NABLA Cosmetics Dune Skin Bronzing Powder Review & Swatches
Dune
NABLA Cosmetics Dune Skin Bronzing Bronzer Powder ($26.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a medium, golden brown with strong, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which was far more coverage than described, though I’m sure most will not find it to be a deal-breaker. For those who find more buildable coverage essential, if you use a lighter hand, it should be no trouble to do so as there wasn’t any powderiness, which ensured precision was possible.
The bronzer had a firmer, denser consistency that wasn’t powdery and worked best with a moderately-dense brush. It’s not firm in a bad way as the powder applied evenly to bare skin and blended out beautifully for a seamless look. It stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Natural Sandstone (LE, $16.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild You're Dragon Me Down (LE, $4.99) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild What Shady Beaches (P, $4.99) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Delphic (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Guerlain Bronzer (LE, $53.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Medium (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Contour (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain Terre d'Ete (LE, $78.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Medium (03) (P, $62.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Baby Girl (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.23 oz. - $113.04 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable coverage" and can be used wet or dry. The finish is described as a "natural sun-kissed effect" that is "radiant." They were more pigmented than they were buildable, but the denser, firmer consistency made it easier to use a lighter hand with it to get more buildable coverage if desired.
The consistency was comparable to the brand's Skin Glazing highlighters and other baked gelee kind of formulas on the market; denser, firmer and smoother powders that work best with moderately-dense brushes but are very finely-milled, not powdery at all, and have a tendency to look seamless and almost "melted" on skin.
I had no trouble applying and blending out the latest bronzer formula on bare skin or over foundation. The powders at well on my skin, diffused easily along the edges, and lived up to the "radiant" finish promised. They wore between eight and nine hours on me. The "downside" was that they were more semi-opaque or higher in coverage.
Browse all of our NABLA Cosmetics Skin Bronzing Bronzer Powder swatches.
Ingredients
Not *too* orange, but not a flat out yellow leaning bronzer, either. It would perhaps just give my face a lovely sun-kissed glow, matching my summer skin on everywhere exposed other than my face. That’s because I wear a higher spf on my face and neck than rest of me that the sun sees.
Ugh it sucks that I can’t swatch these in person so I can really get to know the color and texture before buying. I really like the color & finish of this and Ambra though: the swatches aren’t “powdery” which is lovely and I love that this blends out well for a seamless look. Quite tempting and this review came just before I clicked “purchase” on the PF butter bronzer in bronze (which I’ve never tried and am hesitating on bc of the fragrance)
Have you tried any of these formulas: MAC Extra Dimension, NARS Dual Intensity, Estee Lauder Gelee?
Oh…is this Nabla bronzer formula comparable to those formulas you listed? I’ve tried the MAC Extra Dimension Blushes (Fairly Precious, Just a Pinch, Into the Pink).
Yes 🙂