theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush ($21.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy brown with warm undertones and a luminous finish. Guerlain #02 (P, $53.00) is warmer. Chanel Jersey (80) (P, $45.00) is lighter. Makeup Geek Infatuation (P, $9.99) is lighter, warmer. Chanel Cheeky (79) (LE, $38.00) is a cream product. Charlotte Tilbury The Climax (P, $40.00) is brighter, warmer. Chanel Accent (84) (LE, $45.00) is more shimery. NARS Douceur (P, $30.00) is lighter. MAC Stylish Me (LE, $21.00) is darker. MAC Peachtwist (P, $21.00) is more shimmery. bareMinerals The Close Call (P, $22.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
The texture was lightweight, silky, and smooth to the touch, though it felt thinner than many of theBalm’s other cheek products. It had good color payoff that could be easily worn sheer or at richer, true-to-pan color. The finish is extraordinary, as it looks beautiful on the skin with a natural-level luminosity that gives the skin a real glow but doesn’t look frosted, so it doesn’t emphasize pores or the skin’s natural texture. The silky texture made blending a cinch, and I felt like I barely had to do any work to apply it evenly. On me, the product stayed on well for nine hours before fading slightly.
Balm Desert
PPermanent. $21.00.
See more photos & swatches!
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
theBalm Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
It looks gorgeous on you but I see this more as a blush than a bronzer. Will this work with fair skin tones?
Yes, I think so!
this really is perfect shade that can pass as both a blush and bronzer. a perfect every day shade for me. For only $21 with such great wear and finish, I may have to purchase. thank u Christine:)
I really liked the finish on it! 🙂
So glad to see TheBalm in some reviews. This brand is really lacking in my collection. This is a bit on the reddish-side for me. I would probabky use this as a blush. But it looks lovelys and the price is great!
It has such a beautiful glow!
I always enjoy shades like this. I have a few theBalm products (which are all great!), but for some reason I always forego them for something else when I’m picking which products to use. I need to pull them out of the stash and put them into my rotation!
Do you think it’s because they’re harder to find now? I feel like they drop off my radar a lot just because distribution is changing/limited these days!
Agreed on the distribution issue. I saw this and know I need it! But it’s not at Nordstrom and I don’t want to purchase from The Balm and pay shipping, so I’ll just wait til it’s more accessible.
Love at first sight. Christine, it looks gorgeous on you! What a sophisticated shade when applied… I am bummed I never got my hand on NARS Douceur but this almost makes me rejoice that I didn’t!
*crosses fingers and toes Desert finds its way to nearby counters*
Thank you, Tigerlily! 🙂
That bronzer look so pretty on you. I don’t need another bronzer but this one makes a great blush, I want it!
It’s the best of both worlds!
Yay you reviewed this! I’m SO getting it. Been searching for a rosy bronzer
🙂
Hi Ginny! I just received mine today and I LOVE it, so I’m sure you will as well! I also got the Cindy-Loumanizer and I looove that too! Enjoy! 🙂
Aw thanks Lotus! I can’t wait to get it! I like Cindy-Lou, too 🙂
Aww! *Hugs* You’re so welcome darling! You and I have similar taste! You’ve been SUCH a big help to me, too! So I’m glad I could offer something back! 🙂 oh! I finally placed my order and them was tempted so I went back and placed another at ColourPop! Here’s all I got! I’d love your thoughts! Monster
Hippo
Holiday
Prenup
Fox
Trickery
Thumper
Pegacorn
Fruit Stand
Cheerio
Early Bird
Birthday Suit
Tasty
Teascake < FIRST order..
SECOND:
Sticky Sweet
Smoke N Whistles
Eyeshadows in Flux, Beauty Call, Cowboy, Taco, Daddy, Lace, and I Heart This, and lippies to try in Toucan, LBB, I Heart This w/the pencil, as it's my natural lip color, and I got their birthday girl eyeshadow twice for free due to their celebrating the 1st birthday this month which I am also so I think I'm covered! I just hope I love them and they don't bother my skin and work over foundation! Got my stippling brush ready! The elf small stipple! So love it! Thank you again! You and @Celia have been fabulous along with @Christine’s reviews! I feel giddy and I’ve been sooo sick, just out of the hospital again, so this seems so cheerful! And your help with results really made many days for me. Thank you Ginny! 🙂
Wow what a haul! I think you are going to like all those highlighters, and probably most, if not all, of the blushes. They’re fine over foundation for me, they go on dry like powder. Let me know how you like Sticky Sweet, Holiday, Fox, and Trickery. I talked myself out of those, so I’m curious! Fox I thought looked similar to Early Bird but maybe it isn’t! I hope you’re feeling well!
