Honestly, the Benefit Hoola Bronzer is a beauty institution, with one of the most devoted fan-bases going. So, the fact that the release of the new Benefit Hoola Wave bronzing balm has caused a lot of excitement in beauty circles won't come as much surprise.
The movement toward softer, creamy, blendable blushers and bronzers has been growing over the past few years, which is why it was only a matter of time before one of the most well-known and best-loved bronzers of all time threw its hat in the ring. (The original formula won your vote as best bronzer for another year on the trot at our most recent Beauty Power List Awards.)
The icon has had a literal glow-up with the new formula offering up a creamy, buttery-soft balm enriched with skin-nourishing ingredients including jojoba seed oil, shea butter and avocado oil. As for the shade range, there's five to choose from (Light, Original, Medium, Medium-Deep and Deep).
So, does the latest member of the Benefit squad have what it takes to rival the OG powder? Five GLAMOUR team member put it to the test below…
The Product:
Lian, Senior Audience Development Manager
Shade: Medium
Full disclosure, the OG Hoola has been a staple in my routine for well over ten years since it achieved cult product status back in my teens. So needless to say, the new iteration of Hoola Wave had a lot to live up to. First impressions were that I appreciated the fact that it features a mirror as part of a compact, making it useful to grab for a touch up on the go. Likewise, much as I loved my old school Hoola, I must admit she used to get a bit battered from constant use so having a compact means I can see this lasting a lot better in my makeup bag. In terms of application, as I'm used to the powder bronzer it will take a little longer to fully convert me over to the alternative cream bronzer, though I did enjoy the buttery texture of this and how blendable it was, with the creaminess applying well and giving an even final bronze. Consider me converted to Hoola 2.0.
Rating: 8/10
Georgia, Senior Commerce Writer
Shade: Original
I might be the last one standing, but when it comes to bronzers and blushes, I'm a powder gal. I just find they blend easier, and you tend to have more control. However, this Hoola Balm from Benefit might just be the perfect in-between. It takes a while to build the colour up, which may be a con for some but actually made it way less scary for me. My only qualm is that, even though I went for the original shade (as I would with the powder version), it was more cool-toned on my skin and played off as more of a contour. This isn't necessarily a huge issue, as I'll still use it for exactly that, but, for those looking to add some sunkissed warmth to their complexion, you might want to try before you buy or consider one of the deeper shades.
Rating: 7.5/10
Robyn, Social Media Manager
Shade: Deep
Hoola bronzer will always be iconic. It's an absolute go-to for the women in my life when it comes to adding warmth and glow. I’m a cream product girl through and through, so to say I was excited to try this staple in a new formula is an understatement. It’s not quite as dewy or slippery as I usually like my cream products to be – it's still very reminiscent of the original powder in texture. That said, it blended beautifully into the skin and was super buildable, even more so than the powder, which I loved. The biggest con? I was shocked, then disappointed to find out the shade I tried was the deepest in the range, because I’m relatively light-skinned and this was a great match for me.
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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