Confession time. I’m not a fan of bronzer or bronzing or looking tanned. I embrace the pale princess look which might stem from the fact that its my natural colouring and I was born with it so its the only colouring I’ve ever known 🙂 I don’t keep a tan easily either. During school days, not being much of an athlete, for Sports Day, I was always in the march past where we’d train under the the noonday sun. Mom always made me slather on sunscreen so the smell of Coppertone always makes me think of school. (And people wonder why I dislike using Coppertone!)
At the end of Sports Day, everyone would be sunburnt. I’d be lightly toasted and within 2 weeks I’d go back to normal. I think everyone hated me for that 😛 Which long winded story explains why I don’t quite do bronzers as a makeup thing, and brings me to the Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Skin Enhancing powder aka bronzer by Dior for Summer 2012. There are 4 shades available : 001 Aurora, 002 Sunlight, 003 Zenith and 004 Sunset for most skintones. Being placed at the lighter end of the spectrum today I’ll show you 001 Aurora which is only the 2nd bronzer I’ve ever owned!
The Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing powder (which I’ll call the Diorskin Nude Tan powder for brevity comes in a pretty compact quite unlike their previous offering last year. Unlike last year, they didn’t do a special Asia release either, so we get the same compacts as everyone else.
The compact is a heavy metal case embossed with the signature cannage design. This brings to mind the Dior Fall 2011 Blue Tie eyeshadow palette, except this one is round. I like it that they made it round. Its a lovely departure from the rectangles in the Dior powder range and its nice to hold. Ok, that’s a lame excuse for liking it 😛 But it does feel nicer to hold.
See? It fits right in my palm.
When you open the cover (I can’t tell front from back so it is quite an adventure in the mornings) you get a lovely round powder divided into quadrants, with 4 different shades in them.
Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder – 001 Aurora
001 Aurora is the lightest shade and even then, isn’t all that light. The powder is designed to work as an all over skin enhancing powder, to give a healthy tone to pale winter skin or you can also use it for contouring. You may notice that each opposing quadrant has its own function, reflected in the letters. N and E are lighter, pinker shades with orange tones and may be used as highlight and a light blush. U and D are deeper shades and may be used as a bronzer.
Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder – 001 Aurora clockwise from top left quadrant swatched N-U-E-D
The powder is quite sheer so these swatches took some doing. I did notice however, that when swatched with fingers vs using a brush, the colour fails to show up much. With a brush, it does show up better on skin. You can also see the pink tones alternating with the brown powders and really, Aurora isn’t a very light palette at all!
I do have to mention that many reviews talk about how shimmery the powder is. There is shimmer, but it is very fine. Personally, I didn’t see any shimmer on my skin. Or even if I did, it wasn’t overwhelming. I honestly do not know how much powder others are using, but I only use a very light hand and any shimmer only serves to reflect light and doesn’t bother me at all to the extent I would not have mentioned it but for having read other peoples’ complaints.
In what is quite a nice touch, Dior has included a mini kabuki brush with the powder. I think it very thoughtful because not everyone may have a bronzer brush or a dense brush with which this powder does seem to work better.
The brush is quite adorable, and the natural hair bristles aren’t overly harsh on the skin. Its quite small as you can see here, but is just nice for getting to the powders. Each item comes packaged in their own velvet sleeve, yes even the brush!
The big question of course, is how to use this powder. I’m a bronzer dodo and I found that there were a few ways:-
- Brush over all colours in a circular motion and apply all over – this picks up and mixes the browns with the pinks and adds a healthy sort of glow to the skin. However, if you have a light skin tone, I don’t think this a good way to use it, because your face will look darker than the rest of you. If you have medium to dark skintone, then this will work beautifully
- Brush the colours diagonally to pick up either bronzer or highlight for contouring – I prefer this method. I swipe the brush across the U-D to pick up the brown shades, apply under my cheekbones and around my hairline, then brush across N-E to pick up the pink tones to add pink highlight.
- Brush down each half of the powder and apply to cheeks as a blush – I tried this method too. I swipe down either N-D or U-E which mixes up the pink-brown powders and turns it into a light brown toned blush with pink highlight.
