This summer La Mer has three new limited-edition color pieces including The Bronzing Powder ($85 for 13 g/0.43 oz) and Lip and Cheek Glows in Coral Glow 01 and Pink Sands 02 ($55 each for 7 g /0.24 oz). This is the first time I’ve tried their summer color items. La Mer has released several limited-edition bronzers in the past but I never splurged. This year I did. The whole look and feel of these colors are sheer and light. If you like that subtle undone glow you will love these. If you crave more pigment and noticeable color you might want to pass.
Up first is The Bronzing Powder. There are several colors swirled into a beautiful wave pattern of champagne shimmer, soft pink shimmer and warm tan matte. Swirled you get a luminous bronze that is very soft with a natural glow. Pigment is medium but natural looking and for this one the tones are close to my skin so it almost blends in with my skin. It is scented with this amazing beachy resort-like scent in a subtle way. I would love it if they bottled a stronger version of it in a body lotion or oil.
If you are light or fair and find most bronzers turn orangey on you, I highly urge you to check this one out. It will be subtle and light enough in color to give your skin a soft sunkissed glow. If you’re my skintone it will look almost like skin, just a subtle warm shimmer. If you’re darker than me this may look more light a soft highlighter. To me this is similar to the Chanel Les Beiges Multi-Colour in Medium that launched this year, the La Mer is just a slightly touch more bronzey.
Swatches of the individual shades vs. swirled:
Swatch comparisons below to:
- Becca Sunlit Bronzers in Bali Sands and Capri Coast (reviewed and face swatched here)
- Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour 2018 Light, Medium and Deep (review here)
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer Luminous Bronze Light (review here)
Next there are the two Lip and Cheek Glows for which I have very mixed feelings. As one with normal/combination skin I find these too dewy and too sheer for the cheeks. It will indeed add a glow, but it’s a very glossy glow which I don’t really want on my face. Add hot humid climate and it’s a no-go. That being said it does give the skin a fresh glow just like the name implies. On the lips these are very sheer but I can get the color to show up with a few swipes. I like the way these look on the lips – they make the lips look healthy with a tint of color, but I can’t help but feel these are just super expensive sheer lip balms. They do nourish the lips and although I know you’re not supposed to taste test these, I did lick my lips while testing these and they taste amazing. Like a delicious sweet mint. So I like these for the lips, I don’t think they are worth the price for how sheer they are. With some layering you’ll see color.
Coral Glow 01 is a soft coral, on my skin once blended it almost disappears. Pink Sands is also extremely sheer but has a little bit more color. On my cheeks all I see is a dewy shine with a VERY SLIGHT hint of color. On my lips these show up. Your mileage will vary depending on your skin tone, but to sum these sticks up in two words I’d say these are sheer and glowy.
On the nails, Chanel Resplendissant
La Mer Summer 2018 Swatches, all three items swatched with a heavy hand. Once blended the color is very sheer!
On bare lips, swiped back and forth in layers around 3-4 times:
Swatch comparisons:
- NARS Liquid Blush in Orgasm (review here)
- Chanel Les Beiges Blush in No 23 (review here)
- NARS Liquid Blush in Luster (review here)
- Sisley Phyt0-Blush Twist in Papaya (review here)
- Tom Ford Cream Blush in Pink Sand (discontinued)
- Sisley Phyto-Blush Twist in Petal (review here)
- Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff (more swatches here)
On the face:
Also wearing:
- Foundation: Sunday Riley The Influencer 190
- Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder #2
- Brows: Kevyn Aucoin Precision Brow Pencil in Brunette
- Eyeshadow: Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Dip
- Top Photo: Lips + Cheeks is the La Mer Lip and Cheek Glow in Coral Glow 01
- Middle Photo: Lips + Cheeks is the La Mer Lip and Cheek Glow in Pink Sands 02
- Bottom Photo: Lip color is Coral Glow, Cheeks color is The La Mer Bronzing Powder 2018
One last note, a lot of you had asked about my pink sunglasses. Most of the time I’ve shown old pairs, in particular one of my favorites are these pink Gucci sunglasses from several years ago. It’s almost always impossible for me to find smaller frames, but I’ve since found an almost identical pair by Kate Spade for a fraction of the price. They aren’t 100% the same but close enough for me!
One last look:
Bottom line: a hefty dent to my wallet. I simply couldn’t resist the pretty pearly packaging and the swirl pattern on the bronzer is gorgeous! The La Mer Bronzing Powder this year is beautiful and so natural, but it’s similar to others I have I’m not sure I’d call it a must-have. As you can see from the above swatches, it’s going to look slightly different in swatches depending on how much pink vs. champagne vs. matte tan you swirl onto the brush. On my skin it’s very very natural, which isn’t a bad thing. I love a good natural bronzer! In a month’s time I’m going to be a lot darker and this will probably match my skin tone.
The La Mer Lip and Cheek Glows are going to be hit or miss. I suspect it is going to be similar to the Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Blush in concept, better for lips, ok for the cheeks. I really love the Pink Sands color for a soft baby pink. Still these are really pricey and very sheer. I’m kinda luke-warm on my feelings for these.
You can find the La Mer summer collection out now. Items are limited-edition. Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s.
