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I’ll preface this review with one statement: I am not usually a bronzer person. I like being as pale as possible but boy oh boy, these have converted me.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzers- Ebony 08, Nude 00 & Moyen Brunettes 05

Guerlain introduced some new shades within their Terracotta Four Seasons line and I’m not sure why a bronzer suddenly peaked my interest, they just looked pretty and interesting in the pan… So I bought three.

I astonished myself, I reeli reeli like them. The texture is unlike a lot of bronzers I’ve tried, ultra fine and silky so blending is seamless and patch free. I’m a fickle mofo, hence, I enjoy the versatility of the quadrants: I can concentrate my brush in the lighter or darker shades, depending on my preference of the day. Some quadrants exhibit a minor sheen in pan that does not translate to the skin- they’re matte but never flat.

One of the novel aspects of the new shade introductions is the inclusion of a coloured portion, which most people would identify as a blush. You can absolutely use it for that purpose but by swirling the brush in all quadrants, you can achieve an interesting nuance of bronze. Clever.

I know someone will ask: but are they orange? Well a little, yes. Bronzers are designed to be warm so if you’re looking for a neutral shade to contour, you’d be better off with a contour powder or a deeper face powder. You wouldn’t use mascara in your brows, so why use a bronzer to contour? Rrrong purpose.
*steps off soap box*

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzers- Ebony 08, Nude 00 & Moyen Brunettes 05

I think swatches are a pretty useless method of evaluating a bronzer but I’ll include them for curious minds. Guerlain bronzers frequently look orange in swatches but transform into warm, delectable gorgeousness on the face. Don’t be fooled.

My shade choice may seem random, how can an NC20 pull of both Ebony and Nude? It’s all in the application. I swirl my SUQQU Cheek Brush (broken record) in the pan and blend on the back of my hand before even approaching my face.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzer in Ebony 08
Geared towards medium to deep skintones but…dat coral. Out of the three, this is definitely the most saturated and pigmented, I take off most of the product on the back of my hand before application.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzers- Ebony 08, Nude 00 & Moyen Brunettes 05
The reddened coral component can be used alone as a veryyy pigmented blusher however, the shades mixed create an authentic-looking Bahamas tan on medium to deep skintones. Think about it: when you tan, do you turn a yellowed bronze? I exhibit a burnished element and that is what Ebony recreates.

My favourite placement with Ebony is all shades on cheekbones and hairline + extra coral oomph on the cheeks, which is what you see here.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzers- Ebony 08, Nude 00 & Moyen Brunettes 05

N20-25 is the lower limit for this bronzer, I think anyone paler would find it terribly tricky to pull off.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzer in Nude 00
I would describe Nude as a biscuit-y, honeyed shade. Lacking in true caramel or bronze tones, Nude is one of the few bronzers that I can confidently say would work on even the palest of skintones. My blonde ladies out there, this one is for you.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzers- Ebony 08, Nude 00 & Moyen Brunettes 05
On my NC20ish skintone, I apply all the shades quite liberally in a C motion (cheeks, temples and hairline) to add a bit of warmth and dimension to my face. I used the pink portion on my cheeks, which is very sheer and barely there, but the overall effect is beautiful- a tonal, cashmere hue.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzers- Ebony 08, Nude 00 & Moyen Brunettes 05

I’d say the upper limit for Nude would be an NC25, any deeper and you’ll find yourself repeatedly stamping brush in pan, to no avail.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzer in Moyen Brunettes 05
In comparison, Moyen Brunettes looks like the no frills alternative but in fact, it was my first purchase and initiated further bank account abuse. I was skeptical, the swatch looked orange (I’m the first to admit it!) but that’s the magic that is Guerlain.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzers- Ebony 08, Nude 00 & Moyen Brunettes 05
You’re talking about bronzers, Karima, get bronzed! So I did.

Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzers- Ebony 08, Nude 00 & Moyen Brunettes 05

I lightly dusted all shades over my entire face and concentrated the colour a bit moar on the tops of my cheekbones and down my nose. I drew myself from an NC20ish to an NC30ish and not to toot my own horn but… it looks pretty darn natural, amirite?

