Be Bronzed

We all look a little healthier (and happier) with a sun-kissed complexion, but sometimes our skin care routines or schedules just don’t accommodate a natural glow. Fortunately, we can always turn to bronzer to warm up our skin tone. To help us learn the in and outs of selecting the right shade and successful application, we turned to the experts at Nashville’s The Cosmetic Market; here are their recommendations:

• Find a flattering shade. As a general rule of thumb, choose a shade of bronzer that is two shades darker than your skin tone. Those with a fair skin tone should wear lighter bronzers with a pink undertone, and those with olive or darker skin tones should wear bronzers with a more golden undertone.

• Identify the right type. Bronzer comes in many forms. All skin types can use a powder bronzer, but it is a must for those with an oilier complexion. Those with dryer skin can use a cream-based bronzer.

• Choose your tools. Powder bronzer should be applied with a large fluffy rounded brush, and cream bronzer can be applied and blended with fingers, a sponge, or a synthetic brush.

• Apply like an expert. Bronzer should be applied in a number 3 shape on each side of the face, starting on the forehead and bringing the bronzer down the hair line and along the check bone toward the nose, then along the jaw line. Next, apply bronzer along the bridge of the nose and blend onto the neck if needed.

• Add blush. The look of bronzer is enhanced by using a natural tone blush on the apples of the checks, along with a highlighter on the cheekbones, above the brow bone, in the inner corner of the eye, and directly under the brow. It is important to remember to blend to achieve a natural sun-kissed look.

Expert tip from THE COSMETIC MARKET in Nashville, TN.