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Bobbi Brown

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Guerlain Terracotta Princess Powder

June 12, 2009

Guerlain has released a new terracotta bronzer called their Princess Powder – Tan Magnifier Powder for Face and Body. I found this online at Nordstrom.com thanks to a friend over at makeupalley.com. As soon as we both saw it online, we ran to our local Saks/Neimans to inquire about this new beauty. However, we both found it was not instore anywhere near us and some associates told us it was a Nordstrom exclusive, however I have a feeling this will just be released in the next month in most stores.

The product description:

“The Terracotta Princess Powder: a unique bronzing powder that captures the spirit and magic of Bollywood. A dust of this powder with its touches of amber and specks of gold lends the complexion a sensual radiance and enchanting shimmer of an Indian princess.”

The product arrived today and is a gorgeous amber gold shimmer – almost like a duo-chrome color when you look at it in sunlight. Those of you familiar with Guerlain are aware that some of their limited edition products contain an overspray of shimmer and have a plain matte color underneath. This product has a light gold overspray, however, you will be pleased to know that underneath is a pretty bronze amber golden shimmer.

The bronzer is extremely expensive at $70 USD. The product weight is 11g/.39oz. To compare with some other products in price/weight:

* Guerlain Terracotta Pearly Sun Powder $57 USD (6g/.21oz)
* Giorgio Armani Bronzing Powder $48 USD (7.2g/.25oz)
* MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder $27 USD (10g/.35oz)
* MAC Bronzing Powder $21 USD (10g/.35oz)
* Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder (Regular) $33 USD (8 g/.28oz)
* Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder $33 USD (9g/.31oz)
* Chanel Soleil de Tan Bronzing Powder $50 USD (11g/.38oz)

The texture is soft and velvety, similar to those MAC Starflash Eyeshadows and some Urban Decay Shimmer Eyeshadows. The pigment is rich and shimmer is definitely noticeable, but not frosty or overly-metallic. Since it is very pigmented, I recommend applying with a soft hand – but don’t worry about it being too rich, it is easy to blend b/c the texture is soft.

Comparisons to some other warm golden/amber bronzers and shimmer powders:

1. Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder Laguna Bronze (similar to Aruba, see original post HERE)
2. Guerlain Terracotta Princess Powder
3. Guerlain Terracotta Pearly Sun Powder in Orient Sun
4. Giorgio Armani Bronzing Powder #5
5. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Gold Deposit
6. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish So Ceylon (this was the original one released with the High Tea Collection in 2004)

Swatches (applied primer and Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige first):

1. Bobbi Brown Laguna Bronze (to me, Laguna Bronze and the new Aruba were already warm, you can see here how the Guerlain is even warmer)
2. Guerlain Princess Powder
3. Guerlain Orient Sun
4. Giorgio Armani #5
5. MAC Gold Deposit
6. MAC So Ceylon

So – is it worth the $70? Yes and no – this is definitely one of the most beautiful bronzers I have ever seen, but even so, still extremely pricey and I have no idea how I talked myself into buying this one.

Thoughts/opinions? Have you tried or seen this in person yet?

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Bobbi Brown Metallic Lip Colors

June 11, 2009

Last fall (around September/October 2008) Bobbi Brown discontinued her Lipshimmer Lipsticks and came out with a new formula of shimmer lipsticks, her Metallic Lip Colors. She kept a few of her best-selling shades, but discontinued the rest and released new colors. However, the ones she did keep are slightly different than the originals – just as pretty, but better.

“Metallic Lip Color features a unique combination of high-shine emollients and light-reflective pearls. This creamy lipstick feels soft and comfortable on lips, and offers medium coverage.”

They are in fact creamier in texture than her original Lipshimmers (which were on the dry-side) and offers a true medium coverage. The only downside to the soft texture is that it makes them prone to breakage (2 of mine have broken already). But the colors and textures are lovely and I find that these are one of the few lipsticks I find pretty enough to wear alone without liner or gloss added. These currently retail for $22 USD.

A few of her shades along with Bobbi Brown’s own descriptions and color-pairings:


1. Baby Peach – golden peach (apply with Naked Lipliner & Rose Gold Shimmer Lipgloss)
2. Pretty Pink – warm pink rose (apply with Ballet Pink Lip Liner & Pink Brightening Lip Gloss)
3. Ruffle – bright medium pink (apply with Ballet Pink Lip Liner & Pink Sugar Shimmer Lip Gloss)
4. Gilded Pink – warm golden pink (apply with Pale Pink Lip Liner & Petal Lip Gloss)
5. Vintage Rose – warm golden rose (apply with Ballet Pink Lip Liner & Rose Gold Shimmer Lip Gloss)
6. Berry – medium red berry with golden shimmer (apply with Mauve Lip Liner & Punch Lip Tint SPF15)
7. Raspberry – medium pink raspberry (apply with Mauve Lip Liner & Pink Brightening Lip Gloss)
8. Plum – medium pink plum with pink-red pearl (apply with Plum Lip Liner & Maple Lip Tint spf15)

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Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tints: Hit or Miss?

June 6, 2009

Bobbi Brown launched her Nautical Look Collection this past spring and released a few new products including her Sheer Color Cheek Tints and Sheer Color Glosses.

