NARS | Tahiti Bronze Collection 2016

 

NARS Tahiti Bronze Collection opener new

 

Leave it to François Nars to bring the exotic heat of the islands within reach; inspired by Motu Tane, a small Tahitian island just off Bora Bora, The Tahiti Bronze Collection 2016 from NARS is basically summertime encapsulated. Cult fave products such as the brand’s Monoï Body Glow I & II as well as Laguna Bronzer are joined by newcomers Liquid Laguna Bronzer (which will be permanent and I’m told it will replace the Laguna Illuminator), and the new limited edition Monoï Scented Candle (which is to die for, by the way).

 

 

Follow @ommorphia  YouTube ♦ Instagram ♦ Facebook ♦ Twitter ♦ Pinterest ♦ Bloglovin

 

Motu Tane

Motu Tane, Bora Bora – French Polynesia

NARS Tahiti Bronze Collection packaging

NARS | Tahiti Bronze Collection 2016

NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer

NARS | Laguna Liquid Bronzer

NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer 2

Laguna Liquid Bronzer (CAN $52.00) | First out of the gate, this new addition is a bronzer in liquid form (this was also the secret product used on me in my recent NARS beauty event post). Housed in NARS’s signature black matte packaging with tan lettering along its length, this bronzer needs to be thoroughly shaken prior to application, to ensure that the contents are all properly mixed. The product is dispensed via a pump system and has a thin and slightly runny texture, but it’s quite easy to work with just the same. The colour of the liquid is orange-tinted bronze with ultra-fine shimmer, but the type that translates into luminosity and not the gritty variety.

While the initial colour appears a little orange-leaning, it quickly warms up with your skin’s natural oils to form a natural-looking sun kissed glow upon blending into the skin. There are several ways to wear the Laguna Liquid Bronzer; on moisturized skin but before foundation to create subtle definition (as well as a more natural version of contouring), over foundation for either contouring or to achieve a realistic faux-glow, mixed in with your favourite moisturizer for a touch of tint, or even added to any foundation shade that might be too light in order to create a unique & customized colour. Staying power will depend on the how much you use and your chosen method of application, but expect to easily get a full 9+ worth of wear time before any significant fading.

Bonus: you can also apply Laguna Liquid Bronzer to collar bones, décolleté, or along shins for a natural looking touch of colour and Summery glow.

NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer 3

NARS | Laguna Liquid Bronzer

NARS Tahiti Bronze Laguna Liquid Bronzer swatches

NARS | Laguna Liquid Bronzer swatches

 

NARS Tahiti Bronze Collection

NARS | Tahiti Bronze Collection 2016

NARS Monoï Scented Candle

NARS | Monoï Scented Candle

NARS Monoï Scented Candle 2

Monoï Scented Candle (CAN $90.00) | If you love the scent of Summer, adore beach time, and have a passion for candles (guilty as charged on all three counts), then this is the one product you absolutely cannot miss out on. Paraffin-wax free and infused with French Polynesia’s signature Monoï scent, this black coloured fragrant candle comes housed in a glossy black glass jar with the NARS name silkscreened all around. I don’t have the specs on burn time, but I’m going to guess that it should be at par with other candles of this size (which range between 30-50 hours). Limited edition, I strongly suggest snapping one of these lovelies up before they sell out (which should be lighting fast, in my opinion).

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer compact

NARS | Laguna Tiare Bronzer

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer compact 2

NARS | Laguna Tiare Bronzer

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer

Laguna Tiare Bronzer (CAN $76.00) | Rare is the beauty addict who hasn’t either A) heard of Laguna Bronzing Powder or B) doesn’t already own at least one. This bronzer was also the very first NARS product I ever bought and it continues to have a special meaning for me (it also happens to be a staple in most pro makeup artists kits, and for good reason).

Starting from the gorgeous black faux woodgrain on the outer casing (that also bears the NARS lettering etched onto the surface), what makes this iteration stand out from previous versions is the lush Tiare (Tahitian Gardenia) fragrance that the powder is infused with (which does dissipate quickly after application, for those with scent sensitivities) as well as the included mini Ita Kabuki brush (Note: the brush head is full size; it’s only the handle that’s of a shorter length). I’ve gone in to detail about this product in several previous posts, but in a nutshell, this finely milled powder bronzer has golden/yellow undertones to impart a natural-looking warmth as well as an ultra fine shimmer that provides a luminous glow, helping to keep skin from appearing flat and one-dimensional. As with most bronzing powders, Laguna Tiare will ‘develop‘ upon the skin; after initial application, wait a few minutes before adding any more in order to avoid over-applying. Staying power is excellent, merging and fusing beautifully with your skin’s warmth and natural oils and continuing to look good throughout the wearing.

