u/PatsyStonesBun

I need to find a replacement for the bronzers I picked up in the Sephora Sale: the Saie Sun Melt Cream Bronzer. I go for ultra-natural, sun-kissed, no-makeup-makeup looks with dewiness/glow/radiance.

Ideally, I'm looking for a couple of bronzer options that...

• Have shades that will work for tan/medium complexions (they'll need some warmth!)
• Are radiant, glowy or satin (absolutely no matte finishes!)
• If glowy, they do not have glitter, metallics or visible shimmer
• Are not dramatically pigmented, but can be built up (if it's gonna look like mud the second the brush hits my skin, it's too pigmented)
• Can easily be diffused, spread, distributed with a brush
• Play well with sheer to light coverage skin tints like Glossier, Summer Fridays, Armani Golden Hour

There seem to be so many good options at Sephora. Since the Saie didn't work out, I want to instead focus on powder, liquid and balm-like sticks. I might pick one from each of those categories to trial. But even picking just one is so difficult.

The reason I'm moving on from the Saie Sun Melt Cream Bronzer: two fold. Firstly, I feel like it's more challenging than I anticipated to build up subtly. What I mean is if you want just the tiniest wisp of bronzed tan it can work well, but if you want to dial that coverage up just the tiniest bit, it gets more challenging. It can go from ultra sheer to a little too heavy too easily. And, the cream texture is probably too dense or stiff to give me this ultra-natural, diffused look I'm going for. It's especially challenging to blend this one in naturally at my hairline.

Please weigh in! And, I'm a detail oriented person. Don't be afraid to share the "why" behind your positive or negative reviews of any of these. If you had to pick one from each of these 3 categories, which would it be? And, of course, let me know if there's something I missed.

Pictured above...

POWDER BRONZERS:

• Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Creamy Bronzing Powder
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer
• Gucci Beauty Sun-Kissed Glow Powder Bronzer

LIQUID BRONZERS:

• Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops
• Saie Dew Bronze Soft-Focus Liquid Bronzer
• MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Bronzing & Shaping Serum

BALM-STYLE BRONZING STICKS:

• Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick
• Dior Forever Skin Bronze Bronzing Balm Stick
• Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer

(Edited to add: I should note: the Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer Cream Bronzer is not an option here. It's a beautiful formulation and totally ticks a lot of my boxes, but, the shade range doesn't work with my complexion. The Medium one vanishes on my skin and the shade darker than that shows up, yes, but runs too cool/grey on my medium/tan complexion. I know this one is popular and should hit my brief.)

Last week, I posted asking about a variety of body oils and body care products at Ulta. I was on the hunt for oils, lotions, balms/butters and body washes that were deeply hydrating and, preferably, had bright, citrus-forward, unisex spa-like fragrances. I loathe sweet scents and I also don't go for overly musky scents.

No surprise, one that folks kept recommending was OSEA. I made it in to Ulta today and got to do some sniff and skin patch tests of a few options, including those from OSEA.

I tried the body oil, the body lotion and the body butter from OSEA. My initial impression was... love at first sniff. I instantly got that bright, zingy, citrus note.. it was exactly what I'd been after. It was instant "spa day".

Personally, I don't think the oil is for me. It just felt too thick and tacky. And, I did take care to spritz my hand with water before applying the oil. I know it's probably better on fully damp skin, but the amount of tack suggested to me that some of that textural quality would remain even after the skin had fully dried.

But, I LOVED the textural experience of the body lotion and the body butter. Both luxurious and rich in texture, but not greasy or tacky.

I decided to pick those two up and the accompanying OSEA body wash. But something kinda curious happened on the drive home. Within an hour of initially applying the products to my hands, the scent shifted. It's like the citrus evaporated and, then, what I can only describe as a fermented scent dominated and took over... almost like kombucha. It wasn't a noxious scent, but I wouldn't say I loved it either. More than anything, I missed that bright, zingy citrus opening that seemed to have largely vanished.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Do you experience this, too? And, if so, with which particular OSEA products? Could it just be the way the testers perform after oxidizing?

Right now I'm hesitant to open up the body lotion and body butter. I know you can return opened products to Ulta, but I hate wasting. I'm feeling a little better about opening up the body wash since that will be washed off and, presumably, the initial zing of the citrus will be dominant during showering.

I didn't have time to try everything else from my list out, but I did try...

