January 14, 2011

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Bronzer Review, Swatches, Photos

I’ve been on the prowl for the Physicians Formula Happy Booster Collection but not alot of luck around these parts. The collection officially launches in February but many folks have already seen it in store.

I happened about a stripped display (who got there before me? Grrr!) which had a single bronzer sitting on it. Sigh, sniff, sadness. I snatched it up right quickly as even though I don’t love bronzer, I’ve been known to make the occasional exception particularly when that shiz sports cute little heart emblems. OMG, gush!

Wanna hear about it?


A “mood” boosting bronzer infused with a blend of plant extracts to help a promote a feeling of happiness when used!


Mmm yes, you read that right. This range of setting powders, blushes, and bronzes contain a “Happy Boost Blend” featuring natural plant extracts which supposedly promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of endorphins. Cute concept eh? Apply your bronzer and be magically happy!

I personally like the packaging, mind you not everyone will if you’re a high end makeup user however I dub it cute. It’s the normal double compartment compact that the line embraces but the shade is a bright, popping, metallic fuchsia pink. Inside you’ll find the bronzer and below it in another compartment is a full size mirror and brush which has pink and red bristles, appreciated the cute touch here with the dual colored brush.

Obviously the appeal here is the heart design on the powder. It’s what most of us have our panties in a bunch over. Cute makeup rules supreme doesn’t it? This brings cute all the way. The powder features an interlocking heart design in shades of lighter and dark beige bronzer and a single pink heart veering off towards the right side, so sweet. There’s a faint iridescent over spray on the palette that swipes away to reveal matte bronze beneath but it doesn’t take away from the design once its gone nor will a few uses ruin the design, the hearts are pretty much running deeply through the powder.


The bronzer itself isn’t particularly fabulous in my opinion. The formula runs very muddy and beige. Not in the least flattering on my medium fair skin. Product isn’t too pigmented and blends out rather poorly.

The brush, goes without saying doesn’t it, is scratchy as hell!

Honestly, I’m not feeling the joy or happiness all that much but I think the idea lays behind one of aromatherapy as well since the powder has a sweet violet scent that I guess acts as a way to increase your mood. Needless to say, the entire “happy” thing sounds neat but doesn’t technically work, unless I’m doing something wrong but be honest…did you really expect a sweep of bronzer across your cheeks to make you feel super happy? Nay.

The scent itself could be deemed nice or not so nice. I can easily see it being a tad nauseating to some. It’s not the sophisticated violet scent you’d get from Guerlain powders but more of a headache inducing voilet floral blend. It’s ok, I’m not terribly sensitive and I can get some joy from the scent but it won’t prove a favorite for everyone!

  • Anyone who adores sweet makeup pieces!

  • Those sensitive to fragrance in their products.
  • Anyone who wants a pigmented bronzer.


I personally wouldn’t purchase the bronzer in the collection. Hold off for the powder and blushes if possible as those look like they may be the real winners here. Sadly, the bronzer only had the cute factor going for it and the packaging otherwise the formula itself was a bust. It was $11.59 plus a $3 instant coupon cut the cost slightly however I still felt it was expensive due to the fact that I will probably never use it again.

I expected a little better from Physicians Formula but I have a feeling the blushes will be awesome so I forgive them this mishap with the bronzer!

Have you tried the Happy Booster Collection?

Did you like it?

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • S.

    This reminds me kinda of the BE set that was out a year or so back, that had the same concept. Happy making extracts in their makeup. I’m just curious if it actually does anything.

    • the Muse

      mm I remember that S! hasn’t made me happy lol ;-D but than again I was already happy when I used it, maybe I need to use it on a bad day 😀

  • Dao

    I don’t know why but I have yet to find a PF product that works for me 🙁 The packagings are cute as hell but the products just…don’t…work. Glad to know ahead of time about this one, otherwise I would have plucked out my money for it.

