I’m a huge fan of bronzer, mainly because I am on the far end of the pale spectrum, so I use bronzer to give myself an overall healthy glow. Its just a plain confidence booster in my book! But be weary if you use too much you can end up making your face look muddy or like an oompa loompa. Lets leave that special orange hue to the ‘lil guys at the chocolate factory, shall we?
Choosing a color that is right for you!
- You want to pick something that is 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone. I use Susan Posnick M3 Colorflo foundation so if I chose my bronzer I would be M6 for a matte bronzer.
- When choosing a finish I highly recommend a matte finish- it is much more believable that this is your natural glow rather than a shimmer that may give a “glow” but could also emphasize pores and or acne.
- A matte finish is also imitates a natural shadow, so it can be used to contour beautifully. Think of it this way – a shimmer diffuses light, so it will highlight where you need to shadow.
Seasonal rules to remember:
- During the winter always stick with matte so you look more natural
- In the summertime you could get away with a bit of shimmer in your bronzer (such as Beach Bunny by Too Faced) to emphasize your tan. I DO like shimmery bronzers, just use with caution.
Tools to apply bronzer
- I prefer using a contour brush and or an angled face brush. One of my all time favorite brushes is Esum P55, perfect for a precise placement of bronzer then I like to blend with the angled face brush. It fits right into the hollow under your cheekbone.
- For a summertime glow, think about where the sun naturally hits your face. For contouring, think about where the sun casts shadows on your face. The shadows bring shape to the face, while the sunlight brings warmth and color to the face.
- THE SHAPE GUIDELINE: Apply bronzer along the temple and top of your forehead, following underneath the cheekbone in the shape of two connected ‘C’s or the number 3. Then blend down underneath the neck to give a sun kissed glow that looks natural and not like you bought a Mystic Tan membership for just your face…gross. If you follow these easy steps you will look like you stepped right off the plane from St. Bart’s…ahhhh
TADA!!!!
- Annnnnnnd about those pale legs….Let’s talk about that.
Your face now looks fresh from a Caribbean cruise, but did you leave your legs behind?! How did you even manage to do that?! To even everything out we call upon the ever-popular sunless tanners. DON’T JUDGE JUST YET! A lot of self-tanners do have a bad rep for turning the skin a horrid streaky brown and orange colors. This is from dihydroxyacetone, DHA. Try wining the spelling bee with that one, girls. So what is DHA anyway? DHA is a sugar that interacts with amino acids in the top layer of your skin to produce pigment called melanoidins. To stray away from the orange tan you can use a self-tanner derived naturally from beet sugar or cane sugar – that’s right! You can indulge in the real sugar this time with no regrets! Candy for your legs!
For all over body bronzing:
Two of my favorites, tried and true, and won’t let a girl down when she has to throw on a summer dress and her legs haven’t seen sun in MONTHS!!! (lifesaver status)
- 1. Hampton sun airbrush bronzing spray
This product totally had a cameo in Sex and the City. That’s right – Carrie approved and infused with natural sweet almond and macadamia oils for a moisturizing and luxurious feel. Keep a Hamptons glow all year round without having to worry about the UV damage caused by indoor tanning and the sun’s rays.
- Bliss Tan for All Seasons
The aloe vera and antioxidant-infused formula hydrates and soothes skin, fighting free radicals with botanical extracts while the light citrus scent keeps skin smelling sunny and bright. The instantly-visible sun set™ bronzer makes it easy to track where you spray and its transfer-resistant sheen won’t stain clothing. No streaks.
Xoxo,
Becca