Now that we have seen the bronzer application technique, let’s talk about the product ! Here is my best of bronzer makeups.
Of course, I have not tried everything available in the market, there are so many! But since understanding how it works, I have put together quite a collection, so let’s go for the reviews!
Honey Bronze Bronzer, The Body Shop:
Body Shop Honey Bronzer 02
For me, one of the best bronzers for winter!
I chose the color n°2, which is very light for a bronzer, but it beautifully enhances the complexion by providing a perfect sunny effect to your face in the heart of winter. There are no orange tones inside, impossible to turn into Pocahontas with this product. And it is ideal for winter light (rather bluish).
The finish is rather mat, and not too pigmented. The advantage is that there is no risk of being wrong. For a more intense result, just add more. It is very buildable.
This product has a lot of good reviews in beauty blogs, especially on YouTube, but it’s of course one of my favorite Essie Button who spoke about it first.
And I must ad that, compared to the other bronzers of my selection, it’s not very pricey, and that is always good, isn’t it?.
Les Beiges de CHANEL :
Les Beiges de Chanel 30
When this product was launched ( last year), I didn’t understand at all the marketing concept.
This product, called Les Beiges, has a huge colour range, from very light ( almost pink light beige) to so much darker (the darker ones are very similar to conventional bronzers).
So, I did not understand. Was it a regular pressed powder or a bronzer?
Well, no, ma’am, it is what CHANEL call an “healthy glow” powder. So, let’s be clear, for me it’s still a bronzer (with the exception of the lightest shade maybe).
But what I find very interesting with this product concept is that the CHANEL makeup designer avoided the usual bronzer fails: too much shimmer, too orange, too much intensity.
So, it is an ultra-easy product to use with a pretty matte finish (there are tiny micro-pearls that give a bright effect, but without highlighting) and very natural colours. This really is a product that can be used all year round, whatever type of light.
I have the shade 30, which is very natural for my light skin, without a tan. I am very tempted by the shade 40 for when I would have taken a bit of color, I must confess!
I really think this is a damn good product because it is super easy to apply, and the colour range is very good. You add to that a SPF15 and a moisturizing effect, and you have a bronzer which is not far from perfection.
The 2 following products are very similar. They have the same effect and basically the same color tones. And they are high-end products. Let’s just say that I fell for them because of their beautiful packaging.
Shame on me! wink
Terracota Light Sun Blonde 02 Guerlain :
Guerlain Terracotta Light Blondes 02
To be very frank, I do not like the classic Guerlain Terracotta. Yes, I know, this is a legendary product, blah blah blah, but for me it is mostly too shimmery and way too much orange, which is not at all natural.
But a few years ago, Guerlain changed the formula of its bestseller and launched out a “light” formula, with mix of colour supposed to adapt depending on the colour of hair (?). Uh, about the hair colour, I do not really see the connection, a lot of brunettes have a very fair complexion, but apparently not in Guerlain’s office.
(It reminds me of the days I was working in a “parfumerie” in France and clients were asking for a perfume for blonde or brunettes. OMG, really!)
Basically, I just looked at the number to choose my colour and I took the lightest shade, a nice mix of beige, copper and iridescent pink.
Mixing the colours together, it gives a nice natural shade that enhances the complexion while maintaining its freshness.
The finish is rather glowy, without being too iridescent, so it makes a beautiful and natural effect, not “disco ball” at all.
Guerlain recommends using their Light Terracotta during the summer to enhance the natural tan. Personally, I prefer using it in spring, when the light becomes sunnier even if I’m not really tanned.
Pigmentation of the product is average, so you do not risk too much to miss while using it.
The “luxury” touch is in the very pretty packaging but also in the characteristic Terracotta scent (I’ve always liked Guerlain perfumes, I confess).
Diorskin Nude Tan 001 Aurora:
Diorskin Nude Tan Light 01 Aurora
Quite honestly, there is not a huge difference between this and the Guerlain one. Both are a mix of golden and pink colors which provides a fresh complexion, both are quite iridescent which gives a nice satin effect on the skin and Dior Nude Tan is also a product that I would rather apply in the spring.
