Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder #03 Review, Photos, Swatches!

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder #03

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder ($51) is a best-selling luxury bronzer that promises to "enhance" the complexion and provide a natural, radiant and luminous tan with a texture that won't look streaky or overdone on the skin. It contains moisturizing ingredients that won't dry out the skin or look powdery.

There are (8) shades in total: Numbers 00, 02 and 04 are geared for rosy complexions and 01, 03, 05, 07 and 08 are for golden complexions.

I purchased shade 03, as I really liked the golden-yellow bronze (slightly orange) tone. It works really well on my warm, medium (MAC NC35) skin tone. Bronzers that are too neutral or red-toned have the tendency to make my skin look ashy or bruised, so I lean towards very warm toned bronzers. I find that this one works really well without being too light or too dark.

Guerlain Bronzing Powders are finely milled and are super soft upon application. What I love about soft powders such as this one is that they're almost fool-proof because the powder blends so well on the skin and if I've made the mistake of coating my brush in too much product, it won't leave a big blotch on my cheek. It blends out with no problems.

Some bronzers have a tendency to sit on top of the skin, but this bronzer seems to melt into my skin with no obvious edges and a lovely satiny finish. It's a fabulous bronzer for adding all over warmth to the face and neck.

This photo was taken at the same time as my MAC Angel Lipstick Review - I used the Guerlain Terracotta #03 all over my face - on my cheeks, nose and the outer edges of my face. You can see that there are no obvious edges and my face is very naturally bronzed.

Comparisons from left to right: Guerlain Terracotta #03, MAC Give Me Sun MSF, NARS Casino Bronzer, NARS Laguna Bronzer and MAC Refined Golden Bronzer.

It's a very pretty, slim and dainty compact that's perfect to carry in your bag for touch-ups. 

I've tried bronzers from so many companies and I do think Guerlain has one of the top formulas, but I don't necessarily think it's a must-have because there are many bronzers on the market that work fine.

I love MAC MSF's and I think they are just as soft and blend just as well across the skin for half of the price.

The only real difference is how well the Guerlain powder diffuses into the skin. It's likely the most natural looking bronzer I own and gives my skin a very natural glow.

If you absolutely love bronzer and are curious to explore the brand, you can't really go wrong with the Guerlain. I don't think I've ever tried anything from the brand that wasn't good.

Have you tried Guerlain bronzers?

The Round-Up

Pros:

• Great variety of shades
• 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:

• Very pricey
• Strongly scented (not as pleasant as the Meteorites scent - reminiscent of the scent of the old Covergirl pressed powders I used in high school)
• Won't work well if you want an intense bronzer or contour

Price: $51, Sephora or your local Guerlain counter.