Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Bronzer

 Bronzers, Guerlain  4 Responses »
Jun 032011
 

Some quick pictures of Guerlain’s Terracotta Mosaic Face and Body Bronzer ($69/ about .5 ounce).  This is a mix of several different brown and tan colors, topped with a gold overspray on portions of the surface.  Typical of many body bronzers, this is 4 1/2″ across, housed in a slim compact with the transparent lid.

As you can see, the surface shows the mix of different colored browns, each a different mosaic “tile” that creates the Guerlain “G” logo.

There is a soft, perfumed scent to the compact.  It is more lightweight than the heavier, mirrored .68 ounce (more product) body bronzer released by Guerlain a few years ago with the Orient collection (on the right):

I’m heading out of town again for several days (see, I told you that Liz and I are busy!).  In the meantime, take a look at swatches of this palette at Natural n Chic’s makeup blog at this link.

 

Guerlain Ombre Fusion Havana Review and Swatches

 Eyeshadow, Guerlain  9 Responses »
May 102011
 

Guerlain Summer 2011 Terracotta line includes the Ombre Fusion Water-Resistant creme eyeshadow in 02 Havana ($35) a browned-khaki cream with bronze shimmer.  How did this green-eyed girl wind up with another khaki eyeshadow?  Fortunately, this is one of the prettiest.  I only wish I’d known that before purchasing the others!

As with Maya and Bahia, Havana is a gorgeously-textured cream.  If you look closely at the swatch, above, you’ll see a fair amount of bronze shimmer and undertone which sets this one apart.   If you like this color, you’ll love this shadow.

Here are some comparisons:

The brownish tones of Havana really show with the light swatch, far left. Havana is creamier than the liquid Chanel Ombre D’eau in Torrent in the middle, but similar in color tone.  The powder single Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Khaki is a softer, powder finish.  Also pictured at the far right is Bobbi Brown’s Shimmerwash in Golden Leaf (limited edition and no longer available).

Generally, I think that this trio from Guerlain (Bahia, Maya and Havana) are the best summer trio since the Tajine metals (although the smoky pigment set that included Holy Smoke were pretty nice too).   These types of special, star products are well worth a look.  Unlike some makeup companies that have flash limited editions that sell out in days, I expect that Guerlain’s Ombre Fusion will be on counter at least for several more weeks.  These are easy, no fuss summer shades.  Most days, a swipe or two of Maya and I’m out the door.  They will look awesome with summer tans or a bronzed look, together with a nice clear summer lip (a coral, shimmer peach of pink).  Highly recommended.

 

Guerlain Ombre Fusion Bahia Review and Swatches

 Eyeshadow, Guerlain  1 Response »
May 102011
 

Guerlain’s limited edition Terracotta collection for Summer 2011 includes Ombre Fusion in Bahia ($35), a creamy light multi-dimensional light peachy pink shadow.

Unless this color is applied sheerly, it does not work well as an overall lid color unless you are going for a retro-60′s beach look.  Rather, it’s best to use with a deeper color, such as Guerlain’s Ombre Fusion in Maya (or Havana) layered on the outer 1/2 of the eye or a deeper powder shadow.  It’s a pretty highlighting color on the browbone, again with a sheer touch.  Here’s a comparison with the light and dark swatch:

You can see how lightly the creme skates over the texture of the skin.  This next picture really drives this point home.  Here is a comparison between this Guerlain Ombre Fusion with my pink Chanel Ombre D’eau in River #87.  You can see how different the texture of these products are.  Bahia sits nicely on the skin, filling ridges, where the Chanel looks dry.  I must admit that this comparison is a bit unfair.  This is because this particular Chanel River does not have a good texture and seems flat compared to the other Chanel Ombre D’eau line (many of which are much nicer than River).  But you can certainly see that Guerlain Bahia has a much nicer texture and richer tone.

