Gosh, dreams ? really do come true. Cats ? rule the Interwebz, The Craft is now on Netflix, and NARS Laguna Bronzer is finally available in a matte finish sans shimmer! ?
*Raising the roof at my desk right now.*
A new sheer matte formula
Yes, ma’am, the new NARS sheer matte Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzers will bathe your skin in faux sun rays. They’re made to look smooth and feel like almost nothing at all while they crank up a soft-focus effect.
Each of the four 0.28-oz. pans is $40. Seaside (Light 1), Laguna (Medium 1), Casino (Medium 2) and Falaises (Dark 1) don’t lean too orange on my medium skin (I wear St. Moritz in the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint line, for reference). Seaside and Laguna lean more toward golden bronze, while Casino and Falaises add some red.
They borrow a page from NARS Translucent Light Reflecting Pressed Powder
Like, NARS Translucent Light Reflecting Pressed Powder, a.k.a. my holy grail setting powder for under-eye concealer, you can’t see these powder particles on your skin. You see the sheer color, but the particles preternaturally disappear.
Are these toy makeup pans?
They almost look like it — like they’re solid, hard plastic — but rest assured, they aren’t. Your brush bristles will pick up the powder. It just won’t kick up a million visible grains.
Sheerer than most
It might not look like you’re wearing anything when you first try these on because of how sheer they are. I’d say they’re about half as intense as most powder bronzers and even sheerer than my other holy grain bronzer, Guerlain 4 Seasons, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. They’re purposefully sheer, which makes them perfectly sheer for super minimalist makeup looks (perhaps layered on top of a BB cream or sheer tinted moisturizer).
Easy blending
The best thing about these? They’re foolproof. Them being sheer means that any edges are a breeze to diffuse. I usually apply either Laguna or Casino with a large fluffy blending brush on my cheeks, then ease the transition from bronzer to skin with the same brush. It takes maybe a minute or two.
The final verdict
NARS Sun Wash is the user-friendliest natural-looking bronzer I’ve seen in a minute. If your makeup philosophy is “less is more,” it’s a total go, but it might be a little too sheer if you’re into an intense full-glam face beat.
They’ll be available online and at NARS Boutiques on April 1, Sephora stores in May, Ulta in August and at NARS counters soon.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
This sounds terrific. Laguna without shimmer!! I have to check these out asap as I’d love a new bronzer and Laguna is amazing!
Yeah, it’s very exciting! 🙂
These look so beautiful! I hope one is light enough for me.
These sound beautiful. I am feeling they are similar to MUFE Pro Bronze Fusion Bronzers, are they?
Hi Eesha,
Yes, although I remember those being more shimmery? These are straight up mattes.
Karen , can you post a pic of you wearing these bronzers or at least one of them in a future makeup look- I like to see products in action ?
Hi Brandee,
I’m wearing it today and will have a pic up in a few! I like to put a pic of the products in action, too, but I’m watching the baby full-time while also working at home now and it’s been a challenge.
Thank you Karen for the pics!!!! Pretty on you; I remember trying to multitask when my baby girl was little- And I remember the struggle…. but I had the best bladder control back then ?
Brandee, I just updated the post with a pic of me wearing the bronzer. 🙂
I have been forever faithful to my The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzer, simply because it is matte, but perfectly blendable. Sounds like NARS produced a similar gem here.
These sound and look amazing! I’m surprised that Seaside swatches darker than Laguna as the pan looks lighter or at least very similar. How heavily did you have to brush to get those swatches?
Hi MizzJ,
I had to swatch heavily to get the colors to read on camera since these are sheer. 🙂
Hoping one of the lighter 2 works well on my skin tone (I have a major problem with everything looking orange). As I’m still a newbie to bronzer a sheer formula sounds amazing.
Hi Bec,
The sheerness definitely makes them user friendly. You should also check out Hoola Lite by Benefit if you haven’t already. Guerlain also makes amazing, AMAZING, bronzers, but they’re pricey.
I’ve been thinking about bronzer lately (and using a little Hoola) because I feel like I’m looking like grim death, complexion wise. We’re in desperate need of some real sun in these parts but, until then, I’ll get by with a little help from some bronzer. HAHA! I do like the fact that these NARS lovelies are both matte and sheer. Plus, I’m always a sucker for a pan with a pattern. 🙂
You and me both, girl. The sun is finally out here and every time I see it I want to worship it, LOL! It’s been a long winter.
Hoola is one of my favorites, too, by the way! Have you ever tried it with your Chanel Malice? They’re beautiful together.
I’m doing that on the daily. And I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that it’s getting your stamp of approval! I’m in no way contouring (at least correctly) but am using Hoola under my cheekbones and then Malice high on my cheek bones – if that makes sense. It’s definitely giving some much needed color! We’re leaving for Hawaii in a little over a week and I can’t wait for some REAL sun. 🙂
I prefer sheer ones which are easy to build up instead of having something so intense! Laguna looks beautiful, I have to check that out!
Just started using NARS products, mostly foundation and concealer and a liking it alot. I got a mini Laguna bronzer when I bought the foundation and I like the shade on me, I have even been using it as a crease color on my eyes. These new bronzers look amazing. I have used Bobbi Brown matte bronzing powder for years, but will give these a shot.
So many great makeup launches. DANG IT. Take all my money, why don’t you.
These look wonderful – I can’t wait to get my hands on them? Do you know when they’ll be available – I didn’t see them when I clicked the link in your post.
Hi Audrey,
Hmm… I could’ve sworn I saw them on the NARS website. I just double checked with NARS and they’ll be added to the permanent line on April 1 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com, Sephora.com (in-store in May), Ulta.com (in-store in August), and all major NARS department stores (Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomingdales, etc.). Sorry for the confusion! I’m updating the post right now with the info.
Thank you so much for the update Karen! I am so excited to get my hands on these and try them out. I will be ordering 2 of them on Saturday!
I appreciate all of the time that you put in for the great pictures, swatches , and information on all your posts – you’re awesome!
Hmmmmm, I’m currently using the Physicians’ Formula Butter Bronzer (love it!) instead of the original Laguna, but this sheer formula looks amazing!
Karen,
I’m excited to try the palest shade – I’ve been searching for a light sheer non-sparkly, non-ruddy bronzer and they are surprisingly hard to find. Hoola Lite is weirdly gray on me, which makes it a great contour color but not ideal for general warming/bronzing.
Unrelated – I love you and your blog and have been a reader for more than six years, and will keep coming back as long as it exists. Because I love you I have to say that while it is very pretty, this new format is hard to read. The letters read as light gray against the bright white screen and it’s difficult for my 40+ year old eyes to focus and discern the words. The headers and pictures are fine – maybe just tinker with the font or color of the text?
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you for the feedback on the font. I’ll play around and see what I can cook up. 🙂
And thanks for reading MBB for all these years!
Looks awesome. Will these be added to Nars permenant collection in addition to the OG bronzers or will they be replacing them? I love the original and cant wait to try this.
Hello there! Can someone kindly inform me if original Nars Laguna (the old formula) discontinued?!
Hi Sertac,
Far as I know, it’s not going to be discontinued. This is just another iteration of it.
Thanks dear
Hi Karen, I’m a nc35 I also wear st mortis in tm. I have casino should I get new casino or is it to close in color to original and go with falaises?
I bought the light and light/medium shade, I’m not sure which it’s good for my skin tone. In the fall/winter I’m in nature shade and in the spring/summer I’m tan! Don’t know which is better for my skin tone :/