© Photo: Getty Images / Moyo Studio A woman applies natural bronzer to her face while looking at herself in the mirrorNow that we have semi-regular sun, my face is just begging for a tan. Since I still haven't mastered the art of self-tanning, and I certainly don't want to risk sun damage the old-fashioned way, I rely on my bronzer to do the hard work of faking it. Summer Glow But when you've been out of the sun for too long, your bronzer can go from sun-kissed to Oompa-Loompa in the blink of an eye if you're not careful. I turned to professional makeup artists for expert advice on how to make your bronze look as natural as possible and achieve a "beach fresh" look without going to the beach , and I've even rounded up their bronzer tips to make shopping a breeze. .
Start with an exfoliated and moisturized face
"You want it to look like it's coming from the inside, not something you rub on your face," begins Paris-based makeup artist Yacine Diallo, who has touched up the faces of Ashley Graham, Sadie Sink and Hailey Bieber. And he is very right. I want a bronzed glow after the fade, which means an uneven application on my skin just won't work. "A good exfoliation and hydration of the skin is a great start to a flawless application," she continues. A smooth, hydrating base helps prevent your bronzer from sticking to dry patches and texture (which is totally normal, by the way) and gives you an invisible bronze finish.
Use a light hand
To avoid going overboard, which can happen if your natural skin is severely sun-starved, Diallo recommends using a light bronzer. "Gradually increasing the intensity is also good advice," he says. "Adding product is always easier than removing it." Building up bronzer slowly will prevent you from putting on too much at first and then desperately trying to blend it in before giving up altogether, and yes, I'm speaking from personal experience.
Permission is essential
Contrary to what TikTok trends would have you believe, there is no perfect holy grail bronzer for everyone. So getting the most natural looking bronzer will depend a lot on the texture of the formula and whether it suits your skin type. "When choosing the right bronzer formula, you should always consider your skin type," says Miami-based makeup artist Carolina Banegas. "If you have dry skin, I'd ditch the heavy powders and go for a smoothing bronzer cream formula. If you tend to be oily but want to experiment with creams, you might want to look at a different cloud-drying cream formula; like a matte finish." We will return to his recommendations later.
Place it where the sun naturally falls
There are no hard and fast rules for applying bronzer (or makeup in general), so Diallo recommends applying a light layer of bronzer, but remember: Put some color on your face and darken it, no. "Definitely a bronze glow," she says. Applying bronzer where the sun would naturally hit your face, such as your forehead, is a great starting point, and then you can work your way up to your temples, cheeks, and chin. Also, apply it to the bridge of your nose. Banegas agrees, saying that applying bronzer to the sides is a "3." The face, starting just above the temples and moving towards the cheekbones and jawline, is a great way to hit all the right spots. You can use a large bristle brush to spread the product and prevent streaks.
Don't forget the neck, chin and ears.
A sheer layer will protect your naturally tanned hair from the wind, so Diallo recommends applying bronzer to the neck (and beyond) for a flawless, natural finish. "I like to add a little under the chin because it's an area that usually doesn't see a lot of sun and is lighter than the rest of the face," she says. "Then, from what's left on the brush, dab a little on your ears to make sure you get a bronzed glow."
9 MUA Certified Natural Tanning Bronzer
Rose Inc. Solar Infusion Moisturizer - $29.00
Originally $36, now $29.
Diallo says in an interview with Rose Inc. From Solar Infusion Bronzer. "He has a very impulsive charm." The smoothing formula effortlessly blurs the look and feel of pores and contains premium skincare ingredients like squalene for weightless hydration and vitamins C and E for antioxidant power.
Bronzer Jones Road $35.00
Banegas says the key to a natural look is a sheer bronzer that can be applied, and Jones Rod Bronze is the way to go. It's one of the smoothest and softest powders I've tried, giving an unmissable natural bronze finish. It comes in seven cool and warm shades and is designed to work with a variety of skin tones and types (according to another W+G writer, dusty rose is perfect for fair skin). Find the perfect shade. In addition, it has over 800 reviews and a 5-star rating.
Tower 28, Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer - $20.00
She swears by Diallo by Bordj 28 Bronzino for its smooth texture and subtle sheen that gives skin a summer glow. Like all Tower 28 products, Bronzino is formulated for sensitive skin and contains gentle, skin-nourishing ingredients such as mango butter (for its buttery, blendable texture) and green tea (for its soothing and antioxidant properties). It has a slightly shimmery color, so it can be used as a highlighter and applied to the eyelids for a bronze glow.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzer Cream - $50.00
"It's a classic that's recently been reformulated and now has deeper pigments," Diallo says of Chanel's best-selling bronzer. The unique gel-cream formula glides onto the skin with minimal effort (without clogging pores or causing breakouts) and delivers a naturally bronzed glow without any noticeable shine. However, it should be noted that the updated formula contains coconut oil, so stay away if you are sensitive to this ingredient.
Advantage, Hoola Bronzer - $28.00
Originally $35, now $28.
Old fashioned but optimistic, there's a reason why MUAs like Yasin keep coming back to Benefit Hoola Bronzer. The matte formula is pigmented without being overpowering and has a very smooth texture that blends seamlessly. And now available in four versatile shades so everyone can enjoy their dream formula. Plus, the shadows are more neutral in tone, so they can be used as a contour in your makeup bag.
Mario Makeup, SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer - $24.00
Originally $30, now $24.
For a reliable bronzer that can also be used as a contour, Banegas says Mario's SoftSculpt Skin Enhancer is a must-have in her collection. "I love a good bronzer that blends easily into the skin and looks natural and tan," she says. And skin booster does a great job of doing all three tasks. The lightweight balm glides on like a dream, meaning no more harsh lines, while the ultra-fine bronze shade creates a gorgeous matte finish. Apply where you'd normally wear bronzer or rub onto your face for a post-holiday look.
Saie, Sun Melt Natural Sunscreen - $26.00
Originally $32, now $26.
You'll love Saie Sun Melt for a flawless bronzer with a flawless finish. This hydrating bronzer contains skin-favorite soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and grapeseed oil to soothe, hydrate and protect, leaving the bronzer looking hydrated and radiant, making it ideal for women with dry skin. It blends incredibly easily, which makeup artists say is essential for the most natural look, and can be applied with your fingers or with a special Shimmering Bronzer brush for what can only be described as a *chef's kiss*.
Em Cosmetics, Soft Bronze + Sculpt Stick - $30.00
For Oily and Combination Skin For combination to oily and combination skin, Banegas recommends Em Cosmetics Bronze + Sculpt Stick. The light, foamy texture glides on with the touch of an eye and disappears with the swipe of your finger, brush or sponge. However, the best part is that the bronzer can be easily built up without feeling sticky or heavy. Instead, it settles into a hydrating cloud (thanks to its squalene-infused formula) and is almost imperceptible on the skin.
Be Beauty Skin Imitation Micro Suede Bronzer - $32.00
Diallo also likes Make Beauty's Skin Mimetic Microsuede Bronzer for a natural tan effect. "It's a very natural-looking matte bronzer that's very light," she explains. The ultra-lightweight powder contains hyaluronic acid for extra hydration and nourishing ceramides to keep your look dry and powdery. However, you get a skin-like finish (hence the name "Skin Mimetic") that is easily buildable for more effect.