Introducing the $35 Clarins Splendours Summer Bronzing Compact — not to be confused with Splenda, the artificial sweetener, despite the fact that the faux tan I get from it looks completely real, and that is pretty sweet. 🙂
Can’t say whether it actually tastes sweet, though…but I’m guessing, probably not.
When I used it last weekend to contour my cheeks, my mom, who I hadn’t seen in a few weeks, asked if I’d been eating enough and if I’d lost weight.
Yes, Mom, I have been eating enough, and no, I haven’t lost weight (said the girl who just had two slices of leftover birthday cake today after lunch).
It must be Splendours’ fault. A matte, medium-dark peachy golden brown, it resides on the darker side of the powder bronzing spectrum. Brushing it beneath my cheekbones sculpts them into sharp wedges of RuPaul/Tyra-style cheddar cheese.
Perfect for when I’m air quoting and don’t want my long, E.T.-like fingers (E.T. phone home!) to be distracting…
Just stare at mah cheeks, man!!
Among the many splendors of Splendours, the 0.7-ounce pan is HUGE! It’s a tabby toe-size bigger than Guerlain’s 0.67-ounce pan of Terra Nerolia Bronzer ($69), which till now had been my default bronzer for the past two months.
That reminds me, I keep meaning to mention that Splendours might be a good alternative to paying almost 70 bones for a bronzer from Guerlain, since the colors are quite similar.
You might even like the Clarins one more, especially if you aren’t wild about tiare flower scents. I find Terra Nerolia’s fragrance intoxicating, albeit heavy.
Color-wise, Splendours, which has a faint tea rose scent, is slightly darker and less golden.
If I were also being super nitpicky, I think Terra Nerolia’s grains look and feel a tad finer, but really, unless you’re bucking for a spot in the bronzer edition of Ultimate Makeup Hoarders, I don’t think that’s reason enough to justify the difference in price.
All in all, I think both bronzers are close to being dupes.
Wear Splendours to contour your face, like I am here, or as an all-over powder, for when you want to look like a bronzed, golden goddess just chillin’ on her fainting couch.
PRICE: $35
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition, and available now at Clarins counters and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Also rocking my world, the Sonoma Seaside Breeze Scented Candle from Kohl’s
Lovely! Just lovely.
Have you tried these Sonoma candles from Kohl’s?? Home goods unsung heroes all the way!
I received Seaside Breeze a while back as a gift and use it every day. Whenever I sit down to write, I light it and set it on the table next to me (it’s burning right now, as a matter of fact).
It fills the room with a clean, beachy scent a little like fresh laundry, and it’s not so strong that it completely overpowers my senses and everything else in the room.
Each candle has two wicks and is supposed to last 30 hours. Kohl’s usually charges $19.99 for ’em, but they’re currently on sale for $9.99 online, in case you’re interested.
I think I’ll pick up one or two more for summer.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You look fantastic as always Karen!
I’m glad you posted a review for this. I saw it on the Nordstrom website but wasn’t too sure about it… it may or may not have just made it into my shopping bag 😉
I’m curious Karen, what are some of your favorite bronzers? I’ve never really been all that interested in them but all of your recent posts have been making me feel as though I’m really missing out on something good.I know we’re about the same skin tone (I’m an NC40) so I was wondering if you had any must haves?
Thanks!
Hi Dhariane,
I have a few that are my go-tos that I love. It really depends on what kind of look I’m going for, but right now I am rotating between this one, Guerlain Terra Nerolia, Benefit Hoola, MAC Give Me Sun, MAC Nude on Board and NARS Laguna. 🙂
Ooh, thanks Karen! I’ll definitely give some of these a try (that Guerlain one looks soo pretty- almost too pretty to use!)
Nooooo Karen!!! Why did you have to post this?? Now I am dying to have this one too! 😛 I am definitely buying Terra Nerolia, no question about that, but now I really want Splendours too! I can definitely see the difference between the two (and I like the Terra Nerolia has those gorgeous peachy tones to act as a blusher/bronzer) but then again, they are kinda-sorta similar enough to where I am questioning if I really DO need both…:/ Ahh decisions decisions!
Ahh, you can’t go wrong with either, Becca! Have fun with your bronzers. 🙂
This bronzer is so beautiful. Do you think it would be too dark for me?
Lighter skin tones could wear it, but it would be easier after you’ve picked up a bit of a tan. You’d have to definitely dilute it and use a light touch. I find that even with my skin tone it’s easy to go overboard.
That’s a good reason NOT to get it though. It’s super pretty but I’d rather get a bronzer that will be more versatile and that I will be able to use for contouring.
Wow, if it fools moms into thinking their daughters have lost weight, I think I need to check this out. 🙂 I do use my Laguna every once in a blue moon but I’m not really very bronzer-y.
LOL! 🙂
Ya know, I was kinda “eh” about bronzer until I found a few that rocked my world. Maybe you just need to find your magic shade? What do you usually do with Laguna? Do you use it more for contouring or all over color?
I usually use it to contour (under cheekbones and jawline), then take whatever is left on the brush and do a quick face-wash/all-over-blend. I really only use it on special occasions or when I feel like I should look my best. You know how lazy I am with my every day makeup. 🙂
WOW I love this!!!
Awesome!
Hi Karen,
Love your posts. I’ve become your avid reader on a daily basis. Given that our skin tones are an almost exact match, your reviews are very useful to me. I am an NC40 (gravitating towards NC42-44 in summer) and itching to buy one of the bronzers in the summer collections – had my eyes on the Terra Nerolia from your previous post (where you looked stunning!), and now you posted this one. I already have Guerlain #3 bronzer and the #3 in the mosaic pattern, and use them frequently (not daily) in summer. Wondering if you can recommend which one to pick between Terra Nerolia and Clarins? Both look great, and if Clarins is doing “exactly” the same as Terra for a fraction of a price then its not a tough decision. But in your Terra Nerolia post, you looked more “sun kissed and glowy/bronzy”, so now I am confused :(. I usually use bronzers for a slightly sun kissed look or for contouring (very rarely) – which one of these would fit the bill?
Thanks in advance and please keep writing in your quirky and awesome style!
Hi Karen, I agree with Dot. My coloring is similar to yours and I am now a daily reader of your blog. And I may have shown one of your posts to the lady at the MAC store and asked her to “make me look like this”. Ain’t no shame! But I was wondering which lasts longer, the Clarins bronzer or a MAC bronzer. Thanks!
Very pretty but wayyyyy too dark for a light skinned girl like me!