I use the 2nd and 3rd method because I find that the powder can go on a bit dark on me so I have to be very careful. I do realise that it can be used for contouring, but I’m terrible at it, so I use it mostly as a blush, and as an attempt to contour. (If you want a tutorial on contouring, please see Messy Wands for a good one!) When I do get it right, I go “Ooh! Cheekbones!” when I get it wrong, I go “Ooh! I fell into cocoa powder!” 😛
I personally find that although Aurora is the lightest shade available in the Diorskin Nude Tan powders, it is still quite dark. The pink in there serves to tone down the brown and orange tones so it is useful to blend the colours before applying.
In a nutshell
The Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Skin Enhancing powder is a limited edition bronzer in the Dior Summer 2012 Croisette collection. The bronzer powder comes in a lovely metal compact and has brown, pink and light orange tones. The division into quadrants makes it useful for a n00b like me because I can then pick up more or less of each colour as I need it. I find that although Aurora is the lightest shade, its still quite dark so a light hand is essential. It would look lovely on medium to dark skintones as an all over powder-highlight but on those with light skintones, its best used as a blush-contour powder. There are complaints about this powder being shimmery. However I didn’t think so. I use this mostly as a blush and an attempt to contour my cheeks to show off hidden cheekbones. If you already have a bronzer, perhaps you don’t need this one. If you don’t but want one, its worth considering primarily because of the split in shades that allow you to mix and match and not just wear one uniform brown shade. I don’t think this a must have, but its a nice-to-have 🙂
Pros: Powder is finely milled and is easy to pick up, Included mini kabuki brush is very useful to use with this powder, The division of the colours makes it easy to customize a shade suitable to your skintone, Fine shimmer highlights skin in a subtle manner, Useful for bronzer n00bs because its not easy to over do
Cons: The shade is still a bit dark for those who are very very fair, The shades tend to have orange tones
Who will like this: Those who want a bronzer that comes in different shades for different skintones, Those who have never used a bronzer before and are afraid of the one shade bronzers that may apply too dark
In the process of experimenting, I then learnt that bronzer topped with blush is very pretty!
That splotch on the far left is actually not bronzer but shadow. Under my chipmunk cheeks, I apparently have potential for cheekbones 😛 I used the 2nd method here – bronzer under cheekbones and along hairline, pinkish powder on cheekbones. However, when topped with a light pink blush, I think the effect is much better both in the photo and in person. The first left me looking a little contoured but not too lively. The addition of a pink blush lifts the cheek bones and made me look livelier.
I personally find that using a bronzer has quite a steep learning curve if you aren’t too familiar with it or what its for, but having played around a bit with both the Guerlain Terra Inca bronzer and this one, I’m learning that I don’t have to be afraid of bronzer turning me orange or brown (provided I pick a colour that is light enough) or too tanned and that when paired with blush, I actually manage to look much livelier than if I were to just wear a light pink blush (especially if I go light on eyes and lips).
Are you any good with using bronzer? Do you have a tip to share that might help me understand this better? 😛 Does the Diorskin Nude Tan powder catch your eye or is it one you are more likely to pass on in favour of a blush? I’m actually leaning to the latter – I’m still a blush girl at heart! 😀
Paris B
Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder comes in 4 shades Price: RM173 Availability: Dior counters Limited Edition: Yes Summer 2012
I’m a massive fan of bronzers – but only with a lighter hand. I did look into this but each time I was at the Dior counter, I was served by a mad pushy lady it just annoyed me. I finally got the Guerlain x Pucci bronzer and it’s gorgeous! I use bronzers mainly for contouring and a little bit of all over because I tend to be paler than usual. Because I wear turtlenecks or rollnecks, it doesn’t really show on my neck 😀 (cheating, I know!)
hahaha yes, wearing a turtleneck is cheating 😛 Its way too hot for that here, so I just usually use a very light hand when I have time in the morning to make sure I don’t make a mistake. And I’ve also learnt not to trust my mirror and lighting. I sometimes think I don’t have enough on and then boom! Oompa loompa! 😛 Don’t get me wanting the Guerlain one >.< I was very keen but the brown in that one was just too brown for me
I’ve been experimenting using bronzers for contouring with a kabuki brush and a bronzer from Canmake. I’m pretty pale so I have to do it with an ultra light hand or it looks odd!
