Guerlain | Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush, 30th Anniversary Edition

As it’s my birthday today, I decided to post something celebratory to mark the occasion: this little beauty I picked up several weeks ago (along with one more item from this collection, the Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Terracotta Le Parfum – review coming soon).

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their iconic Terracotta Bronzing Powder, Guerlain has created a unique and limited edition product, the Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush 30th Anniversary Edition. Housed in a gorgeous case patterned with a golden sun on top, this is truly a work of art and a spectacular homage to the line.

It doesn’t hurt the cause, that this is one of the most amazing and sublime bronzers I have ever tried.

Guerlain | Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush, 30th Anniversary Edition

Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush 30th Anniversary Edition (CAN $84.00) – I’m a total sucker for beautiful packaging, and the casing of this product definitely falls into that category. The smooth and domed composite wood case bears a round golden disc on the cover emblazoned with a sun image – along with the brands’s initials – and has a luxurious heft to it, fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand. Held together with 3 magnetic clasps, it opens easily by grasping the bottom half in one hand and the top half in the other, then twisting in opposite directions. Once open cue angelic music you can’t help but take a moment (or 10) to admire its well-crafted beauty.

Created to be both a bronzer as well as a blush, the Terracotta Sun Celebration is divided into 4 equal segments, with 2 of the sections devoted to the bronzer part (a warm tan colour), 1 section a peach toned blush, and the remaining section a deep rose blush. There is also a gold sun embossed in the center of the palette, but it’s basically an overspray and designed to fade after using a few uses. Another departure from the traditional Guerlain Terracotta bronzers which typically bear the brand’s signature violet scent, is the heavenly aroma of the Tiaré flower that the Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush is infused with, although once applied, it seems to quickly fade into the background (at least according to my nose).

Each section is relatively easy to use on its own, although you will have to use a narrower brush to pick up the individual blush shades, if desired. As the 2 bronzer sections face each other, it’s a simple matter to sweep your brush across them both for a solo bronzed look. The powder itself is so exceptionally finely milled, that I experienced absolutely no residue or kick back when I swirled my brushes across its surface. This fine texture also allows for a seamless look deposited to one’s skin, helping the powder appear natural when worn, as opposed to sitting just at the surface level. The bronzer colour is a warm tan, and yet still light enough that paler complexions can probably carry it off as well (applied with a lighter hand). Lasting powder was excellent as well, easily going past the 10 hour mark before I noticed any significant fading.

My personal preference in how to wear this product, is by first applying a light dusting of the bronzer section to the key areas of my face (cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose) as well as my neck, then swirling all 3 sections together and picking up slightly more of the blush coloured portions, and applying that to the apples of the cheeks as well as temples. This gives a gorgeous sun-kissed glow, with a healthy flush to the cheeks – think “I just got back from a day at the beach” kind of look. Of course, one can always add a touch more blush, for a stronger definition.

Guerlain | Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush, 30th Anniversary Edition

Guerlain | Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush, 30th Anniversary Edition (the 3 shades shown individually)

Guerlain | Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush, 30th Anniversary Edition

Guerlain | Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush, Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder & Blush

My only other Guerlain Terracotta bronzer, is the limited edition Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder & Blush that was released in 2012 (see my review here), another hybrid product housed in a similar compact, but with obvious differences. Starting with the scent (violets as opposed to Tiaré), the Emilio Pucci also holds a highlighter strip with the blusher portions significantly harder to pick up individually, while the bronzer section is paler and more pink-tinted in comparison to that of Sun Celebration.

Guerlain | Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush swatch (left), Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder & Blush swatch (right)

Guerlain | Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush, 30th Anniversary Edition with gift makeup bag

Still available at some Guerlain counters, I can’t recommend this product enough – if you pick up just one bronzer this season, you absolutely need to make it the Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder & Blush. Of course, this jewel of a cosmetic product does come with a hefty price tag, but if you consider that you’re getting both a bronzer AND 2 blush shades – all of which are of the highest quality no less – then it’s really a bargain. Then again, if you’re a blush/bronzer fiend like me, do you really need a reason?