Julie Hewett Aphrodite bronzer – review
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Being a Michigan girl, anyone who lives here knows the sun goes away for a long time in the winter months. I seriously start feeling like a bear in hibernation. The worst part about it is I not only feel sun deprived but, wow, do I look sun deprived! It was this very reason that led me down the path to enlightenment, literally. I dived into the wonderful world of bronzers and never went back. I use it year round, but especially during these dark months, and it’s helped me to look sun kissed, vibrant and, most importantly, alive.
So when, to my delight, I had the opportunity to try L.A. based, beauty guru, Julie Hewett’s Ora Mineral Bronzer in Aphrodite ($30), I couldn’t have been happier! I mean, who wouldn’t want to resemble the Greek Goddess of love, beauty and desire? Julie Hewett’s cosmetics have been fan favorites here at wht, and who could blame us? With sleek packaging, natural ingredients, and a beautiful color palate, what’s not to love?
One of the first things I noticed about this bronzer was the size. I don’t know about all of you, but the bronzers I’ve bought in the past tend to be a little skimpy on product and hefty on plastic packaging. You’ll be happy to know that Julie Hewett’s bronzer is packed full of product, in a gorgeous mirrored compact. Even the adorable little signature JHLA black box it comes in will make you feel like your opening a present. And a big present at that.
I’m sure many of you have also discovered that finding the right color ratio for a bronzer can be a seriously difficult task. I’ve used a lot of bronzers, and they either tend to be too dark, too light, or have way too much shimmer. Through the use of light reflecting minerals, Aphrodite has captured a beautiful blend of color; a medium tone bronze, with a pretty gold shimmer, but finely ground so it gives a nice glow without looking too glittery.
You will love how soft and powdery this bronzer feels, and how much pigment it contains. With JH’s Bronzer, a little really goes a long way! It glides on well (I tend to find the bigger brushes work better for bronzer application) and is very easy to work with.
If you don’t want the shimmer, or think Aphrodite might be too glamorous for everyday use, Julie Hewett also makes this bronzer in two matte colors, Bronze and Sun, which will give you a more subtle effect. JH also lets us in on a little secret…Sun actually works great on MEN for a slightly bronze or sculpted look. So say goodbye to your pale male companions.
What’s the final verdict on this? Well, I think Julie Hewett’s Ora Mineral Bronzer may just have to find a home in my routine. The price point is comparable to other bronzers and the texture, color, and amount of shimmer are true stand outs. So, to those of you out there who avoid bronzer like the plague, I’m telling you, with the right amount, in the right spots, it will give you a healthy glow you’ll barely know is there. Your makeup will look better, your face healthier, and you’ll get away from the dullness winter months can create. Step into the light, you won’t regret it!
What did those of you lucky enough to get this bronzer think? Are you glowing like a goddess? And for the rest of you, what are your thoughts? To bronze or not to bronze… that is the question.
Erin is a secondary science teacher who adores makeup and fashion. She spends her free time pursuing her other passions which include cooking, antiquing, and decorating.
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
I’m a brand new member of the wht review team– hi everyone!– and Julie Hewett’s Aphrodite was the first product I got to test. Like Erin’s, my state (Maryland) is cold and sunless during the winter months, and I end up looking very pale and wan. I’ve never used a bronzer during my “pale months” before, so I was a little scared I’d end up looking like a Jersey Shore reject, but this couldn’t be further from my glorious results– Aphrodite gave me a healthy, subtle glow, and lifted my spirits, too! The packaging is beautiful, and the product is warm and rosy. I can see Aphrodite becoming part of my beauty routine year-round. Love it!
This bronzer looks gorgeous! I am always very hesitant to give bronzer a try as I am super pale.And it usually just makes me look like a $10 hooker. But it sounds like Julie Hewett’s Aphrodite might just be the ticket for a truly tasteful and natural, healthy glow!
Yes, I think people will find Aphrodite is a really pretty look. It’s not too dark, and I actually think it would also look good to enhance or prolong a tan…I’ll let you know when I get back from Mexico! I really liked this bronzer and gave it 4 stars! The only other thing I would really like to see JH do, is make one with the color variety. I find that the bronzers that have the multiple colors, in one compact, tend to give me a little more depth. I think I will also try her “bronze” version of this bronzer too, which is a little bit darker. All in all, I was really pleased with this bronzer and will definitely use it again!
This is a really great bronzer, and I would expect no less from JHLA (as Erin mentioned, we’re big fans around here). Sleek packaging that is both low profile (thin) and big (wide). The bronzer itself is really finely milled, so a lot of it really sticks precisely to your brush and glides easily across your skin. The gold shimmer is also very fine, not at all glittery or garish. I found that I don’t have to use very much to get results. As with most bronzers, use a light hand. But the good thing, this is not at all orange. It’s a very realistic color. I’d personally like to see this in a slightly lighter shade. I think Aphrodite will be perfect in the summer when I have a bit more color. But for February, I could do with a tad lighter.
But all in all, a really beautiful bronzer that gives realistic sun-kissed results.
.-= stef´s last blog ..Packaging inspiration – Hourglass Prodigy lip gloss =-.
