Selecting a shade

When choosing your perfect shade, keep in mind that going too dark will look unnatural, so stay within one or two shades of your natural skin tone. A hint of shimmer can be flattering, but don’t get carried away with glittery or orange-tinted bronzers, which can make you look overdone. Remember that bronzer is supposed to look subtle.

Choosing the formula

Scan the beauty shelves of any store, and you’ll find tons of bronzers in various forms. So how do you know which one is best for you? You can’t go wrong if you select a bronzer based on your skin type.

• Oily skin: Opt for a powder bronzer like Colorescience Retractable Bronzer to absorb excess shine.


• Dry skin: Stay away from powder bronzers. Instead, try a cream, gel or liquid bronzer for a subtle glow. Lancaster Easy Face Bronzer is a liquid bronzer brush that's ideal for a natural-looking complexion.
• Combination skin: Take your pick from any of the above. If you tend toward an oily T-zone, you can sweep some powder bronzer over those areas and use a cream or gel to highlight your cheekbones.

Applying your bronzer

• Prep time. For a flawless look, prep your skin first with a light moisturizer. Bronzer looks best on bare skin, but if you feel uncomfortable going without foundation, use a tinted moisturizer or a sheer foundation.


• Gather your tools. Powder bronzer is best used with a wide, fluffy brush like the Amazing Cosmetics Velvet Brush. If you’re using a stick, gel or cream bronzer, use a makeup sponge or your fingertips.


• Sun-kissed. Never apply bronzer to your entire face. Instead, apply to the spots that sunlight naturally hits — the cheeks, forehead, chin and the bridge of your nose. If you’re wearing your hair up, dab some behind your ears and above your neck.


• Powder. When using powder bronzer, dip your brush into the bronzer and tap it onto the back of your hand to remove excess powder. Dust the appropriate areas of your face lightly with your brush.


• Liquid, gel or cream. Apply the bronzer to your fingers and rub them together to even out the color. Dab the bronzer onto the appropriate areas and blend well with the tips of your fingers or a makeup sponge, being careful to avoid telltale lines or streaks.


• Sultry shades. Build your color gradually until you achieve your desired shade. If you’ve applied too much bronzer, use a dry cotton pad to remove any excess color. You can also dust a light layer of your regular face powder over the area to lighten the color.

Subtle and simple beauty

When using bronzer, make sure to keep the rest of your makeup light. Avoid wearing too much of a similar shade, such as copper-colored eye shadow or lipstick. Instead, opt for simple eye makeup like a pale pink or brown, and sweep on one coat of black mascara. Complete your look with a sheer lip color, such as coral or russet.

See also:

A No-Sweat Beauty Routine All Summer Long

The Ultimate Guide to a Natural-Looking Sunless Tan