It all began on a Tuesday in 2007…
Well, I’m not sure about the day, but I know it was 2007. 🙂 A makeup artist buddy of mine had just introduced me to the magic that is NARS Laguna.
That day, I learned that no matter what your skin tone is, a bit o’ bronzer can make all the difference in the world. It gives skin the kind of sun-kissed glow that would otherwise require 10 days of lounging at the beach or pool (preferably beside a stack of gossip magazines…with a fruity drink).
I reach for bronzing products all year round (both drugstore and department store brands), but I’ve never tried one from Guerlain, the luxury line that declares itself “The Bronzing Authority.” On March 15 they launch a new line of summer bronzing products, and (WOW!) they certainly look luxe.
The Guerlain Terracotta Collection for 2011
The 12-piece Guerlain Terracotta collection comes with powder bronzers, a foundation, a temporary spray-on bronzing mist for legs (to wash off at the end of the day) and a skin serum designed to help extend the life of your tan.
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder
For sheer coverage with a subtle bronze glow, there’s the new Terracotta Skin Healthy Glow Foundation ($49, available in two shades), which contains something Guerlain calls “soft-focus elastic powders” to reflect light and blur minor imperfections on the skin.
If powder bronzers are more your thing, consider Guerlain’s Bronzing Powder ($49, available in eight shades), which the company recommends for skin that craves moisture and owners who long for long-lasting, sun-kissed color.
My legs haven’t seen the light of day for many moons, so I’m intrigued by the very pricey Terracotta Jambes de Gazelles ($59), the leg mist I mentioned earlier. It’s limited edition and designed to give your gams a bronzy glow that lasts until it’s washed off. Guerlain added sweet orange extract to it, which is supposed to cool and sooth the skin… I love citrus, so I can’t wait to give it a try.
And then there’s the limited edition Terracotta Serum ($59), a fragrance-free gel made to be mixed with your favorite face or body moisturizer. It’s supposed to soften skin while prolonging the life of your tan. We. Shall. See. 🙂
From left: Guerlain Terracotta Jambes de Gazelle, Guerlain Terracotta Skin Healthy Glow Foundation and Guerlain Terracotta Serum
What do ya think? Guerlain isn’t exactly budget friendly, so I don’t know… The products better be good with prices like these.
Late-night reading
I’ve been reading a compendium of some of 2009’s best American magazine writing (aptly called, The Best American Magazine Writing 2009), and during last night’s Insomnia Fest I read a story from Esquire called The Things That Carried Him, by Chris Jones.
GOSH! It took my breath away. It’s probably the best thing I’ve read in a really, really long time. It’s about a soldier who dies in Iraq, and it follows the many people who play a role in helping to bring his body back to his family in Indiana.
The story goes backward in time, like in rewind, and it’s incredibly touching.
I found a copy of the piece online if you think you might like to give it a read (it’s quite long).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
steph b says
March 1st, 2011 at 4:07 pmThe title sounds like a play on The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. Fantastic stories set in Vietnam. The title story was also first published in Esquire.
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 4:14 pmThat’s one of my favorite books of all time, BTW.
steph b says
March 1st, 2011 at 5:08 pmIsn’t it amazing? Such fantastic character details. I also really liked Going After Cacciato – such a wonderful construct.
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 5:14 pmI actually haven’t read that one. I’ll add to my list! The last TOB book I read was Tomcat in Love… I thought it just okay.
steph b says
March 1st, 2011 at 6:33 pmYou have to read it. Such a fantastic alternate take on reality. Yeah, Tomcat was a totally different feel. I picked it up after reading the other two expecting something similar and just wasn’t prepared. I went back to it later and really enjoyed the comedy of it. Thanks for the link to the story – have downloaded it for tomorrow’s commute.
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 8:24 pmYes ma’am! I have about three books to get through so after those are done then I’ll pick it up.
Oh, and you’re welcome for the story. I really hope you enjoy it. The writing’s so tight and seamless and just a beautiful work of art. I can’t even begin to imagine how many drafts that piece went through.
I don’t really miss commuting (I used to take a ferry to and from my job in SF), but I sure miss the time I had to read and/or knit.
steph b says
March 2nd, 2011 at 3:06 pmI like a short commute for just that reason. I also like the mental distance between work and home. Wouldn’t mind recapturing that half hour for sleep, but so be it.
That story was amazing. I loved the way it circled all of the stories within the story. I did have to fight tearing up on the metro.
Nina says
March 1st, 2011 at 4:52 pmoh those are lovely products! 🙂
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 4:54 pmI’m so ready for summer, you don’t even know!
How was the rest of your day? I’m about to grab a snack and go work out. 🙂
Nina says
March 2nd, 2011 at 7:20 ampretty chill — we had dinner composed of all things bad for us — rice, a fried egg and fried hotdogs. i guess the hubs and i needed a bit of comfort food! 😀
i hung around and waited for one of my fave shows called raising hope to start. after that i read for a bit and then crashed!
oh summer! i cannot wait too. its a bit chilly here today, which is weird. lately, ive taken to gently swiping bronzer in a c /inverted c around my eye area onto the tops of my cheeks. it makes me look awake!
Karen says
March 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 amGosh that sounds good. I hope there was a lot of ketchup involved! I was actually craving garlic fried rice and a fried egg this morning… maybe for lunch. 🙂
Anywho, what are you reading these days?
Crystal says
March 1st, 2011 at 5:06 pmI am always less than thrilled w/ Guerlain (my bank account thanks me for this). The bronzing line always the same. Same packaging, same-ish products. A couple years ago they had another spray bronzer as well. I don’t mind paying more…but is it too much to ask for something that I am spending $50-$60 on to make me say WOW! 🙂
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 5:15 pmYeah, I know! $60 for one product better make the clouds part and angels sing, LOL!
