The full review

MakeSense Contouring Bronzer Cream review: my honest take

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*As stated by SeneGence.

MakeSense Contouring Bronzer Cream does two jobs in one pot. It’s a bronzer for warmth and a contour for shape. SeneGence says it’s long-wearing, water-resistant and transfer-resistant. Cream bronzer looks more like skin than powder does, and at $30 it’s one of the most affordable face products in the line.

Warmth on the high points, shadow under the cheekbones. Same pot, two looks.

Six shades cover the range, from Soft Sand and Heather Haze to Golden Mirage, Bronze Horizon, Cocoa Dusk and Deep Terra. For contour, go a shade or two deeper than your skin, and lean cooler for a shadow effect. For warmth, pick something closer to a sun-kissed version of you. The trade-off: cream needs blending before it sets, and it goes on before powder, not over it.

At $30 it’s easy value, especially if you’ve never tried contour. If you just want a soft set with a bit of warmth, the Bronze Dust shade of Translucent Loose Powder can do that, but it costs more. For real shape and a sun-warmed look, this is the better buy.

Bronzer Cream vs Loose Powder: which one should you get?

	Contouring Bronzer Cream My pick	Translucent Loose Powder
Texture	2-in-1 cream	Loose powder
Contour	Yes, bronze and contour	Sets, highlights and contours (SeneGence)
Wear	Long-wearing, water- and transfer-resistant (SeneGence)	Absorbs oil, soft focus (SeneGence)
Shades	6	6 (1 sold out)
Price	$30	$55
Pick it if	You want real shape and warmth	You mainly want to set makeup

Where it fits in your face routine

1Original Foundationbase2Contouring Bronzer Creamyou are here3Pearlizer Highlighter Wandhighlight4Translucent Loose Powderset it

Base first, then bronzer while everything is still cream. Contour under the cheekbones and along the jaw, warm the high points, then add a highlighter on top of the cheekbones. Powder goes last to set it, so the contour doesn’t move.

What’s in it, in plain words

• 2-in-1 cream: one formula that works as a bronzer for warmth or a contour for shape, depending on where you put it.
• Long-wearing: SeneGence says it’s long-wearing, so it isn’t meant to fade by lunch.
• Water- and transfer-resistant: SeneGence says it resists water and transfer once set, so less ends up on collars and masks.

My tips

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MakeSense Contouring Bronzer Cream FAQs

What shades does MakeSense Contouring Bronzer come in?

Six: Soft Sand, Heather Haze, Golden Mirage, Bronze Horizon, Cocoa Dusk and Deep Terra. For contour, pick a shade or two deeper than your skin.

Can I use it as both bronzer and contour?

Yes, that’s the 2-in-1 idea. Contour under the cheekbones and along the jaw, and use the same shade for warmth on the high points.

Does cream bronzer go before or after powder?

Before. Cream blends best over foundation. Set it afterward with Translucent Loose Powder so it stays in place. Powder first, and the cream will drag.

Does it transfer?

SeneGence says it’s long-wearing and water- and transfer-resistant once set. Give it a minute to settle before you powder or touch your face.

How do you take it off?

Use Fooops! Dual Phase Color Remover or the Melt-Away Deep Cleansing Balm to break it down, then cleanse as usual with your 3 in 1 Cleanser.