There is nothing like the instant glow that bronzer can provide. It lifts your face, defines your contours and revives your skin. Using the wrong product, however, can leave you looking artificial. The best bronzers will make you look radiant in any lighting.
One of the keys to picking the perfect bronzer is to select the right hue for your skin tone. Products that come in multi-toned palettes, like Maybelline’s Master Bronze Kit, let you adjust the intensity whether you want to look like you just woke up or recently went on vacation. The Tarte Amazonian Clay bronzer is the perfect shade of russet that complements every skin color.
The bronzer’s finish designates the way that it accentuates your features. A shimmery product reflects the light and highlights certain parts of your face, such as the cheekbones and bridge of your nose. A matte bronzer, like the Anastasia Contour Kit, can be placed in the shadows and around the hairline to give your face depth and definition. A liquid with a matte finish, such as Benefit Dew The Hoola, creates a warm base to which you can add highlighter or shimmer.
Benefit Dew The Hoola Matte Liquid Bronzer
This liquid bronzer is as easy to apply as foundation. The most important factor to remember when using liquid bronzer is that you need to blend it well. Dot it onto your cheeks, nose, forehead, chin and neck. Work it into the skin with a damp makeup sponge or a brush, depending on your desired finish and texture.
You can use this instead of foundation when you need less coverage. This product is perfect for humid days that make your cosmetics feel like they’re melting. You can also mix it with your foundation or moisturizer to customize the concentration.
This product sells for about $28 and is worth every penny because you can use it in many different ways. It creates a solid layer on which you can add other products for more definition. When you use it alone, your natural dewiness shines through.
Maybelline’s Master Bronze Kit
This palette of four shades lets you add dimensional color to your skin. The lighter tones are tawny and natural. They warm the complexion without making it look like you’re wearing blush.
You can also add the lightest shade high on the cheekbones, under the eyebrows and in the inner corners of your eyes. This wakes you up without making you look like you spent your morning applying makeup. The darker colors can be brushed in the hollows of the cheeks, around the edges of your jawline and down the sides of your nose to make you look tan while giving you instant definition.
This affordable bronzer can be found at drugstores and costs about $12.99. That’s an ideal price for testing out the way four different shades look on your skin.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer
If you want the perfect neutral glow without messing with several shades of bronzer, Tarte offers an ideal option. It comes in one signature shade that works for light, medium, and dark skin tones. It never has an orange cast, which can be a concern if you have fair skin. This bronzer has a slight shimmer, which helps it blend in with your other makeup. You can also buff it onto your face on its own for natural luminosity.
The Amazonian clay helps you take care of your skin even when you’re wearing makeup. It absorbs oil and pollutants, clarifying your skin. Over time, the product can improve your face’s texture and tone.
At about $30, this bronzer is more expensive than most drugstore brands. However, the powder formula lasts a long time. Because it is waterproof, you won’t have to reapply it throughout the day.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
If you prefer to live without shimmer, this palette has everything you need to make your cheekbones more pronounced and add all-over warmth. The darker hues have no shine, which makes them great for contouring.
The cooler tones can be applied under your cheekbones and jawline. The warmer brown can be dusted where the sun would naturally hit your face. The lighter shades double as concealers and highlighters to bring out your features.
This is one of the more expensive products at about $40, but it is versatile. You can grab this and go without relying on any other bronzer. You can also layer it with some of the other bronzers to achieve the perfect finish.