Hello Readers!
I have recently started obsessing over bronzer. I just started to learn how to contour and am on the hunt for the perfect contouring bronzer so I am constantly on the look out. I have about six now that I really like and decided to share with you as finding the perfect bronzer can be very difficult for those of us with pale skin.

Top Row (Center): Nars Laguna
Bottom Row (L-R): Too Faced Snow Bunny, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil, NYX Taupe, Benefit Hoola, Guerlain Terracotta 00-Blonde
Too Faced Snow Bunny – $30.00USD via Sephora, Ulta, and Too Faced
This bronzer is one of my most recent purchases and I am already in love. I’m warning you now, this stuff is very shimmery. Not so glittery to the point where its distasteful, but it is apparent. Although this bronzer comes in a pan that holds 4 different shades, when I apply it I use all 4 of the shades together. Since this bronzer draws so much attention on its own, I prefer not to use a blush with it. As you will see its very light, almost pink, adding a touch of gold sparkle to the skin. It brings a very healthy summer glow to the face.
NARS Laguna – $38.00USD (full size) via Sephora and NARS
You may have seen that NARS Laguna made my March Favorites and for good reason. I will say that I didn’t touch this shade in the palette for the longest time since it looked way to dark for my skin tone. Once I started trying contouring I tested it out a few times and it is surprisingly sheer and very buildable. It doesn’t have a super orange undertone but its definitely a warm bronzer bringing a shimmery glow to the face. I still use this shade almost every day. I like how it has a touch of shimmer as I feel like the more matte formulas tend to make my already dry skin too chalky.
Guerlain Terracotta 00-Blonde – $52.00USD via Sephora
I picked this one up during my haul for Sephora’s VIB Spring Chic Week. It was an impulse buy, but I don’t regret it at all. Everything from the packaging, to the pigment, and application is so luxe I feel like a million bucks every time I use it. As you can tell just by looking at it, that it honestly doesn’t look like a bronzer. Its very light so it could really even pass for finishing powder for a medium tan skin tone. Of all the bronzers I own this one is the most orange toned, however since it is so light it really isn’t distracting or odd looking when on the face. I think it looks the most natural on my skin tone, however because of its orange undertones I dont’ suggest using it to contour but just as an average bronzer to highlight the face.
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Medium-Deep – $30.00USD via Sephora, Ulta, and Too Faced.
Let me just start by saying that this stuff SMELLS AMAZING! It smells like hot cocoa mix and I love it. Chocolate Soleil is a dark brown matte bronzer, and was the first bronzer I ever picked up. This is the darkest bronzer I own, and although I feel like its lighter counter part Milk Chocolate Soleil would be more akin to my skin tone, it’s great for doing a more dramatic contour.
Benefit Hoola – $28.00USD via Sephora, Ulta, and Benefit Cosmetics
Hoola is very similar to Milk Chocolate Soleil as it is a lighter matte bronzer. I just picked this one up a few weeks ago so I haven’t gotten enough time to really put it to use, however I can tell that I already really like it. Its probably my favorite warm matte bronzer that I own. Coincidentally this is also the first Benefit face product that I have purchased as well. I normally cant buy anything from Benefit because their ‘light’ shade is almost always 2 shades too dark for me.
NYX Powder Blush in Taupe – $5.00USD via NYX Cosmetics and Ulta.
When I want a very natural shadow or contour, I always reach for NYX Taupe. It is a cool toned blush that works wonders for light skin. Since it is cool toned on the skin it appears more like a shadow rather than straight up bronzer. I would like to get more products I can use for contouring that are in the same color family as NYX Taupe as I have found that its staying power is a little lacking. It looks great in the morning but once I get home, it wears away on the outermost sides of my face and doesn’t look as well blended.
Swatches:
Photos are taken in natural indirect light on NC15/1Y01 skin.

Swatched
L-R: Too Faced Snow Bunny, NARS Laguna, Guerlain Terracotta 00-Blonde, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil, Benefit Hoola, NYX Taupe

Blended
L-R: Too Faced Snow Bunny, NARS Laguna, Guerlain Terracotta 00-Blonde, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil, Benefit Hoola, NYX Taupe
Final Thoughts:
Best Consistency/Application:
- Too Faced Snow Bunny
- NARS Laguna
- Guerlain Terracotta 00-Blonde
Worst Consistency/ Application:
- Too Faced Chocolate Soleil: very powdery and messy
- NYX Taupe: not long lasting
Best Bronzer for Contouring:
- NYX Taupe
- NARS Laguna or Benefit Hoola
Best Bronzer for a ‘Touch of Sun’:
- Too Faced Snow Bunny
- Guerlain Terracotta 00-Blonde
Best Matte Brozer:
- Cool Toned: NYX Taupe
- Warm Toned: Benefit Hoola
Best Shimmer Bronzer:
- NARS Laguna
What would you say is your favorite bronzer? I would really like to know! Also I’m thinking of doing a contouring tutorial for next week, suggestions?
I have been wanting NYX Taupe for like 2 years now. Hahaha I never want to order it online, but that seems like it’s the only place you can get it!
Yea unfortunately. You could try waiting until they have a sale or are offering free shipping 🙂
Yeah! I would order it with free shipping. 🙂 lol!
Nice review! Love the little final thoughts section 🙂
Thank you!
Love this! I own the Benefit Hoola Bronzer but I think it is too warm for my face so I’m gonna try out some of the other ones you suggested! thanks xo ps. if you like to read make up review posts, check out one of mine its on foundations! http://urbanbl0nde.wordpress.com/2014/03/14/building-a-solid-foundation/
Oh thank you! I will definitely take a look 🙂
I loved how helpful this is! I definitely wanted to give snow bunny a try but was a little nervous of it. Now I will try and pick it up after my current bronzer is done.
You’re so welcome! Thanks for reading 🙂
That guerlain bronzer looks lovely 🙂
Ill definitely have to try that snow bunny and nars laguna! I have too face chocolate soleil and I agree that it can be difficult to apply or come out too dark. I have to use a super light hand with this! Also that NYX bronzer looks like a great contour colour! Its too bad the application and lasting power isnt the best 😦
It is great for contouring, and its only $5 so I suggest you still try it out for yourself! Other similar cool toned blush/bronzer that I would recommend would be Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics John Doe or Illamasqua Hollow (I’m looking to pick these up myself!).
I love all your posts on MakeupAddicts! Can’t wait for your tutorial ^_^
Thank you! It will be up this Thursday!