Saltair's Driftwood line and, candidly, I found it disappointing for an intentionally fragranced product. The bergamot was hardly present and, overall, the scent was so faint and indistinct. It didn't feel... intentional. It was so wishy-washy... like left over remnants of a couple of different fragrances they just chucked together. I could only sniff test, not test out texturally.

Although unscented, I LOVED the skin feel of the Morrocan Oil Dry Body Oil. Unlike the OSEA body oil, it didn't feel thick and tacky. It just glided over my skin so seamlessly. But, oof, the price point. I think I need to examine the label and figure out if there are less costly dupes out there before I commit to that one! If I could get the skin feel of the Morrocan Oil Dry Body Oil with the initial scent of the Osea Body Oil, I'd be in heaven!

I also got to sample the Midnight Amber line from Pattern. Specifically, the body lotion and body cream. Both of them had a lovely texture. My skin instantly felt nourished and hydrated and silky soft. The scent wasn't quite for me. Per the name, the amber notes were quite dominant. And other notes of suede and patchouli felt far more dominant than any citrus. I didn't really smell any bergamot at all. If you like warm amber/suede/patchouli, you'll love this one!

This MAC one’s been hitting my FYP recently. Some people are describing it as more of a face tint with buildable coverage and a radiant finish.

Similarly I’m super intrigued about the Shiseido foundation which I’m reading is supposedly formulated to give a genuine “lit from within” glow instead of just a surface level sheen.

Has anyone tried either of them? I wish Sephora stocked them so I could swatch in person. I wonder why they don’t.

How would you describe the coverage and the finish? And how would you describe the skin feel? I’m sick of skin tints and foundations that feel great going on but get dry and tight or sticky and tacky after they dry down (often due to film formers and other ingredients.)

Pictured:

MAC Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation

Shiseido REVITALESSENCE SKIN GLOW Foundation SPF 30

I recently started using the Glossier Skin Tint and I think it might be my new HG. So many skin tints are basically medium coverage foundations masquerading as such. This is a legitimate skin tint with sheer to light coverage that lets some of my natural color come through. I love that it’s dewey but not oily looking and I especially appreciate that it feels like skincare… both as it’s applied AND after it dries down. So many skin tints that I’ve tried feel good initially but get dry and tight or sticky and tacky as they dry down.

But, as we all know, nothing is permanent in the beauty world. Formulations change, brands get acquired so, having a back up or two is not a bad idea.

I’m curious if the Glossier skin tint is also your HG, what are your runners up?

I’m still doing some exploring but right now mine would probably be the Summer Fridays skin tint and the Armani Golden Hour skin tint.

Lately I’ve been on the hunt for new body care products (body washes, oils, balms, moisturizers) that are deeply hydrating and nourishing for the skin and that have more elevated, citrusy spa-like, unsweet scents.

A few products from Pattern made my shortlists but they were low down on my lists. So the likelihood of me trialing them soon at Sephora was pretty slim given the 5 or 6 products ahead of them on my lists that I wanted to trial first.

I’m so glad I ended up browsing Pattern’s official site and and seeing that they sold these ultra small travel size sample packets for just a few bucks. I don’t know if it was a limited time special but they even offered free shipping with just three of these little packets being ordered. To me that is really smart product marketing because, as a laid off brand marketing director, let me tell you, it is costly to acquire new customers! So it’s smart to just eat the cost of shipping on the sample packets and potentially acquire a new customer.

If Cyklar, Osea, Saltair, Salt & Stone, Necessaire etc were offering the same, I’d have taken advantage on a couple of them, too!

Now, in my case, it may not work out. I may hate each of these products from Pattern and not want to explore anything from the brand further, but it was lower risk for me as the customer, there was less potential product and packaging waste than there is when we return partially used full size products to Sephora, and there was a potential big upside for the brand.

Made me think it’s kind of dumb that other brands aren’t doing this more often. I mean other brands are obviously producing sample sizes to be gifts with purchase and free rewards add-ons. Why not sell them at moderate prices and throw in free shipping as part of your customer acquisition cost? But what do I know? If I knew what I was doing I would be gainfully employed instead of giving unsolicited Ted Talks on r/Sephora. 🤷‍♀️

Mr. Ta, out of curiosity, what *exactly* did you say to your product development team when concepting your concealer?

🗣️ “I want a beautiful, luminous, smooth, natural skin-like foundation… but I want it to smell like a maple syrup factory in Burlington!”

