Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact Review, Photos, Swatches
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact ($69.00 for 0.98 oz.) is a mega-sized face and body bronzer with Guerlain’s signature Gs intertwined in a mosaic pattern. This is certainly more of a collector’s item, particularly in light of the price tag, though you get nearly an ounce of bronzer.
It is a mix of champagne gold, warm, terracotta brown, and dirty bronze. The champagne gold is an overspray, which does go away after a few uses. I scratched at the surface, and it does seem like the lighter brown and darker brown shades go all the way through and both have a very slight shimmer-sheen laced through the product. When applied, it gives a warm, golden bronze glow with a satiny sheen (the swatches are shown after the champagne gold overspray was removed). It should work well with light to medium-dark skin tones, and best with warmer complexions.
The color is different from the Terra Inca Sublime Radiant Powder, which is a rosier bronze, less orange, and it has a much more metallic and high-shine finish. The Sublime Radiant powder felt more like a highlighter, while the Terracotta Mosaic powder feels more like a traditional bronzer.
I found the scent of this bronzer to be overwhelming–it is a very strong, heavy scent, and to me it’s like a floral baby powder. I just can’t do it. From the minute I opened the compact, it took over. It’s nowhere near as strong when worn, but I did catch a few whiffs of it through the day. It’s unfortunate, because the bronzer wears well (eight hours) and gives me a nice golden glow and sheen.
For me, I thought this looked prettier in the online photos I saw than in person; I had to hold it a few feet away to see the design pop as much as it seemed to online–so I am curious to hear what others think on the design. I think the Sublime Radiant powder is a better use of your money (it’s $70, though half the size), because it’s a more unique color and product, plus it’s packaged in such a lovely way–this compact is lightweight plastic.
Mosaic
$53.00.
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact (top half is used)
Guerlain Terracotta Mosaic Compact
This looks amazing on you Christine, thanks so much for the review and swatches. I’ve only recently become a big fan of Guerlain!!
I agree with you about the overwhelming aspect of the scent; I had the same experience when I bought the Meteorites compact. I have a pretty sensitive sense of smell (I work in the wine industry), and just opening the compact for the first time the other day was intense. I have a strong physiological reaction to smells that powerful (close contact with people wearing lots of heavy fragrance can make me feel dizzy and nauseous). I could also smell it while I was wearing it, which is insane.
I love the texture of the powder itself, so I plan on leaving the compact open for a while (just not near my makeup table!); I’ve heard that can help dissipate the scent. I just haven’t worked up to it yet. As it is, I can’t wear it. I need my nose for my job!
This is definitely the strongest scented Guerlain product I’ve come across–perhaps due to its size–I’m totally fine with the Meteorites myself. It should dissipate, though, if you leave it open for a few days, but you could also try putting vinegar or lemon juice next to it. I believe both of those will take down the smell if I’m remembering correctly!
It looks really nice on u as always 🙂 the swatches are gorgeous!!!!
It is not that expensive. It seems that you get a good amount of product for your money (I don’t even have to mention that it is very pretty to look at).
I’m just wondering about the packaging. It is different than the packaging of other Terracottas I have. It seems as if the top cover is made of transparent plastic and it looks a bit cheap to me; like it could break easily?
It doesn’t seem like it’ll break to me, but it is lightweight plastic. By no means does it feel like luxury packaging, IMO.
that’s just gorgeous!
I love the color of this bronzer!!! Other than that nothing impressed me.. packaging was cheap looking.. scent.. ugh horrible.. overall I would never repurchase it! For the hefty price tag, I would buy something else!
Beautiful!
this is not expensive, considering the amount of bronzer you have!
I’m guessing the scent is Parma Violet? That seems to be Guerlains favorite. That smell is completely noxious to me so if the price weren’t a deterrent, the scent seals the deal.
It seemed different than their typical scents to me – more powdery to me. I don’t mind Guerlain’s scent at all usually, and I can’t remember any Guerlain product having such a strong scent as this powder. For me, it was totally overwhelming.