Meghan says
March 1st, 2011 at 5:07 pmI love bronzer! Lol it is my new obsession..
Meghan recently posted … Weekly Makeup Sales- Feb 27- March 5
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 5:15 pmIt’s awesome, right? Which ones your fave so far?
Vijaya says
March 1st, 2011 at 6:13 pmI’m definitely bookmarking that piece to look at that after my last midterm is over (Thursday). I don’t use bronzer, for reasons that are probably obvious. xD
Vijaya recently posted … The Body Shop- Mango Shower Gel
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 8:10 pmGood luck with your last midterm, Vijaya. 🙂
Glosslizard says
March 1st, 2011 at 6:50 pmI don’t use a heck of a lot of bronzer, but my fave evah is a Guerlain bronzer! The pearly bronzing powder in Orient Sun from a couple of years ago, it has just the right hint of pink to look natural on a pale, cool-toned complexion!
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 8:09 pmI remember you telling me about that bronzer! Ooh, lovely. 🙂
Swathi says
March 1st, 2011 at 7:20 pmhey karen . I stay in India and Guerlain isn’t available here so I asked for Guerlain lipsticks (the Rouge Gs) from a friend who stays in the US . But since I dunno how they would look on me actually I dunno if I made the right choice. Do you think the Guerlain lipstick Garance 06 would look good on my NC40 skintone ? <3
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 8:08 pmHi Swathi,
You should be able to wear that color. If it’s too light you could always layer a neutral pink lip liner beneath.
Swathi says
March 1st, 2011 at 9:07 pmHey Karen .
Thanks !
Do you know any MAC lipliner that can match that shade since MAC is avaliable here !
And what do you think of the Rouge G formulation ?
I love your lipstick reviews !!! 😀
Am a make up virgin (KINDA) as its been only 4 months lol.
But your blog is so amazing and i read it everytime I switch on my laptop !
And the MUAs where ever i go are surprised that I know more about releases and products than them lol.
all thanks to you !!!
Swathi says
March 1st, 2011 at 9:16 pmHey Karen
Thanks !
Could you suggest a MAC lipliner that matches that shade on my highly pigmented lips. Thankfully MAC is available here !
I love your blog Karen .
It is just so damn good. I am a make up virgin (was until a few months ago) and I am learning about make up through your blog. 😀
The MUAs where ever I go are surprised that I know about launches and products better and faster than them lol :P.
Hell of a blog !
Instant Karma (formerly L) says
March 1st, 2011 at 7:36 pmOooh, these look good! I don’t really NEED a new bronzer, but I want to check these out…
That article looks really interesting. I’ll read it tomorrow. I’m ridiculously exhausted right now.
Also, I know I said this in the other post, but it bears repeating: you and your readers are the best ever. Thank you! 🙂
Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 8:07 pmYou’re welcome. 🙂 Losing a beloved pet is very hard, and I hope everyone here helped lighten your load a little this afternoon. Sending you so many hugs from across the interwebs!
Makeup Morsels says
March 1st, 2011 at 8:17 pmeek at the price, but I’m definitely loving the packaging as usual. Guerlain makes it so hard for me to say no…
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Karen says
March 1st, 2011 at 8:25 pmThe packaging is beautiful. They do a great job at conveying elegance!
snoopysteph says
March 1st, 2011 at 10:23 pmI’m not much of a bronzer-user but the packaging is so elegant!
How’s your week going, Karen? I’m smack-dab in the middle of tax season and needless to say I’m busy…swamped, actually, but that’s a very good thing! Lots of new clients this year too (referrals, which means a lot to me). Do you need a tax preparer? Tabs, perhaps? 🙂
Karen says
March 2nd, 2011 at 8:48 amHi Snoopysteph,
Ah, you’re like the eighth tax person in my life! I am destined to be surrounded by accountants and tax preparers (both my parents are/were accountants and my two closest friends do it too). 🙂 Good for you for getting lots of new clients. Will you be celebrating when the season’s over?
snoopysteph says
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:29 amI usually celebrate the end of tax season by going to Cancun in May, but since my 2 best friends have some big ‘events’ coming up this spring/summer I will be postponing my trip until September. One friend is getting married (bachelorette party in San Diego at the end of April, wedding in Denver on August 6) and the other is having a baby (I’m throwing a shower for her in May in Vegas and she’s due June 19). That’s a lot of plane tickets!
It’s a VERY good thing to be surrounded by people who are financially savvy! 🙂
Kim says
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:11 amHmmmm, bronzer. Eventually I’ll try one. I just have visions of looking orange, which I know is silly since there are so many great options out there. Maybe for summer! 🙂
Karen says
March 2nd, 2011 at 8:41 amOrange bronzer is NOT your destiny. 😉 Maybe try something with a little bit of pink in it, like Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer? Or Benefit 10?
Kim says
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:42 amThank goodness! 🙂
Great – I’ll give those a try; you know I’m always up for a little glowing, shimmering, sparkling action so I’m pretty sure I’d actually like using a bronzer.
Sarah says
March 3rd, 2011 at 6:30 pmFrom your summary of the story, it sounds like the movie Taking Chance with Kevin Bacon. Good movie but very somber. But I feel like I forget we are at war until I watch movies like this. So its a good reminder of what happens outside of my little world.
Karen says
March 3rd, 2011 at 6:48 pmHi Sarah,
I haven’t seen that movie. I’ll put it in my queue… And yes, that’s one of the reasons why I enjoy films so much. They allow me to escape.