Nars Laguna Casino Duo

Today I am review NARS 'Laguna' bronzer and comparing it to Benefit HOOLA. I am swatching, applying, showing close-ups and ultimately deciding whether or not.

I have another offering from the NARS Christmas collection to show you, and it’s the NARS Mini Laguna Lip and Bronzer Duo which launched this week. NARS have launched their holiday products one by one this year which has been a little strange, but they have lots of mini sets this year.

NARS Mini Laguna Lip and Bronzer Duo

“Make your escape with a dimensional duo ready to glow in any destination. Experience award-winning shade Laguna (1.1g) in a deluxe set featuring Mini Bronzing Powder for the ultimate sunkissed color and Mini Afterglow Lip Balm (3.3g) for a hydrating glow. Featuring exclusive ornament packaging.“

Nars Laguna Casino Duo Review

The NARS Mini Laguna Lip and Bronzer Duo is £20, and is packaged within a metallic bronze cube shaped box with a black NARS branded ribbon, so you can hang it from your tree should you wish to. NARS have lots of tree ornament gift sets this year, which are all budget friendly but very cute nonetheless.

• NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo - Sin/Casino. $42.00 Information. Select a Size Size. About This Item Details An all-in-one cheek duo that delivers a healthy-looking, bronzed glow and brilliant flush of color for a touch of sun kissed radiance. Size: 0.35 oz - Color: Sin/Casino - Create.
• NARS Casino Powder Bronzer NARS Casino Powder Bronzer ($38.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a medium, reddish-brown with moderate, warm undertones and a fine, golden pearl throughout that gave it a satin finish when buffed and blended out. The texture felt smooth, velvety, and had more glide than past iterations I've tried from the brand-it definitely had a richer, more luxurious feel to it that sat.
• The Nars blush duo in Sin/Casino is a great winter blush/contour for tan and darker skintones. I have been thinking about getting Sin for awhile now but I was hesitant because it swatches rather glitt.

Inside this cute little box, you get a miniature size of the iconic NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder, and a miniature size of the NARS Laguna Afterglow Lip Balm for a matchy matchy cheek and lip look. This set is currently exclusive to SpaceNK and Mecca NZ, but if it appears at other NARS stockists globally, I’ll be sure to update this post.

All images belong to NARS.

When it comes to bronzers, very few shades on the market hold a candle to NARS' Laguna. This cult-favorite buy produces the perfect sun-kissed glow, and it's so popular that it's regularly lauded as a favorite among celebrities and beauty gurus alike. The problem? At $40, this compact isn't exactly cheap. So in the hopes of finding a more wallet-friendly alternative, I took to the internet to find the best NARS Laguna dupes.

Lucky for me (and you), there's a lot of information out there in the form of Reddit threads, Instagram posts, and YouTube beauty channels. One of my favorites, the Dupe Detectives, filmed an entire video dedicated to finding cheaper versions of Laguna. This video is useful, because it allows you to see the shades on skin if you're unable to swatch them on your own. Reddit is also home to a treasure trove of dupe discoveries, with dozens of threads discussing the pros and cons of different products. One quick search of 'NARS Laguna dupes' brings up tons of recommendations from beauty fanatics around the globe. But it does take some digging — which is why I did all the heavy lifting for you.

After hours of research, product testing, and beauty-blogger-video-watching, I've compiled the three most highly recommended dupes for NARS Laguna just below. The best part? They all cost less than $10.

1. The Closest Dupe To Laguna On The Market — But You Get Less Product, And It's Not As Buildable

Of all of the dupes listed on Reddit and YouTube, e.l.f's Studio Contouring Blush And Bronzing Powder in 'St. Lucia' is one that comes up the most. The girls over at Dupe Detectives claim that St. Lucia is a dead-ringer for Laguna, and the swatches they made in their video seem to indicate that's true. e.l.f's duo also comes with a matching blush, which is a nice bonus for those who want their blush and bronzer to compliment one another. The fact that it's cruelty-free is a big winner for a lot of folks, especially since that isn't something Laguna can claim (NARS sells in China, and regulations there require animal testing).

The one setback of e.l.f's bronzer is that, unlike Laguna, it's not super buildable. Laguna goes on quite thin, allowing you to naturally build up color as you go. St. Lucia gives you much more pigment with every swipe, which means it's easy to put on a little too much. But with a light hand, these two products are pretty much equals. Just make sure to have a buffing brush on hand in case you get a little overzealous with your application.

2. Another Close Dupe, But It's Scented

Nars Laguna Casino Duo Evo

Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer in 'Bronzer' is another Laguna dupe beauty bloggers swear by. Since it's not a two-in-one, like e.l.f's is, this compact will last you much longer — you're getting much more of the actual bronzer. This is another cruelty-free pick, so animal-lovers, rejoice!

One drawback to the Butter Bronzer, however, is the fact that it's scented. This can make it difficult for folks with sensitive skin types to use. But aside from that minor issue, Butter Bronzer is a great option if you're looking for a cheap alternative to Laguna that will last you a while.

3. A Matte Formula, If You Love The Shade But Hate The Shimmer

One of the reasons why I've never been able to fall in love with Laguna is because of the sparkly sheen it casts on your face. If you're like me, and you prefer matte makeup, reach for NYX's Professional Matte Bronzer in 'Medium.' This is another Reddit favorite because of the color payoff. It's super similar to Laguna, in that it's buildable, it doesn't have a scent, and it's actually the cheapest dupe on this list. If you're able to go without the sheen, opt for this matte option instead. You may find you don't even miss the sparkle.

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