I said in my Summer Essentials post that I’d review the Mat Illusion bronzer from Bourjois and so here it is in all its glory. It really is lovely. Completely free of any shimmer or pearlescence, it blends beautifully into the skin and leaves it looking realistically sunkissed. I’d say that it’s slightly too warm to use as a contour powder, but then I don’t really like contour powders (or the effect) that much, so it’s no skin off my nose!

A before-and-after for you, using the Mat Illusion powder in “fair” – the product on the right in the photograph above. Without bronzer:

and then with:

It’s so subtle, but it gives great definition to the face if you apply lightly to the shadowy areas and a warm, general glow if you’re more haphazard with application. It’s actually quite difficult to go too far wrong with this powder, so long as you’re using a nice fluffy brush and you aim at the right places. (I’m using the Zoeva Face Definer brush, £19.99 here*.)

I’ve had quite a few comments about the Mat Illusion since I’ve started using it; it seems that there’s something of a shortage of bronzers for those with very fair skin. If that rings true for you, then Mat Illusion is worth a test – ditto if you’re not that fair but want a foolproof, buildable powder that won’t look fake or overdone.

You can find the Bourjois Mat Illusion at Boots here* – it’s £7.99 and also comes in a darker shade, pictured on the left in the very top photo.