How to Use Bronzer So You Glow Like a Goddess
Summer is here, legs are being bared, and you—no matter who you are—are just a couple of minutes away from the kind of holy Mediterranean glow that cost Achilles his life.
All you need is a bronzer.
But what kind? How to apply? And why are there so many different bronzers?
Don’t worry, this is literally a *masterclass* in getting your bronze on, will teach you how to look super tanned or how to look subtley glow-y, and features very affordable products you can grab at your local drugstore.
Summer? Let’s do this.
Technically, contouring and bronzing are two different things, but depending on your skin tone, you can find your shade among bronzer, contour powder, foundation, or even some blush lines. I’ve even know some girls to find their perfect contour shade among eyeshadows. You want to find something matte a couple shades darker than your skin. You also want it to have a cooler undertone, which is why most “bronzers” may be too warm. Use this to accentuate the structure of your face. For me, I use this mostly underneath the cheekbones to bring them out more. I use the brown shade from this NYX Cheek Contour Duo in Double Date.
E.l.f. has some beautiful, affordable bronzers that I absolutely love. Mine comes in Warm, Cool, and Golden, and I actually use all three regularly for different things. I usually just swirl all the shades in the palette together, but you could use them separately if you wanted to. The Cool has more red undertones to it, so I use it to add some warmth to my skin (Yes, it’s the “Cool” bronzer to add “warmth.” I guess I’m just ironic like that.) If you have a lot of redness in your skin already, you may consider skipping this step. But if your skin is looking a little dead, this will add some life to your whole face. I apply this around the perimeter of my face, especially around the temples, cheekbones, and jawline. TIP: That lighter tan shade in the palette is great for helping blend out your contour.
Now for the Warm shade in that same e.l.f. bronzer. This one is warmer than the Cool (duh), and it has a small amount of shimmer. (The Golden shade has a TON of shimmer. I sometimes use that one for highlighting, but I digress…) I like to apply the Warm bronzer anywhere the sun might hit me on a day at the beach. That means tops of my cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead. This is where you’re really going to start looking tan, and the finely milled shimmer will give your skin a natural, subtle glow.
Highlighting is my favorite part of this whole thing. It’s just fun to brush magical shimmery pixie dust across your face. The magical pixie dust I’m referring to today is Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Bronzer, Blush & Eyeshadow in the shade Riviera Strip. Today I’m swirling together the three lightest shades, but as I get tanner through the summer, I’ll gradually start using some of the darker shades. Use this where you want the most intense glow. Applying this to the tops of your cheekbones will accentuate them. Dusting a small amount down the bridge of the nose will slim it down. A little on the cupids bow will give your lips the illusion of more fullness. Altogether, you’ll get that dewy, honey-golden complexion we’re after.
Since you’re probably looking pretty sun-kissed, you may decide that you don’t want to wear any blush. But if you do decide to wear some blush, try to choose a color with peach or red undertones in it. When you get a lot of sun, what color do your cheeks turn? Red or peach. That’s why these tones feel more natural with a beachy look. I’m using a reddish coral from the e.l.f. Blush Palette in Dark. These blushes are VERY pigmented, so use a light hand. Or better yet, use a stippling brush so the brush itself picks up less product.
Now you’re glowing! Wear whatever eye makeup or lipstick you want with your new faux tan. Try a nude glossy lip or a matte hot pink lip. (“Hot pink” is basically “nude” for magenta haired girls right?)
How much bronzer is too much? Will you be lathering up with SPF and cracking out some heavenly bronzer powder this summer? Any questions for Allison?
