Because Even Brown Girls Need the Bronze

So there have been many times in my life when I have been accused of being "too white". I used to get really offended and try to defend myself against it but now that I'm older it just doesn't bother me too much; possibly because it's the dumbest thing I've ever heard and partly because it's partly true. I mean I grew up in London, Ontario listening to Kiss and The Cure and Depeche Mode, it's bred into me and I can't escape it.

One way in which I am definitely a white girl is that I loooove tanning. Loves it! I think everyone looks better with a tan and though I would never advise anyone to sit out in the sun to get one, I do occasionally (read: every weekend in the summer) sit outside and bake myself to a reddish-bronze crisp.

But in the winter I rely on products to bring me that glow. I'm going to review two different products today that are clearly designed for white girls and give you the scoop.

Bronze is a difficult thing for the DDD's because there are a lot of products out there that just aren't dark enough to make a difference. And if you're a cheapo like me you'll try every damn one in the drugstore until you give up and accept the fact that you're going to have to pay a premium if you want a good one. (hey is that racism?).

Which brings us to product #1, Lorac's Hot Flash. It's actually a blush/bronzer duo and according to their site, whether you wear it as a duo or individually "this is the one product that will give you that fresh, healthy, beachy look…instantly". It comes in two colour combinations, “Hot Flash” (pink shimmer/ bronze shimmer) and “Hot & Spicy” (peach shimmer/ bronze shimmer). We're talking about "Hot Flash" today.


I lusted after this thing for years before I finally broke down and bought it. At $28.50 it's a bit pricey for my blood. (I am such a cheapass!). It's turned out to be pretty good.I really like the bronzer side; although it's very very pigmented and a bit too dusty for my taste, it gives a nice natural glow that truly makes me look sunkissed.

The problem, however, is the blush. In the pan it looks awesome, a perfect bright pink with silvery shimmer that seems like it will mix well with the very warm bronzer. But on my face, yeah not so much. It comes out looking more silvery (and therefore chalky) than pinky on me. In fairness, I've only used this with crapass Quo brushes so it may have been just that; but I've stopped even attempting to use the blush side because it totally ruins the effect of the bronzer. Now I just layer another blush over it instead. But that makes it kind of a waste of money as this product is not cheap. I'm going to try it tomorrow now that I own a decent blush brush (Sonia Kashuk) and see if that helps, but to be honest I don't hold out much hope.

Also in fairness I also have to say that I was advised by the SA at Sephora to mix the two together in the pan and then apply them, but I don't like the idea of that. It's so...untidy. And I prefer to layer. But maybe doing that would have made a difference. I don't know and I can't promise to try it and update you because I don't want to mix them.

Anyway, rambling on way too long about this and we still have another product to cover so the wiwfm verdict on this is...yes, but... (as in, yes as a bronzer but no as a blush). Still worth the money in my opinion because good glowy bronzers are hard to find.

Ok on to product #2. Benefit's Jiffy Tan:
According to Benefit's site, Jiffy Tan is not a sunless tanner, it's "Your instant tanner in a tube. Create a slenderizing illusion... a tanner you is a sleeker you! This lightweight, tinted body lotion goes on evenly, won't streak, and stays put for instant tanification. The red currant scent and subtle shimmer will make you want to jiffy tan daily! Washes off easily with soap and water."

Get it? It's a tinted lotion so the colour appears instantly and only lasts until you wash it off.

I personally love this product, though a lot of people hate it. I use it all over when I'm going out and want to look extra bronzed. It has little shimmer particles in it (gold shimmer I might add, that's a big plus when you're a DDD because silver shimmer can look chalky) so it gives you a nice glow. I also like to use it to emphasize my ab muscles if I'm wearing a shorter shirt; You just draw a line with it in the creases between your muscles and it makes them look even more defined. Even if you don't have muscles you can just draw a line where they should be and you'll look more toned. That must be what they mean when they call this slenderizing because it damn sure doesn't tone or tighten you in any other way.

The good thing about this product is that it's a nice deep brown so it will show up on any fair to medium toned ladies.
The wiwfm verdict on this one is yes!