Recently, we are seeing bronzers coming back into regular use but in a slightly new and different way from how they were used in the early 2000s. Bronzers can lend a youthful, sun-kissed, and even whimsical touch to any makeup look. If you want to give it a try, I’ve got some great advice about how to apply bronzer beautifully, no matter which type you go for.
In this article:
How to Apply Regular Bronzer
- Always start your makeup with a clean and moisturized faced.
- Apply your primer, foundation, concealer, and powder as you normally would.
- With a fluffy powder brush (Mr. Right is a classic, but if you are nervous about over-applying product you might prefer something like this fan brush), starting from the outer parts of the face, and working your way inwards, lightly apply bronzer to the high points of your face: the forehead, the cheekbones, the tip of your nose, and the tip of your chin.
- With a more compact powder brush (either clean, or loaded with a bit of your face powder), blend away any excess product and harsh edges.
- Finish off your look as you normally would with eye and lip makeup. You can also add highlighter, contour, and blush, but they are totally optional!
How to Apply Cream or Liquid Bronzer
- Begin with a clean and well-moisturized face.
- Apply your primer and foundation as you normally would.
- Gently apply the bronzer to the high points of your face: forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose. If you’re using a stick cream bronzer, the applicator is very straightforward.
- If your bronzer comes in a jar, use a medium-stiff synthetic brush like Sephora’s Classic Multitasker Brush. Avoid makeup sponges or a beauty blender, because they will deposit too much product.
- Blend out the edges in light, circular motions with a sponge.
- Apply concealer if necessary.
- Set everything with a translucent setting powder, so as not to cover too much of your hard bronzing work.
- Finish off with your usual eye and lip makeup. Blush, highlight, and contour are optional.
Bronzer Makeup Tips and Tricks
- If you get darker in the summertime, your matte bronzer can work well all over the face, to lightly darken up your pale wintertime foundation – just make sure it doesn’t contain too much shimmer, and that it matches your undertone perfectly.
- A matte bronzer can also double as a contour powder, so you can really switch it up depending on your mood.
- You can mix a liquid bronzer with your foundation, either to slightly darken it if necessary, or to get an all over glow.
- You don’t have to apply bronzer only to the face! A pale décolletage can also be bronzed up with the same powder or liquid bronzer you use on your face.
- If you’re short on time while doing your eye makeup, a more matte bronzer can work well as a crease shade, while a shimmery one can look beautiful as an eyeshadow for the lid.
- If you are having a very difficult time finding the perfect bronzer shade, think outside the box. Try looking at a pressed powder foundation that is a couple of shades darker than your skin; those tend to have a much broader color selection, so you will be likelier to find a perfect match.
- For a rustic, youthful look, apply bronzer a little more liberally on your cheeks, and across your nose. It’s an almost sunburned look that has become popular on Instagram, because it looks unique and innocent. Pair it with fake freckles for extra whimsy.
Photo via @guerlain
