Lancome Temptingly Bronze Bamboo Bronzer Review, Photos, Swatches
Lancome Summer Riviera: Temptingly Bronze Bamboo Bronzer
Lancome Temptingly Bronze Bamboo Bronzer ($45.00 for 1.41 oz.) wins the award for the prettiest product of the summer. (I would say year, but I suppose that’s just a wee bit premature. But let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised…) This is a collector’s item for sure, even though the bronzer itself is certainly lovely, there’s just no way for what’s underneath the design to compete with the intricate, woven pattern you see first.
Often during the summer, Lancome releases a specially designed, limited edition bronzing compact (more like compact disc…). This is not your ordinary bronzer, because this is about five times the size of the average bronzer (which is around 0.30 oz., while Lancome’s weighs in at 1.41 oz.). The compact is about the size of a music CD and half an inch thick and in a soft-glossed bronze plastic. Inside is a large-sized mirror (goes with the territory!), and then the holy grail of overlays.
But sadly, yes, as anticipated, all of the prettiness you see is an overlay. The subtle metallic gradient is an overspray that disappears once you start working your way through the bronzer. This is why I say it truly is a collector’s item, because there is no way to salvage or preserve the gorgeous-ness that is the design if you actually intend to use it. There is still a subtle shimmer-sheen to the bronzing powder, so it’s not entirely matte underneath.
The bronzer itself is a soft, silky-smooth sheered down bronze with slight orange undertones. It’s sheer enough that it’s great for those who are new or otherwise afraid of bronzer and going overboard. You won’t end up looking like an Oompa Loompa with this one! I do like that you’ll most likely never run out of bronzer with this compact.
I’m sure some of you are going to wonder why does this product still earn high marks even though the design is an overspray–that’s because it’s a known quantity with the bronzer, it’s not supposed to. It’s like pretty packaging on the inside instead of a funky compact, whether that makes you sad or not!
Can I just say that I would have died if Lancome had made the design go all the way through? I received this one as a press sample, but I’m probably going to buy another one, just to stare at and drool over–and this is something I never do. I’ve long since gotten over “ruining” designs and the like on products, but this one, I hesitated. I snapped a zillion photos, showed the boyfriend, and then said, “In the name of all that is beauty blogging…” and went to town. But I pouted the whole time!
Ahh! Just dreaming about a wickedly metallic, glowy deepened bronze that faded across to a brightened gold bronzer AND went all the way through makes me sigh inside. Who’s with me? Tell me I’m not alone! 🙂
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! 🙂
- Product: 27/30
- Value: 9/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 5/5
Recommendation: If you love bronzer and use it frequently–but want a subtle bronzer–Lancome’s ginormous bronzers aren’t a bad way to go. If you are a collector, the design on this is difficult to pass on!
Availability: Lancome
Lancome Temptingly Bronze Bamboo Bronzer
All gone 🙁
Are you as sad as I am?
It’s so gorgeous!!!! haha makes me want it too!
You are right Christine, it’s SO exquisite!!! I could never touch it and bare to ruin
the bamboo design…it really looks like a bamboo mat! I would want to buy it and
hang it up as a display it looks so beautiful!!!
It looks absolutely stunning, but I’m one of those who couldn’t bear to ruin it by using it, so I won’t be buying
AHHHHH that’s sooooo pretty!!!! I don’t know if I could buy it because it’s too gorgeous to mess up, and if I did buy it, I wouldn’t be able to resist not using it! Haha =)
Hehe, I agree… I’m so conflicted!
My condolences Christine! Gosh, I feel you pain lol. It is way too pretty to use 🙁
You crack me UP! And nobody blames you for being sad . . . although it does look lovely on your skin. 🙂
this looks pretty 🙂
oh its gorgeous.. I read a tutorial yesterday about putting a bit of bronzer on legs for glow/shine and it also makes them seem thinner? So i’ve been looking for a bronzer and I can’t wait for this one. There’s a ‘lustre drops’ coming out from MAC too so i’m going to compare the two first 😀 thanks christine!!
Yeah, it’s kind of the idea of contouring your leg / adding darkness to “shadow” it so it looks thinner 🙂
Lustre Drops are more of a highlighter!
I’m with you! And I did give a little “awww” when I saw the pic of the bronzer post-swatch. I think we need help:)
The last 2 pics really make me 🙁
That is GORGEOUS! I can’t get over how pretty that is. but I really don’t have the $45 to shell over for a pretty powder that I won’t ever want to use because of its intricate, gorgeous overspray. :[ I really would just want to frame it!
