Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duos Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) vs. Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo ($53.00 for 0.35 oz.) is supposed to create a “natural-looking, healthy glow” by using a “harmony of two shades.” There are four versions available, and I have the two designed for “Brunettes” (which tends to just mean warmer tones). It’s the type of product that is best applied swirled together, as the curved sliver of color on the edge is really quite thin, so only an eyeshadow brush could fit into it. Both shades had good, buildable color coverage with a soft, smoothing texture that looked good on the skin. The powder feels soft, silky, but thin and lightweight. They wore for eight hours each. The powders are heavily scented with a floral scent (primarily bergamot and gardenia) that I can smell from across the room when the compact is open and on my face (all day), so if you’re sensitive to scent, keep that in mind!
I was disappointed at just how similar the two were swatched and applied, because I don’t think anyone deeper than medium-tan or so will find these all that useful. Natural is only a shade or so darker with stronger yellow tones to it than Clair for Brunettes. On my skin tone, I couldn’t tell the difference between the two applied–they’re just too similar when you only have four shades! These also run very yellow/orange, less brown-based. I find that I prefer the shade range of the original Terracotta bronzers for more versatility (same price, quantity, better quality overall, and eight shades to choose from!).
Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo ($53.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy-orange with a semi-matte finish. It’s more like a natural matte finish, where the skin looks natural and isn’t flattened by the powder, but it’s not shimmery. The pigmentation was mostly opaque and seemed buildable and easily blended for a softer level of coverage. It wore well for eight hours before fading. Dolce and Gabbana Desert (P, $51.00) is darker. Urban Decay Naked on the Run Bronzer (LE) is darker. Dior Amber (002) (LE, $56.00) is slightly darker. Clarins Graphic Expression (LE, $35.00) is darker, more orange. Get comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo ($53.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a medium, yellowed brown with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. Again, it doesn’t add a real shine or sheen to the face, but it doesn’t flatten away the skin’s natural radiance. It had good, buildable coverage, though it seemed less silky compared to Clair, that blended well and sat nicely on the skin. The color lasted for eight hours. Dolce and Gabbana Desert (P, $51.00) is darker. Urban Decay Naked on the Run Bronzer (LE) is darker. MAC Bronzer (LE, $30.00) is darker. Dior Amber (002) (LE, $56.00) is more shimmery. Clarins Graphic Expression (LE, $35.00) is more orange. Get comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
Clair / Brunettes (01)
PPermanent. $53.00.
Natural / Brunettes (03)
PPermanent. $53.00.
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Clair / Brunettes (01) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
Guerlain Natural / Brunettes (03) Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Duo
My problem with these were that #03 (my sample) was looking too orange on me. I have natural undertones and I am a little lighter than you (around NC20). It was also subtle, so from medium complexions on, I think it won’t shop up. On you they also look like an orange blush though. What is the point of this I ask myself`? I don’t recall any other brands releasing such orange products.
I was surprised to see how light + yellow these ran given that the regular Terracotta range is quite different.
Wow these are so light even on you Christine. I’m an nc45 in mac so these would never work. And I really wanted them since they’re so pretty! Smh why do so many companies only make shades for light skin like darker skin people don’t exist?
I don’t know 🙁
They’ve upped the regular Terracotta range up to EIGHT shades, which is pretty large for Guerlain (unfortunately, it is a brand with an often limited shade range).
The same problem exists for fair skins. Guerlain product range is almost always too dark for fair skin, especially in France, where the fairest colors are not sold…So I can not buy their foundations.
I like the look of these! I guess natural brunette is ‘my’ shade.
Yay!
Christine I’ve been so curious about these (and both shades look very pretty on you). Are these supposed to be powder foundations? Bronzers? Finishing powders? I’m very curious to know what they are. . . . thanks so much. It’s been driving me bonkers not knowing how they are supposed to be worn.
OH, another question – I have the Joli Teint liquid foundation from last year – are these a powder version of that or to be worn with that? With seemed like it might be overkill to me, but I think I read that somewhere. . . .
