How to use Bronzer

If you are coming into summer and wanting to enhance tanned skin and a gorgeous glow or wanting a pick me up for dreary winter skin then bronzing is the way to go.

Formula

There are more formulas out on the market nowadays than regular powder and they can create many different results and shade the face in a unique way.

Powder: The most traditional formula and generally the easiest to work with. Can have a tendency to appear muddy and uneven on the skin and can often oxidize on oily skin (changing it into an unsightly orange shade) I love Benefit Hoola Bronzer, NARS Laguna Bronzer, *Covergirl Clean Bronzing Powder, *Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder

Cream: Trickiest to apply as creams are usually high pigment formulas, if blended correctly they produce the most seamless result.

Gel: Better than cream for beginners and much easier to apply. Gel formulas are generally quite sheer so blend into the skin easily and make it easy to fix results. I love *Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel

Finish

As important as the formula of bronzer is, knowing which finish to use is also essential. As a general rule Matte bronzers are usually the way to go.

Matte: Perfect for bronzing the face without being overly obvious. The best finish to use and suitable for all skintones and types.

Shimmer: Can often appear unnatural on the skin and the shimmer reflects light so fails to make your face look slimmer. Medium to dark skintones can wear shimmer, but it is generally best to stick with matte finishes.

Colour

When it comes to the shade of bronzer there is one universal rule: never use an orange based bronzer (they never look natura) Bronzers usually don’t come in shades for all skintones so a foundation/powder in two to three shades darker than your skintone is the best way to go. The two best bronzers I’ve found that suit most skintones are Benefit Hoola and NARS Laguna

Light Skintones: Stick with light bronzers with no shimmer. Ideally opt for a bronzer with neutral tones and a hint of red or pink. Try: Benefit Hoola, *Covergirl Clean Bronzer in Spices, Essence Sun Club Bronzing Powder for Blondes

Medium Skintones: A brown bronzer with a touch of red or pink in the base and no shimmer is ideal. Try: NARS Laguna, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, Hard Candy SO BAKED Bronzer in Hula Hula

Dark Skintones: A dark, red based bronzer is best, one with a hint of shimmer can be used. Try: ELF Studio Baked Bronzer in Los Cabos, Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Dark.

Very Dark Skintones: The darkest shade of bronzer available should be used, bronzer often doesn’t show up on very dark skin so opt for one with shimmer or just use highlighter instead. Try: Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Golden Mosaic, Covergirl Queen Natural HUE Bronzer in Ebony Bronze

Application

Application of bronzer can be a tricky thing, when using bronzer we are trying to create that sunkissed glow not trying to contour the face. With the right tools and the right application technique you can get yourself a holiday glow in no-time.

For Powder: Use an angled contour brush.

For Cream: Use a synthetic contour brush, a foundation brush or your fingers.

For Gel: Use a buffing brush or your fingers.

If you find bronzer just looks funny on your skin try using a bronzing primer, a bronzing BB Cream (try *Bourjois Bronzing BB Cream)  or mixing a pea sized amount of gel bronzer in with your foundation (I love mixing bronze illuminators in with my foundation as they make the skin look glowy and bronzed, I love *Benefit Sun Beam, NARS Laguna Illuminator and Stila All Over Liquid Luminizer in Bronze)

As a general rule the best way to apply bronzer is in a “3” shape, this way bronzer is applied where the sun naturally kisses your skin. Apply the bronzer around the hairline, the temples, under the cheekbones and around the jawline & chin. Always use the smallest strokes and use brushes gently to avoid applying too much product on the skin. If you go over the top with bronzer use a small amount of foundation that matches your skintone on a foundation or stippling brush to tone down the colour.

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*This post contains a product/sample which was sent to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my disclosure policy. This post also contains affiliate links. This does not alter the honesty of this review or this blog, all opinions stated are honest and my own

*Photo Courtesy of La Roche Posay