Ahh…the wonderful, yet confusing world of bronzers. There are so many of them on the market, in so many forms. You’ve probably seen powders, gels, creams, liquids…it’s enough to overwhelm anyone. Sometimes finding a good bronzer is as hard as finding a decent man. Bronzers are often overlooked by many people because they just don’t have any knowledge about them, and don’t consider them when applying their makeup. What is a bronzer? Why should I wear one? I’m already brown, so why do I need one? Where do I apply it and what do I apply it with? What’s a good one? These are the popular questions I hear when I mention the word “bronzer”. Let me answer some of those questions for you..

WHAT’S A BRONZER?

A bronzer is a product that simply gives you that beautiful, golden ‘I’ve been out in the sun wrestling around with a hot sexy pool boy’ tan look without actually having to spend time baking under those harsh UVA/UVB rays — or fooling around with the pool boy.

WHY SHOULD I WEAR ONE?

You don’t have to wear a bronzer at all. But for those of you who want to warm and deepen the natural grooves of your facial features, all while looking natural and gorgeously sun-kissed…then a bronzer might be your solution.

I’M ALREADY DARK, SO WHY DO I NEED ONE?

This is a common misconception among women with darker skin. They think that because they already have deep complexions, a bronzer is unnecessary and is only for women with lighter or more fair skin. Not true. Most darker skinned women already have deep golden undertones to their skin, but those areas could always use a bit of contouring. The right bronzer on darker skin is really what ultimately seals the deal for your entire makeup look and will give you that “bronzed goddess” look many of us want. You could just wear a tinted moisturizer, lipgloss and mascara and leave the house..but if you add bronzer? You’d so be ready for your close-up!

WHERE DO I APPLY IT?

You want to put your bronzer in the areas where the sun would naturally kiss your skin. Buffing it along the hairline the hairline/forehead, jawline, bridge of your nose, contours of your cheeks are great spots.

WHAT DO I APPLY IT WITH?

You want to use a brush that will give you soft and blended precision. If the brush is too fluffy, it may spread the product to places where you wouldn’t normally be sun-kissed. Personally, I prefer to apply my bronzer with my MAC 165 brush, it’s a small tapered (pointy) shaped brush that allows for perfect product placement, and soft blending so you’re left without harsh edges. Blending is key! Click here to see some of the brushes I use for bronzer.

WHAT’S CONSIDERED A “GOOD” BRONZER?

A good bronzer is one that will enhance the warmth of the skin. If you have warm, golden tones to your skin, a good bronzer will definitely take things to new heights. If you don’t have any naturally warm tones to your skin (meaning you’re pink and cool-toned), a good bronzer will “fake it” for you.

MY FAVORITE BRONZER?

The “Hands Down” award goes to Facefront’s PhotoMatte Baked Bronzer ($21 – 18grams). I use the colors Fully Baked and Half Baked. This bronzer is an unsung hero in the makeup world. Many people don’t know about it, and you probably never hear about it. That doesn’t mean it sucks, that just means it’s a hidden gem. It is a loose powder, with a small amount of SPF (5). You only need a super tiny amount of this stuff so it should last you a VERY long time. Make sure you use a very light hand too, because it’s CRAZY pigmented! You could easily apply too much.

facefront fully baked and half baked bronzers

It’s time to dump those glittery bronzers and get a professional bronzing solution. Photo Matte Mineral Bronzer with all new Micronic Radiance mineral spheres provides superior sheer to semi-opaque coverage for dramatic photography, stage, or day-to-day matte bronzing effect. This completely natural bronzing pot won’t let you down, with three shades to match any skin tone color, the fairest of the fair, or the deepest of the deep can now have maximum matte bronze power without looking too shimmery or falsely orange.

Our new formula gives an easier-to-blend application and is best use with a soft kabuki brush or blush brush. Don’t let the color fool you, once you blend into forehead, cheeks, or eye area, you’ll see maximum color payoff. A soft, natural matte finish with new Micronic Radiance mineral spheres keep skin oil-free in studio photography.

Here are a few pics of me wearing this bronzer.

See the warmth? The only thing I wish the Facefront bronzer had, was a compact version that I could take on the road with me for touch ups. I’m too clumsy to carry around a loose powder and I’d probably cry if I spilled this stuff all over my purse and ruined everything inside :(

OTHER BRONZER FAVORITES:

The MAC and Bobbi Brown bronzers have light reflecting particles, so there is a slight shimmer but it’s nothing too over the top, and they don’t accentuate fine lines. They’re really gorgeous on the skin and also last a very long time if used correctly. It typically takes me a full year to go through one MAC Refined Golden bronzer, and that’s with every day use.

Now that we know a little more about bronzers, its up to you to try some out to determine which one works for you. Try to stay away from anything too chalky, or anything that would make your skin appear dirty or muddy. You want a sexy golden “I’ve been vacationing in Aruba”, not a dirty “I’ve been rolling around with a warthog”.

I hope this helped answer some questions for those of you who don’t really know too much about bronzers. If you’ve found your holy grail bronzer, let me know!

-Stay beautiful

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