- Blendable and buildable formula
- Very creamy and melts into the skin
- Semi-matte and natural finish
- Doesn’t look patchy or cakey
- Long-lasting wear
- Feels lightweight and comfortable all-day
- A quite high price point
- The shade range is not inclusive
- Not cruelty-free, vegan, or non-toxic
As a makeup enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for that perfect bronzer that can truly make a difference in my daily routine.
It’s no secret that finding the right formula can feel like an endless quest for many. So when I stumbled upon the NARS cream bronzer, I knew I had to give it a try and share my thoughts with you all.
Being a much-talked-about product in the beauty community, this bronzer has gained quite a reputation. The major question is, does it live up to the hype, and is it truly worth the investment?
After test-driving it myself, I have some answers that might help you decide if this is the right option for your makeup collection.
So, I’m going to give you my honest thoughts on things like how well it blends, how it wears throughout the day, and just overall how it performs. That way, you’ll have all the info you need to decide if this bronzer is the one for you. Sound good? Let’s dive in!
Overview Of The NARS Cream Bronzer
Before delving into my experience with the NARS Cream Bronzer, let’s take a closer look at the packaging itself. Like many of NARS’ products, the casing is both sleek and compact, making it easy to toss in a makeup bag or purse for on-the-go touch-ups. The features:
- A matte container with a golden cap
- Looks medium-sized (19 g./0.67 Oz.)
- Has product info at the bottom of the container
The packaging is different than the normal base range of NARS products, which most of them have that sleek black, matte look. I personally love this golden touch to the packaging, super luxurious!
One thing that is visible right off the bat is that the NARS Cream Bronzer shade range isn’t very inclusive. The bronzer is available in just 5 shades:
| Shade | Description |
|---|---|
| Laguna 01 | light bronze with neutral undertones |
Laguna 02 (original) | light/medium bronze with neutral undertones |
| Laguna 03 | medium bronze with warm undertones |
| Laguna 04 | medium-deep bronze with warm undertones |
| Laguna 05 | deep bronze with neutral undertones |
Whether you’re a fan of the cult-favorite Laguna shade or a newbie wanting to try NARS bronzer, there are some options to try. However, I’m afraid not everyone will find a shade that fits their skin tone.
How To Use
- Swirl a brush into Laguna Bronzing Cream to pick up a moderate amount of product.
- Gently apply in circular motions to give the complexion a naturally tanned effect.
Things To Consider
Sadly, NARS is not cruelty-free. Based on the ingredient list and product description, this product isn’t vegan, gluten-free, or clean (non-toxic ingredients). If this is important to you, it’s better to skip NARS completely.
Ingredients
the main ingredient of the NARS Cream Bronzer is Monoï De Tahiti Oil, which is made from Tiare petals. This lightly scented oil is known for its soothing and softening properties and helps lock in moisture and firm and tone the complexion.
Dimethicone · Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate · Trisiloxane · Silica · Polyethylene · Dimethicone/vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer · Polysilicone-11 · Plumeria Alba Flower Extract · Trimethylsiloxysilicate · Fragrance (Parfum) · Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil · Gardenia Taitensis Flower · Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract · Tocopherol · Benzyl Salicylate · Hexyl Cinnamal · Linalool · [+/-(May Contain/peut Contenir): Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499) · Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)].
Show All Ingredients +Review Of The NARS Cream Bronzer Laguna 01
NARS is an iconic brand well known because of its base products and quality. I think this is another addition to their high-quality, top-notch performing products.
Their Laguna bronzer (powder version) is one of those items that basically everyone in the beauty world knows, for a good reason. I like that NARS took this as the inspiration for their cream bronzer. They do this a lot, by the way; the popular Orgasm Blush also is their inspiration for lots of products.
I’ve talked about it already, but the shade range is just bad. 5 shades is never covering all skin tones and so the brand is excluding quite a lot of people. I really hope they’ll expand their shade range in the future.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the details of this bronzer and how it performed so you can make a thorough decision before purchasing.
Pigmentation
When it comes to pigmentation, the NARS Cream Bronzer definitely doesn’t disappoint. It offers a rich and buildable color that melts into the skin.
I found it blends seamlessly and creates a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow. The bronzer provides the perfect balance of pigmentation, never looking too harsh or orange on the skin.
I was a little afraid that this bronzer would look too orange on my light skin tone, but it doesn’t! I would say it has more of a warm-to-neutral undertone, so it gives me the warmth of a bronzer without being too orangy!
Formula
The formula is very creamy, glides onto the skin, and basically blends itself. It’s a very easy-to-work-with formula that is perfect for bronzer beginners or makeup beginners in general.
It never looks cakey or as if it’s lying on top of the skin/foundation. It works exceptionally well with a NARS foundation, but it works with any other foundation brand (at least, the ones that I’ve tried).
The finish is satin to matte but very natural. It doesn’t accentuate any texture, pores, or fine lines, nor does it accentuate dry patches if you have dry skin like me. It’s never patchy-looking!
It’s lightweight; you don’t feel like you have any makeup on. If the main ingredient Monoï de Tahiti Oil is really firming my face? I don’t know. I’m not sure, to be honest.
Does it lock in moisture? Not sure either, but at least the formula isn’t drying my skin out and feels comfortable, even after wearing it all day.
