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Bronzer

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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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Color Focus: Golden Glow

June 11, 2009

One of my favorite color categories for eyes lips and cheeks is that pretty golden color – pale gold, light bronzey gold, honey golds, amber golds. I’ve decided to share some of my favorite golds for eyes, lips, cheeks and nails – especially those who like MAC’s Naked Honey Collection, but are looking for a bit more variety or other options.

Cheeks – Bronzer, Highlighter, Blush:

1. Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Aruba (see previous post HERE)
2. Dior ‘Diorskin’ Shimmer Star Pressed Powder in Copper Diamond
3. Dior ‘Diorskin’ Shimmer Star Pressed Powder in Amber Diamond
4. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in New Vegas (was released with McQueen Collection)
5. MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Enough Said (was released with Red She Said Collection)
6. MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Trace Gold

Eyeshadows:

1. Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Shadow in Gold
2. Nars Cream Eyeshadow in El Dorado
3. Nars Powder Eyeshadow in Cyprus
4. Nars Cream Eyeshadow in Cosmic Girl
5. Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyeshadow in Golden Peach
6. MAC Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow in Soft Force (released with Style Warriors Collection)
7. MAC Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow in Femme Fi (released with Neo Sci-Fi Collection & Blonde/Brunette/Redhead Collection)
8. MAC Frost Eyeshadow in Bagatelle (released with D’Bohemia Collection)
9 + 10. Laura Mercier Eye Color Pot in Solid Gold
11. Laura Mercier Eye Color in Sunlit (released with the Saks Exclusive Orange Blossom Collection)
12. Becca Eyeshadow in Lurex
13. Giorgio Armani Maestro Eyeshadow #28 (see original post about new Maestros HERE)
14. Giorgio Armani Maestro Eyeshadow #2
15. Shu Uemura Eyeshadow in P Brown 820
16. MAC Frost Eyeshadow in Ricepaper
17. Dior One-Color Eyeshadow in Beige Select #525 (UK/Asia Exclusive, Spring 2009)
18. MAC Pigment in Dazzleray
19. MAC Pigment in Blonde’s Gold
20. MAC Pigment in Jardin Aires
21. MAC Pigment in Melon
22. Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow in Sandy Gold

Lipglosses:


1. Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Gold
2. Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Creme Caramel
3. Guerlain Terracotta Gloss and Shine Beige Sun #52
4. Nars Lip Gloss in Greek Holiday
5. Nars Lip Gloss in Moon Fleet
6. Chanel Glossimer in Pin-Up
7. Chanel Glossimer in Sunset Gold
8. Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Pearl Sugar
9. Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Rose Gold
10. MAC Plushglass in Nice Buzz
11. MAC Lustreglass in Instant Gold
12. MAC Lipglass in Bonus Beat (released with Heatherette collection)
13. MAC Lipglass in Gold Rebel (released with Style Warriors collection)
14. MAC Dazzleglass in Goldyrocks
15. MAC Dazzleglass in Moth to Flame

Lipsticks:

1. Trish McEvoy Glaze Lip Color in Golden
2. Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Sunset Nude
3. MAC Glaze Lipstick in Sunsational (released with Style Warriors collection)
4. MAC Frost Lipstick in Gel
5. Chanel Aqualumiere Lipstick in Cancun
6. Nars Lipstick in Mojave
7. Nars Lipstick in Promiscuous
8. Chanel Rouge Allure in Lumious
9. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lipstick in Candlelight (today’s equivalent is Metallic Lipstick in Beige Gold)
10. Laura Mercier Stickgloss in Tiger Lily

Nail Polishes

Left to right: Nars Adelita, Chanel Golden Sand, MAC Golded

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Giorgio Armani Bronze Mania 2009

May 26, 2009

The summer Bronze Mania collection for Giorgio Armani was recently released early May 2009 which features “sun-splashed, explosive mineral face colors and radiant Mediterranean eyeshades.” Here is their summer look plus the breakdown:

The collection released in the US includes:

* Sienna Minerals Bronzing Palette ($65) – limited edition, features vivid earth shades of the sienna landscape in an explosion of vibrant mineral colors to bronze and sculpt the face
* Mediterranean Palette ($85) – limited edition eye and face palette, features colors inspired by the Mediterranean sea
* Body Tints Bronzer ($75) – unique, weightless, pigment free formula blends into skin, impeccably enhancing the skin with a sun-kissed glow
* Bronze Sparkling Top Coat Mascara ($26) – a touch of sparkling bronze top coat adds golden hues to the tips of your lashes
* Smooth Silk Eye Pencil ($26) – features #14 (navy) and #15 (teal-green)
* Lip Shimmers ($26) – #56 (golden apricot), #57 (sparkling nude taupe), #58 (shimmery bronze)
* Lip Wax ($26) – #8 described as a sandy brown



There is also a summer collection feature in the June 2009 issue of Biteki Magazine that includes a few items that weren’t released in the US.

The Lip Wax #8 (which goes on a soft brown with a hint of pink) + Mineral Bronzer:

Two of the new Lip Shimmers #56 and #57 compared with #1 and #16 (not featured in the summer collection):

The mineral bronzer in this collection is my favorite item. The new lipshimmers are pretty, but not must haves. I’m usually a huge Armani fan, but their bronze mania collections seem to be a little too similar year to year. I’d like to see a bit more creativity and variety with the same “bronze mania” theme. The model look for Summer 2009 looks like the exact same photo as last year for Summer 2008. It appears they simply photoshopped the different colors onto her face, since the post and facial expression is identical.

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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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