There’s been a bit of a theme this week…blur, blur and blur. It feels like every product that landed on my desk lately is trying to soften, smooth or airbrush its way into my routine, and I’m kind of here for it.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Bronzer
The texture is what wins here. It blends so easily - no harsh edges, no patchiness, and it doesn’t cling to dry patches or set unevenly.
But I do wish the shades had more warmth. Everything leans quite cool toned, which is great if that suits your skin tone, but personally I’d love to see a bit more golden undertone in the mix. But, if you want a bronzer that doesn’t go muddy then this is one of the better launches I’ve tried in a while.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Contour Stick
Same texture family - smooth, creamy, very blendable. I don’t have to work hard to make it melt into the skin, which is rare for contour sticks. You don’t get that heavy, sculpted look, it’s more of a natural shadow, which I love.
The downside is the shade range. There are only four shades, and again, most of them lean cool. I get that contour = shadow = cool undertone, but some variation would help out us darker skin girls. Also, the packaging could do with a bit of a glow up. It doesn’t feel quite as sleek or premium as it could. To me…aesthetics matter at that price point.
Tarte Shape Tape Blur Concealer Stick
I didn’t expect to like this as much as I do. It’s nourishing, smooth, and not nearly as drying as the original Shape Tape (which, let’s be honest, can feel like cement if you don’t prep properly). This one’s way more forgiving - more hydration, and a natural finish.
It gives that blurred under-eye look without going full filtered, which I actually prefer. It makes you look more rested.
That’s what’s been on my desk this week and clearly, everyone’s in their blurring era. I’m not mad at the trend if it means softer skin, fewer harsh lines, and formulas that actually work with your face instead of sitting on top of it.
I REALLY am digging the blur trend (especially for my textured skin). But I just cant get into the blurred lip look (like we see on the Korean models). Actually, I cant even seem to pull that off! I like a defined & slightly buffed lip line.
I recently bought Flower Knows Embossed Highlight & Contour palette precisely because it is cool (gray) and not bronze because shadows are gray & not bronze, so it would be more natural. That it is, & for the nose & under the chin and around the forehead, perhaps it is better than bronzer—-but I do have to agree with Nina—-it is very pale & makes me look a bit washed out. Perhaps we need to work with both for contouring. I defer to Nina, the makeup artist (which I am not yet) to advise.