After I began out on my make-up journey, the very first thing that eluded me was eye make-up. It nonetheless does, so I hold it quite simple. Typically, that’s greatest. Then, the following factor to elude me was bronzer. That also does.
I picked up quite a few ideas over time (this one’s essentially the most useful!) however in actuality, I used to be deluded. The closely contoured, chiselled look didn’t attraction to me, and I at all times seemed like I’d fallen face first into filth each time I attempted carrying bronzer.
Just lately nonetheless, I made a decision to offer it one other go. I imply, it’s make-up. If I didn’t prefer it, I’d simply clear it and begin over proper? 🙂 Within the course of, I not solely began to get the dangle of carrying bronzer, I taught myself a number of very straightforward ideas that I’ll shortly share with you, within the hope it’ll assist whoever’s bronzer-challenged like me 🙂
Ask Your self: Why are you utilizing bronzer?
That is, I really feel, a very powerful query to ask your self earlier than you start. Why are you utilizing bronzer? Are you attempting to hitch the face contouring pattern? Are you attempting to outline your options? Or, are you want me, and simply wish to see how a bit of heat in your pores and skin may help you look higher.
The usage of bronzer in make-up began out, from my reminiscence, as a means so as to add a contact of heat to your pores and skin, to mimick the wholesome sun-kissed glow from the solar, or to boost a tan. However should you’re a typical Asian (like me!) you’d run screaming from the solar. We wish to stay honest and beautiful, dammit! LOL! 😀 This was why I didn’t purchase into the bronzing pattern. I didn’t wish to look tanned, I needed to look whiter than white! 😛
However after I was enjoying round a month or two again, I observed that only a contact of heat on my pores and skin really made me and my make-up look higher. Blush seemed prettier, and my face didn’t look as flat (genetics, what can I say?!). I might additionally simply use my bronzer instead of blush, and it seemed a contact extra pure than after I go for a no-makeup make-up look with base and blush. It was a private revelation and I additionally realised that it didn’t look very synthetic or brown in any respect! Actually, I barely observed it, when achieved proper.
Get the suitable bronzer brush for you
The tough factor for me was discovering a bronzer brush that didn’t go away me with brown streaks operating down the aspect of my face. Numerous the time, we’re advised to get a dense brush, since you want that density and compactness, in an effort to correctly ‘contour’. However I wasn’t out to contour my face, I simply needed a little bit heat.
Nars #11 Bronzing Powder Brush
Dense brushes didn’t work for me, and I ultimately discovered that what actually labored for me, was unfastened, fluffy brushes. I like utilizing the Nars #11 Bronzer Brush, as a result of for me, that’s the suitable form and density. However as a brush, I’m not loopy about it. It’s began to shed, and whereas gentle, it isn’t as gentle as I’d prefer it to be. I haven’t seemed to see if I might get one thing comparable in one of many Japanese brush manufacturers I favour, so if of 1, please do let me know!
The explanation why the Nars #11 brush works for me, is due to the dimensions of the top with its giant floor space. I discover that it picks up product extra simply, distributes it extra evenly, and permits for a extra pure, subtle impact. Typically, I exploit the Wayne Goss #2 brush which has a smaller head, however could be very gentle. So, I exploit it very frivolously alongside the edges of my face. The gentle brush head diffuses product higher with out leaving streaks and searching patchy.
I now swear by the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder brush.
It’s all you ever want for a fantastically subtle bronzing powder, that provides simply the correct amount of heat to your pores and skin, angles completely underneath the cheekbones, but fluffy sufficient to buff and diffuse color over pores and skin for a really pure look. Look no additional! I personal 2! 😛
Get the suitable bronzer for you
If in case you have a medium to deep skintone, getting a bronzer that fits you isn’t half as exhausting as when you might have a lighter skintone. With mild skintones, any color will present up extra strongly and there may be at all times a danger of a bronzer trying too darkish or deep in your pores and skin.
I additionally personally really feel {that a} matte bronzer is a greater choice than one with shimmer (though if achieved properly, it may give a pleasant glow to the pores and skin). I solely have 3 bronzers in the mean time and don’t have any actual plans so as to add to them.
