CULT BUY: The budget bronzer that's just as good as the exxy ones.

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that my makeup routine is as inconsistent as my bank balance and my wifi speed all rolled into one.

Most days I don’t wear eye makeup, some days I just cover my face in tinted moisturiser and other days (or, you know, once a year) I roll up to work with my full face made up, ready for my slew of compliments.

… They often don’t come.

So imagine my surprise last week when I spent no more than five to six minutes on my face only to walk into work and be told I look refreshed. Alive, even! Like I’d been on holidays.

Quietly ignoring what this must say for the state of my appearance in the weeks prior, I had one thing to thank: my bronzer.

You see, from the age of about 13 to 16, bronzer was my best buddy. Along with it's obnoxious cousin in fake tan, it become the only beauty essential I needed. After all, who needs foundation when you can saturate your face in bronzer and come out sparkly and tanned on the other side? (Me. I needed foundation.)

After many-a-year attached at the hip with my Natio Pressed Powder bronzer, we parted ways the minute I realised I looked a teenage version of Donald Trump, complete with eye-hole cut-outs where the bronzer didn't quite reach.

Fast forward six years and I found myself back with an old friend. My normal bronzer had depleted, pay day was still weeks away and Natio's $19.95 price tag was one I couldn't pass on. So I picked it up, threw it on and ran out the door.

And let me tell you, it's as good as the exxy ones.

This is why.

Firstly, the colour is lovely. Beware, the compact is a big one. It's probably just a little bit smaller than the size of my hand, but the product itself has no hint of orange to it at all.

It's buildable, too. You can add it to your face as the finishing touches to your look for more of a summer glow, or you can use the powder as more of a noticeable contour if that's your thing.

In fact, there are days when it's the only product I wear, blending a little bit onto my cheeks and forehead for a bit of colour. The one thing to be mindful of, though, is that this one has a huge shimmer kick to it. It can be a positive, for sure. Some days I don't feel the need to use a highlighter. But on the other hand, it's worth being mindful of going overboard with it.

With a big mirror and a powder brush that's not messy, I'd recommend this one for anyone who needs a to re-stock their bronzer and is too far from payday. It's a very good, very cheap option.

And this isn't even sponsored. Just appreciative for the fact for a passing second, my colleagues thought I looked alive for a change.

Have you tried the Natio bronzer? What did you think of it?