It’s that time again, the sun is shining brightly, the days are longer and the sun-kissed look is in. Summer is the perfect time to explore the world of bronzers.
There is a misconception that bronzing and contouring are one and the same, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Contouring is meant to add dimension and depth to the face with subtle sculpting while the bronzers are meant to bring warmth and glow.
There is also a distinct difference in the shades of contouring products and bronzers. Because contouring is meant to add depth and dimension, shades often have a noticeably cooler tone while bronzers have more of a skin-like tone.
Cream vs Powder
With so many options you may be asking should I choose cream or powder? Cream bronzers they are often a great choice for drier skins due to their emollient nature which makes it easiery to get a smoother mixture. Hhowever, new PureBronze Collection, despite being dust, it gives a soft touch and blends easily even on drier skin. It is equally important for oily skins to choose the right bronzer texture. Oily Skins should avoid choosing bronzers that have a strong shimmer, this can make the skin look too textured and shiny.
Finding your undertone
Like any complexion product, both skin depth and undertone play an important role when choosing a bronzer.
The general rule is to choose a bronzer one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Whether you’re fair, light, medium, deep or somewhere in between, knowing your skin tone is just as important as knowing your skin depth.
If you’re not sure about your tone, here’s a quick review:
- Undertones fall into three basic categories: warm, cool, and neutral.
- A warm tone is more peachy, golden or yellow.
- A cool tone is generally associated with skin that has hints of blue, pink.
- Neutral undertones have a mixture of cool and warm undertones.
- Your undertone will affect how your skin appears when tanned.
- Lighter skin tones with warm undertones tan more peachy. Choose a bronzer based on peach or neutral tan.
- Light to medium skin tones with warm undertones tan more golden. Choose a bronzer that has a copper tone.
- Deeper skin tones tan with warm undertones tan more than deep bronze. Choose a bronzer that is deep rich chocolate.
- Lighter skin tones with cool rosy tan undertones. Choose a bronzer with a pink undertone.
- Fair to medium skin tones with cool undertones tan more than a deep cinnamon. Choose a brown-toned bronzer with a hint of cinnamon.
- Deeper or richer skin tones with a cool toned tan more reddish. Choose a deep brown with a hint of red.
- Finally, if you have a neutral tone, there is no obvious shade, you can burn and then tan. THEpt for a beige tone that won’t make skin look red or orange.
Now that we’ve discussed tone and depth, application is also an essential element in achieving your ultimate natural lookn-kissed look. If using in combination with skin products such as foundation, be sure to apply powder with powder to avoid an uneven application. If a cream bronzeis preferredthis can be blended directly into skin after foundation or tinted moisturizer.
Just as contouring has specific placement rules, so do bronzes. Applying where the sun naturally hits the face is key. Correct placement of bronzerincludes the sides of the forehead, around the temples in an ac formation, the tip of the nose and the chin. Fan brushes are the best tool to use, remember this is to add warmth not coverage. A fan brush will keep application light and natural. Don’t forget the neck and décolleté. For added glow, use a shimmer bronzer on the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones and bridge of the nose.
Bronzers can also be great on days when you’re not wearing a lot of makeup or taking pictures.
Whether you choose cream or powder, bronzers are a great way to welcome and celebrate summer.
