TUTORIAL: Bronzer

TUTORIAL: BRONZER
Getting impatient for summer? If you (or the weather) are not quite in the mood, there’s nothing like a bronzer to bring up summer memories and lift your spirits. And I just found the best one. I know, CARGO Bronzing Powder For the Face, Medium is my beloved shimmery golden bronzer of choice, but Loreal’s newest Glam Bronzer is winning my heart. The shimmer on is subtle, but gorgeous when the sun hits it.

$9.57 @ Drugstore.com
The biggest mistake women make with bronzer is applying way to much over the whole face. What ends up is a fake, too dark skin tone that makes people look at your overdone skin tone, rather than giving the
sun kissed look of a recent Bahama’s vacation.
How to do it right?
It’s all in the application and the brush. You probably are using the wrong brush to apply. You know that brush most cosmetic lines sell that’s called a ‘bronzer’ brush?

Well,
that’s not it. Why? The brush bristles are too long (hence too much product) and the ends of the brush are too straight, (as in too splotchy, streaky and in all the wrong areas.) If you have this brush, don’t worry. It’s actually a great overall powder brush. Because the brush you should be using for bronzer, is a fan brush.

Smashbox Fan Brush 22 @ Sephora.com
The fan brush can be small (3/4″ at the widest part of the fan) , or a larger one (2″). The larger the fan, the softer and wider the application. But don’t apply it all over. The trick is to apply it on the bones of the face. Here are the key places to apply.

Along the hairline. Avoid the middle of the forehead. No one likes a shiny forehead. Why? Makes it look larger.
Tops
of the cheekbones. Concentrate on the tops of the cheekbones, near the
ear down, not the apples of the cheeks back. The idea is to see the
glow when you turn your head, not when you look straight on.
Bottom of chin.
Across the bridge of the nose.

To bring out bronzer’s effect more, it’s not more bronzer that will do it, ala Lindsay Lohan style. It’s what makeup colors you wear with it. Apply a peachy blush on the apples of the cheeks. Darken lashes and eyeliner more. Make lips a more glossy warm rust or shimmery nude. All warm tones will enhance the bronzer and complete the look.
As far as what tone to buy? Go for only a few shades darker. Bronzer is not meant to turn your pale skin into a super dark tropical tan. No one will believe it. Only go 2-3 shades warmer/darker and it will look more
believable. Isn’t that the idea anyway?
Another new favorite that I’m loving is Loreal’s newest Glam Bronzer Trio:
A soft trio of 3 shimmering bronzers in one round palette, ranging from soft gold, rusty bronze to a warmer brown bronze. All are shimmers that you can apply individually or run your brush over all to get the
prettiest version.
Or for a shimmering body glow, try L’Oreal Glam Bronze
All-Over Loose Powder Highlighter. $9.57

Sunscreens to try:
AVON SUN Sport Sunscreen Spray
philosophy when hope is not enough spf, age defense uva/uvb spf 20 broad spectrum sunscreen
JOEY New York Pure Pores Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 Sunscreen, Medium 2
Banana Boat Aloe Vera with Vitamin E Sunscreen Lip Balm, SPF 30