  • ValentinaSugar

    Ohh no! I’m sorry this sports a crummy formula. I bought the blush in Natural and I hope its nice. 🙁 IF its not I’ll be very upset! Hehe

  • S

    I found the display at Rite Aid and picked up both blushes (natural & rose) and they are quite nice. I got a great deal on them between this week’s BOGO 50% off, the $3.00 coupons on each and register coupons I ended up paying about $5.00 for both. They aren’t super pigmented, but do give a nice flush to your cheeks. The rose one is darker & more pigmented. The smell is not great but I find it fades rather quickly.

  • Savannah

    This looks like the new Stila one )

    Only I’m thinking the Stila one looks better and almost the same price.
    Might have to pick the Stila one up, thanks for the review on this though! I was going to buy it but now I’m thinking not!

    xx

  • Soo

    haha, I find that whenever I get a brush in a compact like that from cheaper brands, I tend to hate the brush because it’s so scratchy. a bit disappointing that the bronzer kinda sucks cause the packaging is so cute (I’m such a sucker for cute packaging)

  • Mary the Muse Militant

    Gorgeous product ! Love the packaging and the Happy Booster name and really love the cushioned hearts.
    Shame it doesn’t blend out well.
    I do like the beigey colour though.

  • katrosado5

    I have found that all of the PF bronzer’s that I have tried in the past have been a bit muddy and very beige. I had thought it was because I have deep skin tone. I wasn’t sure if it would appear that way on the more fair to medium skinned, so I never said anything. Thanks for the heads up, I love the packaging but I know not to put it on my face. I’ll leave it to my 13 yr old.

  • telle

    thanks for the review, Muse! I was debating on purchasing some of these pieces because they are the ultimate in cute <3 However, they are expensive and some of the PF powders i purchased in the past left a lot to be desired. I really despise the fact that they use an overlay spray….i think if it was shimmery all the way through it would be a surefire collection for me.

    • the Muse

      my pleasure telle def get pissy with overspray myself so def can relate :(!

  • BeautyMaven

    I recently got the blush in Natural– I really like it so far! Has a good wear time and enough shimmer to be all girly but not too much that it looks oily. I really think it perks up my face~ and the scent really doesn’t bother me, I mostly smell it when applying, not when it’s actually on my face. The packaging is to die for, but I think the formulation is nice too. To me it’s comparable to Clinique’s Shimmering Tones powders. I’ll have pics up for Tried it Tuesday if you want to see!

    • the Muse

      awesome beauty maven! Haven’t tried my blush yet but hearing the good word from you made me eager to do so!

  • Kate

    Why I’m getting a feeling of deja vu? Oh right BE did the same thing a few years ago.

    I don’t think that set made me happy, but I sure liked the makeup colors. (Wish I could say the same for this bronzer.)

    • the Muse

      kate ha remember the BE version ;D! I even did a post about it somewhere!

  • sara

    So Muse, I too stumbled upon this after going to like 30 stores on Friday night. (yes, I’m a dork) SOOOO did not want this one, wanted the pink blush hearts!! I bought it anyway just cause it’s cute. I’ll never use it, but had to have it-add it to the stack!!

    • the Muse

      sara same here girl! I was traveling from drugstore to drugstore and finally found ’em ;-D you aren’t a dork at all and if so that makes me one too. Yay US! ;D

  • Lindsey

    Maybe you bought the wrong shade? From your swatches it looks like it would be a regular face powder for your skin tone, not a bronzer. I’m excited to finally find these and try them!

  • Avalith

    I have the lighter one (I dont remember if it was marked as blush or bronzer… but it looks kind of like that but everything is just lighter lol)

    but it doesnt do it’s blush or bronzer job… it just… makes my face look really shimmery;;; so I just use it as a slight shimmer/highlighter

  • ariana

    where can i buy this stuff i looked at public, walmart, and sallys i cant seem to remember were i got it in the first place.

  • Avalith

    They are usually on the Top/Middle shelf of Physician’s Formula section in Target or CVS