Tanning can be hazardous to your health, but no matter which skin tone you have, you no longer need to feel beholden to the sun. Bronzers safely give the appearance of sun-kissed skin without the damage. Whether your skin is fair, olive, or dark, it’s time to enhance your natural glow and allow the bronze goddess within to shine through by utilizing the following tips.
Fair Skin:
For those with fair skin, stepping out the door and into harsh sunlight can cause burns that last for days, while spray tans often leave unseemly orange discolorations. Choose a bronzer that is one shade darker than your skin tone and apply with a soft brush for the most natural look. Hourglass’ Ambient® Lighting Bronzer, which retails for $50, is targeted toward those who pallor in complexion and offers beautifully sheer and buildable coverage with a subdued golden shimmer. Palettes include Radiant Bronze Light, Nude Bronze Light, and Diffused Bronze Light.
Olive Skin:
Luckily for those with medium skin tones, bronzers simply amplify skin’s natural sheen, which is why it’s important to stray away from formulas that pack on shimmer, unless the gold particles are ultrafine, like Armani’s lavishly pigmented Maestro Liquid Bronzer. This product glides across skin like velvet and leaves a matte finish. Take no heed when it comes to liquid makeup because, unlike powders and creams, they often last longer and only require one or two drops for full coverage. Armani’s Maestro Bronzer retails for $64 and comes in three shades ranging from light to dark.
Dark Skin:
Bronzers add definition to those with richer skin tones, ultimately highlighting cheekbones and sculpting the face. Using a powder with a subtle shimmer controls shine and helps even out skin tone for a picture-perfect look. Guerlain’s Terracotta Bronzing Powder is perfect for those with red or orange undertones and contains hydrating ingredients that leave the skin moisturized. This powder applies seamlessly and consists of a fragrant mandarin-vanilla scent. Guerlain’s Terracotta bronzing powder retails for $53 and comes in five natural finishes ranging from light to dark.