Written by Sarah Jones
Last Updated

The time of applying bronzer all over your face to create a kind of fake tan effect is thankfully long behind us and it is now a much more virtual feature of our make-up kit, adding warmth and depth to our features.

How to apply bronzer

The rules about applying bronzer has changed now and it can be used to create much more subtle effects and to target key areas of the face to add warmth and definition where required, so let’s take a look at how to use it: 

 

  • How to apply bronzer

 

When applying bronzer you need to think about the areas where you would naturally catch the sun, and apply it using a light make-up brush. Apply it over your cheeks, around your temples and across your forehead. 

For further definition, you could also sweep it around the edges of your jawbone? Make sure you don’t end up with harsh lines, it’s important to blend it in after application so you don’t end up with orange lines. 

 

  • Choosing the right brush

 

It’s important to choose the right brush for your bronzer application, otherwise your coverage could end up being too light, or too intense leaving you with unwanted stripes. For the perfect bronzing coverage you need a large and fluffy brush. 

 

  • Bronzer or contourer? 

 

The key difference between these two products is that bronzer is generally shimmery and makes your skin glow, whereas a contour product is more matte and won’t create that glow. Ideally, bronzer would add glow to drier skin, while contour powder would help to take the shine off oily skin. 

 

  • Cream or powder? 

 

Most bronzer comes in a powder format which is suitable for most skins, however if you have dry skin then it’s worth opting for a cream bronzer to avoid ending up with flaky make-up and to add a little hydration to your complexion. 

 

  • Liquid bronzer

 

Liquid bronzer can be difficult to use but it’s the one to choose for the most natural look possible. The key tip with using this type of bronzer is that you only need a tiny amount to create the ideal coverage. 

 

  • What if I have very pale skin?

 

If your natural skin color is very pale, it might feel like using a bronzer would create a really fake look but if you choose the right one it can work perfectly. For this color skin you need to choose a product which is a taupe shade. 

 

  • What if I have fair skin? 

 

For fair skin you need to go for a bronzer with a nicer shimmer which has a golden shade, as opposed to one that is more orange or red, it needs to sit nicely with a fairer complexion rather than standing out on the skin. 

 

  • What if I have medium-tone skin? 

 

If you have a medium skin tone you can get away with more different bronzer shades than a pale skin but the best to go to is one which has rich tones and looks more like a dark orange shade in color. 

 

  • What if I have dark skin? 

 

Again, for darker skin or olive tones go for a nice orange-based bronzer which will add a lot of warmth to your face, and can be combined with a highlighter if required, to bring light reflections to key areas of your face as well. 

As you can see, applying bronzer has changed dramatically over the years, and now, instead of covering your whole face in an orange powder, it’s important to choose the right shade for your skin tone. 

If you need help choosing the correct shade you can always ask for advice at the beauty counter where you buy your bronzer and they will be able to advise you on which shade to choose. If your skin is very oily you might want to opt for a matte contouring product instead. 

The aim of using bronzer is not to create a fake tan; you can use tinted moisturizer to bring a natural color to your skin. The bronzer is to bring warmth and help to define your features, much in the same way as contouring works. 

How to apply bronzer 2
Conclusion

Bronzer is one of the most versatile products to add to your make-up bag, bringing warmth and definition to your complexion even when there is no chance of a real tan. Using bronzer that is the correct shade and correct type for your skin tone will create a perfect look, highlighting your best features. 

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, dark tones or pale tones, there is a bronzer out there for you. With the choices of powdered, cream or liquid bronzer products you can choose the type which works the best with your particular skin type. 

Social Share