You may say that it’s a duplicate with Guerlain and you may be quite right, but when I’m in a duty-free at 7.30am and I have a full hour to waste before my flight, I really become out of control in the makeup section #truestory.
The packaging is so pretty too! Well, it’s not super light, I would rather say that it is quite heavy, but hey, it is the weight of the luxury!;)
The brush provided with the compact is also not too bad for once. I do not say that I use it (I NEVER use brushes provided with the product, they never work correctly), but I think I could make an exception for this one.
I finish with my 2 more “summer” bronzers that I use more when I have a bit of a tan.
Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder:
Nars bronzer Laguna
This product is fantastic. Many beauty bloggers are crazy about it and I could not understand why.
But that was before.
Did I already tell you that Nars was a fabulous makeup brand (and very unfortunately not for sale in the UAE) (just a few products available in Alshop.com or Souq.com) (but not all) (yes I ‘m desperate) ? Yes ? Oh but, are you sure? Well, OK.
Anyway, I went to France last February, and I just stocked up on Nars products (no, 4 Nars blushes, it’s not too much, it’s a minimum! ) And I was also able to find this famous Laguna bronzer.
I had a good 20% discount voucher from Sephora France, that helped!
* I have something to say about Sephora. No, because here in Dubai, we also have Sephora, but the card system is quite different. There is never 20% discount voucher, EVER! I envy you so much, you, french people and your Sephora!
But, finally, here we have the sun ( it’s 35 degrees today, just saying) and here I can find über cool american makeup brands like Tarte, Lorac Pro or Hourglass, AH AH AH AH (crazy and scary laugh).
After this little fit of jealousy, I close the brackets on my outbreak.*
So at first, Nars Laguna is a little scary when you look at the color because it is a very dark brown and looks full of shimmer.
But then, applied on the skin, it immediately gives this copper shade that warms the complexion with a delicious and very subtle golden glow.
This is a makeup pro product, so yes, it is very pigmented. But if it is applied with a duo fibre brush ( always my MAC 187 ), no risk failing.
No orange tone, not so dark, it is just a sublime tan color. The gold particles are infused in the colour so they blend into the skin in a very impalpable way, by giving just a beautiful satin finish.
The other difference from pro makeup compared to other brands, is the ‘endurance’ power. This bronzer just lasts all day, and that I find is very relaxing… smile
The packaging is chic and understated, this is Nars, this is just sublime. (what, I ‘m not biased ?)(yes, well, maybe a little)
EDIT: As I explain in the “Where to find NARS in Dubai?” article, Nars products will be availble from October in 2 Sephoras in Dubai
Bronzing Powder Bobbi Brown in Natural:
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder Natural
Did you ask for ‘the natural one’, for a product that is easy to apply, without any risk of failing with the shade? I respond: Bobbi Brown.
The more I know about this brand, the more I love it.
So for me, it’s not the trendiest brand, with crazy colours, trendy collections, but it is the ‘safe value’ brand.
And trust me, this kind of brand is sooo valuable in makeup.
So when I want a good mat tan, easy to wear during the day, and even a slight contouring to give more definition to my face, I naturally turn to Bobbi Brown.
This bronzer is available in 6 shades. I took the Natural shade, after having tried it in the shop and it’s really the one that suits my complexion the best with a little bit of tan.
Not orange, a beautiful copper warming effect and a matte finish that really allows me to apply it into all the ” hot spots” of the face without any risk of shine effect.
Same comments as Nars, it is a pro makeup brand, so a very well pigmented product (a duo fibre brush is still your best ally for the application) and which has an excellent lasting power.
When I first saw it, I was scared because of the colour but it is very easy to apply, the pigmentation does not prevent the good blending power of this bronzer.
Well, Bobbi really is the queen of flawless complexion!
And you, what are your favorite bronzers?
Photo credits: Body Shop, CHANEL, Guerlain, Dior, Nars, Bobbi Brown