Physicians Formula Light Bronzer is great for paler skin tones.
Oh, that sickening feeling when you drop a compact.
This busted Guerlain Terracotta Light bronzer in Natural Blonde (top) was my favourite. It contains pink along with the expected bronze and gold tones, so you get a natural-looking glow, not a flat, muddy brown tint that can look like you wiped your face with dirty fingers.
But Guerlain discontinued it (the new version is nice, but not the same) and my only one decided to leap to its death (or rather, I was clumsy and dropped it.)
Physicians Formula Multi-Colored Bronzer in Light Bronzer ($23, Shoppers Drug Mart) is an excellent substitute. Like Guerlain Terracotta, it’s finely milled, and goes on lightly for a bronzy, blushy glow that looks believable even on pale skin. Which is good if, like me, you lost your makeup application skills during the pandemic.
The only drawback is that the packaging isn’t nearly as nice as Guerlain’s and there’s no signature Guerlain Terracotta scent. But did I mention that it’s only $23?