And the ref counts, “…seven…eight…nine…10!” Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!
That’s it, folks. It’s over. The new $69 Guerlain Terra Nerolia is a knockout!
But seriously, in what world is $69 reasonable for a bronzer? My accountant mother certainly wouldn’t approve. She likes to walk places because of the stray coins she finds along the way (love you, Mom!).
Of course, she isn’t obsessed with bronzer, either, so there’s also that…
To even consider Guerlain’s new Terra Nerolia, you should probably love bronzer (like, you wear it every single day and feel naked without it) and have a debilitating weakness for luxe brands.
Because sh*t’s really, really expensive…so you’re going to want to love it on every single level.
And that’s exactly what Guerlain wants.
They started with the presentation and Terra Nerolia’s sunburst pattern. The first time I opened the over-sized 0.67-ounce pan and saw that gold, peach and bronze, I thought two words: Ancient Mayans.
Then I caught a whiff of the tiare flower scent and thought, “Hawaiian vacation.” 🙂
Guerlain suggests mixing the powders together for a subtle, satiny sheen, but truth be told, the first few times I wore it, I felt like the gold shimmer overspray was doing a little too much, like the glitter was overpowering the bronzer.
I was relieved when the overspray wore off, and I actually love Nerolia more now that it’s just a bronze and a peach. Like a kick-@ss duo.
I usually use the bronze by itself to contour, swiping it below my cheekbones, along my chin and around the edges of my face to warm my skin tone and define my features, and the peach as a blush, but I might also mix both powders together, and buff them on my body for a peachy bronze satin glow.
Terra Nerolia has all the hallmarks of a great bronzer from Guerlain — finely-milled powders, all-day staying power, no streaks, and it adds warmth without venturing into orange Oompa Loompa territory.
Best for: Guerlain lovers looking for a bronzer that appears soft, and not harsh, on the skin. Of the two bronzers from the Terra Ora summer collection, this one seems like the most flexible one to me, since it can function as a contouring powder, a blush and an all-over body bronzer. I also think it photographs beautifully.
PRICE: $69
AVAILABILITY: Coming may to Guerlain Counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
This one’s for the gardening guys/girls out there…
When El Hub and I first moved here three years ago, we bought a tiny dwarf orange tree.
As a little back story, El Hub has this thing about only planting things that bear fruit, or food, and if something’s purely ornamental, he’s just not into it.
It’s one of those odd quirks that I love about him. 🙂
Anywho, after three years of neither fruit nor flowers, our little orange tree is finally producing flowers. It’s covered in little white blossoms, and they smell amazing!
The bees in our neighborhood love the tree, too. They’re always buzzing around the flowers and freaking me out.
I read somewhere that bees can smell fear, and so now whenever I walk past the tree, I mumble, “I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid!” under my breath.
I sure hope the tree bears fruit this year… I’ve actually never eaten an orange just picked from a tree. Gotta cross that off my bucket list, haha. 🙂
Do you have any fruit trees, veggies or other edible plants growing at home? Catnip, perhaps?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I think I just died a little inside. This is *gorgeous*! I was going to purchase one of the new 4 Seasons Tailor-Made bronzers but screw that, I’m goin for this one!! 😛 Not only am I quite partial to a nice presentation (darn you, beauty brands, for getting smarter and releasing such gorgeously embossed/designed powders with EVERY collection now!! :P) but Guerlain’s Terracotta Light in Brunettes is my favorite powder ever. I use it every day; this bronzer reminds me a bit of the shades in Brunettes so I know it’d get a LOT of use out of me! 😀
Haha, Becca! You crack me up!
I might have just died and gone to bronzer heaven! Looove how it looks on you! IT’s so so amazing! It’d kill me a little to ruin the pattern, but I might get rid of the overspray before I dig in. My tolerance level for shimmer in face products isn’t very high!
Hi Sunny,
LOL! Bronzer heaven is probably filled with pans and pans of this product. 🙂
Hi Karen,
Guerlain Terra Nerolia looks absolutely gorgeous both in the pan and when worn! Tiare flower does sound like a great summery smell— it’s nice to mix in a scent other than rose.
I love the part about your orange tree too; I hope it bears fruit someday!
Hi Dovey,
I’m with you on the tiare flower scent (although I love me some Guerlain rose!).