Guerlain Four Seasons Bronzers retail for an incredible 75USD or 110AUD. Believe me when I say that these will probably outlive me, I haven’t even worn away the embossing. I’m not suggesting you get three though, that would be excessive.

xxkarima

Complete list of products mentioned

Bronzer
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* Denotes products sent for consideration. I’m always honest with my reviews :)

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  1. I really like the Ebony on you! Beautiful!!
    But I think the nude would prob fit me better than ebony…ummm
    I should go to the counter and try them……ummmmmmmm

    1. I’m using maestro color #3/Lasting silk #2/YSL B20 lol
      I’ve never actually proper diagnose the color tone …maybe i should go do MAC and ask lol
      But speaking of such….I am also interested to know if my skin tone will mach with suqqu cream foundation 002 or 102….ummmm

      1. Oh you’re about two shades lighter than I am so I think Guerlain Nude 00 would fit you best. Ebony will be very dark on you, I wouldn’t recommend it. As far as Suqqu Frame Fix Cream, you’re likely a 001 or 101.
        Xx

      1. Not familiar with Armani or Bobbi Brown Bronzers (noob at bronzers, here) but only have good things to say about these Guerlain ones! x

      1. Yes I forgot to mention that πŸ™ It doesn’t appear that Australia will stock Nude or Ebony, I had to purchase overseas πŸ™ x

    1. Oops! The first is MAC Cockney, blotted down. The second was a case of Becca Beach Tint in Lychee, then realised it was too bright and went over it with a nude lipstick (Suqqu Creamy Glow Hiwada). The last one is MAC Coral Bliss, which all tan people need! Xx

  2. What an amazingly detailed review. Thanks for that! Moyen Brunettes definitely looks the best on you if I might say, and I think that’d be my shade as well. I just had to let go of my most recent bronzer purchase (Bobbi Brown in Natural) since it was just too dark.. So I’ll have to take a look at how these perform on me. Guerlain is my favorite brand after all.. How could I not πŸ˜‰

    1. My pleasure, Isabelle πŸ™‚ What brush are you using? These are very pigmented so brush is key, keep that in mind when purchasing (could go very wrong with a dense brush!) xx

  3. Jesus you make these looks so damn appealing. I was already interested but that price tag kills me. You pull off each shade you picked perfectly. Your posts always astound me. I’m willing to save up for these babies, there must be a reason Guerlain is known for their bronzers!

    1. The price tag hurttssss, at least I bought them at US prices! I’m flattered that you liked the post, Guerlain bronzers are the rolls royce πŸ™‚ x

  4. I am super pale and got the nude one about a month ago. I still haven’t used it though, but I love all of them on you! Are there any products you could recommend for contouring?

  5. Hey! I have the nude one and was totally about to jump on either blondes or brunettes but (!!!) I bought GA bronzer #1 first and I might just like it a bit more. Has you tried the GA one?

    1. Yup! Moyen Brunettes has been around a while, I don’t think they’ve changed the formulation. Ebony is awesome but the intensity scares off a lot of people, I think! xx

  6. your skin looks amazing, apart from these products what else are you wearing?-concealer,powder,foundation, blusher?
    i love reading your blog! its so classy and very chic:)

    1. Hey Maryellen! So sorry about that, I didn’t mention that Nude doesn’t appear to be available in Aus. I have friends in the US who forward me certain items so I’m not sure where you can purchase this online πŸ™ Sorry again. xxkarima

  7. Thank you dear for sharing information! I used guerlain four season last summer and i love it! Do you recommend it as a bronzer!!? What about the bobbi brown bronzer? Please help!

