Given we all should be dedicated to wearing a full face of SPF to protect our skin from sun damage and premature lines and pigmentation, adding a touch of depth to skin with a bronzer is the healthy way to give a nod to summer colour.
The best bronzers are predominantly matte to provide the face flattering dimension and a touch of contour, but also impart an almost imperceptible lit-from-within glow.
But if there ever is an appropriate time for accentuating the high points of the face with an extra touch of gilt shimmer, now is surely it.
Powder formulas will look slightly drier on your face and can help with oily skin but make sure you’ve moisturised well and let that moisture sink in before applying or it can catch on dry areas. If colour catches on moist areas try applying a touch of translucent powder before your bronzer.
Bronzing should be a lesson in restraint, with just a hint of radiance and colour so start with less and build up, reevaluating in natural light before adding more.
How to apply bronzer
For novices, the best option is applying a powder version from a compact, a shade one or two tones deeper that your natural skin tone with a matte finish that’s devoid of excess shimmer.
If you’re after a more dewy, fresh look, try a cream or stick bronzer and apply by striping along cheekbones and blending into skin with your fingers, or try a sheer gel. Less is more so start with a tiny amount, blend and then add more if needed.
To apply liquid bronzer, start with a little on your hand, dot it on high points (cheekbones, forehead, nose, jawline), and blend upwards with a damp sponge or dense brush using tapping motions to avoid disturbing foundation, focusing on blending into the hairline for a natural, sun-kissed contour.
Using a powder product? Use a light touch with a very fluffy blush or powder brush so you’re not left with any obvious stripes. Swirl across the surface of the compact then tap the excess off lightly so you don’t add too much colour, before applying to your skin.
Start by dusting along the tops of cheekbones where the sun naturally hits, then use the brush without adding any more colour to give a once over lightly to temples and beneath the jawline for even definition.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer
With a huge pan-size that will last you long after summer’s rays have faded into autumn, Charlotte Tilbury’s bronzer is a go-to. Not shimmery but not flat-looking, it’s easily buildable so you start out with a subtle look, and it appears very natural on. What’s more, there are four shades with options that suit very pale or very deep skin tones too. Infused with hyaluronic acid, this pore-blurring formula leaves skin with a soft-focus glow.
Gucci Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil Powder
This has the most divine case so once you’ve applied, carry it with you in your handbag – you’ll want to whip this one out for touch ups! It also comes in five shades, meaning it will work for many more skin tones, something that’s sorely lacking when it comes to bronzer options.
Aleph Radiance Balm in Sun
Scoop a speck of this onto the back of your hand and then warm gently with your finger, before tapping onto your cheeks. A little goes a long way so start small and build up if you need more colour.
Clarins Ever Bronze Compact Powder
Let’s hear it for an understated bronzer! Hard to overdo, this lightweight, silky bronzing duo has a matte finish and two slightly different shades in the one compact, handy if you’re someone that sometimes wears fake tan on your face so your skin is occasionally a deeper tone. The two colours can also be used to gently contour. It has natural plant oils so it wont look dry or flaky but doesn’t feel greasy like cream bronzers sometimes can.
NARS Matte Bronzing Powder
It is very hard to go past NARS when it comes it great bronzer options. Its famous shade Laguna is iconic as a flattering, slightly radiant finish.
