Gucci Light (02) Soleil Bronzing Powder Review & Swatches
Light (02)
Gucci Beauty Light (02) Soleil Bronzing Powder ($62.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a medium brown with subtle, warm undertones and flecks of gold micro-sparkle over a more semi-matte finish. It had a stronger, red undertone that came through when I applied it to my skin but wasn’t as apparent when swatched. The texture was soft, lightly powdery in the pan but blendable and easy to work with.
It had good color payoff in a single layer, though it was more pigmented than “buildable” as described–but it wasn’t as rich in coverage as the other shades in the line (it was also a bit more powdery, which may have been why). I didn’t find the powderiness to be a problem in practice, though, as the bronzer went on evenly without looking dry or dusty on. There were signs of fading after eight and a half hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Buxom Backyard Bronze (P, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Soft Revenge (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Benefit Hoola Caramel (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Light (01) (P, $14.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- Hourglass Golden Bronze Light (P, $52.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- LYS Beauty Strength (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Poolside (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Essence Bespoke (P, $2.99) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Physicians Formula Bronze (P, $14.99) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Pineapple Paradise (Bronzer) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$62.00/0.42 oz. - $147.62 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a "creamy" texture that is "buildable and feels comfortable all day" that "blends effortlessly" with a "healthy-looking glow." They disclosed that it is a scented powder--it has a floral scent to my nose, noticeable enough when the compact is open and for a couple of hours after initial application.
There are five shades in the range, though the first two shades are rosier, while the next three are warmer/more golden; while they may seem like they go in order from light to dark, 02 is darker than 03 (the rest are in order). The texture was very soft, finely-milled, and silky to the touch with a bit of a glide to it, without being overly dense nor too powdery in the pan. This resulted in an easy product to apply as the powder went on evenly and diffused well along the edges with minimal effort.
I wouldn't describe the pigmentation was buildable, though. I think you can use a lighter hand and pick up less product for a more buildable application of color, but the product itself was more semi-opaque to opaque in pigmentation. They seemed to have very, very fine pearl through most of the shades (one had more noticeable micro-sparkle, which gave them a more semi-matte to satin finish when applied and blended out on the skin. The formula lasted eight to nine hours on me before showing signs of wear.
Browse all of our Gucci Beauty Soleil Bronzing Powder swatches.
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sorbitan Isostearate, C20-24 Alkyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum/Fragrance, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C20-24 Olefin, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alumina, Limonene, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Linalool, Glycerin, Zinc Stearate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Mica, Citric Acid, Tin Oxide, [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/-:Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide(CI 77891)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I was looking at product swatches and thought the light shade was more golden toned, but it certainly does not read that way on application. I like this. It looks very pigmented and I usually tend to go for buildable, but will be checking out dupes for comparison. I might already have something in stash. Tempting tho…
Weird because the closest dupe, Buxom Backyard Bronze is described as a golden bronze on Big S.
I *like* it. Even quite a lot. Yet, I oddly love the Buxom dupe far more, for whatever reason. And that’s the one I will probably get at some point. Hopefully before it goes away.
I love the undertone of this! such a rich terracotta brown. it wouldn’t suit me well but I can’t stop looking at the swatch!