Rosy brown with warm undertones…I think this is going on my list. It looks and sounds amazing….the swatch and seeing it on your face is drool worthy. I’m hooked. 🙂
It’s really pretty! 🙂
Ooh, I like the sheen! It reminded me of Tarte’s Exposed at first glance, but I think Exposed is pinker. Very pretty!
The finish is superb!
I love how warm and natural it is. But it’s definitely more blush than bronzer for me.
You can certainly use it as a blush 🙂
Yay!! I’m so excited that I bought this immediately in my haul today! It’s the perfect color to give me a sun-burn! Woohooo! I’m in love with this color!!! 😀 Thank you for the review! 🙂 I became inspired! <3
Woohoo!! Hope you love it once you get it, Lotus.
Thank you! I sure hope so as well! <3 🙂
It’s lovely! An easy everyday colour! Cindy Lou is fantastic too! She doesn’t get the attention she deserves. 🙁 🙂 This review made me purchase that day. Thanks again! :* xoxo!
Nice! It looks great on you. I’m fair, so it looks like it could replace my blush/bronzer/highlighter routine, saving time and money this summer.
Thanks so much, Valerie! 🙂
Sooooo pretty!!!
It is!
Wow! That’s beautiful!
Agreed!
Beautiful color! It’ll definitely make a nice natural blush for light-medium complexions. I wonder how it’ll look on deeper complexions..
I’d love to see it on deeper skin tones!
Oh, I’m not usually much for bronzer, but I might check this out. I really like the pink tones in there, it reminds me of the burn-tan I would achieve naturally, but nicer. haha.
lol! I totally get what you mean!
That’s exactly why I got it. I LOVE that look! It’s so healthy! 🙂 I’m a ghostly fair, so it’s a flattering look. 🙂
Nice color so natural, but can be to dark when used as blush I think. so you can use it as bronzer and blush?
Yes, it’s actually labeled as Bronzer/Blush, so you can use it as you please!
Oh my gosh, that is a gorgeous shade. I’d definitely use it as a blush. I don’t think I have a rosy brown like that. And the finish is to die for.
The finish really makes it!
These companies all think we need bronzes and contour now. I rather have luminous and glowing skin. I don’t like being Oompa Oopma.
This is more of a bronzer/blush, so I feel like it fits a really sweet spot!
This definitely looks more like a blush, not a bronzer. The swatch is pretty, but I don’t think I’d wear the colour very often.
It’s definitely a color that doesn’t seem like it’ll work perfectly for everyone!
Beautiful Christine! I was curious if you think this would work for deeper skin tones? I’m around an NW43/45
I think it will still give a glow, but you might not get a lot of color out of it!
Wow..love it!
Yay! 🙂
It looks so beautiful on you! This glow… really perfect.
The glow is so nice!
I am digging the very glowy, but not shimmery, finish on this! It reminds me of that *perfect* sunkissed glow one gets after spending the day at the beach! (With some sunscreen of course!) Where can I buy this?
I’m not sure what their current distribution is, but I know you can buy it through their website at least.
beautiful colour! reminds me of NYC Sunny. have you tried that, Christine? It’s like $2.99 and it’s so nice.
I haven’t used it in awhile, but I have tried it before!
I’m not sure if the shade will really flatter me, but I’m definitely intrigued. If I get the chance to swatch it somewhere, I will! 🙂
Hope you can swatch it!
I really like this although I’d probably never pick it up. I own only one product from the Balm and it’s their NudeTude palette and I hardly ever reach for it (although it’s a really good palette). I need to see if my Kohl’s has it so I can swatch it!
I always forget Kohl’s carries theBalm!
Thank you for the reminder! I forgot about Kohl’s too!
This color much more reminds me of CT beach Stick in Formentera! Dupey! 😀
BUT WAY BETTER, right? 😀
YES!!!!!!! 😀
I like it! Very similar to Jersey!
It is!
Whoof, the finish on that is stunning. The price isn’t TOO bad, either. Might have to track this down…
The finish is stunning!
How does this compare to Benefit’s Dallas?
Ah, I found a picture of it on the dupes list. 🙂
Glad you found it on the list!