I know exactly what you mean about looking odd! I think bronzers, if not done properly, can look really odd on those with very fair skins. Its like we’re not made to wear bronzers! LOL!
I’m a fan of bronzers and I love using it just to create a sunkissed look! The natural way! 🙂 I use a big fluffy powder brush and gently brush it on areas where the sun would naturally hit and even if it looked like nothing on the naked eye, once I stepped out under the sun, I see a nice glow! 🙂
Big fluffy powder brush! I shall try that next time, Nikki. Thanks so much for the tip. How helpful to have a MUA on hand to answer n00b questions like this 😀
No problem, I’m sure both would work well on your pretty face! On days I would like to use bronzers as a blush, I would use a smaller, more compact powder blush and the effect is as awesome 🙂
Give it a try and I’d love to see how it looks on you!
Thanks thanks! Will definitely try and see how I go. I’m not too keen on using this as a blush because it really can look dirty if I’m not careful, but I like the hint of definition it gives. Its like “Oh hello! My face isn’t a flat pancake after all!”
Haha! I do that too! If I do it right, it’s like “Ooooh, cheekbones, where have you been hiding all my life?” And if it’s wrong, it’s like I fell headfirst into dirt. Hahaha. I’m glad I’m not the only one!
I like this one, but I still have tons of the LE Dior Aurora from last summer, so I’ll wait 😀
Oh Larie! I’m so happy someone knows what I’m on about! LOL! I remembered the huge raves for the Dior Aurora from last summer. We got the Asia Exclusive powder instead which was a highlighter. You know how Asia is about looking brighter and all that instead of tanned. Still, its nice to have a bronzer in my stash that I can experiment with. I’m hoping to see a pretty blush for Fall though fingers crossed 😀
I’m a HUGE fan of bronzers and OMG the dior one looks really good. But looking at the price.. hrm… abit steep for me.
I have about 4-5 bronzers currently and it seems that I can’t stop buying them, I don’t know why. I do prefer western brands like Milani, NYX and the likes rather than asian ones because asian products (like blusher + bronzers) then to be really powdery (if you know what i mean).
I usually apply all over my face. God knows why my facial skin is paler than my overall body skin.
Haha… maybe its the whitening products? If you use them that is 🙂 I never quite got into the bronzer craze. I only ever picked up bronzers that might double up as blush. I actually like Japanese brand blushes very much, but I don’t think they do bronzers very well. Maybe its because there’s just little to no demand 🙂
looks nice! i always imagine myself wearing bronzer but have never tried one. i have a friend who has darker skintone, i totally love how she uses bronzer as her blusher. very pretty!
I personally think those with a darker skintone carry off bronzers as blush very beautifully. Sometimes, people with fair skin risk looking dirty 😛
I enjoy bronzers!! My bronzers have very little shimmer particles, so they can be used as contour powders as well. Heh heh. It takes ever so much to fake the cheekbone look ^.^ I use a tapered face brush or a short round brush like the Mac 109 (Mine’s the Sigma equivalent of it) to apply it. heh heh.
Its great to know that bronzers work for you 🙂 I always admire those for whom it does, because I’m deathly afraid that someone may come up to me and ask why I fell into dirt and failed to wipe that smudge off my cheek! >.< But I'll keep trying! 😀
Bought this 2 weeks ago and I picked 003 Zenith. The SA was really patient with me, trying 001 Aurora and 003 Zenith on each side of my face. Aurora looks kinda pinkish on me. They do not have 002 and 004 for me to do comparison. 003 looks more like a healthy orange on me. The SA used a powder brush, brushed over all colours in a circular motion, then swiped it across the cheek bone, finished by applying Diorblush Peechy Keen 553 (the shimmer part) on the apple of the cheek. The result is quite different than what I usually look like but I kinda like it. So I brought it home with me. 🙂
p/s: Oh FYI, I am perfect match to Lancome Teint Miracle O-03. When I want a slight pink undertone, I use Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua B020.
