way. Obviously, Hoola wins this one!

Texture:

Both bronzers are surprisingly smooth and easy to apply. Though Hoola is extremely smooth and very pigmented, Sunny is very good quality for a drugstore bronzer, so I’m going to call this round a tie.

Ease of Purchase:

Sunny is in almost any drugstore, department store, or grocery store that sells NYC, as well as on Amazon and other online retailers. Hoola is at Ulta, Sephora, Birchbox, Amazon, and online at a few other retailers. Though Hoola is pretty easy to find, Sunny is definitely easier to purchase, especially for those without an Ulta or Sephora near them. Sunny wins this round!

Ability to Bronze and Contour:

Both Sunny and Hoola work well to warm up your face, though if you have a light skin tone, Sunny may be too orange for you. However, for contouring, Hoola is the only option! Both bronzers are matte, which is hard to find but essential for contouring, but Sunny is too unnaturally colored to be convincing as a bronzer. Hoola blends in with skin, making a convincing shadow under your cheekbones. Hoola definitely wins this round!

The Verdict: 

Sunny: 2 wins

Hoola: 4 wins

Plus 1 tie in texture.

Well, the numbers speak for themselves…Hoola wins! It’s no surprise, though – Hoola is a cult favorite bronzer, thousands of YouTubers, beauty bloggers, and makeup artists love it…even with the $28 price tag! I’m in love with it, and I’m definitely not disappointed that I purchased it! However, beginners, people who just want to warm up their face and don’t mind a slight orange undertone, or those who like to build color may prefer Sunny. It’s certainly a great drugstore dupe for those on s budget! Check out the swatches below to see the colors a bit closer.

Left: Benefit, Right: Sunny

 

Top: Sunny, Bottom: Hoola

How did you like this Splurge or Save comparison? Have you tried either of these bronzers? If so, which did you like better? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. – Keep an eye out for my upcoming January favorites!