 

 

Guerlain Summer 2011 Preview- Terra Inca

 Bronzers, Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Guerlain, Lipgloss  19 Responses »
Apr 202011
 

Guerlain’s official press email arrived with full information about their Terra Inca Summer 2011 collection.  Every year, I’ve looked forward to Guerlain’s summer offerings and they have always exceeded my high expectations.  This year looks like one of the best ever.

 

Terra Inca Star Powder ($70) has two subtly pearl shades: a highlighting golden beige and a bronze-tinted pink. Together these shades will embellish your complexion while warming the skin with an iridescent glow. This comes in a gorgeous engraved case that will look gorgeous on your makeup table.  You can find Café Makeup’s review, swatches and makeup look here.  Some of Guerlian’s application tips:

  • Apply with Guerlain’s Terracotta bronzing powder to illuminate tanned complexions or use on its own for a natural glow.
  • Apply to curves of the face to add instant radiance to the complexion.
  • Apply to the décolleté and shoulders for a natural shimmer.

Terre Indigo 4-shade Eyeshadow ($59) Guerlain has created interlacing, intense colors, sprinkled with golden arabesques. Like colorful Incan qompi fabrics woven from shadows and pigments, the Terre Indigo eyeshadow includes vibrant orange, an intense blue, a deep brown and a lighter brown, speckled with a pale golden tone.   Application tips from Guerlain:

  • Simply chic: apply the light brown tone to the eyelid, layer the orange shade on the upper part, then give more intensity to the eyes by applying the darker brown to the outer corner of the eye.
  • Trendy:  apply the orange shadow to the eyelid fold, sweep a single blue tone over the eyelid and add a small amount of light brown to the outer corner of the eye.
  • Fiesta Vibe: apply the orange tone to the entire eyelid, add the blue shadow to the eyelid fold, then apply the light brown shade along the lashes and the dark brown shade under the lower lashes. Dressed in a golden glimmer, sea sparkles and sunlight, the eyes are ready to show off a bold look.

 

Ombre Fusion Cream Eyeshadow ($35 each) is has the softness of a powder, the richness of a cream and the lightness of water all in one.These eyeshadows reveal a spectacular metallic effect by adorning the eyelids with fabulous shimmering reflections. The effect is striking and will last from dawn to dusk. Designed to resist heat and dips in the ocean, the Ombre Fusion eyeshadows are the first Guerlain cream eyeshadows specially created for summer! Available in 3 shades: 01 Bahia, 02 Havana, 03 Maya.  Guerlain’s application tips:

  • Apply the eyeshadow to the eyelid with the applicator, then blend in with fingertip to create an illuminated effect.
  • Use the beveled side of the Ombre Fusion applicator for a metallic liner effect.

NaturalNChic Makeup has some preliminary swatches of these cream eyeshadows (and of the Terre Indigo palette here). I’ve got these on order, and hoping to review them when they arrive.  Yuki’s Lazy Channel has several items swatched here, including these glosses…

This year’s Terracotta Glosses ($30.50 each) look delicious, don’t they?  I think this is the summer of neon!  According to Guerlain, “just in time for summer and plenty of scorching kisses, Guerlain presents three new Terracotta Gloss creations. Neon fuchsia, sunny coral, flamboyant red make lips look mischievous and ravishing, dangerously delicious. These neon colors are sheer on application and will add shine while giving an instant radiance boost to the face! Their secret? A luminous and translucent formula, free of sparkles but packed with pigments. This non-sticky gloss can be applied at any time of day for an ultra-sensual effect.”  Available in 3 shades: 07 Salsa, 08 Mambo, 09 Tango.

Guerlain’s is also re-releasing the Khol Kajal ($36), which I haven’t tried but it makes me very curious.  This summer’s color is called Black Frida (#01).

By the way, if you are thinking of ordering online, I’ve been receiving some very good service from the Guerlain boutique in Las Vegas, at (702) 732-7008.  For my last order, they sent out this sweet gift with purchase:

I do not know whether they are running anything currently, but they have been nice about waiving shipping for larger orders, perfume samples and other gifts with purchase.

