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Physicans Formula Healthy Wear Bronzer: A Trifecta of Skin Lurving Benefits?

by 62 Comments

Well bake me biscuits, and cover me in gravy!

[Sorry, I’ve been re-watching True Blood: Season 1]

Now here I go being all wrong about bronzers… I always thought they were for adding a warm, almost-tanned look to skin. Not true, says Physicians Formula, or rather, that’s not all they can do.

New Healthy Wear Bronzer gives a sun-kissed glow but couples it with healthful skin benefits.

The new line of powdered bronzers includes four $15 shades — pricey for drugstore makeup — but PF claims that’s because you get a bunch of bells and whistles with ’em too:

  • SPF 50: As in non-greasy, mineral-based (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) SPF 50 sunscreen to keep you aging gracefully
  • Antioxidants: To help repair UV damage
  • Skin brighteners: Namely licorice extract and tomato derivatives, to brighten skin and diminish the appearance of sun/age spots

So, how do they do ya?

Well, I’ve been using the Medium shade (a warm, orangey brown with a dainty shimmer) for about a week, which is probably not enough time to gauge much beyond the makeup’s appearance. I can’t say I’ve seen signs that the good-for-your-skin stuff is working, but I do think the shade itself gives my skin a lovely natural glow.

More notes on the “makeup” of the makeup…

  • Texture: Fast absorbing, finely milled and soft. Based on touch it, it could pass for department store bronzer
  • Wear time: Once it’s on, it’s ON. Water-resistant and absorbs oil fantastically
  • Flexibility: As far as the Medium shade, it’s a touch darker than my NC35 skin, which has made it great for subtle contouring, and when the sun’s out every day in the summer, maybe it’ll work as an all-over face powder, too (OOH!).
  • Packaging: Orange and hot pink? I mean, come on! Even writing the words makes me grin. 🙂

The jury’s out on whether or not Healthy Wear’s healthy benefits justify the higher-than-usual drugstore cost, but as a straight-up bronzer, I think it works pretty darn well. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Glee!!

OMG! OMG! OMG! Please say I’m not the only one crazy stoked about the season premiere of Glee tonight?? I’m counting down the minutes (every one of them!). 🙂

How was your Tuesday? I hope it passed without too much drama.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Well I just watched glee, and I have to say it was an amazing episode!! Rachel and the new boy- so cute. I loved the songs in it too- how’d you like it Karen?
    I’m definitely excited for this bronzer- I’ve been looking for a new one and one with spf 50 is definitely going to make me try it out.

    Reply

    • Hi Hannah,

      I have mixed feelings about this ep. I felt like it was kind of rushed, like they wanted to jam pack a bunch of stuff in. I did like the addition of the new guy — boy can sing!!

      Reply

  4. I usually don’t like orange toned bronzers, but this looks so natural and glowy on you. spf 50 is impressive for a bronzer! I’ve only seen Season 1 Episode 1 of Glee, and I wasn’t really feeling it. I heard it grows on you quickly though
    .-= makeup morsels’s last blog post… Best Bargain Buys: Face =-.

    Reply

    • Hi Marie,

      Here I used it to contour my cheeks, along the edges of my forehead, down the bridge of my nose and around the outside of my face. LOL… I might as well have put it all over my face!

      Reply

  6. Gah! Glee was tonight? I’ll be watching as soon as it’s on Hulu! 😉

    Might try out the light bronzer, or maybe if they come out with a pressed (regular) powder! Love all the fabulous perks, and a high-SPF powder is perfect for reapplying sunscreen every few hours in hotter weather!

    Reply

  8. Just finished Glee. I thought it was airing on the 20th of April so I was super surprised today! Finally, something good to watch on Tuesdays.
    Being in Canada, prices are jacked up in all departments of luxury! Buuut I realized this Sunday that Physicians Formula is cheapest at Wal Mart compared to local Canadian drugstores/grocery stores (by atleast $5!).
    I wish I hadn’t of bought the Physicians Formula Bronze Gems bronzer, it’s not very good and now I want to try this one!

    Reply

  12. Oh wow @ that bronzer. I dont know if I should rush over to CVS STAT or resist because I want the Chanel duo so bad. LOL.

    Yay for GLEE !!! It was awesome …. and Rachel’s outfits (and Emma’s too) were sooooo cute! Plus … my <3 Kurt was so, so, so adorable!!!! Woohooo!!!

