Bronzers 101: How To Achieve That Vacay Level Glow, Year-Round
Francesca is the Beauty Editor at Adore Beauty. With a background in glossy mags and bylines in publications like Marie Claire, ELLE and BODY+SOUL, Francesca has turned her love of beauty into a career. Whether she's decoding buzzy ingredients or road testing lip glosses (so. many. glosses.), her approach to beauty is equal parts glamour and highly-considered.
From buttery mattes to cool contours and oh-so glamorous shimmers, bronzers are your one way ticket to a vacation-level glow. No passport required.
Whether you are craving believable warmth or wanting a more structured, chiselled effect, bronzer is your most strategic ally for a healthy-looking complexion.
From picking the right formula, to shade matching and mastering your placement - consider this article the 411 on all things bronzers.
What is Bronzer?
While blush may be having a moment, the trusty bronzer has long been a staple in makeup bags. It possesses the ability to add warmth, sculpt (we're talking skeletal-level structure) and add colour back to the complexion.
Bronzers have evolved far beyond the muddy powders of the past; nowadays, there is a variety of formulas and textures like powder, cream and liquid and finishes including matte, satin and shimmer.
Choosing the Perfect Bronzer for You
The best way to build up your confidence with bronzer is to pick the right shade for your complexion and then apply it subtly. As a rule of thumb, you should never go more than two shades darker than your natural skin tone.
You also need to pay attention to whether your skin is cool, warm or neutral in tone. Warm tones thrive with golden hues, while cooler complexions should look for rose-based or taupe-leaning bronzers to avoid looking too 'orange'.
Second Skin: Best Bronzers For A Natural Finish
The next frontier of bronzing is all about those seamless, buffed-in finishes.
The secret to a "second-skin" look lies in selecting a shade that sits no more than two tones deeper than your natural complexion.
To achieve this, look to liquid and cream formulas. They are incredibly versatile and key to replicating "no-makeup" makeup trends like ‘underpainting’ - where you apply your bronze tones beneath your foundation for a glow that seems to come from within.
If finger-application isn’t your forte, opt for a brush or sponge. A brush will give you more pay-off, while a sponge will offer a more diffused, sheer result. Use pressing motions rather than swiping and blend the edges meticulously for a seamless finish.
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Wave Bronzing Balm - The cream iteration of Benefit's famed Hoola Bronzer mimics the matte finish of its predecessor while boasting the benefits of a buttery-soft balm texture. The finish is dewy and diffused.
L'Oreal Paris Lumi Le Bronzer Stick Soleil Cream-to-Powder- This ultra-blendable cream-to-powder bronzer glides on like a dream, melting into the skin and setting down to a diffused, soft-touch powder finish that stays put all day.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer- This weightless creme formula melts seamlessly into skin, and sets down into a natural-looking matte finish.
@itsmakeupbymelissam Natural looking bronzer is all about technique 👌 #bronzertutorial #bronzer #makeupdosanddonts @Benefit Cosmetics @rephr ♬ original sound - Melissa Murdick
Vacay Glow: Best Bronzers For Adding Warmth
For that just-back-from-vacay look, select a warm-toned bronzer in a satin or light shimmer finish.
These can be applied over bare skin for a weekend vibe or over foundation for a more polished effect. In terms of placement, use the bronzer to mimic where the sun would hit your face naturally.
Focus on the "3" shape technique: start at the temple, sweep down to the cheekbones and finish along the jawline. Don't forget the bridge of your nose - this is where you tend to tan the darkest.
Buff it in well to ensure there are no harsh lines. Bronzer can be an extremely flattering product if used correctly; practise with a light hand and you will have expertly sun-kissed skin in no time.
Benefit Hoola Matte - A great bronzer for beginners, Benefit's Hoola uses a universally flattering shade to add warmth and enhance colour. The finely milled powder blends easily for a seamless finish.
Rimmel London Multi Tasker Bronzing, Sculpting & Contour Stick, 003, Tan- Dosed with Vitamins E & C, this bronzing stick imparts ultra-sheer colour for a dewy and fresh finish.
Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Hyper Bronze- A soft matte finish features just a hint of subtle sheen, giving skin a bronzed, healthy look for up to 24 hours. Skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide help support skin health and hydration, while blurring the look of imperfections and minimising pores.
Define and Sculpt: Best Bronzers For Contouring
To add definition and sculpt, select a cool tone bronzer that is two to three shades deeper than your skin tone. A matte finish will produce natural and realistic results.
Place your contour in the hollows of your cheeks, along the hairline and under the jawline to create depth. For beginners, we recommend a fluffy powder brush that lets you sweep colour without depositing too much pigment at once.
If you want more intensity or a sharper "chiseled" look, opt for a smaller, dense brush.
To avoid patchiness or a muddy finish, skip heavy layering and always start with a light hand; you can always add more, but it’s harder to take away.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Crayon Waterproof Multi-Use Stick- With a creamy texture and waterproof formula, it lets you line, shade, colour and define with precision that lasts. Shades 'Endless Cacao' and 'Anywhere Caffeine' are particularly great for sculpting.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Bronzer- Achieve a natural sculpted finish with this buttery, buildable bronzer. It blurs and smooths for a flawless, second-skin finish that lasts all day.
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