Bronzing for beginners – basic bronze application techniques

Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to celebrate, but let’s be honest with ourselves, the UK isn’t exactly known for its super hot summers. If you fancy a natural looking tan without the help of the sun, follow these simple steps and we’ll have you bronzing like a pro!

 

Choosing the colour of your bronzer

First thing’s first, as with pretty much any other cosmetic product, you need to choose the right colour for your skin tone. Applying a bronzer that’s far too dark for your skin will only make you look dirty instead of sun kissed. Also, try to avoid orange and copper tones, it’s a tan you’re after not a face like an orangutan. Lighter skinned ladies should definitely opt for a bronzer that has a honey / pearly base to it, whereas olive skinned girls should stick to rose and gold bronzers. Those of you with darker skin should opt for an amber toned bronzer.

The application process

Applying bronzer is no mean feat, but when applied well it can work wonders at giving you the appearance of a healthy looking glow. The type of brush you use to apply your bronzer is very important, with the best brushes being either a round ended soft brush, or an angled brush (for contouring). Make sure you tap off any excess powder before sweeping it over your face as you’d don’t want to overdo it. What you want to do is lightly dust bronze over the more prominent raised parts of your face that are directly exposed to the sun, mimicking the effect of a natural suntan. For this reason, the most effective places to apply bronze is just below the cheeks, to enhance the appearance of high cheekbones and over the raised parts of your face, including your hairline, forehead and the bridge of your nose.

 

A word of advice

The best advice I can give to you is to start of lightly and to gradually build up your bronzer as not to overdo it from the start. Double-check your bronzer application in natural light to make sure it’s light and sun kissed looking. Applied too much bronzer? Not a problem, just delicately blend your bronzer out with a cotton wool pad, simples. As with foundations, it’s highly advised to have separate cold weather and warm weather bronzers as your skin is generally more tanned during the Summer and paler in the Winter.