Sonia Kashuk's Illuminating Bronzer: Sunkissed Done Right for Pale Girls and Win $100 to Target!

So, remember recently when I reviewed a prestige-brand bronzer that looked almost identical to this one from Sonia Kashuk? And I thought it pretty in the packaging but hard to use because it was way too pigmented for normal everyday use? Well, this bronzer isn't like that. This is the bronzer that I wanted that one to be. But for a fraction of the price. Because this one is from my favorite mass-market store, Target.

Target sent me some Sonia Kashuk products to try out and I'll focus on the Sonia Kashuk Illuminating Bronzer for this review. First, you can see that it is embossed with a crocodile pattern that I kinda love. The bronzer lifts up to reveal a mirror and brush underneath. I normally just throw away the brushes that come with makeup. (Seriously? They are hardly ever decent?) This is one that I actually kept and have been using! It feels very soft and the bristles spread apart pretty easily, so it isn't too dense.

I've been using the bronzer to get a very lightly sunkissed look, like what would happen if I spent a few hours outside gardening on the weekend or something.

How I apply bronzer:
1. Start at the temple and apply down to just under your cheekbone in one arc.
2. Apply another arc from under your cheekbone to under your jawline. You've made an 'E.'
3. Repeat on the other side.
4. Now hit areas the sun hits you the most: the middle of your forehead, down your nose and the chin. I apply to this central area just a little bit lighter than to the E area. On my super-pale skin, too much bronzer here can end up looking like I forgot to wash my face.

I had to apply the bronzer very heavily to get this swatch. It was serious work! This bronzer is not heavily pigmented. It's there, but it is much lighter than this swatch implies. Instead, with just a light application with the included brush, I get just the right barely sunkissed look for my super-pale skin. Note that you don't see the bronzer on the brush bristles, but it is there! The color is buildable, so if you want a darker look it is really easy to just go over the E again. I love that the color isn't orange but a great tan-gold that looks very natural. While there is a little shimmer/sheen, the bronzer doesn't sparkle on my skin at all. It just catches the light. With such a subtle look it is hard to comment on staying power, but it does seem to stick around all day.

Sweepstakes! You can win a $100 Target GiftCard to splurge on some Sonia Kashuk of your very own! I recommend this bronzer, a few of the eye shadow quads and definitely the biggest brush set you can find. To enter, you just need to let me know in a comment below: Where do you usually apply bronzer? Don't forget to leave me your email address. You can earn a second entry by picking one of the alternate entry forms below.

Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post, b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post, c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post, d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 6/4 to 6/30. Be sure to visit the sponsor's brand page on BlogHer.com, where you can read other bloggersí reviews and find more chances to win!

Sonia Kashuk
Sponsored Post, though the opinions stated within this post are my own and are 100% honest.