Nars Laguna Bronzer Review & Swatches

Probably one of the most long overdue posts I've ever written tbh. Nars Laguna Bronzer has become on of my everyday staples for the last 6 or 7 months, and I LOVE it! Nars is a pretty controversial brand in terms of product and worth so this is a review (that will be followed up with another linked review) to maybe identify some honest pros and cons of the product, for anybody undecided about buying.

 

One of my biggest peeves about NARS is their packaging. Yes, it looks awfully pretty and feels nice but as most of us know, rubberised packaging does not fair well in the makeup drawer. Dirt, foundation and especially powder will cling to the packaging, regardless of how much you try to protect it (I mean look at mine!). A lot of people compare it to Sleeks packaging, but the packaging is one thing you know you're paying the extra for. Its pretty thick and bulky, which although means the pan is technically safer, you've got to understand this thing is HUGE, its so easy to lose grip and drop it on the floor. Thankfully no pan smashes yet, but be careful! Another teeny complaint about packaging is the sheer amount of cardboard you get with the box, completely unlike any other high end product I've ever bought, just a little unnecessary and polluting really.

I don't want to speak too much about formulation as I have another post coming up not too long after this one that will cover all that. Basically, in the pan it looks a million different shades under different lighting. As you'll notice, it looks more like a highlighter in bright light. This is one of the things that can make buying this product pretty difficult, as we all know what beauty counter lights are like, it can really distort the shade so if you're looking to find honest swatches, beauty blogs are definitely your best bet. Below are some swatches of what the product will look like in natural light, a very golden bronze with golden shimmer.

 

Unblended / Blended

The thing I was worried about when originally buying this is whether or not it would suit my skin tone. I have a really yellow-olive skintone and lots of bronzers can look really funny or 'dirty' on my face. At the time I suspected many pale people would have the same issue but after finally taking the plunge I can honestly say I don't think anybody would have a problem with this bronzer in terms or suiting skintone. Because of the super soft nature of the formula, it blends really easily, and so its hard still to go 'clown overboard' which is good in any beauty bloggers books.

Nars Laguna Bronzer £26 Selfridges