How To Get Sun-Kissed Skin With Bronzer

by Colleen

photo: Allana Wesley White                     Makeup & Hair: Colleen Stone

Summer is coming! I don’t know about you but I like to look a little sun kissed and healthy but I wear so much sunblock that my face is really quite pale. This is not to say that I don’t get any sun, living in Miami, but I also am trying really hard to delay… the inevitable (aging!!).

So bronzer is my best friend and it can look very natural and realistic if you keep these few tips in mind.

THE RIGHT BRUSH

Choose a medium/large fluffy brush like the one below so you have more control over the bronzer’s placement.

THE RIGHT PLACEMENT

Start by buffing along under your cheekbones and onto the cheekbones and up towards the temples. Make sure you have really blended. Add a little bit along the hairline and across the bridge of your nose.

Take a little more and buff onto your chin and make sure you bring this under the jawline and also onto the neck. Usually our necks are paler than our faces especially under the chin so you will want to make sure you have also done a bit on your neck so it looks more natural.

Make sure it’s very well blended and not too dark on your face as maybe your body is still not tanned and you don’t want an obviously tanned face- that screams bronzer.

Other spots you might not think of are the eyelids and across the forehead. Dusting bronzer in the socket line of the eyes can really make them pop, then all you need is some mascara. I have quite a large forehead and a bit of bronzer across the center makes it look more realistic. It’s up to you, look in the mirror and decide if you have reached the fresh bronzed look for you.

 THE RIGHT BRONZER FOR YOUR SKIN

Choose a bronzer that is matte or with a slight shimmer. Overly shimmery or sparkly bronzers do not look realistic in day light.

Bronzers come in powders or creams. Powders are easier to work with and blend but some cream products have beautiful shades. I really love NARS the Multiple and TOM FORD Shade and Illuminate.

Choose a bronzer that suits your skin tone. Bronzers can have different undertones even if they say on the package  light or light/medium they could be more yellow based or pinker. Hold it up to your skin to see which suits you best.

Try not to go too much darker than your natural skin tone as you will not end up looking fresh just muddy!

THE FINAL TOUCHES

I still need a touch of color on my face when I am finished with my bronzer. This may or may not be your case. So I need to add a touch of blush to my cheeks just on the tops where the bronzer ends. I prefer a peachy/ pink blush. If you have used powder bronzer, use powder blush and cream blush if you have used cream bronzer.

A touch of highlighter could also be beautiful just along the tops of the cheekbones, maybe the center of the eyelids and on the cupid’s bow of the lips.

Add some mascara and a lovely lip gloss or tinted lip balm….and you are glowing!

A FEW FAVORITES

NARS the multiple             Bobbi Brown Bronzing powder        RImmel Natural Bronzer

Guerlain Terracotta 4 Saisons                              Bobbi Brown Blush Brush 

 Click on product names to learn more.