Guerlain Terra Inca Bronzer

 Bronzers, Guerlain  28 Responses »
Apr 172011
 

Guerlain Summer 2011 includes Terra Inca ($70- Poudre Sublimatrice / Sublime Radiance Powder), a softly bronzed illuminating powder.  Every summer, Guerlain has introduced a stunning bronzing powder. As has been Guerlain’s tradition, the pan size every year is quite large.  At $70, this year’s Inca is the largest offering in recent memory at .51 ounces (14.5 g).  A quick review of their earlier offerings shows that this is almost twice as large as a few years ago, and one-third larger than last year’s.  This large size is very practical for a product that can be used for both the face and body.

The packaging is a sleek, low-profile back case with a gorgeous sunburst engraving on the outside.  I was quite happy to see that this is not made of cardboard, it has the feel of wood or a wood composite.  It’s beautifully executed, and designed as a richly-textured, sturdy accent to your makeup table.

The top is not hinged, rather it pulls off entirely to reveal a large, usable mirror underneath.  Like Guerlain’s other elaborate summer offerings, these are not made for travel.  When closed, the Terra Inca lid is held in place with three small magnets–one pair of these magnets is pictured just below.  These magnets release with slight pressure, which is wonderful for a makeup counter but not for a suitcase.  If you wish for something on-the-go, as you likely know Guerlain makes gorgeous Terracotta bronzers in compacts that are better alternatives for travel.

This bronzer is made of a intricately carved powder–really, it’s quite beautiful in its execution.

As you can see, the pan holds a powder that has a fair amount of glow and shimmer.  Here is another picture:

Here is a very close look at the beautiful workmanship on the top of the pan, which shows the pearly quality of this beautiful powder.  It’s been my experience that Guerlain is a company that has a particularly sophisticated understanding of powders, as well as bronzers.  I find myself unable to miss their annual summer bronzers, because really the best of both worlds comes together in these offerings.  As you can see, this powder catches the light beautifully, a quality which translates when worn on the skin:

My general sense is that this year’s Terra Inca is primarily designed for those with lighter skin tones.  Although deeper in tone than Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder, it is gently tinted although buildable.  If you are looking for something in the range of Nars Casino, or are deeper in tone than MAC NC 40, this is something you would need to try at a counter before purchasing.

Here is Terra Inca on Liz, who is a Mac NC15/ Chanel Cameo-Ivoire Intensity 1.0.  She applied it lightly all over the face, then added more over the cheek area.  She topped Terra Inca with a touch of Chanel Pink Explosion blush (reviewed here).

Some of you may have seen Liz’s reaction on Facebook to Guerlain’s Terra Inca.  Generally, we both concur that Terra Inca is an excellent bronzer.  It has a beautifully natural, yet pearly texture that adds a glow and tone to the skin that looks quite beautiful (no one would mistake Liz’s bronzing technique for that used by the Jersey Shore’s Snooki, that’s certain).  In a one-to-one comparison, we should note that we preferred Dior’s Nude Glow Summer Powder in Aurora (reviewed here, $46) over Terra Inca.

We’ll post more thoughts tomorrow, although for now we found that Dior’s Aurora is smaller in size (about .35 ounces), although less expensive ($46 for Dior, and $70 for Guerlain).  We liked the pink tinge that Aurora gives for a “just out from the sun” look particularly on the face.  Although we appreciated the beauty of Guerlain’s packaging, we liked Dior’s Aurora compact better for travel.  Guerlain’s Terra Inca is more traditional bronzer color, which means adding a touch of blush on top.  None is necessary for Dior’s in our opinion.  We found that both gave an excellent glow.  We should also note that Liz wore Guerlain’s Terra Inca all day in the hot sun (over sunblock and foundation), she was complimented several times for her skin texture, glow and overall look.  I completely concur, Guerlain’s Terra Inca was absolutely beautiful on Liz.  Also, keep in mind that Guerlain’s is designed for both face and body.  Dior’s Aurora is for the face.

We both highly recommend Guerlain’s Terra Inca, but if you must choose just one, stay tuned for tomorrow’s more in-depth review of Dior’s Aurora.