If the tree ever bears fruit I’ll be sure to take lots of pics. Are you into gardening? I enjoy it, although I don’t get to do it enough.
I loooove the colour combos you’ve been wearing lately! So, so beautiful and summery!
Hi Steph,
Thanks very much. I loooove summer makeup (as you can tell).
How’s your week going?
It’s going well, thank you! Hope yours is too!
The pattern and packaging of this is just divine!
Hi Chelsea,
Isn’t it though? Those French lines sure know how to do it up.
Speaking of French, do you ever speak to Quincy or Jiji in French? Sometimes I talk to Tabs in Tagalog, but he most of the time he just ignores me.
Sometimes! I’m pretty sure they both ignore me no matter what language I speak.
Jiji was causing mischief during my phone interview today. At least he didn’t meow in the background, that would sound professional… I also cleaned out QB’s cage, and I’m pretty sure I got enough fur off of him and the cage to knit myself another bunny.
Ha! The only language Tabs understands is the language of gravy. Occasionally he’ll respond to the language of love…but only if gravy’s involved.
Oh, how did your interview go?
Jiji speaks the language of Whisker Lickins treats.
It went very well! I have an in-person interview Thursday, and it sounds very promising! Yay!
Wow, you look beautiful and I love your hair. And I love the bronzer too. I bet I’d get a lot of use out of it….:)
Hi Agata,
Added bonus: it’s HUGE so it should last you roughly forever. And it smells so beautiful, like a bouquet of flowers, every time you use it.
Not that I’m being your pusher or anything, haha! Maybe you should drop a hint to your hubby.
Anyway, I hope that you had a nice day. Mine was crazy busy, but now it’s over and I’m going to settle in to watch The Voice in just a few.
Maybe I should 🙂 I was showing him the new Dior collection online, saying I really want the quad and he said “Geez, get it already if you want it so bad”. Lol
My day was pretty uneventful, just busy day at work and dinner and my in laws. Today though is my and hubby’s wedding anniversary and my day off 🙂
breathe in breathe out! eeeekkkk! OMG!!! I L-O-V-E it!!! on my list!! Karen, please, please, porfavor tell me you are going to review Tom Ford’s summer !????
you look amazing by the way, you are glowing! not just in this entry, but in all of them! xoxo
Hi Karen,
I think so. I’ve seen pics and it looks AMAZING, like rose gold!
What’s on your summer wish list, by the way?
Such beautiful packaging!
I keep trying to grow cat grass but it never lasts very long. Brian grows catnip for Missy. He just brought her some the other day. Missy LOVES him! It’s really adorable. Now I’m left to deal with her on my own as she bounces off the walls all day long.
Hi Heidi,
We’ve tried to grow cat grass, but it always ends up really trashed, LOL! Tabs can’t stay way from the young shoots. Have you tried echinacea? It’s easy to grow, cat friendly and won’t drive Missy cray-cray.
I’ll keep the echinacea in mind. That sounds like a good one to try.
That’s gorgeous bronzer. I love the Guerlain presentation. I’m such a pale redhead I’ve never thought bronzer was very plausible on me though it looks great on you! We have a grapevine in the backyard which the birdies love. Planted a peach tree this year, will see how it does.
Hi Meredith,
I’m with you on Guerlain’s presentation. They also find interesting and elegant ways to showcase their makeup.
You could probably pull this off with a very light touch. The other shade, Terra Ora, might be slightly easier for you though, because the bronze shade’s more beige than tan.
Anywho, how cool that you have a grapevine in your backyard. What kind of grapes?
Hi Karen, thanks for responding! Idk what kind of grapes (other than green) we have, they came with the house. Now I’m curious 🙂 I absolutely l love the earrings you have on in this post btw.
It gives you such a healthy, vibrant glow! And I’m loving the bouffant hair, Karen.
Hi Kei,
Thanks, my friend. Do you ever wear big hair? I’m kinda into it at the moment.
Karen I love reading your blog, you are hilarious! I can’t count how many purchases I’ve made after reading your reviews.Eh probably will add this bronzed to the list.:)
Hi Paula,
Aw, I hope your makeup bag is filled with lovely treasures. So, what’s on your summer wish list so far?