🙋🏾‍♀️🤵🏻 👩🏻‍💻“Great idea, Patrick! And do you want that fragrance to fade quickly?”

🗣️ “No! I want it to linger for hours. Like the scent of a long-forgotten half-eaten stack of pancakes wafting up from your table at Hamburger Mary’s Drag Brunch.”

💃🏻 🤵🏻 👩🏻‍💻“Say no more, Boss! More syrup, boys!”

I’ve been seeing this brand on my feed for a couple years. As a theatre kid it kinda warms my heart seeing two West End actors have this very successful side-hustle. I wouldn’t be surprised if they earn a hell of a lot more from this business than they did on the London stage.

Anyway, they have a few intriguing sounding products. And the scent profiles sound right up my alley. I hate gourmands and always prefer gender neutral spa-like scents… which is what these sound like.

I’ve never tried a deodorant in balm form but I’m intrigued. They have a discovery set I’m eyeing.

Anyone tried their Balm Deodorant or their concentrated Body Wash? If so, what’s the tea? Does a balm formulated deodorant actually make sense? It sounds odd to me. And what’s the story on the body wash? It’s supposedly so concentrated that you only use a tiny amount. Does that really work? Do you get enough of a lather to have a shower?

This new (to me at least) K-Beauty body care brand started hitting my TikTok feed recently. I was happy to see they're stocked at Ulta. It seems like every time I blink, Ulta has a new K-Beauty brand!

Has anyone tried any of their products? I've been on the hunt for hydrating and moisturizing body care that features gender-neutral, bright, citrus-forward spa-like scents. It seems like sickly sweet gourmands (no offense, Gourmand Girlies) dominate the body care space.

On paper, at least, it seems like VOESH might fit the bill. But so many body care products that sound great on paper end up disappointing. Has anyone tried their products? I'm especially interested in hearing about...

• Nourishing Body Blam
• Resurfacing Sugar Body Scrub
• Glow Shower Filter (for filtering hard water and adding their scents to your shower... that's different!)

These aren't of interest to me, personally, but, they also have... a hand balm, a gua sha cleansing bar, a body buffing bar for KP, a soap bar saver with exfoliating pad, and a "Tone'd" Firming body massage roller creme (which seems a bit gimmicky to me... you aren't going to "tone" your body with a massager and a cream... just get a gym membership, y'all!),

If you've tried any of these, tell us more about the scent, the skin feel, the effectiveness of the formulation. Especially interested in the Bergamot & Neroli scented products!

Doesn't look like they have a body oil or milky toner... that would be a nice addition... if the scents are actually nice!

Y'all are always so helpful when I ask for suggestions. I'm in the market for a new precleanse oil and, for days with heavier makeup/sunscreen, a balm.

I currently use the Dermalogica Precleanse Oil. It works very well, but I'm moving on for two reasons.. the cost per oz is ridiculous and the scent is off. I used to like the spa-like scent of the oil, but, lately, it's been smelling a bit "skunky" to my nose. I even exchanged it for a fresh one in case I had a bad one and experienced the same thing.

I have normal/dry skin, but I do not want a hydrating/moisturizing product. I do a ton of hydration and moisturization (multiple toners, essences, lotions, creams, spf)... I don't need/want my cleansing products to double as a moisturizer. In fact, I recently trialed the hydrating cleanser (main cleanser, not oil) and precleanse balm from my HG gentle daily cleanser. Both are formulated with hydrating, moisturizing and barrier-supporting ingredients, which sounded great on paper, but in reality, leaves a film on the skin. I want to precleanse and cleanse and feel nothing left behind on my skin.

I also don't need a precleanse oil or balm to handle other issues like brightening, pore refining, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation etc. I have actives for that stuff in my routine already.

I actually like fragrance, so am open to products that have bright, fresh, non-sweet spa-like scents, but it's not a requirement. I am sticking with my regular gentle daily cleanser, so just focused on the pre-cleansers today.

The #1 oil on the list right now is the Roundlab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil and the #1 balm is the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm. I use multiple products from both of these brand that I absolutely love and the formulations seem ideal for my brief. 100% open to alternative not on my list, too!

Also on the list (pictured above) are...

Oils

• TONY MOLY I’m Rice Makeup Melting Cleansing Oil
• ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Facial Oil
• Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover
• ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
• SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

Balms

• Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
• ma:nyo Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
• FARMACY Green Clean Cleansing Balm
• Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
• Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm

Longshot, but does anyone have specific brand or product recommendations for hydration/moisturization body oils that have more gender neutral or masculine-leaning fragrances?

