Everyone loves the look of tanned skin, but not everyone wants to expose their skin to the harmful effects of too much sun. Enter bronzer; it can give your face that sun kissed look without the UVA & UVB rays. Of course knowing how to apply it is essential; otherwise you can end up looking orangey.
Choosing Your Bronzer
The first rule of choosing a bronzer is to never choose a color that is more than two shades darker than your skin tone. Going too dark can make you look dirty or like an orange. You want your skin to have a warm glow, not a “fake and bake “ look.
It might also be a good idea to buy two different shades of bronzers; one for winter and one for summer. Remember your skin will most likely be darker in the summer when you are able to get more sun, and lighter in the winter when sun exposure is reduced.
Not sure which shade is right for your skin tone, keep these tips in mind when choosing your ideal color:
- Tawny or amber shades works best for darker complexions
- Tawny or amber shades works best for darker complexions
- Cooper shades are ideal for olive skin tones
- Peach or pink bronzers work best with fair skin tones
- Oily or normal skin – Choose a powder based bronzer
- Dry skin – Choose a cream or gel based bronzer
Tips for Application
Before applying your bronzer, make sure you have the proper tools. A bronzer brush is key. Choose one that is wide, fluffy and rounded. This will ensure you get an even application and not a blotchy mess.
Next swirl the brush in the bronzer and then tap off the excess. Then, apply the bronzer in what is called the “3 Formation”, on your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. In other words, any place where the sun would hit your face. You can also apply bronzer to your neck, chest or ears, if you are wearing your hair up. This will create a very natural look. Always check your face, preferably in sunlight, once you are done to make sure the bronzer is well blended.
You can wear bronzer over foundation, as an alternative to blush, or in place of foundation on days when you don’t want to wear too much makeup.