I’ve *almost* died and gone to heaven! This bronzer looks absolutely beautiful!! You are not alone Christine, if the design went all the way through, I’m sure I would be flabbergasted as well! 🙂
So gorgeous!
oh my that is so gorgeous!!! I want one…to stare at…I would love if the design went completely through. That would have been fantastic. *sigh*
oh wow! its beautiful! I’m definitely going to pick this one up!
Ahh, I am definitely with you on this one! Now I’m wanting 2 of these. 1 to stock, and 1 to rock! It looks gorgeous and it would be a pity to ruin the design. *sigh*
If that overspray had gone all the way through.. I completely love it! It looks like it should be hung up on a wall or something as a piece of art. Not put in a compact and shut away.
I’m not a bronzer girl, but I would buy this one for the sheer beauty of it.
It looks like a really good bronzer as well! But I would never have the heart to use it, I’m hesitant even to eat a chocolate bunny!
So gorgeous I would never want to use it lmao.
I would just stare and use the mirror, especially knowing the beauty is just an overlay.
I’m not going to get it because I couldn’t bear destroying it and have far too many pretty powders to look at already. 🙂
This is so beautiful, it’s a pity to destroy the pattern 🙂
oh my! it’s GORGEOUS and will go lovely with the decor in our living/dining room… lol
But you mentioned the evil word orange! Have you had a chance to try this on your face? I’m working if the orange tones will be too much?
Yes, it’s beautiful on! 🙂 It’s not orange-y at all on me!
I am soooooooooooooooo SAD
I’m debating about buying this but I would feel like a total ASS if I didn’t use it!
I still have that moment of hesitation with all pressed and formed cosmetics but THIS?! The used photos broke my heart!
so sad!!! 🙁 for the prices that companies charge- it should go all the way down and not just be an overspray. ridiculous.
It looks so cool in the pan!!!! Too bad it’s just an overlay, but atleast there’s still texture 😛
SO GORGEOUS and YEAH I AM SO SAD. If I buy this, I might have to buy two. ACK! I guess it’ll make up for the lack of haulage I did this week?? haha!!
Btw, would it look good on my NC25 skin?
Yes 🙂 I’m NC25 and it looks lovely on!
OMG totally gorgeous! I love this so much. 🙂
My heart totally sank when I saw the after shots! What a disaster! I think you should definitely get a backup just to admire.
I think I’m gonna get that!
It’s super pretty.
(:
So sad!!! Wish the design went all the way through!!! So pretty, too bad 🙁
Ah! No! I am sad! =(
Are any of the department stores going to be receiving Lancome’s summer 2010 collection? Or is it only lancome.com?
It should be — I’m thinking it just might not be out online, at least… One reader said she picked up the last two at her department store!
You are not alone! This is soooo beautiful! It took my breath away! I don;t know how you swatched it AND enough to show it as an overspray … so sad 🙁 Very brave and strong of you, lol!
All else I can think of is wanting your various regular sized pics of this so I can make it my desktop wallpaper!!! Oh please oh please??!?? 🙂
Could you tell me which one you’d like & I’ll upload it? I think each photo is 4-5MB so I’d rather just make the one you need available 🙂
OH my gosh that is soooooooooo sweet of youuuuuuuu!!!! Thank you sooo so much!! 😀 I am so giddy right now haha 😀 I love the first 2 pics (minus the closed compact) but I think my absolute fav is the first (lancome_bamboobronzer001.jpg) 🙂 I am not sure on the dimension of your pics but my screen resolution is 1360×768 so whatever is close to that if possible! 😉 I don’t mind if you have to turn it more clockwise…but whatever YOU think looks best! 🙂
Thank you SO much, again!! Is there ANYthing I can do in return for you??? 🙂
Hi Teresa,
Here are the links:
http://www.temptalia.com/images/summer2010/lancome_bamboobronzer002.jpg
http://www.temptalia.com/images/summer2010/lancome_bamboobronzer005.jpg
I believe they’re around 4000×3000 pixels each, ~8MB per file. Let me know when you’ve had a chance to grab ’em 🙂
Hi Christine! I opened these but they look exactly the same size as those above in the post! 🙂
They are also different from the ones that are my fav 😀 My #1 fav is “http://www.temptalia.com/images/summer2010/lancome_bamboobronzer001.jpg” & 2nd would be “lancome_bamboobronzer003.jpg” 🙂
Ohhhh, no wonder it wasn’t overwriting it either.
http://www.temptalia.com/images/summer2010/lancome_bamboobronzer002.JPG
http://www.temptalia.com/images/summer2010/lancome_bamboobronzer005.JPG
Those are the right #s of files (originals are not in the post order), and the JPG is in caps that’s why they were showing the post ones! Sorry about that!