These tints come in 6 different shades, retailed at $22 for 3.8 grams of product:

* Sheer Blackberry is a deep berry tint
* Sheer Coral is a bright warm pink tint with golden shimmer
* Sheer Lilac is light pink tint
* Sheer Mauve is pink mauve tint
* Sheer Pink is pink tint
* Sheer Raspberry is deep rose tint

There was a pamphlet sent out from Neimans for a mini preview:

I’m usually a huge fan of Bobbi Brown for the universally flattering colors she releases in her collections. I love how she can take simple color themes and turn them into a fresh modern look. This season’s Nautical Look was somewhat disappointing, especially these new Cheek Tints. Instead of fresh and modern, the look she created appears dated and the blue eyeshadow featured on the look appears to make the model look older. I love her Pot Rouges and if she had released these in the same formula and packaging, I think they would have been a bigger hit.

Even though I was underwhelmed, I still managed to get sucked in and purchased 3 from the Saks Friends and Family event, here they are photographed next to Clinique’s GWP size cheek tints.

From left to right:
1) Bobbi Brown Sheer Pink
2) Sheer Lilac
3) Sheer Coral
4) Clinique Rosy Blush
5) Glow Blush

At $22 per product, I expected a lot more. Even with the FF discount, I still feel ripped-off. What are your thoughts about these sticks? Hit or miss? Did you end up purchasing any? How are you liking them?

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Color Focus: Coppery Bronze

May 25, 2009

I’m a huge fan of the tanned summery look, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite coppery bronze colors. To avoid bronze-overload, I usually mix different variations or intensities of bronzey shades for eyes, lips and cheeks.

Some of my favorite eyeshadows: 1) Nars Fez, 2) Chanel Lumieres Facettes in Plein Soleil, 3) Chanel Le Bronze, 4) Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials in Malibu, 5) Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadow in Copper Cocoa, 6) Le Metier de Beaute Spicy Eyeshadow, 7) Trish McEvoy Sable Bronze, 8) MAC Pigment in Chocolate Brown



I’m a huge fan of bronzey cheeks:
* Top left to right – Becca Mineral Bronzing Powder in Duende, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in Bahama Brown, Laura Mercier Illuminating Powder in Moroccan Bronze
* Middle left to right – Trish McEvoy Luminzer in Luminous Bronze, Nars Multiple in South Beach
* Bottom left to right – Nars Blush in Lovejoy, Laura Mercier Mineral Powder in Warm Bronze (mini size)



For lips, I’m not a huge fan of the dark bronze lips, but prefer lighter bronze shades, or even nude shades with a hint of bronze:
* Left to right – Trish McEvoy Sheer Lipcolor in Barely Innocent, Chanel Aqualumiere in Maritius #86, Chanel Aqualumiere in Key West #83, Giorgio Armani Silk Lipstick #18, Laura Mercier Boho Bronze, MAC Lustre Lipstick in Honey-Flower, Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Bronzed Pink

For lipglosses:
* Left to right – Giorgio Armani Lipshimmer #57, Trish McEvoy Irrisistible, Chanel Glossimer in Unity #41, Chanel Aqualumiere Gloss in Freeze #66, Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Bronze, MAC Lustreglass in Beaux

What are some of your favorite coppery bronze shades?

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Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powders + New Bronzer Brush

May 22, 2009

Bobbi Brown has released 6 new illuminating bronzing powders for summer. They come in a round mirrored compact just like her regular bronzers, only all of these new ones have some degree of shimmer. They retail for $33 USD and the colors are Antigua, Aruba, Maui, Bali Brown, Barbados and Bahamas.

The look for the summer features Maui Illuminating Bronzer, Burnt Sugar Metallic Eyeshadow, Black Everything Mascara, Cocoa Lip Color and the new Shimmer Brick for the body.

I have 4 of the new ones pictured here, plus Laguna Bronze which was a Neimans Exclusive in their Cabana Collection this past Christmas.

* Maui – gorgeous healthy but natural pink glow shimmer

* Antigua – soft pink with subtle shimmer (lighter than Maui, gorgeous powder pink, but not too pale)

* Aruba – shimmery golden bronze (this one has the most shimmer)

* Bali Brown – soft medium brown with subtle gold sparkles (the shimmer doesn’t really show)

* Laguna Bronze – very similar to Aruba, just slightly more orangey

The 2 other bronzers were different variations of brown. Right now I’m a Chanel Shell 1.5 in Teint Innocence (equals Armani 5.5 LSF and MAC NC30), so I passed on the Barbados and Bermuda – they were too dark for me right now, but would be great on darker skin tones.

The rest of the collection features gorgeous colors that seem flattering for most skin tones. Pigment is medium, like her regular bronzers, but can be built. Shimmer isn’t over the top, except for Aruba, which has the most shimmer, but isn’t quite as frosty as her shimmer bricks.

Some comparison pictures to Giorgio Armani and MAC Powder Bronzers.


Also featured with this collection is a new Bronzing Powder Brush which retails for $50 USD. Super soft and plush, a bit more than I am comfortable spending, but the texture is so soft, it’s well worth the investment. (Similar size bristles to the Laura Mercier Bronzing Brush, just a lot softer.)



The old bronzer brush on the left (in a mini version) versus the new plush bronzer brush on the right. As an FYI, Bobbi Brown is re-doing all her brushes, according to one of my favorite BB makeup artists, they will come in one size for the handle.
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