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Applied on top of concealer and foundation, bronzers are designed to give a sunkissed, shimmering look, without you having to expose your face to the risks of the sun. They’ve always enjoyed a certain amount of popularity, but even more so in recent years, when cosmetics manufacturers have really been investing in the product to make it more natural looking and easier to use. Contrary to the name, they won’t all make you look ‘bronze’ either, there are hundreds of different shades and types, it’s just a case of finding the one that works best for you.

Types of bronzer

With so many products to choose from, it helps if you can narrow it down to what you’re looking for in the first place, there are three basic kinds of bronzers on the market for you to consider:

Cream bronzer

This is ideal for people with dry skin, or those who want some moisturising qualities to their make-up. It’s not advisable for people with oily skin to choose a cream bronzer, as it could exacerbate the problem, but in general it gives great overall, lightweight coverage, without making the face feel overloaded.

Gel bronzer

This kind of bronzer is really absorbent and because it’s so light, it can be used by people with all skin types. A popular choice with wearers wanting to achieve a subtle glow, but don’t want to cake the make-up on. It’s also easily blended and can be mixed with foundations.

Powder bronzer

When consumers think of bronzer, this is probably what they imagine it to be, and it’s still holding its own in the market today, thanks to it’s versatility and long-lasting effects. Those with oily skin will find this product works best for them, absorbing the excess oil, whilst at the same time giving their face a healthy glow. Powder bronzer also doubles as eyeshadow in a pinch.

Skin tones and bronzers

Bronzer is a fantastic addition to your make-up kit if you know how to use it, unfortunately, many wearers commit the faux-pas of wearing completely the wrong colour in relation to their skin tone. What they’re left with is a face that clashes with the make-up on it, and it’s usually completely overdone too, this is what you want to avoid at all costs.

Take note of the following tips, and you’ll come out looking fabulous – what’s more, you won’t have wasted money on bronzers that you’ll never use.

Shades of bronzer

Chose a product that is a shade darker than your natural skin tone, it’s a common mistake to go too dark, then the face appears grubby. Just one shade will give you a naturally tanned look, without overdoing it.

Light skin – If you have light skin, select a rose or peach coloured bronzer, with a sheer finish, it will accentuate your eyes.
Olive skin – If your skin is olive tinted, go with the name and chose a bronze shade to bring out your cheekbones.
Dark skin – For dark skinned people, blue undertones are the best option, with a subtle sparkle to finish the look.

How to apply bronzer

Before you grab any old brush and start dabbing away, think about what you’re trying to achieve by using the product – it’s a way of looking sunkissed and tanned, so add bronzer on the areas the sun would naturally touch upon. Apply some across the bridge of your nose, a little bit on your chin and forehead, and sweep some above your cheek bones.

It’s the fake look that you don’t want to see when you look in the mirror, so use your bronzer sparingly. Yes, it is fun to make-up on, particularly for a big night out, but don’t get overexcited with it, a full application will make you look shiney and grubby, not natural at all. A medium-sized make up brush with lots of soft bristles will make applying your bronzer easy, just remember to shake off the excess beforehand.