Guerlain | Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes The Bronzing Powder

With warmer temps fast approaching (although having snow fall in April is a little discouraging), my mind turns to all things sunny and topping that list is one of my favourite products, the Terracotta Bronzing Powder from Guerlain. This past January, I attended the private launch of their newly expanded range of this iconic powder, which now comes in 8 shades (compared to 4 previously), providing colour options from the fairest to dark complexions.

This special event was held at Le Richmond, a trendy eatery bordering Old Montréal and upon arrival, I was able to sit down with my dear friend, Maxime Poulin, International Makeup Artist for Guerlain Canada (along with the lovely head of PR, Josianne Gauthier) for a personalized Terracotta consultation. Within seconds, the shade he chose for me was not one I would have initially thought to go for, but his keen eye and expertise were proven correct as 01 Natural Brunettes is an absolutely perfect match for my light-medium skin tone.

Originally launched in 1984, Guerlain’s Terracotta Bronzing Powders were one of the very first powdered bronzers commercially available, quickly reaching cult status – and with good reason; their sublimely fine-milled texture which is infused with a moisturizing ingredient for a total skin-comforting feel throughout the wearing, combined with a heavenly tropical scent and a totally flawless sun-kissed effect, has resulted in one Terracotta Bronzing Powder being sold every 25 seconds worldwide. And as if all that weren’t enough, throw in the slim-profile compact with its 3-D tortoiseshell-like design, and it becomes basically impossible to resist.

For 2016, the Terracotta range has been added to with four new shades (still labelled as either Blondes or Brunettes, but don’t let that deter you, as this odd-sounding system actually manages to cover basically all skin tones). Inspired by their best-selling Terracotta fragrance, the scent of the new Terracotta bronzers is a subtle blend “combining the fresh and comforting notes of bergamot and white musks with delicious sunny notes of neroli, jasmine and ylang-ylang“, managing to capture the evocative essence of sunshine, beaches, and lazy tropical days all in rolled into one (a sidebar: the fragrance is not of the subtle variety, and while I am quite obsessed with it, those with sensitivities should take note). Even the logo embossed on the surface of the powder has been enhanced, still bearing the brand’s double G’s, but now surrounded by a ring of geometric chevrons reminiscent of the sun’s bountiful rays.

Guerlain | Terracotta private launch

Guerlain | the venue: Le Richmond for the Terracotta private launch

Guerlain | Terracotta private launch, with Josianne Gauthier & Maxime Poulin

Guerlain | All eight shades of the new Terracotta Bronzing Powder

With Maxime Poulin, Guerlain International Makeup Artist (Canada)

Natalia Vodianova for Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder (credit)

Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes – the shade personally chosen for me by Maxime Poulin, Guerlain International Makeup Artist

Guerlain | Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes The Bronzing Powder

Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes The Bronzing Powder (CAN $62.00) | With its legendary ultra fine-milled texture, shade 01 Light Brunettes, a light-medium tan hue with a slight beige undertone, is hands down the most perfect bronzing hue I have ever worn. According to Maxime Poulin, International Makeup Artist for Guerlain Canada (and a close personal friend – more like family, in fact!), the best bronzing powder for one’s complexion should be one that matches your skin tone when testing at the counter. And he’s absolutely right; initially thinking that this shade would be somewhat light for me, it turns out that not only does it work beautifully along my skin, but gives off the most realistic sunny glow – barring a day actually spent in the sun.

Guerlain | Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes The Bronzing Powder

Guerlain | Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes The Bronzing Powder (logo detail)

Guerlain | Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes The Bronzing Powder swatches

Guerlain | Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes The Bronzing Powder (compact detail)

While I have many bronzing powder options that I love using, I can’t deny that my personal favourites are those by Guerlain, not only for the wonderful way that they apply, but for the absolutely amazing results I get every single time. I happen to have quite a few varieties of Terracotta bronzers in my beauty vanity, but to keep things simple I chose to show how 01 Light Brunettes compares to two other shades in the range.

01 Light Brunettes – the seemingly lightest, but actually most neutral of the three
02 Natural Blondes – reddish undertones for more warmth
03 Natural Brunettes – the deepest of the three, more tan-leaning

Guerlain | Terracotta 01 Light Brunettes vs 02 Natural Blondes & 03 Natural Brunettes

Guerlain | Terracotta Bronzing Powder logo comparison, new (left) & old (right)

Guerlain is a brand that is not only steeped in history, but infuses everything they create with special touches of glamour and exceptional luxury. Their best-selling Terracotta Bronzing Powders are a perfect example of that, often imitated but never duplicated and quite possibly the ‘bronzers to rule them all’, in my opinion. This is a product that is basically goof-proof and once applied, seems to magically become even better with the wearing, fusing perfectly with your skin’s warmth and never oxidizing. For those who want that perfect & realistic faux-glow but without the actual sun commitment, then look no further: Terracotta is definitely the way to go. Worth every single penny.

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder is available at The Bay, Sephora, and Nordstrom stores nationwide. Find more information on the brand via www.guerlain.com