Michelle I work for Guerlain. They are the powder to the joli teint foundation you bought last year. Thats why the colours are different to the bronzers. They are not bronzers
Hmm, this seems to totally conflict with what Guerlain’s press release listed:
“Guerlain has earned its reputation as “the” authority on bronzing since the inception of the first-ever bronzer, Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder, over 30 years ago. Today, Guerlain continues to set beauty trends by defining how to achieve the perfect glow with the debut of Terracotta Joli Teint Healthy Glow Powder Duo.”
Later on it says, “The four delicate harmonies each provide a natural-looking glow season after season that never betrays your secret.”
Thanks for the clarification Lamy, it’s great to get information on products from someone who works for Guerlain. I’m assuming (& yes, I know what they say about assumptions) that Guerlain has provided you with training or guidelines about new products rather than some info that you is written by PR &/or marketing people who probably don’t know much about the nuances of makeup. Now that I have your information & a lot of time to swatch the right shade for me (given that these are permanent). I’ll be interested in revisiting them, keeping in my mind they are to be used as powder foundation.
Hey Kat!
Just to chime in, neither of these match the two shades of Joli Teint shades I have, so definitely look at them in person if you’re trying to match them to your foundation 🙂
Good to know Christine. I was waiting to see if were going to review these, as I know how excited you were to get the Clinique Blushes on your cheeks (very much looking forward to the round up on those & hoping that the OGs, aka the original foursome, are going to be included). I wasn’t sure if you would have time with MAC’s unrelenting & more often than not frustrating deluge of releases, as well everyone else’s summer releases.
I’d love to see the Blondes version of these for comparision’s sake. I also find seeing products on a variety of skintones extremely helpful especially for items such as foundations & various types of products for the face.
Thank you!
Thank you Michelle for asking this because even though I’ve done a fair share of research & swatching before buying (what a concept, lol) I still couldn’t figure out what the purpose of these were but I’ve come to love all things to do with Guerlain’s bronzers & lipsticks. Although I’m still unsure if I’ll be up to taking the plunge of purchasing one of these because I wasn’t wowed.
They’re bronzing powders. They’re supposed to add sunkissed warmth/radiance.
Hi cristine!!! im brunette im nc35 in MAC im thinking in buy tgis powders in the darker shade but i cant taste it… what do you think .. are oigmented, for my shade its ok… thank you
I don’t think it would work for NC35!
This is easy skip for me. Fragrance is a big no-no for my face, and I’m not sure why companies keep putting so much fragrance into face products. Second, not sure why these powders are based on hair color (Brunette vs. Blonde) not skin color. I’m brunette but I’m not warm toned, and I don’t buy my hair color based on skin color. Third these powders look so orange, the only way it would work for me is as a blush, and I’m not paying $53 for a blush
Guerlain’s Blonde/Brunette system is odd.
Hope this helps im a guerlain BC. Blondes have pink undertones and brunettes have golden undertones. These undertones are designed to look most natural. However if you want your bronzer to stand out and you are a brunette go for a blonde for a more visible effect and vice versa x
I just don’t agree with you.
There are lots of Blondes with golden undertones and Brunettes with pink undertones…Undertone of skin has nothing to do with hair color !!!!!!
I’m brunette with fair neutral skin and I always buy “blondes” colored product with Guerlain…because otherwise I would look like a carrot…
Me, too! I’m a very yellow/warm toned blonde and can’t stand the blonde/brunette system.
Either way, being as pale as I am, both Blonde Clair and Brunette Clair would def. turn orange on me. I’ll stick with the Milk Chocolate Soliel.
I love love love Guerlain. But this product confuses me a bit. These don’t seem like typical bronzers. Almost like bronzer and face powder together.
The shade is odd for what they’re going for!
I am not sure if I am seeing that glow effect. If anything, they look like light bronzer which can be great for whose with vey light skin tones. I know I sometimes struggle with bronzers looking too orange. Guerlain Powders might fill this need.
Possibly! I think their regular line is so much better!
This is just too warm/orange to me. Also, they swatch basically the same. And finally, why they go crazy on the floral scent? I really don’t get that. I was thinking on getting one of the cooler ones, but if they smell, I rather don’t.
I don’t know why the two shades are SO similar in color!
