This article was co-authored by Devorah Kuperland. Devorah Kuperland is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Glam By Dev, a New York City-based business specializing in bridal, special events, and editorial campaigns. Devorah has over five years of professional makeup consulting experience and her work has been featured in New York's Bridal Fashion Week.
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Applying bronzer is a great way to add an attractive, natural-looking glow to your face, especially on those days when your skin appears a little dull. Applying bronzer incorrectly, however, can make your face look dirty or orange. Start by creating an even base using foundation and concealer. Then apply, blend, and set your bronzer to make your face glow with a warm radiance.[1]
Steps
Creating an Even Base
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1Wash your face using lukewarm water and a cleanser. Get a cleanser that works best for your skin type, create a lather with warm water, and massage it into your face by using your fingertips in a circular motion.[2] Rinse your face off and then pat it dry with a clean washcloth.
- Use a cream-based cleanser if you have dry skin.
- Use an oil-based pH-balanced gentle cleanser if you have normal skin.
- Use a foaming cleanser if you have oily skin.[3]
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2Apply a good moisturizer with sunscreen. After you’ve washed your face, it’s time to hydrate and protect your skin. Massage in a quality moisturizer with an SPF and apply eye cream.[4]
- To make sure your face is being protected by the sun, get a moisturizer that protects against UVA rays.[5]
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3Apply concealer. It’s crucial that you create an even base before applying your bronzer, and that starts with concealer. Choose a concealer that blends in well with your complexion. Apply it above foundation to the areas that need extra coverage.[6]
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4Create an even canvas with liquid foundation. Once you’ve put on concealer, apply an even coat of liquid foundation over the entirety of your face. This will smooth out your complexion and create a blank canvas for your contouring.[7] You can put your foundation on with a makeup sponge, a makeup brush, or by using your fingertips.
- Be sure to blend the foundation down your neck slightly for a more natural look.
- If you want a more subtle, natural, or softer look, consider a tinted moisturizer. Apply it the same way as a liquid foundation.
- If you decide to use blush, don’t apply it until after you apply your bronzer.
Putting on Your Bronzer
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1Select a bronzer 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Since the purpose of a bronzer is to darken the complexion subtly, the one you choose will depend on the color of your skin. Generally, it should only be 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Test a little on your wrist to make sure it "warms" your skin tone without making it look fake.
- If you have fair skin, look for a honey-colored bronzer.
- For a medium complexion, choose a rose-bronze or gold flecked bronzer.
- Dark skin is best enhanced with a tawny or amber bronzer.
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2Use a wide, fluffy powder brush with a rounded top. If your brush is too small or stiff, it may cause blotches and streaks to form when you apply the bronzer. There are specialized bronzer brushes available on the market, although any large blush or foundation brush will work equally as well.
- For a softer, more natural look, use a fan brush instead.
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3Swirl the brush evenly in the bronzer. It is best to apply your bronzer in light, even coats to build up color rather than adding a single dark layer at once. Therefore, just lightly coat the end of your brush in the powder and tap off the excess onto the lid of the container.[8]
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4Apply the bronzer to your forehead. Your bronzer should be applied in the shape of a “3” from the top to the bottom of your face on both sides, starting with your forehead. Lightly sweep the brush along the outer sides of your upper forehead and along your hairline.[9]
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5Apply the bronzer to your cheekbones. Next, make a fish face and apply your bronzer to your cheekbones. You can also do this by smiling, starting at the apples of your cheeks, and sweeping slightly up toward your hairline.[10]
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6Apply the bronzer to your jawline. Finally, complete the “3” shape by sweeping your bronzer along your jawline. This will add definition to your face.[11]
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7Brush lightly over your chin, nose and neck. As you’re applying bronzer, you’ll want to focus on covering the areas of your face that sunlight tends to hit. Do a final dusting of your bronzer on the higher points of your face, such as the bridge of your nose and the tip of your chin. Complete the natural glow by applying bronzer to your neck so that it matches the coloring of your face.[12]
- Don't add too much bronzer, however, as this may create a heavy look.
Finishing the Look
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1Use a new brush to blend the bronzer. Take out another fluffy, clean brush and softly blend everything in so there aren’t any unnatural lines or blotches. It’s especially important that you blend the neck area.[13] To blend most effectively, start in the center and work the brush outward in small, circular motions.
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2Eliminate any harsh lines with a translucent powder. If you’ve blended and your complexion still doesn’t look smooth and subtle in color transition, swirl your blending brush in a translucent powder, tap off the excess, and blend again.[14]
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4Lock in the look with a setting spray. After you’re done, make sure to spray your entire face with a makeup setting spray to keep your face looking radiant all day.[17]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat shade of bronzer should I use?
Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistYou should select a bronzer shade that is slightly warmer and 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone. The closer it is to your skin color the easier it is to blend.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionWhat is bronzer used for?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistBronzer gives the skin a subtle sun-kissed glow. It can also be used for contouring.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionCan you put bronzer all over your face?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistYou should not apply bronzer all over your face. It can make you look brassy or like you have a bad fake tan.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
wikiHow Video: How to Apply Bronzer
Warnings
- The most common mistake made with bronzers is choosing one that looks too orange on the skin, which results in an artificial-looking glow.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Don't blow on the brush to remove excess bronzer; if a little moisture reaches the brush, it can cause streaks.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ Devorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist & Stylist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2020.
- ↑ Devorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist & Stylist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-Your-Face
- ↑ http://www.eonline.com/news/861102/how-to-use-bronzer-for-the-perfect-summer-glow#photo-822013
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/04/how-to-moisturize-your-face_n_4704301.html
- ↑ Devorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist & Stylist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2020.
- ↑ http://www.eonline.com/news/861102/how-to-use-bronzer-for-the-perfect-summer-glow#photo-822014
- ↑ http://thebeautydepartment.com/2015/08/how-to-apply-bronzer-correctly/
- ↑ http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/g3346/how-to-apply-bronzer/
- ↑ http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/g3346/how-to-apply-bronzer/
- ↑ http://www.eonline.com/news/861102/how-to-use-bronzer-for-the-perfect-summer-glow#photo-822018
- ↑ http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/g3346/how-to-apply-bronzer/
- ↑ http://abeautifulmess.com/2014/09/how-to-apply-bronzer-like-a-pro.html
- ↑ http://abeautifulmess.com/2014/09/how-to-apply-bronzer-like-a-pro.html
- ↑ Devorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist & Stylist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.beautyheaven.com.au/makeup/bronzer-illuminator/where-to-apply-bronzer-blush-highlighter
- ↑ http://www.eonline.com/news/861102/how-to-use-bronzer-for-the-perfect-summer-glow#photo-822019/
About This Article
To apply bronzer, use a bronzer that is 1 to 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Wait until you've applied all of your foundation and concealer. Then, run a soft blending brush over the bronzer, and tap the brush to knock off any big pieces. Blend the bronzer into the skin under your hairline using small circular motions. Next, reload your brush and knock off any excess bronzer. Create contours on your cheeks by brushing in a downward arc from your temple to the corner of your lip. Repeat this on each side, and feather any harsh lines out using the brush. After you’re done with your cheeks, give your jawline definition by reloading your brush and running it along your jawline. Feather any harsh lines out and brush downward from the jawline to lightly blend the bronzer into your neck. Finally, load your brush and apply bronzer to both sides of your nose, leaving a little highlight in the bridge. Feather the harsh lines out by dusting over them for radiant skin with a beautiful, subtle glow. To learn more from our Cosmetologist co-author, like how to blend the bronzer in, keep reading the article!
