NARS Algorithm Bronzing Powder Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette ($59.00 for 0.24 oz.) includes a bronzing powder and a travel-sized Ita brush. I was surprised by how little bronzer is included in this, because it is such a huge palette (I think it is unnecessarily large–feels bulky in the hand). It actually contains less than a full-sized version of Laguna (which has 0.28 oz. for $38). I don’t have a full-sized Ita brush to compare the travel-sized one with, but I didn’t like the feel of the travel-sized, as the bristles were cut unevenly and felt scratchy and prickly against the skin. I liked the shape, as it does work well to contour the cheeks. However, at $89, you could purchase a full-sized Ita for $55 and a full-sized Laguna for $93. For $4 more, you would get something a lot more lightweight, versatile, and possibly better quality (again, I can’t weigh in on how it compares to the full-sized). Update on 10/13/2014: NARS sent out a correction via email regarding price, and the price is supposed to be $59.
Laguna is described as a “diffused brown powder with golden shimmer.” It’s a medium-dark brown with warm, yellow undertones and a golden shimmer-sheen finish. It has more buildable color payoff than full-on, rich pigment. The texture was soft, lightweight, and blendable, though it can be a smidgen on the powdery side (which it seems in this particular palette). NARS has a tendency to put this in many of its palettes, so you may find you already have one (or half a dozen), and it is part of the permanent range. See comparison swatches of dupes / view dupes side-by-side.
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
NARS Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette
I’m not a fan of how bulky the packaging is. Since I’m not really a bronzer person, I still have like 95% left of my Laguna that I bought a couple years ago, so this is a pass for me.
Sounds like a definite pass!
I pay a lot of attention to price-per-ounce when I shop, and I get paying extra for special packaging (and a highly sought-after brush) but holy moly what kind of fools does NARS think we are? Thanks for always pointing out the pricing when it’s newsworthy, Christine! It’d be easy to add this to the xmas wish list without realizing what a scam (maybe harsh but best word I have at the moment) this product is.
No problem, Jane! I was expecting this to be a mammoth bronzer based on the price!
Ha! Never mind about what I initially said on the packaging. It just looks similar to the new Luminous Powder foundation except with the LE print. The powder foundation is .42oz Litttttle tiny bronzer, NARS!
I have no idea why there isn’t more in it!
I just don’t get it… The huge size of the compact… the steep price… why? Maybe it’s supposed to be a collector’s item but I just find the whole thing unnecessary.
It seems like a collector’s piece to a degree, though the compact is so large/hefty that it seems like there should have been more product!
That’s a whooooooole lotta Laguna 😀
It only seems that way!
Why did they even bother to include a brush?
I always feel it brings the quality of the whole product down when they include a bit of tat like that.
I think the mini Ita was really supposed to be a major selling feature since there is a lot of hype over it!
Wow, that is expensive. I got the glorious Guerlain Sun Celebration mega bronzer/blush this summer that offers twice as much of a superlative product for less cost. There’s no value in a small, inferior quality brush.
I really like that you pointed out that both items could be purchased separately for lower cost; that helps people make a good decision. Beyond that, I don’t know anyone who appreciates bulky packaging. Big skip on this one. When I saw the size I thought it was a take on last year’s huge NARS blush. Nope.
I thought the packaging LOOKED cool, but it was so thick (and seemingly unnecessarily so). I thought it was going to have a LOT of product in it – I really did a double take at the size
This is like a lifetime supply for many who love these colors for transitioning.. Me? Nope, but thanks for reviewing!
It’ll definitely still take awhile to get through this bronzer!
Am I missing something? How is this a “powder palette”? To me, a palette signifies more than one product in a container. Or does this fit into a larger palette with other products?
“Bronzing Powder Palette” though it is more or less a compact than a palette… I don’t know. I’m not sure why this is a product, really.
I like the size of the pan but understand why people think it’s bulky!
I wish you got more product to give reason for the bulkiness!
is nars crazy!? plus the brush just looks… kind of bad, imo :\
It just seems like one might as well buy the full-sized Ita!
Well, whilst it looks lovely on you Christine my new motto is going to be “If it aint got an’ A ‘then I aint gonna pay”!
LOL!!
I like that motto and think it’s a good one, especially at the prices that mid range and higher end products are now commanding. Sadly, while I want this as an anthem, not even just a motto, I am so weak when things look pretty so I often cave even when I shouldn’t…..
I’m so glad to see a review on Laguna.
I am thinking I will try it out next time I’m at Sephora. Thanks very much to Julie and XamyX for their information, too. What a great community we have here. They helped me decide this may not be too dark and orangely for me after, all.
It is such a helpful community 😀 I learn so much!
It’s so disappointing when this seems like a great palette/value set to have for the holiday season! Wished they put more effort into it!
They should have charged maybe $60~ or so if they weren’t going to load up on the bronzer!
Uh, Nars, if you want people to shell out for special packaging, you might want to make it…pretty? Interesting? Not stupidly overlarge? …maybe it’s worth that much to get a Nars product that doesn’t have that horrible rubber coating?
I keep meaning to try Laguna just like I keep meaning to try Orgasm, which means one of these days I’ll probably pick up a Nars LE blush palette. 😉
It is such a substantial palette… which might work if it seemed necessary, but I just get the same feeling I have with a lot of UD packaging, “Why is this so big?”
Is the tiny Ita the main reason it’s costing so much? It seems kind of ridiculous since there’s less bronzer than usual. 🙁 That brush is adorable, but this is pushing me even further to lean towards buying an actual itahake brush from Japan off eBay.
I presume so, since that is the only thing that could really add value – I just don’t know why you wouldn’t just get the full-sized!
As much as I love the idea of this, I doubt I’ll be buying it for myself… The baby Ita is nice, and while the compact is “bulky”, the mirror seems like it’s a nice size, and still smaller than an entire palette. However, if I woke up Christmas morning and found this in my stocking, I’d be very happy!
I think it makes more sense to buy them individually 🙁
If only the Ita brush stayed in stock long enough, LOL!
Okay, at $59, this is even more tempting… Unless I can manage to grab the full-size Ita!
“so you may find you already have one (or half a dozen),”
LOL! NARS, you’d better heed the words of one of your most influential and trusted reviewer, and get to brainstorming some new shades!
You know, it wouldn’t have been so bad, but they put Laguna in like three of the holiday palettes… basically all the palettes with cheek colors also included Laguna. The ones that didn’t were lip sets, LOL! At least Orgasm was given a cold shoulder this season…
Laguna … AGAIN. So disappointing! I’m trying to finish the full size one I have, it does not fit my skin 100%. Definitely won’t buy. I don’t know why they are not coming out with a few different shades! Warm toned bronzers don’t fit everybody…
They also put it in a lot of palettes, so I wish they’d give their other bronzers more love.
Laguna obviously sells!
I…don’t understand what sort of algorithm NARS used to come up with the product:packaging ratio of this item – or the price, for that matter.
Sorry, I had to 😛
LOL! They just sent out a mass email about the price being $59 and not $89.
I just ordered the Ita from Nordstrom. I’d rather have just the brush than all of this.
Nice!
NARS is trying to pull a fast one on us with this packaging
It is so big!
Seeing the word ‘palette’ there I was hoping there would be a slide out compartment underneath with 2 blushes maybe? Such a large bulky packaging just for the bronzer (and a not-so-great brush) seems completely unnecessary!
It does seem unnecessary!