No one wants to look dull; using a bronzer adds warmth and color to your face. Although it is unnecessary to use bronzer, it helps give the skin a warm glow. Many celebrities like Beyonce, J. Lo, Kim Kardashian, and Rihanna love using bronzer.
What is a Bronzer?
As the name suggests, it is a makeup product that gives it a bronzed look when applied to the skin. It gives the skin some warmth, shine, and radiance, similar to a suntan without actually going out in the sun. Generally, bronzer looks most natural when applied to the spots the sun naturally hits. You can apply it on your cheeks, nose bridge, and the top of your forehead to achieve that natural glow. So, if you want to achieve that sun-kissed radiant skin without actually bearing the sun’s harmful UV rays, then a good touch of bronzer is all you need.
The bronzer comes in three Finishes, matte and shimmer. It is also available in four different formulas: creamy, gel, liquid, and powder.
What Exactly Does a Bronzer Do?
So, what does bronzer do? Well, bronzer is used to attain a tanned look, but it is more than just an alternative to a fake tan. This makeup product sits in the deeper parts of your skin to give additional warmth and shine to it and a natural-looking sun-kissed glow. Under the sun, you cannot control the tan, but if you know how to use bronzer, you can.
Aside from tanning, it also adds some definition to your face, which is helpful in hiding blemishes and other skin defects. There are also bronzers you can use for your body which you can use to attain an illusion of slimmer and long legs. So, it is not just for the face; you can even use it to show off your deep cleavage, shoulders, and collarbones.
Now that there are so many makeup trends, it is easy to get confused. For example, bronzer and contour have many similarities. Let’s get to know their differences.
Bronzer Vs. Contour
Although bronzer and contour do share many similarities, there are significant differences between the two.
- Bronzer revels in the sun’s glow, while contour is intended to highlight the shadows created by that glow.
- Bronzer adds warmth to the skin, whereas contour, on the other hand, adds shadows.
- Bronzer gives your skin a sun-kissed glow, while a contour is for sculpting your face for additional definition.
- Bronzer provides the glow while adding some definition to the face using color. However, the contour is applied to get a slimming effect.
- Bronzer is used where the sun will naturally hit the face. On the other hand, the contour is applied to add depth and shadows and mainly achieve sharp cheekbones and jawline, a slimmer face, or a sharp and slim nose.
- Contour takes your attention away from parts where it is applied, while the bronzer is applied to improve the dark and deep areas of the skin.
Because of these differences, you will need two very different strategies when applying the products.
Since the bronzer is supposed to maximize light, it is meant to be applied directly on your cheeks with a larger brush paired with blush. As for the contour, to bring the drama to your face, it uses cooler, darker undertones that should live in the shadows of your face.
For perfect makeup, blending them is the key, plus adding a highlighter to contrast the shadows you have made.
Applying Bronzer
Applying bronzer is easy. The idea is to apply it where the sun would usually hit if you were out in the sun, such as the sides of your forehead, hairline, tops of the cheeks, and nose bridge. Apply a small amount onto your neck to ensure that your face and neck color don’t differ.
The Types of Brush
Although it is easy to apply, you can’t just use any brush when applying a bronzer. Here is the specific brush for a particular type of bronzer:
Synthetic Brush – A synthetic brush is used for creamy bronzers because it won’t hold off the powder bronzer.
Natural Brush – Use a natural brush for the powder ones because the natural brush will absorb the cream bronzer.
Wet Sponde – A wet makeup sponge or even your fingertips can be used to make the blending easy and perfect for a gel or a liquid bronzer.
Roud Head Brush – Matte and sheer bronzer should be applied with a rounded head brush.
Sculpting Brush – A sculpting brush should be used when applying shimmery bronzers because you need to be careful with the shimmer.
Kabuski or Stipling Brush – This type of brush is used for the endgame that is to blend in the bronzer.
How To Pick A Bronzer?
Anyone can use a bronzer. Whether your complexion is dark or fair, whether your skin is dry or oily, there is the right bronzer for you. To determine the perfect bronzer for you, you have two things to consider: your primary skin tone and your skin’s undertone.
Bronzer for fair skin – If you have fair to light skin, go for rose or peach-colored bronzers because they are darker than your primary skin tone. Do not go for bronzers that are too dark.
Olive Skin – Copper and golden brown bronzers are perfect olive skin tones.
Dark Skin – Rich and dark shades of brown are perfect for dark-skinned beauties.
Warm Undertones – It is easy to determine the best bronzer for warm undertones. Look at your wrist. If you see green-colored veins, it means you have a warm undertone. And gold and brown would be the best bronzers for you.
Cool Undertones – If you have blue-colored veins, you have cool undertones, and you should go for peach pink and rose gold bronzer.
Neutral Undertones – You should go for something between the shades because the neutral undertones fall between the warm and cool tones.
Oily Skin – Oily skin works well with powder-based bronzers. Go for a light shimmer because it can add shine to your already shiny face.
Acne-prone Skin – Powder and gel bronzer are the best choice for acne-prone skin. Steer clear of shimmer or creamy if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Dry Skin – Cream and liquid bronzers are the best choice for you if you have dry skin.
Normal Skin – If you have normal skin, you are fortunate. You may choose any formula you like.
How to Apply Bronzer:
Step 1: Clean your face first. Follow your makeup routine as you usually would: apply moisturizer, primer, concealer, and foundation.
Step 2: Set everything with a transparent powder.
Step 3. Get the makeup brush and rub it lightly into the bronzer. Tap off the excess, if any.
Step 4. Do gentle circular movements in applying bronzer to your hairline and temples.
Step 5. Take another tap into the bronzer and apply it from your ears to the front of your cheekbones with small circular movements.
Step 6. Do the same on your other cheek.
Step 7. Then, apply the bronzer just along your jawline. From your jaw, move towards your chin and go a little down the neck.
Step 8. The final step is to apply a bit of bronzer on both sides of your nose.
When applying bronzer, always remember: Less is more.