Friday Talk: Makeup Mistakes-Bronzer

Bronzer, bronzer, bronzer. Who uses it? Why?

OK, first of all I'm of the opinion that everyone should use bronzer, and in every season. In the summer, it enhances any color you get from the sun and gives you a little sparkle. In the winter, it livens up blah skin and makes you look and feel healthier. If you have issues with your face looking lighter than your neck and are sure you're wearing the right foundation color, bronzer can bring your coloring more in line. If you're fair year-round like I am, it'll help you look less washed out. If you're already tanned, the light reflectors disperse light evenly making you look even-toned and radiant.

So here's the HOW. I know people are afraid of the stuff. It's ok, really. I"m here to help. :)

First, I'll recommend a mixed fiber brush like this one. It'll help even if you're a little heavy-handed.

Second, you'll need to find a good color. Most bronzers are pretty good these days, just try to stay away from any that are a single tone. Even drugstore brands are pretty good, and I'm personally using Physician's Formula Solar Powder Light Bronzer right now.

Finally, the process: Start by swirling your brush so that you get some of each color on the palette. Start with the areas of the face that would be naturally sunkissed first. That is usually the bridge of the nose, the forehead, and the chin. Then you can use a little on the rest of the face, just using what's left on the brush.

If you go a touch overboard, you can go over your face with a little of your regular powder to take the punch out of the bronzer, but generally a light hand and a good brush make this process pretty easy.

And for the love of Pete, please don't use a bronzer instead of a blush. They're generally too reddish-brown to make a natural flush (unless you're quite dark complected), and that's what we're going for anyhow.