Without a doubt, a good bronzer is the ideal product for glowing summer skin. Without the sunburn or wrinkles. But let’s be honest, it’s one of the most intimidating makeup products out there and probably one of the ones I get the most questions about. Do I need a bronzer?
What shade should I choose? When should I wear it? How do I apply it? The list is endless. When it comes to getting that Brazilian goddess lounging on the beach in Ipanema look, there are two basic rules of thumb.
Firstly, choose your colour carefully. It’s best to steer clear of anything too orange that looks obvious and fake and anything too muddy that makes darker complexions look ashy and paler faces look downright unwashed.
Secondly, the right brush is what stands between you getting that J-Lo glow and looking like a streaky reality star from the Jersey Shore. Opt for a large, rounded brush with dense bristles. It’ll deposit a soft wash of colour and blend the product more easily, helping to avoid any visible stripes.
If you’re new to the world of bronzers, it’s best to go for something with minimal sparkle as matte formulas look the most natural. Having said that, a little gold shimmer can look extremely pretty on cheekbones and décolletés, so have fun and experiment. Here are five classic, must-try glow enhancers that you’ll keep coming back to, year after year.
Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion
As far as pretty designs and innovative formulations go, Make Up For Ever’s bronzing powder for 2015 is a standout winner. The compact itself is embossed with a wave design that’s reminiscent of tropical waves. While the gel-powder formulation blends beautifully and is both water and sweat-proof. It comes in six different shades with two different finishes, matte and iridescent. This is your must-by product of the season.
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder
If you don’t normally use bronzers, this compact is a great place to start. The silky, smooth formula is lightweight and sheer, meaning you can build up the layers to adjust the level of tan you’d like. The powder is long-wearing and the colour stays true and doesn’t change as the day wears on.
NARS Matte Bronzing Powder- Laguna
Not only does this powder give you a natural-looking summer glow, but it also smoothes lines and minimises the appearance of pores. It’s diffused with the subtlest gold sparkle that enhances naturally tanned skin. Great for darker skin tones.
Diorskin Nude Air Tan Powder
This is for those who want a healthy looking glow rather than a full on tan. The fine pigments add a sun-kissed radiance that warm up your complexion, whilst staying true to its original colour. It comes with a cute little kabuki brush for easy, on-the-go application.
Guerlain My Terracotta Bronzing Powder
Summer’s star bronzing powder. Guerlain’s iconic bronzing powder changes year to year, and often comes in fun, customisable silicon cases. Despite the makeover, the formula itself is the same. Gorgeous, glow-giving tan pigments that keep skin hydrated and smooth, with that familiar tropical scent that immediately says “it’s summer time!”
Which is your go-to bronzer for summer?
