Nars's Laguna Bronzer Imparts the Ultimate Beachy Glow

We put the Nars Bronzing Powder in the shade Laguna to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

If the beauty world was coming to an end and I could only save one product, it would be bronzer. To me, a beautiful bronze glow never goes out of style. And bronzer is versatile, too: You can melt it into your skin for a natural look or layer it for a full-on J.Lo glow. Either way, bronzer always understands the assignment. 

As you can probably guess, I have many bronzers in my kit. Cream bronzers, shimmer bronzers, liquid bronzers—you name it, your girl has got it.  What can I say? Bronzers are my not-so-guilty pleasure.

So when my editor assigned me the task of reviewing a Nars bronzer, I was immediately excited. I’ve always heard fantastic things about the brand's bronzers from friends and family, and I am a fan of the world-famous creamy concealer. So does the Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna live up to the hype? Keep reading for my full review.

About My Skin: Strong golden undertones

Although my love for bronzer is without question, I do have trouble finding the right bronzer for my skin tone. I have a strong golden undertone and prefer bronzers that cater to such needs. However, I’ve discovered through the years that bronzers come in many different formulas. Some are too orange, ashy, or too peachy for my skin tone. I prefer bronzers that have a more golden undertone to complement my complexion. 

The Ingredients: Hydrating

This bronzer includes two ingredients that caught my eye: camelina sativa seed oil and rapeseed oil. Seeing two hydrating oils in the formula immediately let me know that the product would not be overdrying on the skin. As someone with fairly dry skin at the moment, I appreciate the possibility of this product laying comfortably on my skin even on my driest of days. 

How To Use: Everywhere and anywhere

If you're looking to incorporate Nars Laguna into your makeup routine, there are many ways to do so. First, for a natural glow, feel free to dust the bronzer all over the face. Lightly applying the product to the face will create a subtle bronze glow that will make you look fresh from a day at the beach. For a dramatic look, try using the bronzer to sculpt the face. Apply the product to the contours of the face—along the hairline, jawline, and cheekbones. Finally, you can always add the bronzer to your eyes for a bit of sculpting and color. 

When using the product, I decided to go with a natural approach. Rather than using a sculpting brush, I used a fluffy bronzer brush because I wanted the powder to naturally fall where it may, working the bronzer around my forehead, cheeks, and jawline. 

The Results: A sunkissed glow

The product provided a beautiful bronze glow that allowed me to go about my day feeling sun-kissed. I appreciated how it stayed in place throughout the day and didn’t require much retouching. My favorite feature of the product is the color; it’s incredibly beautiful and flattered my golden undertones. 

The Value: A worthy investment

Start collecting your coins: The Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna cost $38. I’m honestly not shocked at the price of this powder: When you purchase a Nars product of any kind, you’re investing in quality. If you’re looking for the best bronzed glow on the market, I would suggest investing in this product. 

Similar Products: You've got options

NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer in Medium: If you love the Laguna shade but hate the shimmer, then this one is for you. The NYX Professional Makeup Bronzer in the shade Medium ($10) is a lovely warm brown. I love how this product is simple and straight to the point—and so is the price.

Smashbox Cali Contour Face Palette: If you’re looking to get a little more bang for your buck, try Smashbox's Contour Face Palette ($40). The product provides a six-pack of blendable highlighters, blushes, and bronzers to give you a glow like never before. This one is also cruelty-free and formulated without any parabens.