Did you do something to your face? You are glowing a lil extra today 🙂
And LOVE the bronzer, I would frame it and put on display
Nope, barely wearing any makeup, haha.
Pretty, but I might use this as a blush (I’m NC42).
.98 ounces?! That is a TON of bronzer! $69 seemed harsh at first, but this thing could probably last me a freaking decade! :O
LOL.
At least they give you a good amount, though whether one would use it all up is a totally different question!
Pretty, but it’s too dark and too orange for me.
This looks very similar to the Clarins Mosaic Bronzer – only apparently that collection is not available in the US! 🙁 So this might be a nice alternative although the price is much higher. I think I’ll go check this out anyways, thanks!
Very pretty! But I can only use a whisper of bronzer…my skin is too pale.
I own this and absolutely adore it. I am a NC25/NC30 and it does not look orange on me at all. Yes it does have a fragrance, but I find all Guerlain bronzers have this same scent. However, I dont find myself smelling it throughout the day. Its staying power is amazing. The only flaw I dont like is the lid. I feel like the hinge is going to break at any time. But the product itself is a A in my book. Just wish it had the beautiful heavy Guerlain packaging they usually use on there products.
I can’t remember any product smelling quite as strong as this one – for me, it’s just too much 🙁
Super pretty bronzer and BTW Christine you look great in Purple!
Hey Christine! I’m so sad to hear about the scent because I was really excited to try this bronzer… it seems so luxurious, but I *might* be able to handle the scent (fingers crossed). One thing though, do you think the perfume would make this unsuitable for sensitive, break-out prone skin? Thanks! 🙂
It really just depends if fragrance is an ingredient that bothers your skin or not – for me, fragrance doesn’t seem to be an issue, even though I still get acne here and there.
Honestly, it’ll just depend on whether fragrance is an ingredient you’re sensitive to. For me, fragrance doesn’t seem to negatively impact my skin, but it might for others.
Christine your skin looks amazing! Such a natural beauty
I’m surprised about the scent issue, since I’ve seen a few testers of this and haven’t noticed it, so maybe that means leaving it open for a while would help dissipate the perfume? Looks beautiful and soft and very natural.
Yep! If you leave it open, the scent wafts out (totally non-technical!) and dissipates over time.
It looks great on you Christine! I was about to get it but I finally got the Terra Inca because of the strong smell (the Terra Inca smells too, but it’s nicer and lighter in my opinion), the size, and the packaging (since the main reason was collecting, I have many bronzers). I’d prefer if the overspray stays though.
Christine, how does it compare with NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder? Because it gives so much product, I was debating whether or not I should get this, and therefore not have to get like 4 Lagunas. I’m just asking this because the pretty large price/unit difference between the two products, as Laguna is $117.86 while the Guerlain is $70.41. i mean they look pretty similar in terms of orangey-warmthness… not sure that’s a word, and the amount of shimmer. Thanks!
I don’t have Laguna, sorry!
it really really flaters you !
Very Pretty, but it looks just like the Clarins Mosaic Bronzer, my current favorite 😉
It says on french Sephora website that the base for this bronzer is Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder in 03.
For once I seen Guerlain product not made in France.Hmmmm. I would buy it just because it smells. I love scented makeup except for MAC’s vanilla scent. Why wouldnt Guerlain smell. After all, Guerlain is the creator of Shalimar. Have you ever smelled Shalimar? It is like put it on so you can go hunting for a man.
I don’t mind scented products, and I typically like Guerlain’s violet scented products – but this was very heavy and obnoxious to me. I think I even stated this in the review. Just like all things in life, balance is important; if you wear a scent, you don’t want it to disappear in an hour, but you also don’t want to give those around you a headache.
I agree with u. Yesterday, I went to Nordstom to see this item. I felt so ugly in my person. The sublime raditant is better than this.
Looks very pretty on you – very natural.
Hi Christine!
Do you think this bronzer will work with my NC37/NC40 skin?
I’m not really looking for something that will totally give me a darker tan, but rather a nice tan glow… 🙂
I think it would!