Hi CC, thanks for sharing the tips for using this bronzer! 😀 I love the effect of layering a blush over the bronzer. I think it really does make a difference and gives a pretty glow to the face. I’m actually eyeing Peachy Keen as a blush so you just reignited my want for that one >.<
I tan reaaally easy, no matter how much sunscreen I put on, and I don’t like it all, my face always ends up being too dark for my liking.
Anyway, I like to use a little bit of bronzer paired with a blush during winter time.
This one looks so pretty and I just love that little kabuki! x
I sometimes think that how we tan or whether we even tan at all depends on our genetic make up. My parents hardly tan too so I guess that’s where I got it from 🙂 I am warming to the idea of wearing the bronzer with a blush. I think it does help perk up the face. The kabuki in this one is not only cute, its serviceable too! 😀
so, can it be applied as a compact as well on medium skin tones??? like a highlighter?? sorry if the question is lame!!! I am complete amateur when it comes to makeup!!!
Its ok Swati, we’re all learning here too! On medium skintones I’d say this makes a pretty blush so it can’t be used like a compact foundation but more like a blush to brighten up the skin.
Oh I really can’t say I’m good at using bronzers either. I use the Estee Lauder matte one for contouring, or lightly dust it over my face in winter for a bit of color. In summer I don’t mind some shimmer, and since my face is for some weird reason very often lighter than my body, I think it unifies my skin tone somehow!
I think Aurora looks very nice on you especially when topped with a blush! It’s probably not for me though, as it’s most probably lighter than my skin tone haha
Thank you Sunny! I think Aurora on you will be a very pretty blush! 😀 Its got just enough pink in there to be one 😉
I usually wear darker matte bronzers for contouring but for this one, I use a big fluffy face brush and lightly dust it over areas where the sun would hit. The effect is subtle but overall, it gives me a healthy glow.
I’ll try that too Lily! I’m just so afraid that if I do an all over, I’d end up with my face being a shade darker than the rest of me! LOL!
I love bronzers! It’s a staple in my kit. If done right it keeps the dimensions on a face from being one note and a perfect compliment to a blush. On rare occasions I use it for contour (but I have Lunasol Shading Cheeks for myself and MUFE Sculpting Kit for clients specifically for that), the perfect ones for contour are matte and with no or very little red/orange in it.
My latest bronzer purchase was Chanel Sable Beige, I’m kicking myself for not purchasing the Guerlain Pucci ones when I was in HK a few weeks ago, so I’m anxiously waiting for it on our counters. I think I’m going to seek out Dior’s Aurora because it does look similar to Dior’s Aurora last year (I bought the Sunset). My other bronzer future purchases would be by Edward Bess and I’m looking at the ones by Kanebo Sensai.
Thanks for the tips! The Guerlain Pucci Terra Azzurra bronzer is already available at the counter actually. I have been terribly tempted to get it, mostly because of the inclusion of the blush colours. It looks so versatile and pretty! Also that brown doesn’t look too dark. I might talk myself into getting it yet LOL!
Waaaahh…so nice…So nice… Suits you so well… Luxurious packaging…
Definitely luxurious 🙂 Are you into bronzers then?
Very into bronzer… I always use bronzer when i use makeup…
Puteri Lilins of the world, unite! 🙂 I thought N was the twin of E. And D with U. But based on your swatches, I can see clearly that there are 4 different shades. I have only the MAC Solar Riche bronzer in the orange compact, and it can look muddy if stroked on too heavily. The Dior compact case looks quite big, huh… do you know how much product is in there?
Huzzah for candle princesses hehe… The bronzer has 10g of product. There are 4 shades and the differences are quite subtle.
I’ve tried a couple of bronzers before, but the one I love the most at the moment is NARS Laguna. Doesn’t turn orange on me or make me look like an ompah lompah. 😛
I usually use a light hand, cause you can always layer on more if you want more color. And my preferred brush to use is a powder brush, something like the MAC 150.
I still can’t seem to get the hang of bronzers. Sigh. Every single time I use it, I’m asked why I’m looking so dark. Maybe bronzers just aren’t for me 😛