Guerlain Sun Blondes Terracotta Sheer Bronzing Powder
Guerlain Sun Blondes Terracotta Sheer Bronzing Powder ($52) is a lightweight 5-shade mosaic bronzing powder consisting of beautiful bronzed pinks and tans. When all of the shades are swept together, a warm, glowing tan is created.
God only knows I probably don't need any new bronzers, but when I saw this bronzer in Sephora I couldn't resist swatching it (among all of the other product swatches smeared all over my hand) and tossing a box in my basket. Guerlain is easily one of my favorite luxury cosmetic brands, and for ages it's been said that Guerlain makes some of the best bronzers.
I use Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer #3 regularly and I really enjoy it. On a daily basis I really enjoy using MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powders probably more than anything because it's a really soft powder that blends really well and is great for contouring since there is no shimmer.
Sun Blondes is slightly different than both because it's not your standard brown bronzer. When applied, it has a slight rosy sheen to it. When I apply a few layers of this product, I don't feel that I necessarily need any blush as this seems to add a nice flush of color to my face. For my medium skintone, it's very light, but it can be built up with multiple layers or by using a denser blush brush. I typically apply it with a fluffy powder brush around the outline of my face and then use blush brush to apply it to my cheeks. On the cheeks it's a luminous bronzed rosy-apricot.
It may look shimmery in the compact, but it applies with a gentle luminosity and healthy glow. No obnoxious shimmer.
Swatches from left to right: Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer #3, NARS Laguna Bronzer, Guerlain Terracotta Sheer Bronzing Powder #04 Sun Blondes (swatted heavily) and applied lightly. You can see from the comparisons that Sun Blondes has a very warm, rosy tone compared to the others.
Here is Sun Blondes on my cheeks alone with no other products. I'm around the MAC NC30 coloring right now for reference (golden medium skin, yellow undertones).
Would I say this particular color is for everyone? Ehhhhh.. probably not. If your preference is neutral or brown contouring type of bronzers (such as Benefit Hoola), this is nothing like that and you may not care for this. But if you enjoy powders that can double up as a bronzer and blush, I'm sure you will like this.
Overall, it's a really nice product mainly for light to light-medium skintones. Any darker skin tones, this bronzer may not show up much. As with all Guerlain bronzers, the formula is very finely milled and blends seamlessly into the skin. The color applies to the skin without ever looking heavy, muddy/ashy or blotchy. If you want more of a standard every-day bronzer, I'd recommend taking a look at their regular line of bronzers. I don't see this particular bronzer being an every-day choice - and it's especially not suitable for contouring.
The Round-Up
Pros:
- Can double up as a bronzer-blush
- Silky soft, finely milled formula
- Applies evenly and blends easily
- Sheer but buildable
- Diffuses into the skin for a very natural, non-streaky or blotchy appearance
- Satiny, glowy finish without the glitter
Cons:
- The very warm bronzed rosy tone may not be suitable for everyone
- Not a good bronzer to use for contouring
- Strongly scented (although you can't smell it after applied) It smells very powdery, slightly floral.
- I've read many recent complaints about the compacts breaking, although I've owned three Guerlain bronzers with no issues - apparently Guerlain is working on a new design (or so I've heard - don't quote me).
Price: $52.