Clockwise from Prime Left: Bobbi Brown Elvis Duran bronzing powder, Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint 00 Clair/Mild Blondes, Guerlain Terra Inca (restricted version)
The shattered powder is the Guerlain Terra Inca bronzer that I’ve owned from yonks in the past (you’ll be able to see the way it seems in its unique, non-shattered glory should you comply with the hyperlink). Proper after I purchased it and blogged about it, I dropped it on the ground from not very excessive, and it promptly shattered. Sigh. However I nonetheless use it as a result of it’s so damned fairly 😛 There may be shimmer, however very very wonderful, and the golden powder does give a ravishing glow to the pores and skin. I generally choose up the golden bit to make use of as a heat spotlight and I can use it as a blush too. It’s beautiful – Guerlain makes superb bronzers and powders.
The opposite one I personal is Bobbi Brown Elvis Duran bronzer. This was a present that I checked out, reeled in horror at how deep it seemed, however which I’ve grown to take pleasure in utilizing. It’s matte, and the color is a tad deep, however as a result of the Nars #11 brush diffuses the color so properly, I can put on it fairly simply on my mild toned pores and skin and you may put on it mild, or construct it up. It isn’t too orange, which was one thing I used to be afraid of. It’s really wearable!
The ultimate bronzer I’ve added to my assortment is the Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint powder in 00 Clair/Mild Blondes. This one’s very mild and fewer of a bronzer than it’s a barely warming powder. Fairly imperceptible, however rattling, if it isn’t fairly! 😛 I could wish to try one other Guerlain matte bronzer so as to add to my assortment, if solely as a result of with regards to bronzers, Guerlain is second to none by way of high quality. However I’ll take my time, as a result of I don’t use them that always to justify shopping for extra! 😛
The correct means to make use of a bronzer is the way it works for you
The commonest query when bronzers come up is that this “What’s the suitable means to make use of a bronzer?” I’ve right here some diagrams that may assist from this earlier publish. It was revealed in 2012 and I’ve solely simply gotten the dangle of it, 5 years later haha! Gosh, I be taught at a snail’s tempo! 😛
However right here’s what I’ve taught myself – one of the simplest ways to make use of a bronzer is the way it works for YOU!
For me, I exploit a stylized giant 3 methodology – begin on the temples and draw a 3-shape alongside your face, so the primary curve goes a little bit underneath your cheekbones and the second curve goes alongside your jawline. It’s a bit like Image 1 above. Utilizing a big fluffy brush, the impact is pretty subtle, with none harsh traces (I don’t dig the contoured look so I’m of no assist there if that’s the type of ideas you’re searching for!)
That is actually one of many best methods to put on a bronzer, and it’s additionally much less possible that you just’d make a mistake, except you choose a powder that’s too darkish for you. This methodology simply frivolously enhances the shadows in your face, to offer the impression that it’s a little bit extra (I hesitate to make use of the phrase) contoured. You’ll discover that your options pop a little bit extra too.
After that, I put some blush on my cheeks, and I discover that the blush seems a bit higher. That is extra so after I put on a hotter toned blush like peach or coral, and after I put on a pink blush, it pops a little bit extra. I moderately just like the impact!
I’ll simply present you shortly what I imply within the aspect by aspect picture beneath.
Utilizing Bobbi Brown Elvis Duran bronzing powder
On left is with out bronzer and on proper, I’ve utilized some bronzer alongside the edges of my face. I’ve piled it on so it really exhibits up for photographs, however in actuality, you’d barely discover the distinction. I hope you’ll see what I imply concerning the blush trying a bit prettier, and extra pure? It nearly looks like the blush blends into the pores and skin, versus simply being a splotch of pink. It additionally nearly looks like the facial contours within the picture in your proper seems barely extra outlined, versus the one on the left.
So, this publish isn’t actually about educating you methods to put on bronzer. What it tells you is that, like me, you’ll should determine it out for your self. Would you like a strongly contoured look? You’d want extra exact software, a distinct brush, perhaps even a distinct bronzer product.
Do you wish to simply add a contact of heat? You’ll possible want a sure sort of brush and a lighter powder however you received’t actually need abilities for that – I don’t and I managed it with out anybody telling me “Excuse me, I believe you’ve obtained some filth in your face” 😀
Do you put on bronzer and do you might have tricks to share? What’s your favorite bronzer product?
I’ve stayed so far-off from bronzer that I don’t even know what’s on the market anymore LOL! The one model that I do know makes superb bronzers is Guerlain, as a result of they constructed their identify on it. The Terracotta bronzers are legendary. I could not choose up one other, however who is aware of. By no means say by no means! 😉 So, what’s your favorite bronzer or brush or tip? Share!
Paris B