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Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder Review, Photos, Swatches

Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder ($40.00 for 0.26 oz.) is a medium, golden brown with warm undertones and a satin finish. MAC Golden Rinse (LE, $35.50) is cooler (95% similar). Hourglass Nude Bronze Light (P, $52.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Going Native (Bronzer) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Dolce and Gabbana Desert (P, $51.00) is brighter (95% similar). Viseart Ablaze (Bronzer) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Aphrodite's Shell (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Laura Mercier Bronze (01) (P, $40.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Desert Days (P, $48.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). MAC Matte Bronze (P, $28.00) is darker (95% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Bronze Dynasty (LE, $4.99) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Matte Bronze (LE, $70.00) is darker (95% similar). bareMinerals The Ocean View (LE, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze (Original) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Original (P, $50.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Peppermint Mocha (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Giddy Like (PiP, $8.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Givenchy Ambre Saison (P, $52.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Becca Capri Coast (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Solo (-, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). NARS San Juan (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The Matte Radiance Baked Powder formula is supposed to have “natural color with soft matte radiance” with “sheer, buildable coverage” that lasts “8 hours.” The texture was soft, smooth, and very lightly dusty, but it still applied well to the skin without looking powdery or dry (I have normal-to-dry skin). It was easy to blend and diffuse the edges of the bronzer on the skin to get a soft, natural warmth. The color payoff was semi-sheer, but buildable, and should work for those who like barely-there bronzer and those who want more noticeable warmth on the skin. The bronzer stayed on well for just over eight hours before I noticed slight signs of fading.

There are four bronzer-liker shades in the range, and the first three are all fairly similar, while the last one is considerably darker.

Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Top Row: Bronze (01), Bronze (02); Bottom Row: Bronze (03), Bronze (04)

Laura Mercier Bronze (01) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Laura Mercier Bronze (01) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder
Laura Mercier Bronze (02) Matte Radiance Baked Powder

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • YSL Paris Palette
  • Urban Decay Honey Eyeliner
On lips:
  • Anastasia Melon Lip Gloss

12 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said the colors were similar! The Laura Mercier 01 shade is listed as a dupe for this one.

LindaP Avatar

I just got the 03 in a 500 point set through Sephora. I have not tried it yet. What I have done is completely confuse myself about bronzers. 🙂 I have soleil de tan Chanel, an Armani powder bronzer, the Laura Mercier baked bronzer blush, and now this sample. I just went overboard. Now I don’t know which one I like best, or even how to really use the baked bronzer blush. Is it a bronzer or a blush? Either?

Certainly a first world problem to have, but something (things) have to go. I’m a bit mad at myself for getting swept up and not keeping it simple.

Christine Avatar

Hopefully you can find the one you like the most! I don’t know when you purchased the others, but perhaps return one or two that don’t work for you?

Use it however works well for you! If it’s as a bronzer, great, but if it’s as a blush, that works, too! 🙂

Amalia Avatar

Funny! On the label for greek description they missed the letter M. It is ΨΗΜΕΝΗ (backed). Anyway, I like Laura Mercier’s powders.

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