| Review | NARS Laguna Bronzing Cream

| Review | NARS Laguna Bronzing Cream  

NARS originally released these bronzers for Summer 2021 under the name NARS Sunkissed Bronzing Cream but they are now re-releasing the product as a permanent item in their collection with a shade extension. They decided to go down that route that all brands do when they have an iconic product name and name product range after it. Personally, I liked the use of "sunkissed" over "Laguna" but with the popularity of their Laguna bronzing shade, they couldn't resist marketing these bronzers under that name. I originally purchased these in 2021 and reviewed them, this is basically an updated version of my original review. 

The NARS Laguna Bronzing Cream retails for $38.00 USD and is available at Nordstrom, Sephora, and other retailers. These cream bronzers are housed in a frosted plastic tube with metallic copper twist-off lids. The packaging is a good size, about the size of a standard compact, which makes it easy to travel with. This product doesn't come with a plastic overlay lid on the inside, which many cream bronzers come with to help prevent drying. This is not a deal-breaker but just something to be aware of. Just make sure to securely close your lids after every use. The packaging is very beautiful and definitely screams summer to me. 

SHADES 

Originally, there were only two shade offerings in this formula. They are both popular and classic shades from NARS - Laguna, and Casino. Now, the shade range has been expanded to five shades, which is pretty huge for a bronzer range! I really appreciate this because one of the gripes I had with the first release was the lack of shades to suit many skin tones. I love that they righted their wrongs by creating one of the wider bronzer shad ranges I have seen, especially in the cream bronzer department. I feel very confident that the shade range will allow almost every skin tone to find a good match. 

Right - Laguna, Left - Casino

Top - Laguna, Bottom - Casino

Laguna - This shade is a cool beige tan with a yellow undertone. This shade will work for fair to tan skin tones. It looks quite dark in the jar but you can sheer it out or build it up to suit your taste. 

Laguna

Laguna

Casino - This shade is a cool milk chocolate tan shade with a very subtle reddish undertone. This shade looks even more like a contour than Laguna because it is much cooler and deeper. This shade will work for medium to deep skin tones. 

Casnio

Casino

Swatches from left to right: Laguna (Swatched Heavy), Laguna (Blended), Casino (Swatched Heavily), Casino (Blended)

FORMULA 

These cream bronzers have a very distinct fragrance that is fast fleeting. The scent reminds me a lot of Tom Ford Soleil Blanc. It has strong notes of coconut but also something floral, like Jasmine or Fraganpini. I really enjoy this fragrance but this might be bothersome to those who have more sensitive skin. You really only smell it during application and it disappears quite quickly. I really love the scent but those with sensitive skin may want to be wary. Also, the coconut fragrance may come from the coconut oil that is in this product, which may not be compatible with some skin types. 

These cream bronzers are extremely creamy and pigmented. It almost feels like melted chocolate when you run your fingers across the cream. You can easily pick up a lot of product and the pigment is very intense so, you need to be careful how much you pick up at a time. The creaminess of this formula makes this cream bronzer very easily blendable with fingers or a brush. I personally prefer either applying and blending with a brush or applying the bronzer with my fingers to the skin and then, blending with a buffing brush. 

This is why I decided to purchase the accompanying NARS Cream Bronzer Brush, which retails for $38.00 and is available at Nordstrom. This brush was limited edition and it does not seem like they have brought it back with the 2022 release of the cream bronzers. This dense angled buffing brush is constructed of soft synthetic hairs and a metallic copper ferrule. The metallic ferrule is really stunning but it will scratch easily and is very fingerprint-prone. The bristles of this brush are short and the brush is very dense. The brush is quite round and the brush is angled to help maneuver the contours of the face. It is a hybrid of a buffing brush and an angled bronzer brush, which is ideal for blending and applying this cream formula. 

For cream contouring and bronzing, this brush works really well but it would be a bit better if it was slightly more angled. This brush will also work perfectly for applying foundation to the skin. This brush is beautifully constructed and always nice to have in my collection. I have many that are similar so, this isn't the most unique brush but it is a great brush to own for applying many products. This brush is no longer available but I don't think you're missing out on much. If I'm being honest, I don't reach for this brush often in my collection for applying cream bronzer. 

Back to the bronzer, since the formula is so pigmented, you don't really need to apply much product to the skin but this formula is very buildable. You can continue to deepen the color and it will still look so natural because the cream blends very seamlessly into the skin. While this bronzer has no mica or shimmers in it, it isn't a flat or completely matte finish. It does leave a soft glow behind because the formula does have a soft and natural sheen to it. It is a very skin-like finish, which should suit a wide range of skin types. 

This is a very nice creamy formula that isn't so emollient that it melts off of your face. It still wears nicely for 6 to 8+ hours without fading significantly. This formula doesn't set so, if you rub your face, it will lift from the skin. The wear time will really depend on your skin type and the climate you're in. I think the most unique thing about these is not the formula but the colors. Most cream bronzers lean warm but these lean on the very cool side, which sets it apart from the competition. 

THE LOOK

Here is what the bronzer looks like over my foundation. I have nothing else on my cheeks and you can see what a difference it makes in sculpting and adding color to my complexion. I applied it quite heavily but it still looks quite natural. I applied this using the Cream Bronzing Brush and dipping it into the cream bronzer pan then, applying it directly to the skin. 

FINAL THOUGHTS 

While this formula is very nice, the formula isn't that unique. With more brands bringing out their own version of a cream bronzer, you can find one for less than this one. However, if you're looking for a cool-toned cream bronzer, these have the coolest tone I have come across for a cream bronzer. This unique coloring prevents the complexion from looking orange. This is a big fear among fair skin tones and even those with warm skin tones. These cooler-toned bronzers are much more flattering for most skin tones and they also help contour and sculpt the face. 

I personally really like to use bronzer to sculpt the face so, these bronzers are perfect for me. If you also like using bronzer to shape your face or you find most bronzers too warm, you'll love these. The formula is creamy, pigmented, and easy to work with. I highly recommend this formula and I really do hope NARS will consider making these a permanent addition. It really is a beautiful formula that is on par with many top brands out there. As for the brush that accompanies this launch, it isn't necessary for applying this formula but it is a very nice brush and I also highly recommend picking it up! 

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