Bronzed & Glossed

I mentioned in my current wishlist post I've been going through a bronzer phase, and the absence of cult bronzer NARS Laguna from my collection was beginning to bother me immensely. I was researching the most economical way of procuring it, when I came across the NARS Lose Yourself Blush/Bronzing Powder Duo & Lip Gloss Set on StrawberryNET. Released in the middle of 2011 and retailing for $US49, this Sephora-exclusive set contains a blush/bronzer duo in Angelika/Laguna and mini Angelika lip gloss. The blush in Angelika is the same size as a full size NARS blush (4.8g), and although the bronzer is 4.7g compared with the full size 8g, it's more than enough product for me. The lip gloss was basically an afterthought — an inclusion I could've easily done without but wasn't going to complain about, especially since I've never tried a NARS lip gloss before.

The mini lip gloss in Angelika at 3.7g is just under half the size of a regular gloss. Described as a "cotton candy pink with gold and silver sparkle", Angelika is a bright, blue-toned pink with silver/diamond shimmer that isn't all that noticeable until the gloss is taken off. It has a vivid, bubblegum quality without looking too purplish or fuchsia on my lips. The formula has a tendency to settle into lip lines, but nothing that pressing the lips together to blend the gloss can't solve. It has a somewhat thick texture which makes it opaque and glossy, but it's not uncomfortable to wear or physically sticky on the lips.

l-r: Angelika, Laguna

The Angelika/Laguna duo comes in a compact nearly double the size of a normal blush. Rather than a rectangular pan, the individual blush and bronzer pans have rounded edges. The mirror is a lot larger which means you can actually see most of your entire face with it. The obvious downside to having two products together is that if you only want to use one of them, the other half is forever tagging along, taking up unnecessary space. At the same time, the two do make a natural match, and I very rarely pack powder products or apply them on the go, so it doesn't make a difference to me if it's only going to be kept at home.

l-r: Bourjois Rose de Jaspe, Rimmel Genuine Plum, e.l.f. Pink Passion, NARS Angelika

I remember watching Tanya Burr mentioning NARS Angelika blush in her "Products I Regret Buying" video, which made me a little wary I'd share the same sentiment. Most pink blushes tend to look quite red on me, and Angelika is no exception. There is silver and gold glitter in it, but it's not all that detectable on the cheek. I pulled out three other blushes that I thought would be close to Angelika — while none of them are identical in the swatch, once worn, they pretty much give the same effect (though e.l.f. Pink Passion is a bit paler, brighter and fresher). It's fairly easy to work with as it's not super pigmented, nor does it go on patchy, but it's best sparingly applied and blended well, otherwise it can leave me looking ruddy and sunburnt.

l-r: NARS Laguna, Benefit Hoola, Stila Shade 01, Bourjois 14, Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Contour Palette

The Laguna side of the blush/bronzer duo was 70% of my motivation for buying this set, and thankfully it doesn't disappoint. I think part of its enduring appeal is that it's relatively sheer but very easy to blend. You can use it concentrated across the cheekbones to contour, or more liberally as an all-over bronzer. It can be anything from a barely-there hint of warmth and definition, to a full-on, summery golden tan. My favourite brush to pair with it is the Models Prefer Mystique Angled Blush Brush, as the shape enables me to use it to contour, but it's fluffy enough so that any product and edges are well blended.

Comparing my other bronzers, I don't have anything exactly like Laguna, which is warm, golden, with a subtle gold pearl. Benefit Hoola is dirtier (more taupe), matte, darker. Stila Sun SPF 15 Bronzing Powder in Shade 01 is more of a matte ochre colour, an orange-leaning golden brown that's ultra smooth and soft in texture. I had to scratch my Bourjois Délice de Soleil Bronzing Powder SPF 15 in 14 with a toothpick because the surface had completely sealed off. Even after I managed to release some pigment, it was still chalky and patchy. The colour is too dark for me anyway, a slightly burnt and muddy orange brown. The contour shade in my oft-neglected Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Contour Palette is more a caramel/toffee brown. It's matte, lighter, a tad more red than the others, with a very smooth texture but somewhat powdery.

The entire Lose Yourself set just screams summer to me, especially if all the products are applied together. I'm not a huge lip gloss fan, but I ended up liking the Angelika gloss more than I thought I would, mainly because of the colour and the texture. I wouldn't mind tossing it in my makeup bag over a lipstick for a night out. I'm a little bit underwhelmed with the Angelika blush, though I might get more use out of it when the weather starts heating up. Laguna is an instant hit with me and has motivated me to toss out some of the now vastly inferior options in my bronzer collection.