Great review Erin!! And welcome to you and Melissa to the review team! I did not get to try this bronzer, but your write-up is making me want to badly! I’ve been searching for the right bronzer too and still haven’t found one for these sallow months, so I was thinking of trying this in the less shimmery variety for everyday. It’s nice to know Julie’s generous with lots of product in this pan, too. The size of her eyeshadow pans is huge, so I’m not surprised this is too!
Oh, yes! Irene is calling this another slam-dung for Julie Hewett. She just keeps them coming and I’m glad to receive just about anything from her! I really dig her line of cosmetics because they are wonderful in so many aspects. I think her work, as a makeup artist is top notch and love her Aphrodite bronzer immensely. Oh, it’s just as if a magic wand has hit your face! This warms up my very dull complexion in an instant. I think is so natural looking too. Love that in a product. I have this on at work.. It’s perfect for office or outside. Wait until you see how the light-reflecting minerals can show off a nice soft golden finish. I used this all over my face, starting with my cheeks then my jaw line. I also add a few brush strokes across my forehead to add a healthy glow. I even hit my eye lids today because I was in a rush and didn’t have time to apply any eye shadow.. Just another subtle effect with her product that I just love! JH gets five stars from me! Love it! Do I even have to mention her adorable packaging? I love the classic black and white box that sports the line.. You can just tell a lot of thought goes into every single part of the design.. Whenever I have this out on my desk, someone’s eye always catches it and nice comments just start flowing!
Hi! I am a new member and I am also pale. I say YES TO BRONZER. I wear a lot of black and brown and do not want to blind people with my white skin. I live in the Pacific NW and we do not get much sun especially in the winter. I depend on bronzer to give me a healthy glow in our long rainy season.
I have heard nothing but amazing things about JH!
Amen Erin! I totally agree with pretty much everything in your post about this product! This was such a nice relief from the bronzer i’ve been using. Not that i didn’t like it, i was just bored with it and it was getting to be too much so receiving the JH Aphrodite bronzer/face powder was just what i needed! the coverage goes on great. even if you mess up and put the brush on too much at first, its easy to redistribute and YES a little goes a long way! I loved that its got a great matte finish. I absolutely love the packaging too! Will be using this one for a long time!
I’ve tried a lot of bronzers in my day -and not many of them really cut it. NARS Laguna is good, Tarte Park Avenue Princess is not bad, Too Faced packs in the shimmer.
Julie Hewett’s Aphrodite is a beautiful light gold shimmer – and man is the pigment really packed in. I concur with Erin, a little goes a long way. I’m chucking my previous bronzers and never going to stray from Julie Hewett again!
I was one of the lucky few who received the Aphrodite bronzer and I have to say the color saturation is fantastic, the shimmer is very finely milled, so no chunkiness like I’ve seen in some bronzers. Its a medium/light golden tan shimmer that when applied with a fluffy brush really gives some OOMPH! It blends well and if you take a tissue and gently blot after you apply, it’ll give you a lovely, natural glow. I will say, I think the matte versions might be slightly better for everyday wear, though.
I have to say the only downside to this bronzer is me. I am very fair and when I say that, I mean I am HELLA pale. Bronzers don’t really look right on me. I think I’m too fair skinned. Instead of working with my own pigmentation, it’s like I applied it to a white canvas, so all you really see is the pigmentation of the product, so no matter what it looks like I’m wearing bronzer. I think this would be really lovely on me if my skintone were a little darker…
Ooh, I’m always on the lookout for a good bronzer!
I’m another one of those uber pale girls (dark hair, blue eyes) and bronzer tends to make me look… dirty… LOL! I’ll need to try this one out if I see it in a store or boutique. I do wish it looked a little more golden and less bronzed…
I’ve been using Julie products in my makeup kit for years. They are so fabulous!
Anyway, I’ve been using Aphrodite for the past couple of months both on myself and on set. I love the color, and in the flat light of winter the shimmer brings some life to the skin.
I use it sparingly as it goes a long way. The pigment is wonderful, making it fab both on camera and also for personal wear. It lasts all day and night, unlike many other bronzers out there. It also maintains its integrity and doesn’t get patchy.
Love it!
It’s 9:20 PM and julie hewett’s bronzer is still holding its own! Really, I was just getting ready to wash my face, and was just thrilled to see that it looked as good as when I put it on at 7AM! How’s that for staying power!
Holly– all you heard is true! We heart Julie Hewett.
Thanks for your comment.
Corrina– it is really all about the pigment with Aphrodite, isn’t it? Most bronzers (even ones that I “kind of” like) go on kind of chunky, streaky and dirty (good word Krista; chunky. I used it in my first review but removed it cause I thought it sounded gross. But it’s really descriptive for this!) Anyway, thanks for sharing your love for JHLA with us.
.-= stef´s last blog ..Jo Malone Red Roses Fragrance Chronicle =-.
This sounds divine! I’m sooo pale right now (ok, all the time). But I’m a bit scared of bronzers all over my face. I’m beginning to branch out though so this seems like a good one to try.
Aphrodite bronzer sounds divine! Thank you to everyone for your input – I’m sold!
I am a huge fan of Julie Hewett’s products. However, I went to her website this morning to buy some cosmetics and noticed that the site is down. I recently found another line that seems to be offering the same products, HWood Beauty. Does anybody know what’s up?