    1. My pleasure πŸ™‚ For clarity, I’ll just copy and paste a paragraph from this post that outlines my opinions on bronzers used at contours:
      “I know someone will ask: but are they orange? Well a little, yes. Bronzers are designed to be warm so if you’re looking for a neutral shade to contour, you’d be better off with a contour powder or a deeper face powder. You wouldn’t use mascara in your brows, so why use a bronzer to contour? Rrrong purpose.”
      Personally, I think you’d be better off with a contour powder like NYX Taupe Blush or Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder (my personal favourite).
      Hope this helps πŸ™‚ xx

    1. Hey Nora, I don’t use bronzer to contour (as I mentioned in this post). For bronzer, I mostly use the SUQQU Cheek Brush. I have a variety of favourite contouring brushes: Rae Morris Ultimate Cheek Bone, Hakuhodo Eyeshadow L and the brush included in the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder (which is my favourite contour). Hope this helps πŸ™‚ x

  8. Hey, I got that Ebony 08 and I absolutely loveee it! ANd Yes I also had to get that from Dubai Airport, its not in DJ or Myer. My question is, how did you get that perfect mix? I usually mix the coral one with the one right above but can’t seem to get your mix. Also if you could please share some tips on which ones to mix with which I would really appreciate it.

    1. Hey Ellie,
      Sorry for the late response, I generally dab the brush in the centre of the pan then blend on my wrist to evenly distribute the powder on the brush, apply from there.
      xx

  9. Hi Karima!
    Your posts and videos are smart ,funny and sooo helpful for “juniors” in the makeup like me. I ‘m doing my investigation to buy my first bronzer and its hard to choose between Guerlain terracotta (00, 02) , 4seasons (00, 04) and Armani sun fabric (100 or 400). I am chanel VA 22 (but I can also fit to Armani Luminessence CC 3) , my makeup is always natural ,my hair are copper/honey and I tan in the summer ( i live in Greece :)) .
    I ‘d really value your help so please advise!
    Thanks a lot and keep on posting!

    1. Hey Mimi,
      I can’t speak for the Armani Sun Fabric because I don’t own it but if you’re looking to go 4 Seasons, I think 04 would suit you better than 00 (which is mostly a shade for those who don’t tan).
      xx

  10. Would you be able to do like a “Bronzer Bonanza” post or video? I’m looking for a bronzer that gives a natural glowy-warmth, but I have quite pale, olivey skin. Could you do like a best bronzer for every skin tone smackdown? Love your posts, love your videos! And your website design is also awesome! πŸ™‚

  11. Ooh, I mean a more affordable bronzer smackdown! πŸ˜› Even though I would love to purchase one of the Guerlain bronzers, I can’t justify the price.

  12. Y U KILL ME KARIMA πŸ˜€
    Now I want like seven πŸ˜€
    One shall be mine, but I am still to decide which shade. I am the same NC20 as you, we legit have the exact same face coloring; BUT – I tan like crazy! At the first glimpse of that summer sun, I legit go up to NC35 (yep, those Indian skin tones) and find myself lacking in all base products, but especially in the bronzer department. So if I am to invest my hard earned money in one of these babies, which shade would you recommend for an all year round use? I would NOT like to order the wrong shade if you feel me, so your expert help would be most appreciated πŸ˜€
    Kisses from Serbia,
    Milena πŸ™‚

  13. I am positive that this is the BEST swatch/review ever. If you are going to do something, you do it well. The world thanks you.

  14. Hi Karima,
    You look stunning in all those pictures and I really love the review!
    I’d have a short question: I am a NC15/20 in MAC, so which Guerlain 4seasons bronzer would you recommend? I can’t decide between 03 brunettes or 05 brunettes since I do get tanned in summer but not like super dark. thanks πŸ™‚

  15. I really enjoyed the powder, is very good and moisturizing, it’s last long on my face. I ll love to have more of it, but that ll be during sales.

  16. Hi, I really wanted to get one of these bronzers but am ensure which one will suit me the best, would you be able to help me, I have medium-tan skin
    thanks

  17. Hi, I have been looking at purchasing one of these but am ensure which one I should get, would you be able to help? I have medium-tan skin and wear armani luminous silk 6.5
    Thanks