A multi-purpose crème-to-powder duo featuring a bronzer paired with a blush or highlighter. The bronze shade imparts a natural golden glow, subtly defining and contouring the face. Accent colors of sheer rose (Sunset duo) or champagne beige (Bronze Light duo) warm and illuminate the complexion. Illume’s luxurious vitamin-enriched formula blends seamlessly onto skin without blotching or streaking.
So, the bronzer duo comes in two shades, Sunset, which I have, is a duo of bronzer and a warm pink blush. The Bronze Light duo contains the bronzer (same shade as the Sunset duo) and a champagne beige highlighter.
Originally I picked up the Bronze Light duo because those were the product reviews (and raves) I'd seen. I glanced at the Sunset duo, but I mistakenly thought it was just a deeper version of the Bronze Light. When I got home and realized that the Sunset duo actually contained a blush as opposed to the Bronze Light's highlighter, I immediately exchanged Bronze Light for Sunset.
Let's face it, I'm going to get way more use out of a blush than a highlighter. Sunset is it. ;)
I will admit up front that my expectations for this product were high. I had seen several YouTube gurus whose opinions I respect and generally agree with, rave about this product. (Though both of them did review the Bronze Light duo. You can see GossMakeupArtist's review here and Josh Collier's review here.)
I also felt like I had a good handle on how this product should perform. I already have the Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel gel bronzer, which I love. Like the Hourglass creme-to-powder bronzer, the Chanel bronzer isn't great for contouring. I think it leans too orange on my skintone for that. But for that summer, sun-kissed glow without the sun damage, it's great, even on my pasty pale skin.
(sunlight)
(daybulb)
As for the cream blush, I feel like I've seen a hundred different cream blush formulations and I was curious to see Hourglass's take. I really like the formula a lot. It is incredibly pigmented and while it goes on smooth and creamy, it dries down to a powder finish very quickly and has fantastic staying time. I got a solid 8 hours out of it before it started to fade at all.
(sunlight)
(daybulb)
Overall, I really, really like this product. As usual, the hourglass packaging is so sleek and luxurious feeling. There is a lot of product. The product performs fantastically well and it's paraben and cruelty free. It's a total win, even at this price point.
Hourglass also touts the following benefits for the Illume line:
• Shades illuminate the skin while delivering year-round bronze color
• Stays fresh on skin all day without blotching or streaking
• Vitamins A and E provide moisturizing and antioxidant benefits
• Compact features a mirror that swivels 360°
• Free of oil, wax, parabens, phthalates, sulfates and fragrance
The Illume Creme-to-Powder Bronzer Duo contains 11 grams of product and retails for $40 wherever Hourglass Cosmetics are sold. (I got mine at Sephora).
Overall: 10/10
