I recently blogged about the best steep to cheap self tanners. Following the post, a reader ask - But what about bronzers?? Bronzer sometimes gets a bad rap for looking fake (Thanks Snooki!) but when applied correctly and in a shade that's right for you, it can do all sorts of wonderful things.For starters it, slims your face. I don't know about you but that in itself is enough to make me want to buy stock in bronzing powder! New York City makeup artist Kimara Ahnert suggests dusting a powder bronzer below your cheekbones and sweeping it up toward your ears to make our jawline look trim.
In addition to slimming, it also hides flaws. As I've gotten older, my skin has decided to do some whacky things. I recently walked out of the Dermatologist's office with a facial condition called Melasma, a very common patchy brown, tan or blue/grey skin discoloration that flairs up significantly when exposed to natural sunlight. Fortunately bronzers do a fantastic job masking my uneven skin caused by the unattractive brown spots. Bronzers also add extra coverage for acne scars and filling in lines and pores.
As stated above, if not applied correctly, bronzing powders can have you looking like a clown in no time. The goal is to get that golden glow on the areas of your face that the sun would normally hit. Remember that it’s not foundation, so don’t get overwhelmed. Just think of it as “icing on the cake.” Make sure your best bronzer shade isn't too dark, because it’s not meant to color your skin, but to simply add a glow to it. You should never choose one that is more than 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Most cosmetic lines have a variety of shades to choose from, so test each one on your skin to be sure.
How to apply beautiful bronzer:
1) Keep foundation to a minimum or it will make your complexion look orange and "dirty" when it is applied. A cream or gel works best on dry skin, but if you have an oily complexion, like myself, then a bronzing powder will give a better effect. If you are using a powder kind, you must apply it with the correct kind of brush - a wide and fluffy powder brush will work best. A personal fav - MAC's large powder brush.
2) Pat the brush into the color then tap off any excess. Apply to the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose and blend well. If you wear blush, dust the powder on top of the blush to provide a warm golden look. If your complexion is pale, apply a little blush to your cheeks as well to give a more natural looking glow. Use a light hand, especially if you have a lighter complexion.
My personal beef with most bronzing powders is the glittery, cakey aftermath. To achieve that natural, sun-kissed radiance without that teeny-bopper shimmer, I recommend the following bronzers:
Steep: Dior Bronze Original Tan, $44, Sephora. This amazing bronzer improve skin color and quality for a natural, vacation-fresh look all year long. Formulated with Dior's exclusive Sun Minerals Technology, Original Tan blends seamlessly with your skin. Comes in four sun-kissed shades.
Middle of the road: Hoola by Benefit, $28, Sephora. Looking for a goddess-like glow? Wanna be sun-kissed and sexy? Need a perk-me-up? Whatever your wish for radiance, Hoola is the answer. Many makeup sites claim this is the best bronzer on the market.
Cheap: Physicians Formula Cashmere Wear Ultra Smoothing Bronzer, $14, Drugstores. The packaging alone will make you want to buy this! Physicians Formula Cashmere Wear Ultra-Smoothing Bronzer is available in a light and darker bronzer that has shades of pearlscent bronze and gold delicately woven together to create a warm, rich glow on face and cheeks. If for some reason you can't find this particular bronzer, don't stress. Physicians Formula has a handful of great bronzers for you to match to your skin tone. Just steer clear from any with the flecks of shimmer. 
Super Steal: Rimmel London Natural Bronzer; $4-5, Drugstores. Hello sunshine!!! The price of this bronzer makes me smile! This matte, neutral mineral powder gives a nice pop of bronze color that is almost foolproof. Woman all over the Internet rave about this bronzer. I picked myself up the "Sun Bronze" color at Target yesterday so I'm anxious to see how it compares to the others. It comes in three shades. One in which I noticed has a shimmer to it so look at all three before buying. 
There's just something undeniably appealing about skin that has a healthy hue. To keep a year round tan without sacrificing your skin, fake it with any of these bronzing products that mimic the sun's effects and you'll keep the "wow you're gorgeous!" compliments coming your way.
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