Keeping your skin protected from the sun with a high-SPF sunscreen is important to prevent skin damage and reduce the risk of cancer. But what to do when you want a sun-kissed glow? Is it possible to get one without exposing your skin to the damaging UV rays? Enter skin bronzers!
A bronzer is a beauty product that you can rely on for getting a golden-sun-kissed glow any time of the year. Whether shimmery or matte, a skin bronzer helps sculpt your features, accentuate and lift your cheekbones and create a warm, sun-kissed glow in seconds. Often mistaken with contour products, bronzers have a different purpose.
What Is the Purpose of а Bronzer?
Contouring is a trick used to create “shadows” on the face, so contour products are generally cool-toned. Bronzers, on the other hand, are warm-toned and are meant to mimic glowing, sun-kissed skin. They give you the look like you’ve spent all your free time at the beach, but without the harmful UV rays or painful sunburns.
Understanding the Different Types of Bronzer
Nowadays, you can find a range of skin bronzers available, from cream to powder formulas and from matte to shimmery finishes. Matte bronzers tend to look more realistic and are more versatile than shimmery bronzers, which work great as highlighters, applied on the high points of the face or just on the cheekbones.
Different formulas lead to different results. Powder bronzer is the most versatile, especially because it is available in different finishes. A lot of women love the cream bronzers since they are really easy to use; you can apply it with your fingers, pressing it against the skin and blending with your fingers for a fresh, glowing finish. Whatever formula you choose, don’t mix the cream with the powder one because they won’t blend well and will likely look streaky.
Which type of bronzer to choose will depend on your skin type and the rest of your makeup routine.
Liquid Bronzer
This type of bronzer may be a little more difficult to apply but you can thin it out with a moisturiser and then apply it all over your face for an even glow. It is a good option for those with dry skin.
Powder Bronzer
Pressed powder bronzers are the easiest to apply and work wonderfully for oily skin. If you have dry skin, avoid this type of bronzer as it can create flakes and the appearance of a dehydrated complexion.
Cream Bronzer
Cream bronzers that come in the form of a stick shouldn’t be applied directly to the skin. You need to warm it up on your fingers first or use a foundation brush to apply it. They can be used on all skin types.
How to Choose a Bronzer Shade for Your Skin Tone
To achieve a natural bronze look you’ll need to opt for a shade that matches your skin undertone. Whether you have dark or pale skin, undertones are divided into three basic categories:
- Warm – golden, peach or yellow;
- Cool – bluish, red or pink;
- Neutral – a mixture of both warm and cool.
Makeup experts recommend investing in two shades of bronzer – one that is a brighter shade with a pinkier or peachier tone to liven up your face and make you look more awake and one that is slightly deeper than your natural skin tone but works on your neck so you can even out the shade difference between your face and neck.
How to Apply Bronzer
Before you apply any beauty product to your face, you need to make sure it’s clean and hydrated. Makeup experts recommend using a cleanser, a face toner, and a moisturiser to ensure flawless application. Then apply foundation to conceal any imperfections and you’re ready to start bronzing.
As you know, different types of makeup brushes exist for different purposes. For applying bronzing powder you’ll want a wide, rounded brush with a dense, straight-across head to be able to pick up and deposit a bronzer onto your skin as well as buff it out. And you will want to make sure it’s a good quality brush. Quality cosmetic brushes can mean the difference between a flawless face and a clown-like mess.
But how you can tell if you are buying cosmetic brushes of quality? There is one simple technique you can use to find a durable and quality brush – rub it against your skin. The bristles should feel soft and not rough or scratch. To test the strength of the bristles, run the brush against your hands to see if any fibre fall out. If the bristles stay intact and soft, it not don buy it or return it to the seller.
You should know that paying a high price for a makeup brush don’t necessary means getting a quality brush. A good brush will have densely packed bristles, a solid handle made from wood or plastic, and a shape that applies and blends makeup products smoothly and evenly. It should also be able to transfer makeup effectively, which means the brush shouldn’t lose a lot of makeup in transit to your skin.
With the right makeup brush on hand, it will be time to learn how to apply bronzer. You should aim for areas where the sun naturally hits your face, like the tops of your cheeks, the bridge or your nose, and sometimes a little bit on your neck and the tops of the forehead.
One of the easiest ways to apply bronzer right is using the “3” method, which involves painting a 3 on each side of your face. Dip your brush into a powder bronzer and then apply it in the shape of a 3 along the side of your face, hitting your temples, cheekbones and jawline. Apply a bit of it to the sides of your neck too.