I literally have nothing bad to say about the formula. It quickly became one of my top favorite bronzers!
Application
What I truly appreciate about this cream bronzer is its easy application. The formula glides smoothly onto the skin, making it a breeze to bronze the face.
It’s even a great option for beginners who might be a bit intimidated by cream bronzers. With just a few dabs of product and a blending brush, you’ll be left with beautiful, sculpted features.
Even though I prefer applying products with a brush, I believe this cream bronzer works best with a brush. However, if you prefer applying with your fingers or a sponge, this will work as well. It almost blends itself so you won’t come across any problems.
Longevity
While the bronzer isn’t waterproof, it does offer impressive staying power. It’s long-wearing and won’t fade too quickly throughout the day, ensuring you maintain that lovely glow for hours on end.
I didn’t notice any smudging or fading throughout the day. It stayed on perfectly fine as if it was just applied. I do have dry skin, so I’m not quite sure if the staying power is the same on oily skin, but I think that this cream bronzer has quite a good staying power.
One tip to keep in mind: I always recommend setting cream bronzers with a translucent powder or powder bronzer in order to prolong their wear and minimize the risk of smudging.
Value
NARS is a high-end/luxury brand, meaning the bronzer is quite expensive – $38. However, this bronzer will last you a long time (you don’t need much + it contains 0.67 Oz./19 G., which is quite a lot), and the quality is literally amazing.
Who Should Buy The NARS Cream Bronzer
The NARS Cream Bronzer is perfect for people who want an easy-to-work-with product, whether you’re a beginner or just want a quick glam.
If you have money to spare and would like to invest in a high-quality, natural-looking cream bronzer, you should really try this NARS one!
Do I Recommend The Cream Bronzer
Yes! I really dislike the shade range because I know so many people will love this bronzer but might not be able to find their right color match or undertone, which is such a bummer.
If you think you can pull off the bronzer tones, you should really try this. I’ve been using this cream bronzer a lot lately, and it may have won my heart over the Patrick Ta one. Sssst, don’t tell.
Alternatives To NARS Cream Bronzer
Even though the NARS Cream Bronzer is a great option, it is not the only bronzer on the market. Actually, I think the following products have comparable features, high quality, and finish.
Charlotte Tilbury Sunkissed Cream Bronzer
The Charlotte Tilbury Sunkissed Cream Bronzer felt way too expensive to ever spend on a cream bronzer, but the packaging is HUGE (it’s probably 2, maybe 3 times the size of NARS), and the formula is amazing.
If bronzers are quickly too orangy for your skin tone, I get you. You really need to try the Charlotte Tilbury Cream Bronzer in Light. It has the perfect neutral undertone!
Comparing it to the NARS bronzer, I think NARS is creamier, glides on easier, and might be more beginner-proof compared to CT. But the quality, pigmentation, and longevity are both similar and very, very good. Oh, and Charlotte Tilbury is cruelty-free.
Patrick Ta Creme Duo Bronzer
The Patrick Ta Bronzer has been one of my favorite bronzers since the day I got it in my hands. I still love its formula a lot, and I also like that it comes with a cream and powder bronzer, so you can have the best of both worlds.
However, I think formula-wise, the NARS Bronzer may have stolen the second place, putting Patrick Ta in third place. Just like Charlotte Tilbury, the Patrick Ta bronzer is a little less creamy and maybe less beginner-friendly.
However, the Patrick Ta bronzer blends like a dream, you get both cream and powder, and it has a gorgeous neutral undertone with some warmth to it, which I really love. Great alternative if you don’t want to try NARS. Patrick Ta is cruelty-free!
Final Thoughts: Is NARS Cream Bronzer Worth It?
After spending ample time researching and trying out the NARS Cream Bronzer, I feel confident in providing a comprehensive review to help you determine whether or not this product is worth the investment.
Firstly, there’s no denying that the bronzer blends effortlessly onto the skin. Its cream-based formula allows for easy application and seamless integration with your foundation and other makeup products.
Moreover, the bronzer’s buildable nature means you can achieve either a subtle or more apparent sun-kissed look, depending on your preference.
Regarding shade range, NARS didn’t do a good job, sadly. With only five shades, it will exclude quite a lot of people. However, the bronzer’s semi-matte finish works well across various complexion types – from oily to dry.
When it comes to longevity, I found that the NARS Cream Bronzer holds up remarkably well throughout the day. The product doesn’t appear to fade or become patchy and maintains its freshly applied appearance even after several hours of wear.
- Blendable and buildable formula
- Very creamy and melts into the skin
- Semi-matte and natural finish
- Long-lasting wear
- Doesn’t look patchy or cakey
- Feels lightweight and comfortable all-day
- A quite high price point
- The shade range is not inclusive
- Not cruelty-free, vegan, or non-toxic
The price point is on the higher side, which is a bummer if this doesn’t fit your budget. I always recommend checking for sales and grabbing it when you have some discount.
Ultimately, I believe the NARS Cream Bronzer is worth it if you’re willing to invest in a high-quality, long-lasting bronzer that blends seamlessly.
While it may not be the most budget-friendly option, the benefits and performance of the product can justify the expense for makeup enthusiasts or those looking to elevate their bronzing game.
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