    Reply

      • Weird wasnt it? The VA teacher is Idina Menzel and I never thought that she looked like Rachel til now!!!

        Weirdness huh!!!!

        Reply

      • Totally weird! I wonder if it was intentional.

        BTW, I love the Glee kids and all, but I wouldn’t mind being part of Vocal Adrenaline, I can’t lie.

        Reply

  13. I only caught the last twenty minutes of Glee and hot damn! I’m definitely going to be watching the whole thing today on Hulu! I’m so excited for next week’s Madonna episode!

    Reply

      • I have faith in them – I saw a clip of Rachel singing Like a Virgin and I got chills! I love her voice.

        I LOVE Sue Sylvester! That video was hilariously awesome, definitely a highlight of my night!

        I’m so glad its back, its definitely one of my favorite shows!

        Reply

      • NO way! I have to see if I can find it. Like a Virgin was my jam when I was eight, ha ha ha…

        Did you happen to notice how the Vocal Adrenaline coach looked like a grown up version of Rachel?

        Reply

        • Yeah, it was just in a trailer but it was so good! I can’t wait until its available on iTunes!

          Oh, wow, I didn’t even catch that! I wonder if thats on purpose?

          Reply

          • Oh, wow, I didn’t even think about that. I just thought it was creepy when Jesse was kissing Rachel while looking at her!

            Also, I just re-watched the Vogue video and she changed one of the lyrics to “Will Schuster, I hate you!” in the middle of the song… I seriously think she’s one of my favorite characters!

          • Totally creepy. I knew he was up to something the second he opened his mouth to sing “Hello,” LOLOL… well, at least this way Finn is gonna have to fight for his woman.

            Sue is HILARIOUS. She has the best lines!

          • I know! I’m so excited to have Finn pursue Rachel! I also loved her singing an awesomely bitter song at him. And the entire group knowing it…

            No doubt Jesse is up to no good. One of the previews shows him challenging Finn to a fight, I’m so excited!

            Oh god, every week the lines get better!

  15. I need a good bronzer for the summer, since my skin doesn’t really tolerate the sun. Thanks for the review!

    Reply

  16. Oh, I missed Glee last night, unintentionally! The TV listings had it buried so I didn’t see it until today… oops! We can’t use Hulu in Canada so I’ll try to find the ep on the ‘net.

    *reminds herself to watch Ugly Betty tonight at 10*

    Reply

  17. h’m…doesn’t it cost just about as much as MAC Blunt? PF needs to slash the price a bit more, I don’t think the “benefits” sound like it could out do the quality of MAC!

    Reply

    • Hi Cassidey,

      I haven’t seen the darkest shade, Tan, in person yet. I’m guessing though, that it will probably be dark enough for you, as the Medium shade is pretty dark.

      Reply

  19. Did you dress up to match the compact? You know, the pink park lol.

    For a drugstore bronzer, it’s kind of on the pricier side. And I think I should stay away from talc as much as possible.

    Anyway, the wait is over! I watched Glee last night and it was pretty dramatic for a comeback episode. I can’t wait till next Tuesday!
    .-= Rica’s last blog post… WLC week 4 wrap up =-.

    Reply

  21. If this didn’t have talc I would definitely buy it. Just the idea of it is amazing. I haven’t heard of too many powders with this high of SPF and certainly not at the drugstore. Why PF couldn’t you have just foregone the talc? I know you can do it since you do it so successfully in so many other products.
    .-= knownever’s last blog post… Candied Almonds =-.

    Reply

  22. i’m on the east cost (CVS heavy area), but i found an in-store coupon on the box that’s for $5 off. for $10, i totally bought it to try it out.

    Reply

  25. oh this is very interesting. i have to check it out. it looks really natural and lovely on you.
    by the way, my blog roll went wonky for months and i deleted a lot of blog that weren’t blogspot and yours went along with it. 🙁 but now i am back on track and i added you, finally! it was hell for me. but i am glad i am back.
    .-= jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)’s last blog post… Review: Dr. Hauschka Lipsticks (01 Amoroso, 02 Legato, 03 Giocoso, 04 Mezzoforte, 06 Fortissimo, 07 Adagio, 09 Dolce, 11 Effetuoso) =-.

    Reply

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