Recently, I tested a bronzer for the first time in my career (which is definitely surprising since I spent most, if not all of my time, discovering and experimenting with products that can make a huge difference in a makeup look). As much as I loved the experience, I was left wondering why it took me so long to try it for myself after seeing countless examples of bronzed makeup looks on women who look like me: with afrocentric features and a dark skin tone.
Without much to go off of and a growing interest in all things related to bronzers, I called in two of the makeup industry’s biggest experts for some of their tips and tricks for creating sun-kissed, picture ready makeup looks. If your interested in learning more about product selection, application, and maximizing their usage, you’ll want to keep scrolling.
“Start with less [bronzer] and build more (it’s always easier to add than remove!) Blend, blend, blend,” shares bareMinerals Global Makeup Artist and Educator Carly Giglio. “Choose a color that’s 1-2 shades deeper than your skin tone – stay within your undertone for a natural use of color. Use shimmering bronzers on the cheeks as opposed to shimmer on the hollow cheek bones (if you are using bronzer to create a soft sculpt keep it matte/soft matte).” Out of all the common mistakes made by makeup novices, Giglio identifies three: selecting the wrong color for one’s skin tone, applying too much of the product, and not blending enough. Bronzer, when used to add warmth to the skin tone, can even pair well with and compliment blush in many ways.
An example of this is by using bronzer as a sculpting product to hollow out the cheek bones, temples, chine, and jawline followed by sweeping blush across the cheeks and blending the two together for a seamless application. Another way Giglio recommends using bronzer is by using it to achieve the perfect sun-kissed look. “Placement for bronzer in this look is about applying where the sun would naturally hit (think about where you get the most color!) Cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin,” begins Giglio. “Once you apply your bronzer there, sweep a touch of blush over top the cheeks to add that natural sun-kissed flush.”
Another mistake people make when using bronzer? Failing to identify the formulas that work best and the tools to apply them with. Makeup artist and international educator Eddie Duyos reiterates Giglio’s concerns when it comes to selecting the right shade for your skin tone, but adds something else to consider: using a cream bronzer. According to Duyos, “a cream allows ease of use and if you make a mistake by adding too much or choosing the wrong shade, it’s much easier to correct or adjust by blending it out or adding a different shade.”
Since bronzers tend to red too orange or yellow, selecting a product that possesses the same undertone as your natural skin can help you avoid that the ‘muddy skin’ look. Too apply bronzer, Duyos recommends investing in a sot Kabuki-style brush, as it’s the best tool when working with powder and cream formulas. “A brush that is too stiff, too dense, or too flat can deposit too much product,” Duyos explains. “A softer brush gives that ‘kissed by the sun’ finish rather than a dense application of color to the skin.” Who wouldn’t want to achieve a natural-looking, even-toned finish to your makeup look?
Like any makeup artists who have spent their careers experimenting with different products to create looks for their extensive list of clientele, both Giglio and Duyos are partial to particular bronzers and tools that bring their work to life. “I love using bareMinerals’ All-Over Face Color in Loose Warmth (warmer shade) or Faux Tan (cooler shade) – they apply and blend effortlessly and you get so much product out of the mineral pigments,” says Giglio about her favorite mineral-based bronzer. She layers this with the brand’s bestselling Gen Nude Bronzer, which acts as a hybrid blush and bronzer, for additional radiance. Giglio’s tool of choice when applying these bronzers are fluffy brushes with tapered ends which gives the user more control over while blending and buffing for seamless application.
As you would have probably guessed, Duyos’ go to products to create bronzed makeup looks are cream bronzers. His go-to bronzer is the new Make Up For Ever HD Skin Sculpting Palette, with two shades for contouring and four highlighters all crafted from a cream-based formula for buildable coverage. “It includes some of my favorite warm shades for bronzing,” he enthuses. “These shades are ideal for that sun-kissed look that still looks like skin.”
If you’re in the mood to discover other bronzers we’ve been loving lately (and shop Giglio and Duyos’ previously mentioned favorites to work with), we recommend you keep scrolling. Warning: there’s a good chance you may never leave the house again without a quick and effective swipe of bronzer. I know it’s true for me!
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