When I was traveling recently, my hotel had this body oil that you were to apply to damp skin post-shower, before you fully dried off. I'd never used a body oil before and figured it would leave my skin way too greasy, but I've since learned that the right formulation of the right oils will actually sink into the skin and help lock in the hydration without leaving your feeling greasy.

There are a ton of these types of body oils sold at Sephora and Ulta... dozens of them. But most of the fragrances are decidedly feminine leaning... gourmands seem to have taken over the beauty world. I don't know why so many women want to smell like they've been bathing in buttercream frosting, but, more power to them.

I don't like scents that are remotely sweet. Even a hint of vanilla, sugar, tropical mango etc. is going to turn me off.

I'm going to be drawn to scents that are bright, fresh and gender-neutral... your bergamots, eucalyptus, aquatic notes etc. If I smell like I just came from a bougie spa day... that's the ticket!

I know that a moisturizing body oil won't take the place of actual fragrance products (whether colognes, body sprays, body oils etc.), but, even a faint fragrance from the moisturizing body oil lingering would be nice. Any suggestions?

I'm open to indie sellers on TikTok Shop and Etsy, too. Doesn't have to be a huge brand like Osea or Cyklar.

I'm in the market for my first ever body oil. I want one that is deeply hydrating and moisturizing. That can be applied on damp skin after a shower. That will not feel heavy or very greasy. That will not have any shimmer/glittery pieces.

And, that will have gender neutral spa-like scents. Think bergamot, herbs, woodsy, aquatic/sea salt. But I can't do anything remotely sweet. No gourmands, no vanillas, no sugary sweet tropical fruit medleys.

I think I identified some of the best ones available, but I'm having decision paralysis.

Would love to hear first hand recommendations or critiques. Influence/deinfluence me on any of these. Feel free to tell me about any that match my brief that didn't make my initial list. I might treat myself to two at the most, so I need help narrowing it down!

I wish Cyklar made their body oil or balm in the Bergamot Bond scent, but I guess that one's not popular enough? I've never smelled the Naked Neroli, but it seems closest to my brief.

Pictured:

• Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki Body Oil
• CYKLAR Naked Neroli Vitamin C Body Oil With Ectoin
• PATTERN Nourishing Body Oil With Coconut & Avocado Oil in Midnite Amber
• OUI the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss Oil with Squalane (Orange Blossom)
• Hanni Good Aura Weightless Body Oil
• L'Occitane Soothing and Firming Almond Supple Skin Oil
• Nécessaire The Body Oil Grapefruit – Multi-Nutrient Treatment Oil With Peptides, Ceramides + Omegas
• Patrick Ta Major Glow High Shine Nourishing Body Oil

I'm in the market for my first ever body oil. I want one that is deeply hydrating and moisturizing. That can be applied on damp skin after a shower. That will not feel heavy or very greasy. That will not have any shimmer/glittery pieces.

And, that will have gender neutral spa-like scents. Think bergamot, herbs, woodsy, aquatic/sea salt. But I can't do anything remotely sweet. No gourmands, no vanillas, no sugary sweet tropical fruit medleys.

I had no idea Ulta carried so many appealing looking products in this category. I think I identified some of the best ones available, but I'm having decision paralysis.

Would love to hear first hand recommendations or critiques. Influence/deinfluence me on any of these. Feel free to tell me about any that match my brief that didn't make my initial list. I might treat myself to two at the most, so I need help narrowing it down!

Especially interested to hear if anyone has smelled the Saltair Driftwood scent and whether you think it fits my brief. On paper, it seems most ideal for me.

Pictured:

• Saltair Nourishing Body Oil with Squalane (Driftwood)
• Uni Golden Microalgae Body Oil
• PATTERN Nourishing Body Oil
• Lake & Skye 11 11 Body Oil
• Oak Essentials Dew Body Oil
• goop Beauty Afterglow Body Oil
• L'Occitane Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Supple Skin Oil (Almond)
• First Aid Beauty After-Shower Nourishing Body Oil
• Naturium The Glow Getter Body Oil
• OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil

Really cute story from this standup about his elderly, retired actress neighbor who he said made appearances on multiple TV shows over the years, including Golden Girls. Her name is Beverly, but not clear on whether that was her professional name or not. Anyone know who this might be?