Bourjois Bronzing Make Up

As part of their new Summer on the Riviera collection, Bourjois have introduced a new bronzing range consisting of a BB bronzer, mattifying primer, a maxi bronzing powder and a body bronzer mousse for an instant tan with no self tan. I was sent the BB Bronzing Cream and Maxi Bronzer to try out.

The BB Bronzer is designed for people to wear alone, as a BB Cream, with a hint of bronze in it. It combines skincare and bronzing make up to give a healthy, sunkissed complexion, while containing SPF 15. It blends in really smoothly, leaving a lightweight, translucent bronze finish. You can see in the photo below where I rubbed it to on my wrist - so my advice would be to make sure that you blend this well at the edges, and if your neck and decollete are pale, bring the BB Bronzer down to there too.

Unfortunately I don't have the skin to be able to wear this alone - so I have been using it as a primer - it feels really nice on the skin, and the smell is amazing. Chocolate orange yumminess! It doesn't feel sticky or thick, just lovely and adds a little glow and sunshine to my face.

The Maxi Delight Bronzer has 'Maxi' in the title as it's so large. It's the same size as the palm of my hand and is the first maxi format bronzer Bourjois have released. It also has the same chocolatey, orangey smell, with perhaps a hint of coconut too - it oozes summer sun.

It comes in two shades - one for Light / Medium skinned people, and another for Olive / Tanned skin. I was sent the latter, which I probably wouldn't have chosen myself as I am naturally fairly pale, but it didn't seem too OTT when used with a soft brush it left a nice, natural bronzed finished and I didn't notice my face sparkling either which was a bonus!

The bronzer contains golden shimmer - I usually go for matt bronzers, but in the summer I am much more open to them; it just adds to that fresh, radiant feeling. It also contains beta-carotene which will help to prolong your natural tan too.

I'm wearing the BB Bronzer under my foundation and down my neck, with the maxi bronzer swept under my cheekbones, along my temples and the sides of the top of my forehead, then down to my jawline in a '3' shape. I added a touch of bronzer to my collar bone too to give a bit of highlight thanks to the golden pearl extract.

The BB Bronzing Cream is priced at £9.99 and Maxi Delight Bronzer is £8.99 - plus to celebrate the launch, Bourjois are offering a free pair of sunglasses in a polka dot case, along with 3 for 2 on all Bourjois products, until 13th August!

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream

BB creams are all the rage at the moment, so it was no surprise to hear that a top brand like Clinique was bringing their own version out.

The Clinique Age Defense BB Cream has an SPF30 and helps to prevent the premature signs of ageing with UVA and UVB protectants. It has a very lightweight formula but also manages to smooth the skin and hide some imperfections. It seems to have a lot more coverage than all other BB creams I have tried, but without looking any heavier. In fact, to me, it looks as though I am wearing no make up when I wear it - in a effortless kind of way, not a 'daaaamnnn, get that girl some make up' kind of way!

I have quite a lot of scars on my face, and it managed to cover them with ease. At the time of taking the photo below I was having a period of particularly bad skin - apart from the raised spot near my nose, the BB Cream has managed to hide those imperfections.

It wears well through the day without needing to be reapplied and leaves the skin with a nice, naturally dewy kind of finish.

As I am used to wearing a full-on foundation it feels a little strange to me going out feeling so light in the face, so I have taken to wearing it for days I'm not meant to wear make up but am not brave enough to go barefaced - like swimming.

As well as being worn on its own, it can also be used under foundation as a primer to help your foundation last longer - I have enjoyed doing this, knowing that what I am putting on under my (quite heavy) foundation, is doing good to my skin.

It is allergy tested, 100% fragrance free, oil free, dermatologist tested, ophthalmologist tested, Super Gorgeous tested, non-comodegenic and suitable for all skin types. Phew!

It comes in two shades for pink or golden undertones - I used the pink - which is fine for me, but too light (almost white) on my mum who has golden tones - so if you decide to invest, make sure you get the right one for your skin tone.

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream is available exclusively at Harrods and Clinique.co.uk right now, and nationwide at selected Clinique counters from the 2nd March 2012 and is priced at £25 for 40mls.