Is it just me? I don’t seem much that is “duo-ish” about these. The 2 shades in each are awfully close to one another and I don’t really see how you could use the “darker” (not by much, though) shade near the edge on its own….You could really only blend it with the larger shade and even if you wanted to, you’d have to make sure to place your brush “just so” to pick up the colour in the the smaller area. Seems a bit like a gimmicky let-down to me.
You definitely have to give it a big swirl to get both!
I was rather excited about the concept of this product.. stupid since you can always dip a brush into bronzer followed by blush to achieve a similar effect.. but it was the claims of ‘sheerness’ of the combined product that had me thinking I needed this in my life. From the swatches I have seen, I’m glad I went with pass.
Their standard range of bronzers is SO much better.
Gorgeous eye makeup! Love that combo of gold shadow and dark jade blue.
Thanks, Jennifer!
I just don’t find these attractive at all.
Totally understand!
First of all, You look stunning in these photos!When I look at your older posts you to now, you have always been just so cute and gorgeous. But, you are growing into such a beautiful woman. I’m not gay or anything( not that anything is wrong with that) . I was just awestruck with your look here! So very pretty and happy looking. But, you can pull this stuff together like no other !
Onto the review..seriously, I almost ordered this in the darker shade today in a moment of weakness! Whew..I am glad I did not! I am for sure getting a single nice quality bronzer this year. Do you suggest the Guerlain Terracotta? How do I pick a shade? There are so many and no counters? Which would you get? That usually works for me. From my foundation picks and looking at your photos, we must be pretty close in coloring. I also noticed there is that one with the 4 shades. what do you think of that? Would a lot of that go to waste?
Oh..I LOVE that Bite Beauty lip mask..so nice and you save me so much $ by not getting the ByTerry. Thank you so much for that suggestion. My lips are usually dry when i wake up. They were nice and plump and happy this am! 🙂
Thanks Nicole! 🙂
Yes, I definitely recommend Guerlain Terracotta! Probably 03 from the regular range ($53 one) will be quite nice. Happy the Lip Mask is working for you!
Super! Thank you! 🙂
You’re right – they are very similar – too similar really. And the fact that they are strongly scented is a turn off. I like to choose my own perfume. What a shame.
It is odd for them to be SO similar!
This is a great product for those of us who are always pale. All 8 shades of the regular terracotta bronzer are way to dark for me. This product looks very natural on me and is one I can wear with confidence. However, skip if you are sensitive to fragrance.
I’m glad it works well for you, Mary!
I’m with you, Mary. I love this product! Other bronzers are too dark and heavy on me, and I am a brunette with golden undertones. The Clair Brunette shade is perfect for me to add some warmth without looking painted. The powder makes my middle aged skin look fantastic and younger. I am super pleased with this product.
I’ve been eying these….I’m neutral fair (MAC face & body N1, Clinique CC Light), freckles, green eyes, red hair…..do you think the blondes versions would be as disappointing? Should I get 00 or 02? Should I get a different terracotta altogether? I was attracted to the idea of sheer and buildable…I just can’t turn into a tangerine!
I bought them, but I haven’t even opened them yet, so I don’t know what they look like or swatch like.
I like a warm bronzer but this is too much for me and appears to yellow. Too bad cause I really like the packaging.
I can totally see that!
Then I’m glad I bought the Clair/Blonde shade, I’m a fair cool-toned brunette.
Phew! 🙂
Yikes… so orange! I am in the market for a new powder bronzer, but i think I’ll save up for a Terracotta 4 Seasons… those seem much more versatile and flattering
Good idea 🙂
I can safely pass on these, thank goodness. I’m just in the midst of putting my Sephora wishlist together! 🙂 The Clinique Cheek Pops are definitely on there though!
Phew!
I’m sorry to hear about the smell! I’m sure it’s a scent I will like but I am not sure I can put it on my face!
So true! There are scents I love but wouldn’t want on my face, lol!
from the look of the packaging it definitely looks like this is meant to be a bronzer
but the swatches definitely look something closer to a weirdly pasty/orange finishing powder :/
really confused by this especially because I love my terracotta bronzer
It’s definitely way, way orange/unlike the shade range in the foundation, but they seem lighter than the bronzer line.