Guerlain Terracotta 2017

I would not want to be the person in charge of bringing newness to the icon Guerlain Terracotta. I’m sort of imagining a French formulator with his (or her) head in his hands, sobbing, “I don’t know how to change this any more.” It’s been around since 1984 so I feel his pain. And yet, somehow, each year it returns, there is a permutation and this year, it’s a bronzer/contour palette designed either for the contourer or the simple bronzer – depending upon which you are. Three shades mean you can mix and match as your tone warms throughout the season.

There are also two limited edition bronzers – one matte and one shimmery – to accommodate either trend. We do already have a wealth of bronzing and contouring options, but there’s something about Terracotta that’s so summery and mood lifting. It smells beautiful too – the products are all infused with the scent of ..hmm.. maybe you would say sun tan lotion although they say vanilla and tiare.

I’m already scared of the Terracotta Sunless although I haven’t even taken the lid off. I’m not much of a self tanner – mainly for uselessness reasons – but I might give this clear misting tanner a go on my face. Or not. Again, it’s infused with the beautiful, tropical scent so if you are perfume sensitive on your face, these aren’t for you.

I’m definitely more confident about the Flawless Legs Cream which sounds much prettier with its French name, Jolies Jambes. It’s tinted with a blur element so when you do the first reveal of the summer, it’s not quite so stark. I haven’t fully put it to the test yet but it comes off with soap and water so shouldn’t transfer onto your clothes. I don’t have a launch date for this collection yet but I’ll keep you posted.

I’m so mortified to be giving goosebumpy swatches again! I just can’t warm my arm up for long enough on a cold day. Blogger problems! So the first three in the swatch are the Contour/Bronze three shades and the final one is the limited edition bronzer in the shimmer version.