Bronzer Without the Shimmer with YSL

YSL Golden Sand (03) Terre Saharienne ($50.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a rich, golden tanned bronzer from YSL’s Solaris Collection. YSL is releasing three shades of Terre Saharienne that are both new and permanent — Sand (01), Copper Sand (02), and Golden Sand (03).

Golden Sand is a rich, golden bronze with an orange undertone. It has very, very faint shimmer, which translates into more of a subtle sheen that reflects light in an incredibly delicate way. This shade will work best for those of warmer and deeper skin tones, because the slight touch of golden orange in it may translate into an orange-y mess on those with paler and/or cooler skin tones. You can layer it on for an intense look or use it sheerly for a naturally bronzed look — you can see me wearing it in this look.

The packaging is classic YSL — the gold “metal” compact that flips open to reveal a large mirror and compact with YSL emblazoned in the middle. The back reveals all the pertinent information like its weight (0.35 oz.) and the active sunscreen ingredient (octinoxate 6%) — which is SPF 12. I like it for a more matte version of a bronzer — it’s not completely matte, but it’s not shimmery either. It’s also very finely milled, smooth to the touch, and easy to blend on the face.

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• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation:  If you’re on the look out for a long-wearing, nearly shimmer-less bronzer, YSL’s new Terre Saharienne might work for you.  Golden Sand, in particular, works well for warmer, deeper skin tones with yellow or olive undertones.

Availability: June 2010

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YSL Golden Sand Bronzer