Splurge Or Save? Hoola Bronzer Vs NYC MetropoliTan.

Hello. I hope you're all well. So, summer is here. Well, in some parts of the world. Here in the U.K the sun rarely makes an appearance so as a nation, we rely on fake tanning products and bronzers.

I have two bronzers here which are both great for achieving a all year round bronzed look.

 The first one is the best selling bronzer in the U.K and has been for the last five years. This is Hoola bronzer by Benefit. The second one is MetropoliTan Big Bold Bronzer by NYC.

The major difference between these bronzers is the price. Benefit Hoola retails at £23.50 for 8g. NYC MetropoliTan retails at £3.99 (but it's usually on offer for £1.99)

 for 17.1g. 

First, I am going to to introduce you to Hoola. Unless you have been under a rock for the last few years, you will have heard of this product. It is raved about daily due to it's completely matte formula, wearability, longevity and it's buildablity.

I only purchased my Hoola in May this year. I have always been put off by the price. However, I am not gonna lie, it is a fantastic shade for contouring and for bronzing the skin. I was actually surprised at how light it looked when I opened it. But I think there lies it's appeal. Pale skinned gals..you can totally work this. Medium to dark skintones...you can too. It is really buildable and natural looking with no orange tones and no shimmer. It is everything you want in a contour shade/bronzer.

Another reason I ''took the plunge'' and bought this was because I wanted the brush! The brush is amazing for contouring your cheekbones with as it's so narrow. I use this brush every time and then I blend it out with a MAC 168 angled contour brush. After contouring, I then apply Hoola on my 168 brush onto my temples and forehead.

 Hoola Bronzer and my MAC 168 angled contour brush.

Next up... Lets look at the Big Bold Bronzer in MetropoliTan by NYC

NYC bronzers often come up as ''dupes'' or alternatives to higher end bronzers but I have never heard anything about this particular one. I purchased this in May also as it was £1.99 and I wanted to try it. Drugstore bronzers can have a reputation for being orange, shimmery or muddy. Not this one, no siree! Infact this bronzer is dead ringer for Casino by Nars :-0 I was really surprised how good it looked when I applied it. It is not as matte as Hoola. There is a bit of shimmer in the pan but it doesn't transfer to the skin. There are no orange tones and it's not muddy looking. MetropoliTan is actually and a tad darker than Hoola, so a light hand is needed. I use this for contouring and blend it around my hairline and forehead - The same way I apply Hoola.

These are BOTH fantastic bronzers. So, which one comes out top?

Both shades are swatched above, as you can see there isn't much difference at all.

The face off...

Product : Winner - Benefit

Packaging : Winner - NYC

Value for money : Winner - NYC

Wearability : Winner - Benefit

Pigmentation : Winner - NYC

Blendibility - Winner - Benefit 

Results : It's a draw!

 I really like both of these but if I had to repurchase one, I would go with the NYC one. Simply because you are getting more than double the amount of product for £3.99 (or £1.99 if the offer is on!) and it doesn't look much different to Hoola once applied. 

Hoola by Benefit is available from the Benefit website, Boots, Debenhams, John Lewis etc. I got mine from Feel Unique as you can save 10% by being a new customer.

NYC products are available from superdrug

Have you tried either of these bronzers?

Which one would you go for? 

Please leave a comment in the comment box and let me know. 

Thanks for stopping by.