Ohhhh I see!!! 😀 Thank you sooooo much Christine, these are awesome!!! 😀 Sorry to bombard your comments in the end 😉 It looks gorgeous as wallpaper! 😀 You were right when you called it “art” 😉 lol. Thank you again! 🙂 *hugs*
Hey Christine, I know this is irrelevant, but what camera do you use? All your photos turn out so well!
Also, I’d have posted this one the review but I can’t seem to find it; I just received Chanel Le Vernis in Illusion d’Or but layered over it a standard, glossy black. However, they purple glitters don’t show as well as in your photos. Do you think its cause of the black I used? And did the glitters show as well in real life as they did in your photos when you layered it over Black Velvet? Thanks!
Hmm, another reader *just* commented that they layered it over OPI Black Onyx (I think that’s it!) and got the same effect, so I think you can use it over another black polish, not just Black Velvet.
But yes, it totally came out true-to-photos!
I definitely ant to try this. Most bronzers look to severe, and this one at least seems like it wont make me look like I rubbed my face in dirt.
AHHH! I just got back from Nordstroms! I bought the last 2 the lady had in stock! woohoo for drooling over bronzer! lol!
I am so excited! I use bronzer almost daily. I just can’t stand not having a glow I guess. I bought the Cherub bronzer from the Summer collection 2 summers ago & it lasted me a year and a half, almost 2 years…mind you I used it everyday! When I found out this was launching I had to get it…& I did!
I would never use it lol it’s toooo pretty!
Oh my god, it’s _beautiful_! Imagine omg-cat here. :p
Wowzers for the beauty and the size.
I think that is the most beautiful product ever!
Its too pretty to use
Oh so pretty….. and yes… too pretty to use 🙁
I’ll just admire the artistry 🙂
it’s sooo PRETTY! it’s a shame that the design fades away though 🙁
AAAHHH!!! It’s sooo pretty! But it’s sad that the design goes away after one swipe. And $45 is a bit pricey for bronzer. But the design is sooo pretty and it makes me want it so much lol.
Christine, is this very sparkly? How would you compare it to Estee Lauders exotic bronzing blush? Thanks!
It’s not sparkly at all, IMO!
They’re totally different – Estee Lauder’s has pink in it, so it is a more reddish-toned shade. It’s almost a coral, whereas this is definitely a bronze.
Thanks so much, would love to see it on you too! And if you could ever do side by side swatches I’d be very grateful 🙂
I don’t have the Estee Lauder one any more, sorry!
WOW. I’d buy it just to stare at it, lol.
Would this be too light or sheer on darker skintones? Say on a nc35 or slightly darker skintone?
I’d say NC45+ might find this a little on the sheer side.
The picture of it (after use) makes me so sad. I FEEL the pain..LOL. The color looks gorgeous plus the it looks HUGE -will last forever. Will you do any looks with this?
I’ll try!
Aww… I wanted that bronzer because of bamboo design on it. Too bad that it removes so easily with just after a swatch or two. 🙁 Then again, it’s Lancome and like you said that it’s big so it’s still worth purchasing. Size of a music CD huh? That _is_ bigger than a normal bronzer.
Oh, yeah – it’s like 3-4 times the size of a normal bronzer (in terms of product quantity!)!
I think this is a great collector’s item but I am more of a Tokidoki girl 🙂
When I saw the last two pictures I DID pout…Omg, thats so sad .///.
*scrolls to top to look at the pretty pictures*
Thanks for the photo’s. I just bought this last week, only I bought it before reading this. The bronzer I saw was the store tester and was tested down without a pretty overlay. Soooo I thought I was just gettin’ a big bronzer. Well I just opened the thing and now I’m staring at it in awe and trying to figure out how the hell am I going to be able to use this? It’s just too pretty to ruin.
LOL! At least you knew what you were getting into, though 🙂 No disappointment, more like a pretty surprise!
Christine, when you said this bronzer was big, I never imagined how big. Wow. Huge. Definitely not your pocket size. And so pretty.
LOL! Next time, I will have to take a photo with it in my hand 🙂
You know what,I am readin this review for the first time, I may or may not like this product, but i really like to read this review.. I can seriously read it any number of times 🙂
Aw 😉
That last photo made me go all “Awwwwwww” 🙁
DAMN!!! all gone!!!sad