Barely-There Bronze? Why Glossier’s Cloud Paint Bronzer May Be the Ultimate Effortless Glow
I’m a real sucker for a blusher or a bronzer. Seriously. It’s the makeup product I’d choose if I could only pick one to wear forever, and I just love the way it elevates the skin and gives a healthy glow.
In the past, I didn’t get on very well with liquid blushers, I found them difficult to blend and I felt like I never really achieved the look I wanted.
But, I’ve recently been testing quite a few of the most viral brands and I *might* have been convinced to move on from my trusty powders and replace them with dewy, creamy blushes like Rhode’s Pocket Blush and Glossier’s viral Cloud Paint Liquid Blushers and Bronzers.
I have combination skin so sometimes I have the occasional dry patches that can be difficult when using liquid or cream blush because the product sticks to the flaky patches so I end up looking blotchy. However, I’ve been seeing some really great result from my skincare routine recently, having finally whittled it down to the best ingredients and products for me, and I’ve discovered that cream blushes have been gliding on.
I’ve seen countless rave reviews for Glossier’s Cloud Paint Bronzers from influencers and beauty editors alike, and I wanted to find out whether the brand’s claim of this being “The most user-friendly blush + bronzer under the sun” were actually true.
Image – Courtesy of writer
The product details
A sequel to their insanely popular Cloud Piant Blushers – a subtle, blendable gel-cream formula launched in 2017 – Glossier’s Cloud Paint Bronzers has been met with the same glowing reviews.
The brand describes them as “a collection of seamless cheek colors in both blush and bronzer shades inspired by golden hour sunsets, so natural it’s like your skin made it.
“Easy to wear and apply, each shade is sheer enough to blend and layer without going overboard.”
This little 10ml tube that’s designed to look like a tube of acrylic paint (so cute!) comes in 5 bronze-y shades (£22 from Glossier UK /$22 from Glossier US).
They’re formulated with collagen, which “Retains a high amount of water (it’s known to be a really effective hydrator!) and leaves cheeks feeling fresh and dewy.” They also contain blurring powder pigments to “Provide a soft, diffused, seamless finish that doesn’t accentuate pores or texture” and the “One-of-a-kind, lightweight gel-cream texture makes for silky, even application.”
So let’s see how easy these really are to apply.
Image – Courtesy of writer
First impressions
I’ll be reviewing the Cloud Paint in shade ‘Dune’ which is described as “a golden tan” and it looks like it will be perfect for my skin tone since I tan very easily and I don’t go super pale in the winter.
The packaging is really cute, it really reminds me of my huge collection of acrylic paints. But, rather than the material of the tube being metal which cracks easily and makes it harder to get the last drops of paint out, the Glossier tube is made out of plastic so it doesn’t lose its shape.
They might be small in size, but when I applied some to the back of my hand it was clear that a little drop goes a long way. The formulation is much thinner than I expected, but when I smoothed it over my hand the texture is creamy without being heavy and the pigment is bright as well as sheer.
There’s a slight scent but it smells just like a moisturiser to me.
Image – Courtesy of writer
My results
Because the formula is thinner than I expected, I made sure to not squeeze the tube too hard when I was putting it onto the back of my hand to apply to my face. It’s a glossy, sheer formula and the shade ‘Dune’ really is a lovely bronze colour that’s perfect for my skin tone.
I dotted some onto the top of my cheekbones, which is where I usually apply my blusher and bronzer, and dabbed it into my skin making sure to bring it up to my hairline and temples for a natural glow.
I found dabbing and VERY gently smoothing this over my cheekbones was really easy, and I didn’t experience any pilling or patchiness. This is a huge plus for me because I find some liquid or cream formulas that end up looking blotchy on my combination skin.
The colour payoff is natural but it gives a really nice glow, and once it had dried on my skin there was no flaking.
Before and after application. Image – Courtesy of writer
What other users are saying
Over on the Glossier website, this liquid bronzer has some pretty glowing reviews. One user says “Colour is incredible and really well pigmented. Multi-use as a blush, liquid eyeshadow and lip tint. Really recommend the shade Eve as it gives a rosy cheeked natural flush look.”
While another says “Puff has been the cutest baby pink color on me. Cloud Paint is tried and true, a staple I keep coming back to for formula and pigment”.
However, some have commented on the smaller tube size, saying “I love this blush so much, for a fair skin is not too bright, it looks so natural and makes me look extra healthy and glowing! I wish it came in a bigger packaging tho :'(”
Another user found the product didn’t last long on their skin “It’s so pretty and easy to use, the problem is that it doesn’t last on my skin, not even an hour and the color is gone :(”
@hannahjuneva glossier cloud paints are the key to my heart ?? loving the new bronzing shades #glossier #cloudpaint #glossiercloudpaint
Overall value for money
Considering this lasted for a good few hours on the skin, I think it’s worth £22.00 – especially since a little goes a very long way. It gives a sheer – but deep enough – colour and a slight dewiness that I really like.
I haven’t seen many alternatives to this product, especially cheaper ones. Many people like Saie’s Dew Bronze Soft-Focus Sculpting Liquid Bronzer (£20.00 from Cult Beauty UK /$25 from Sephora US) which is slightly cheaper and comes in a larger (though not by much) 12ml bottle.
The takeaway
I really like this product! I enjoyed using it, it applies easily and it dries seamlessly. I like the glow and colour it gives my cheeks, and I’d be interested to see if it would work well as an allover tint for extra bronzy-ness.
I was pleasantly surprised that the formula was thinner – I think I was imagining an acrylic paint texture – because this made it much easier to apply and smooth over the skin.
Although I never usually spend over £20.00 on blusher or bronzer, I would repurchase this for its ease of use and reults.
Get Glowing!
