How to apply bronzer: Tips and tricks for a makeup routine

All makeup products have their own effects on the face. Eye shadow adds dimension to the eyes, and mascara makes them pop. Lipstick creates a fuller looking pout. When people use bronceador, they do it to get a sun-kissed look, even in the dead of winter.

Getting the right effect with bronzer can take a little practice. To help master bronzer application, get tips from top makeup artists about the benefits of bronzer, how to use it well and which formulas work best for different types of skin.

En este artículo:

The benefits of bronzer

Bronzer is designed to create a sun-kissed glow on the skin. It's often confused with contour; the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but bronzer typically has warmer undertones and a subtle shimmer finish.

“The benefit of bronzer is creating that sun-kissed look without any harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays,” says celebrity makeup artist, senior beauty editor at We Are Jersey Magazine and noted beauty expert Nydia Figueroa. “People can also use it to bring back some color to their face once they have applied foundation, which can cover up their natural complexion.”

Matthew Waitesmith is the founder of Artis Brushes. The veteran makeup artist and former vice president of artist training and development at MAC Cosmetics explains that bronzer helps to create a more three-dimensional look and shape to the face. "When someone applies only one shade of foundation to the entire face, they can look a bit artificial and flat," he says. "Bronzer helps remedy that."

Choose the right shade of bronzer for any skin tone

Beauty influencer Rose Siard, cofounder of Rose and Ben Beauty, shares a great way to pick out a bronzer shade. She says to think about how the skin looks after a day spent outdoors. "If the high points of someone's face naturally deepen, golden undertones might be their best bet. If someone tends to turn pink after exposure to the sun, they may want to stick with a rosier bronzer."

In terms of the exact shade someone picks, Figueroa explains that opting for a bronzer that’s two to three shades darker than their natural skin tone is best.

If someone is unsure what their undertone is, Waitesmith has a trick. "One easy way for someone to learn their natural undertone is for them to pull down their lower lip and look at the tissue on the inside surface of their lip and gums," he says. Another option is to look at the underside of their wrist. If the veins look greenish, they likely have warm skin. If the veins look blueish, they likely have a cooler undertone.

Aside from the shade of the undertone, makeup lovers should also consider the amount of pigment in the bronzer formula, notes Waitesmith. A formula with light pigment may be easier to use. This is because it can be tough to thin down or wipe away product when someone has added too much. "If someone wants more of an effect, they can add another layer," he says.

Note that the amount used will change by season. "I don't think people need to swap out that product during the year," Waitesmith says. But in the months of the year where the skin may get a bit lighter, use less of the bronzer. In the sunny months, wear a little more to match where the rest of the skin tone is, he suggests.

Choose the right bronzer formula

It's also important to consider which formula will complement each skin type best. According to Figueroa, if someone has dry skin, cream bronzer is the way to go. With oily skin, powder bronzer is better. That said, bronzer formulations can also be a personal preference and used in combination. To really add definition to the face, notes Figueroa, consider a cream bronzer as a layer of color under a powder bronzer. That will help it stay on longer.

Convenience might also play a role. Powder bronzer "is easy to use and quicker than cream because they don't need as much work to blend it out," Figueroa says. Meanwhile, gel bronzer is ideal for anyone with mature skin or those who prefer more subtle applications. The formula tends to be much lighter, she adds. Stick bronzers are also an option.

Bronzer application skin prep

Bronzer is typically applied following a full-face makeup product like color correcting (CC) cream or foundation. But not everyone applies the same amount of makeup. Waitesmith notes that the most important thing when applying bronzer is to ensure skin is hydrated. This is particularly true with cream and gel formulations.

He adds that a light layer of moisturizer will also act as a primer. It helps bronzer formulas distribute more evenly on the skin. That means the bronzer formula is "less likely to collect in the skin texture, such as pores, rough patches and laugh lines," he says.

How to apply bronzer for a sun-kissed look

To create a sun-kissed complexion with bronzer, it helps to know where and how to apply it. According to Siard, makeup lovers should apply bronzer to any and all high points on their face where the sun naturally hits.

If someone can't tell where their high points are, they can try "standing in front of a mirror wearing their bathing suit," says Waitesmith. Position a light source above the head and note where light hits the face and body. People will likely notice that the light bounces the most off the top of their forehead, brow, the bridge of their nose, the top of their cheekbones and their collarbone.

In addition to the face, bronzer can be used from head to toe to create the appearance of a tan. This is an application that body bronzers can help achieve.

According to Siard, powder bronzer is best applied with a fluffy angled brush to easily access the contours of the face. Otherwise, she recommends using a small fluffy brush or synthetic angled brush for cream bronzer and your ring finger for gel bronzer.

If someone uses the brush approach, they can apply their bronzer in light, upward strokes. If they apply with a makeup sponge or their fingers, they can dab the formula on in the same upward manner. 

Using bronzer to contour and define features

Remember, if a makeup lover’s goal is to contour their face with bronzer, they need to look for a cool-tone matte bronzer that can mimic the appearance of shadows. They'll also want to adjust the way they apply the product.

While it is possible to contour with bronzer, it's important to understand that bronzer and contour are not the same product. For the best results, the makeup artists in this article recommend reaching for an actual contour product.

But here are a couple of tips if someone wants to try their hand at it. Classic bronzer is applied to the tops of the cheekbones, on the bridge of the nose and along the upper chest. Contour bronzer should be applied to the edges of those areas.

For example, if the goal is to contour cheekbones, applying matte bronzer to the hollows of the cheeks can help. If someone wants to sharpen the appearance of their nose, thinly apply matte bronzer to the edges of the bridge of their nose. Applying this way instead of in one swipe down the center of their nose will help. They'll need a thin brush for this application.

Setting a bronzer

Setting bronzer is essential if someone wants their beautifully sun-kissed or contoured complexion to last. How someone sets their bronzer depends on the formula they use. Cream bronzers can be set with powder bronzers or a finishing powder. Powder bronzers are often best set with a setting spray.

That said, Figueroa thinks that the easiest way to set bronzer regardless of formulation is with a setting spray. That will lock in the bronzer as well as the rest of your makeup. Whether someone opts for a powder or spray finish, it should be used as the last step of their face makeup routine.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.