This compact looks like an ancient treasure… Really beautiful, but a little pricey for me 🙂
Hi Lulle,
It certainly does. I would love to have one just to stare at all summer long.
Hope you had a nice Tuesday! Anything new to report?
You look like a bronzed Godess Karen, it has to be said! While I love the pattern from the other bronzer more, I do prefer the shades and the finish more in this one. It’s like you said: more versatile and wearable. I must say that it’s a huge powder compact, wow! And I had a lemon tree once here but it got some kind of disease :(. You are so lucky! It looks beautiful! ^^
Hi Teri,
Thanks, babe! Guerlain sure knows how to hook a girl, don’t they?
Bummer about your lemon tree. How old was it? Did it ever bear fruit?
It looks very subtle and makes such a difference, plus it looks like some pretty gizmo!
Btw, I like your earrings!! 🙂
It’s still gorgeous and I totally agree with the Mayan vibe. And I’m not rationalizing but that pan is pretty huge. OK, I know. It’s still $69. 🙂
That’s awesome that your orange tree is blossoming! How exciting! We have an apple, plum and 2 pear trees in the yard. I’m not at all an expert but ours took a few years to produce any fruit. They’re definitely bee magnets. Which reminds me of last week when my coworker and I were walking at lunchtime and a wasp flew down the front of my jacket and v-neck shirt. All I could think of while trying to calmly bend over and remove it without giving passing traffic a show was “bees can smell fear, bees can smell fear….”. HAHA!
This is so nice!! *debating*
That bronzer is so gorgeous! I don’t really wear bronzer so I’ll have to pass, but it’s just so lovely!
Holy moly, batman! You wear these summer collections so beautifully- like they were made for you. If El Hub isn’t over come with the urge to whisk you off for an island getaway after seeing these photos, I think he needs a visit to the eye doctor! And what is the name of that teal nail color you are rocking, please?
I can imagine how lovely the orange blossoms must be smelling! Talking of plants always reminds me of my grandparents who have a kitchen garden at their place. Home grown vegetables have such incredible flavor – makes the simplest of dishes taste amazing!
This is so beyond gorgeous! I bought the Terra Soleia last summer and I still love it to this day, and I’m pretty sure this will be another summer splurge for me as well. It’s too gorgeous to pass up! It looks phenomenal on you too by the way, warm without being too warm. Another amazing stunner from Guerlain! :]
Hi Painted Lady,
NICE. I hope that you love this as much as your Terra Soleia. It’s a beautiful piece that should go effortlessly from season to season. Yay for summer makeup. 🙂
You are so gorgeous! I never go make up shopping without YOU!! Love to tabs
Hi Tasha,
Tabs sends love back! We just got back from hanging out on the deck where he had a nice lunch of echinacea leaves. 🙂
I’m so happy that you take me “shopping” with you. What have you found that you love?
When I first saw this on another blog, I thought I might like this. Now, seeing this on you, I know I love it. I can’t decide if I will pay that price though.
Hi Liz,
It’s crazy pricey, but I have to say…it’s a great bronzer. And it’s HUGE! It should last a really long time, even with every day use.
My husband is opposite, he only plants trees that will not bear fruits. He doesn’t want to waste time having to “pick-up” after their fruits when they fall…LOL!
Hi Lee,
How funny! What types of plants does he usually grow?
This is soooo pretty! I love the smell of tiare. Let’s see, we have rosemary and wild blackberries in our yard. We also have a raised garden with grape tomatoes but my neighbors cats destroy it. My other next door neighbor has blueberry bushes! Yum!
I felt the same way about the MAC Pink Buttercream pearlmatte – once the shimmer overspray was gone, I really REALLY liked it! This is another piece of gorgeousness from Guerlain…sigh! So pretty. I can’t wait to have actual land so we can have an herb garden. I cook a lot and would love to trot out to the yard to pick up some cilantro and basil as opposed to trotting out to Publix!
Hi Karen,
You look AMAZING ! love the whole look you did, the eyes the lips, the hair… and also actually the color of the top you are wearing is gorgeous, my favorite color for this year, the only problem is that it’s not very common here, what a shame !
I need this bronzer in my life 🙂
I just got mine and all I can say is.. I love it. I love it, I love it, I love it! It’s been a long time since I fell head over heels in love with any bronzer, but I absolutely adore this one. Gorgeous!!