Sephora's Best in Bronze 2010

I've been playing around with my latest Sephora goodies - the Best in Bronze Deluxe Sampler - and thought I'd share my thoughts (and pictures and swatches!). I love these sampler kits that Sephora puts together. I've been able to try a lot of products that I otherwise would pass on - and in the process, have found some new favorites.

This sampler contained 10 products, valued at $113, for just $39.

• 0.39 oz Korres Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder in Sunglow Light
• 0.02 oz Bare Escentuals bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Faux Tan
• 0.08 oz Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder
• 0.09 oz Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow Liner in Bronze
• 0.04 oz Lorac Tantalizer Baked Bronzer in Golden Bronze
• 0.2 oz Smashbox Artificial Light Illuminating Lotion in Glow
• 0.09 oz Benefit High Beam
• 0.17 oz Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil
• 0.16 oz Sephora Collection Nail Polish in Bright Red
• 0.08 oz Temptu Retouch Highlighter in Gold

0.39 oz Korres Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder in Sunglow Light - this is a full-size product ($28); it has a nice consistency - very creamy, but it's a powder. I like the color, too - it's a believable bronze; not orange, and not shimmery.

0.02 oz Bare Escentuals bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Faux Tan - this is just a sample size (a full-size jar is 0.07 oz. for $18); I'm not a fan of BE products, so other than swatching this on my arm, I haven't used it yet.

0.08 oz Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder - I'm pretty sure that this is the mini-size (which is out of stock at Sephora - $12.50); there is also a full-size product available for $28. This is something I've been wanting to try since last summer and I'm so glad it was in this kit! I love it! The color is simply gorgeous. It definitely has shimmer to it, so you have to use it sparingly, but it is soooo pretty!

0.09 oz Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow Liner in Bronze - I hadn't heard of this product, but I love it!! I believe it's a full-size product, with the only difference being that this one didn't come with a brush and the regular product does ($22). I love the color, the consistency, and the way it lasts all day.

0.04 oz Lorac Tantalizer Baked Bronzer in Golden Bronze - this is a sample-sized product; the full-sized product is available from Sephora for $32. I didn't expect to like this product because it appears to be very shimmery. However, it's really quite wearable. I just use a soft, fluffy brush to apply, and hit the spots the sun would hit.

0.2 oz Smashbox Artificial Light Illuminating Lotion in Glow - this is a sample-sized product; the full-sized product is available from Sephora for $24. It's super shimmery on it's own, but as I understand it, you're supposed to add a bit of this to your foundation. I haven't tried that yet, but I think it could work well.

0.09 oz Benefit High Beam - this is another sample-sized product; the full-sized product is available from Sephora for $24. I think this is one sample that will last a long time - it just takes a bit of this product to add a really pretty shimmer. I don't like a lot of shimmer on my cheeks, so I'm using this as a highlighter under my brows, and also on the inside corners of my eyes.

0.17 oz Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil - another sample-sized product; the full-size product is available from Sephora for $52. I know everyone is hot over argan oil right now (and I use it in my hair), but I'm not so sure I like this product. I don't like a greasy/oily feeling on my skin - especially in the summer. So I haven't quite decided how I'm going to use this product.

0.16 oz Sephora Collection Nail Polish in Bright Red - I haven't used this yet, but it's a really wearable shade of red. It appears to be the same size as the other Sephora polishes, but I can't find this color on the site. I don't think I've used Sephora polish before, so I'm not sure how well it applies, dries, or wears.

0.08 oz Temptu Retouch Highlighter in Gold - definitely a sample-size; the regular size is 0.63 oz. for $40. Really sparkly/shimmery gold - not sure what I will use this for - but definitely not on my face, LOL!

You can see all of the swatches here.

$39 was a great deal for all of these products - especially because I will use most of them! So if you're looking for some fun summer products to try - check this kit out!