In the swatches below, I actually pulled out my original Laguna Bronzer to compare the two, and found this new version to pull slightly more golden against my skin tone.

I also brought out 2 Guerlain Terracotta bronzers to see how they fared, and neither one came close, with 02 Natural Blondes too reddish leaning in comparison and 03 Natural Brunettes deeper and slightly more tan.

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer 2

NARS | Laguna Tiare Bronzer with mini Ita Kabuki brush

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer macro

NARS | Laguna Tiare Bronzer (detail)

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer mini Ita brush

NARS | Ita Kabuki brush (mini)

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer swatches

NARS | Laguna Tiare Bronzer swatches

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer & Laguna swatches

NARS | Laguna Tiare Bronzer vs Laguna (swatches)

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer swatches & comps

NARS | Laguna Tiare Bronzer vs Laguna, Guerlain (swatches)

NARS Monoï Body Glow

NARS | Monoï Body Glow I

NARS Monoi Body Glow 2

Monoï Body Glow I (CAN $80.00) | This cult-fave multi-purpose body oil is like liquid sunshine, and is meant to provide nourishment as well as radiance to the skin. Native to the South Pacific, this lightweight Monoï oil is ‘composed of pure coconut extract macerated with the bud of the tiare flower (Tahitian Gardenia), which infuses the oil with nourishing benefits and a subtle tropical fragrance‘. The warm chocolate-golden shimmer is incredibly fine and disperses evenly along the skin (just make sure to give the contents a thorough shake before application), and provides a beautiful glow to the skin. I prefer applying this oil right after towelling off from my shower, but I also love wearing it when my skin takes on a light tan to really enhance that sunny glow. Bonus: it can also be layered with the Laguna Liquid Bronzer for added depth.

NOTE: let the oil become fully absorbed into the skin before getting dressed, to minimize the risk of any light staining.

NARS Monoi Body Glow macro

NARS | Monoï Body Glow I (detail)

NARS Monoi Body Glow II swatches

NARS | Monoï Body Glow I swatches

NARS Monoï Body Glow labels

NARS | Monoï Body Glow I & II (label detail)

NARS Monoï Body Glow II

NARS | Monoï Body Glow II

NARS Monoi Body Glow II new

Monoï Body Glow II (CAN $80.00) | I may be slightly obsessed with this oil and have already gone through countless bottles (thankfully, it lasts quite a while). A lightweight and transparent version of the original cult-fave body oil, this vitamin-rich product is created by macerating the tiare flower in refined coconut oil for 10 days which results in slowly infusing the oil with nutrients and that intoxicating tropical & exotic natural fragrance. Each square-cut glass bottle comes with a faux woodgrain cap and also holds a tiare flower to visually capture this unique process.

My personal favourite way to apply this oil, is directly after towelling off from the shower and while my skin is still slightly damp. I pour a little at a time into my palm and rub my hands together to distribute the product, then I proceed to rub it all over (except my face, obviously). Apart from the tactile experience and the long-lasting suppleness this oil provides, your sense of smell is also invited along for the ride. One word of warning: be careful in handling the glass bottle with slippery hands and always wipe the bottle down after use (this way you’re ready for the next time).

NOTE: this new version has eliminated the product information formerly seen on the back of the original bottle so that the contents stand out cleanly, and both the Body Glow I and II now have the official seal printed on the bottle’s side to indicate their official ‘Appelation d’Origine’ (Controlled Designation of Origin) status.

NARS Monoï Body Glow II macro

NARS | Monoï Body Glow II (detail of the tiaré blossoms)

NARS Monoi Body Glow II cap

NARS | Monoï Body Glow II (cap detail)

 

NARS Monoi Body Glow I swatch

NARS | Monoï Body Glow II swatch

 

François Nars does good beach. This entire collection is totally lust-worthy and I love how all the products work synergistically together. The new Laguna Liquid Bronzer has been in constant rotation in my beauty routine lately and I especially love adding it to my foundation to deepen the colour AND provide radiance, but it also works as the perfect anchoring base for the Laguna Tiare Bronzer applied on top. Both Body Glow I and Body Glow II are amazing, and if pushed to choose just one, then it would have to be the Body Glow II – mainly because it’s easier to use year-round, plus it smells divine. As to the Monoï Scented Candle, it has the ability to transport me surf-side from the second I light it, and for that reason alone, makes it  so totally backup-worthy.

The NARS Tahiti Bronze Collection will be available at NARS Counters nationwide as of April 1st. Find more information on the brand via www.narscosmetics.com

 

NARS Tahiti Bronze Collection closer new

 

 

 

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

Post may contain affiliate links

6 Responses to NARS | Tahiti Bronze Collection 2016

What are your thoughts, beautiful?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.