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The Bronze Age

Posted on Saturday, 20 June 2009
by Alva Natural Skincare

Bronze Age
Jun 2009




Bronzers offer fast, convenient alternatives to self-tan products or sunbathing. If the sun fails to shine, or the credit crunch thwarts people’s holiday plans, it is still possible to sport a realistic-looking tan by using the latest generation of bronzers for the face and body. This year’s prestige bronzing launches in Europe have more natural or mineral-based formulas. Many are limited edition lines - launched to tie in with the summer season. Others go for a luxe design look or provide enhanced performance benefits.





Parfums Givenchy

Glow To Wear Satiny Body Enhancer
Givenchy ’s Le Makeup Été 2009 collection is designed for a limited period. It includes Glow to Wear Satiny Body Enhancer (€34), a pearlescent slightly coppery gel said to illuminate and sculpt body contours with shimmering white reflections. Givenchy also suggests that it can be used together with an after-sun product for added bronze glow. Givenchy’s Summer 2009 Make-up collection also includes Mister Bright Sun Touch of Light, a face illuminator offering highlights in white and copper shimmers to recreate a sun-kissed look.



Guerlain

Mineral Flawless Bronzing Powder
Guerlain ’s Terracotta is legendary, with new products regularly added to the range. The Spring/Summer 2009 Terracotta collection was inspired by the infinite stretches of sun-scorched ochre earth across a vast desert with its gold, copper and amber reflections. Terracotta Mineral Flawless Bronzing Powder (€50.50) is an example of the mineral trend in make-up. The formula claims to be free from synthetic binding agents, and contains kaolin for its purifying properties to smooth the complexion and iron oxides for a radiant glow. However, Guerlain do not make natural claims for the product and it does include talc as an oil-absorbing ingredient. (Talc is used by many mainstream make-up brands in their mineral lines). Guerlain Terracotta Mineral has more performance-based – rather than natural – claims. It is said to provide a flawless finish that is as imperceptible as a sheer foundation.



Lancôme

Mineral Smoothing Bronzing Powder
Another mineral bronzing range is Tropiques Minérale by Lancôme . The collection features compact and loose powders as well as brushes. It takes its inspiration from two sources: Lancome’s classic fragrance Tropiques and Renaissance painters who would blend ochre into their pigments to obtain colours as close as possible to natural skin tones. The products incorporate new technology created by Lancome Research Laboratoires, selecting the most vibrant Italian mineral ochres – Herculaneum red, Venice yellow and 100% mineral white ochres. The Mineral Smoothing Bronzing Powder (€37.85) is a talc-free mineral bronzing powder enriched with SPF 10 and aloe vera. It claims to be fade-resistant and long-lasting.



Sisley

Phyto-Touches Sun Glow Pressed Powder
Sisley Phtyo-Touches Sun Glow Pressed Powder (€64) incorporates plant-based ingredients, such as hawthorn and calendula to soften and for comfort, but it cannot claim to be “mineral”, as it is formulated with talc. It is aimed at lighter complexions and is said to blend in naturally with the skin to give a radiance boost.



Parfums Christian Dior

Original Tan Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder
Dior Bronze Original Tan Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder (€38.60) claims to improve "skin color and quality for a natural, vacation-fresh, tanned look all year long." It is formulated with Dior's exclusive Sun Minerals Technology and contains allantoin and Vitamin E. It is said to be suitable for all skin types, even the driest skin.



Yves Saint Laurent

Collector Sun Powder
Yves St Laurent Sun Trésor d’Afrique Collection for summer 2009 is inspired by the "richness, rhythm and poetry of Africa." A key performance claim for its Collector Sun Powder (€65) is its protective texture designed to last throughout the day. The wooden disk-like compact is like a souvenir brought back from an unforgettable trip and resembles "fabulous costume jewelry."



Alva Naturkosmetik

Baked Bronzing Powder
German manufacturer Alva Naturkosmetik has launched into the bronzer category with a Bronzing Powder (£17) that promises an even, naturally transparent tan in a formulation that is certified organic. Alva is the first German natural cosmetics manufacturer to fulfill the ECOCERT guidelines in both toiletries and colour cosmetics. The bronzer is part of the Coleur make-up range, which is vegan-friendly, uses only natural colouring and is formulated for sensitive skins. The products are talc- and carmine-free and include skincaring natural ingredients, such as wellmune to nourish, as well as macademia nut, evening primrose and red grapevine oils.



Glowing Future

Women who are put off the idea of using a self tanner because of unpredictable results or allergies to DHA, may be more amenable to using a bronzing product. However, manufacturers need to do more to sell up the benefits, such as offer transfer-resistant formulas and more believable "tanning" results etc. There is an opportunity here to link into the Turbo Beauty trend, with high performance skincare actives and convincing claims.