How to Never Buy the Wrong Shade of Bronzer Again
1/21Swapping out your candy-colored blushes for a master multitasking bronzer come sweet summertime seems like a total no brainer—of all the mattifying powders, baked compacts, and pure liquid gold promising “a sunkissed glow” that stock the shelves, you most likely find yourself zeroing in on one that (of course!) looks prettiest in its packaging each year. But heed this warning: don’t just reach for the first find that catches your eye. There’s a lot more nuance to bronzer than you would ever expect—and finding the right one for your skin tone, type, and texture is key. “Bronzer is one of those things that you think is super straightforward and don’t bother to give a second thought, but can actually be quite complicated,” says MAC Senior Artist, Michelle Clark. “There are so many different factors to take into consideration.” Here, a roundup of the most beautifying bronzers for you, according to the ultimate pros. Because after all, faking is always better than baking.
2/21For Fair Skintones
Bronzers don’t necessarily equate with being “tan,” notes makeup pro and red carpet master, Nick Barose. Instead, think of them as a means to give your complexion a healthy—and more important, natural-looking—glow while adding a bit of dimension. “Look for neutral or warm, peachy undertones that don’t read too tan,” Nick suggests. “Otherwise your bronzer will look obvious or fake.” Avoid any powders or liquids that have a brownish tinge to them. They’ll appear muddy, no matter how careful your application is. You should also consider seeking out formulas that fall on the sheer side for a flawless finish.
Lancome Power Glow Trio, $42.50, available at ulta.com.
3/21Sephora Collection I Heart Cushion Bronzer, $16, available at sephora.com.
4/21Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Multi-Palette, $50, available at sephora.com.
Copyright Richard Pierce. All Rights Reserved.5/21Revlon Highlighting Palette in Bronze Glow, $12, available at ulta.com.
6/21Too Faced Sweethearts Bronzer, $30, available at sephora.com.
7/21Benefit Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer, $28. sephora.com.
8/21The Estee Edit by Estee Lauder Beam Team Hydrate + Glow, $50, available at sephora.com.
9/21For Medium Skintones
Whether you’re looking to give your cheekbones a little lift or impart your skin with a hint of radiance, opt for a bronzer with a soft copper or golden undertone, suggests Dean Fournier, a LORAC Pro Artist. “They’re a beautiful choice for medium skintones since they don’t fall too deep on the spectrum, but still warm up the skin,” he notes. “You can even afford to be liberal with your application, and it manages to blend in seamlessly without looking too severe.”
CoverGirl TruBlend Bronzer, $9.24, available at covergirl.com.
10/21Givenchy Healthy Glow Bronzer, $52, available at sephora.com.
13/21NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer, $59, available at sephora.com.
14/21Urban Decay Beached Bronzer, $28, available at sephora.com.
15/21Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Complexion Multitasker, $26.50, available at sephora.com.
16/21For Deep Skintones
Rather than adopt a “What’s the point?” attitude, those with darker skintones can have fun experimenting with deep copper bronzers (instead of ones that fall within the brown shade range, which can appear grayish in tint when applied to the skin). “You can really kick it up a notch and mix bronzer in with your foundation for a pretty, all-over glow,” Michelle says. “On fairer girls, this appears too faux tan-like.” Just be sure to steer clear of bronzers with any kind of pearly or opalescent shimmer. “These can read very dry on deeper skintones,” Nick says. And avoid anything too matte—it dulls the skin, whereas you want your complexion to reflect light, he notes.
Laura Mercier Bronzed Butter Face & Body Veil, $50, available at sephora.com.
17/21IMAN Cosmetics Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in After Glow, $16, available at imancosmetics.com.
18/21RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer, $28, available at sephora.com.
19/21Black Up Sublime Powder, $37.50, available at sephora.com.
20/21Yves Saint Laurent Les Sahariennes Bronzing Stones Sun-Kissed Glow Creator, $55, available at sephora.com.
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