Rating: 6/10
Sophie D, Senior Commerce Writer
Shade: Light
Being fairly pale, bronzer always makes me a little nervous — I want to be sunkissed and snatched but never orange. I liked that the Benefit Hoola Wave bronzing balm was buildable, however, I would probably opt for one shade darker for more glam occasions or evenings out, for a little extra impact. But this is perfect for the no and low makeup days, and I adored the creamy texture.
Rating: 7.5/10
Shani, Commerce Writer
Shade: Medium-Deep
Benefit’s original Hoola was the bronzer of my teenage years – matte, dependable, and always chucked into my school bag. So when the new Hoola Wave landed on my desk at the GLAMOUR office, I felt a real wave of nostalgia cracking it open. Right away, the texture sets it apart from the OG. It’s buttery-soft, balm-like, and blends beautifully, melting into the skin without a hint of patchiness. I used my go-to Refy brush and was seriously impressed by how effortlessly it glided on. That said, I did need to layer it to get the depth I wanted, so I can’t see this product lasting too long.
The finish is radiant and natural – more of a lit-from-within glow than a full-on shimmer. So if you’re not a glitter fan, don’t panic when you spot a subtle sparkle in the formula. I tried the Medium-Deep shade and it’s a perfect match for my olive skin tone. Ingredient-wise, I love that it’s loaded with hydrating oils like jojoba and avocado, plus omega fatty acids to help keep skin feeling nourished and smooth. My only gripe? The white packaging. While it looks sleek, it gets grubby fast, especially if you’re applying makeup in a morning rush, like I usually am. Still, this is a glowy upgrade on a cult classic, and I’ll be reaching for it all spring.
Rating: 8.5/10
For more from GLAMOUR’s Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk
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