theBalm Desert Bronzer Is Just OK

theBalm Desert Bronzer gets a “meh” from me.

Blonzer (noun), definition: a blush and bronzer combination that brings warmth and a flush of color to the cheeks. That bronzed, sun kissed, just-got-back-from-the-beach glow has become more and more popular. theBalm Desert Bronzer accomplishes just that: warming up your complexion while giving a flush of color. Butt, I can’t say this is my favorite blush/bronzer/blonzer I’ve ever tried.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(3.5)

:theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush

Price: $21.00

0.23 oz

Value

(4.5)

Application

(4)

Finish

(3.8)

Longevity

(3.6)

Extra Benefits

(1.5)

Industry Standard

(4.1)

:Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer

Price: $35.00

0.28 oz

Value

(4.1)

Application

(4.5)

Finish

(4.5)

Longevity

(4)

Extra Benefits

(3.6)

_{Our Rating Criteria}

Promises vs. Performance: There’s not many claims, so how will it do?

theBalm Desert Bronzer is a blush and bronzer in one, a blonzer if you will. It gives cheeks a kiss of color as if you just got back from the pool. Balm Desert features a “staining powder” that creates a fade resistant, long wearing formula. I’m not sure I had ever used a staining powder before, so I was excited to see what that was about.

Upon opening this product, it definitely looked like more of a bronzer than anything to me. It is a brownish, medium-tone color that didn’t look like it’ll add any pinky or peach hues to my cheeks. Even when applying, I felt the same. I like peachy/pink cheeks, and this product did not deliver. As a bronzer though, it is a nice neutral shade that could work for fair to light skin tones. It reminds me of a subtle contour shade even. I don’t see this product working for darker skin tones as the pigment fades away easily and it is a lighter shade.

It does blend in easily and seamlessly over other cheek products. This particular shade doesn’t give me much warmth, but it added a subtle definition to my cheeks. It isn’t anything crazy in pigment by any means, but it gives a pretty natural look. There’s no shimmer in the formula, which I appreciate. Though, it isn’t as long wearing as I expected from a “staining powder” formula. It wore well for the first five or six hours, but then slowly started to fade away.

How theBalm Desert Bronzer Compares: There’s better cheek products in prograde beauty.

Y’all, there are just so many good bronzers and blushes (and blonzers) on the market. theBalm’s Balm Desert isn’t the worst I’ve tried, but I think there are better performers out there. This one gave me natural, subtle definition, but not a ton of warmth I’d want out of a bronzer. As a blush, it didn’t give my cheeks that flushed look either. Though, the formula is solid. It blends easily and seamlessly onto cheeks without looking patchy.

With over 20 years of accolades, there is a bronzer that still reigns one of the best: Hoola Bronzer. This classic from Benefit Cosmetics comes in a little square, cardboard box that is truly iconic. Hoola is a finely-milled powder that is blendable, buildable, and long wearing. It is a bit more spendy at $35, but you get a bronzer that works with any makeup base, and it comes in multiple shade for different skin tones.