First Impression: Subtl Beauty’s New Bronzing Balms Are a Standout Addition
Hello and welcome back. I'm Keira, and today I’m sharing my first impressions of a product I’ve been eagerly anticipating—Subtl Beauty’s brand new Bronzing Balms. As someone who gravitates toward cream-based formulas and minimal, skin-forward beauty, these balms immediately caught my attention—and after using them, I can confidently say they’ve exceeded expectations.
Previously, I’ve used deeper shades of Subtl’s concealer range to achieve a bronzed effect. But these dedicated bronzing balms bring something different to the table. The texture, finish, and blendability are truly impressive, and I’m excited to walk you through my thoughts.
The Shade Range
Subtl Beauty launched five thoughtfully curated shades:
I swatched the shades from lightest to deepest and was immediately struck by how wearable and flattering they are. For my complexion (I typically wear shade 004N in Subtl concealer), Caramel seemed like the most natural match—and I was right.
Application & First Impressions
I used Caramel for my first application and applied it with a stippling brush, then blended it out using a fluffy brush for a soft, diffused finish. The balm went on effortlessly—creamy, buildable, and incredibly easy to work with, even on the first try.
Here’s how I used it:
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Cheekbones: I stamped the product just below the cheekbone, avoiding the hollow, and blended outward and upward.
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Forehead & Jawline: I warmed up the perimeter of my face for a natural sun-kissed effect.
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Nose & Chin: Light contouring in these areas added subtle structure.
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Eyes: I lightly tapped the product onto my eyelids as a warm, monochromatic base.
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Under the Lip: A touch below the bottom lip helped enhance its natural fullness.
The result was a seamless, radiant warmth that looked like it came from within—never streaky or heavy.
Finishing Touches
To complete the look, I reached for a few of my favorite Subtl Beauty multitaskers:
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Lip + Cheek in Mauve in the Maldives on the center of the lips and cheeks
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Lip + Cheek in Runway to Rose to add dimension and softness
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Undone Lip Glaze for a touch of reflective warmth
I finished with a light dusting of Shine Control Powder through the T-zone to keep the overall effect fresh and polished.
One unexpected bonus: pregnancy has given my lips a bit of extra fullness lately, which made this lip combo stand out even more.
Final Verdict
I’m seriously blown away by how easy these Bronzing Balms are to use — especially for a first application. The texture is smooth, the colors are rich without being overwhelming, and they just melt into the skin. I can’t wait to keep playing with them, especially on my eyes.
If you’ve been eyeing these, run don’t walk. I highly recommend giving them a try — whether you’re a bronzer newbie or a cream contour queen.
