You know what’s stupid? A bronzer that comes in one shade and yet is expected to suit every woman. But that’s exactly what Big Makeup has delivered for years. Guerlain is different, though. Since developing the world’s first bronzer in the 1980s, they’ve practically cornered the market for pretty highlighters (like their Illuminating Pearls) and sun-kissed-glow solutions.
The crown jewel of the brand is their Terracotta Bronzing Powder, which smartly comes in seven shades. Sweep “00” around the perimeter of your face if your skin leans fair; try “07” for dark complexions. As the shades become deeper, the color doesn’t turn muddy and too red, as some bronzers tend to. The finish is just shy of matte (Guerlain defines it as “natural”). I’ll take that, and the bronzer’s oddly soothing scent, too, which is delicately laced with notes of gardenia and a touch of vanilla.