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From the skinny '90s
eyebrows that hadn't quite grown back yet to the lipstick frostier than a
Krispy Kreme donut, the 2000s were a rough time for beauty in general.
But the makeup bag staple that became most infamous? That would be
bronzer. With product and application that erred on the side of
Cheeto-dusted, bronzer needed some major damage control in the years
that followed. And while it no longer has a bad rap, the OG of
contouring still mystifies women.
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Here,
two pro makeup artists break down everything you need to know about
bronzer—because aside from harmful UV rays, it's the only thing that'll
give you a healthy, sun-kissed glow this summer.
1. Bronzer formulas have come a long way
"There
used to just be one unflattering shade of terracotta on the market and
it was completely wrong on so many people," says Lijha Stewart, director
of education and artistry at Make Up For Ever. "Never settle for the
wrong color—there's something out there for every skin tone, whether
you're fairest of fair or the deepest of deep."
2. Applying it is *so* much easier than you think
No
need for video tutorials here. Simply sweep or tap the product on the
parts of the face the sun would naturally hit you: the tops of the
forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
3. Undertones are really important
According
to Stewart, those with fair skin should seek golden undertones to mimic
that sunkissed look. For medium complexions, go warmer, and shoot for
something a little rosy. For deep complexions, pure red undertones will
make the cheeks pop.
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4. The texture is key when it comes to your skin type
"For
dry skin, I like to mix liquid bronzer into the foundation for a dewier
finish that won't get flaky on dry patches," says NYC-based makeup
artist Meghan Gibson. As for the oily end of the spectrum, she suggests a
matte powder sans sparkles or shimmer, which could draw more attention
to any summertime sweat on the T-zone.
5. Your brush could be causing streakiness
If
you've ever gone from 0 to 100 in one stroke, chances are you're using
the wrong tools. "Dense, smaller brushes used for contouring make it
easy to overdo it," says Gibson. "A large, fluffy, and dome-shaped brush
with soft fibers will disperse the color gently and evenly." If you're
trying to streamline your makeup bag, your blush brush is also a
suitable option.
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6. If you're contouring and highlighting, bronzer is even more essential
"A
ton of artists have an addiction to harsh contouring, but they're
forgetting to put healthy color back into the face," says Stewart.
"After sculpting the face with cool tones, I come in and warm things up
again."
7. Self-tanner isn't doing you any favors
"For
whatever reason, some people were taught to apply a light shade to the
entire face to give the appearance of a tan, and they just end up
looking flat," says Gibson. If you're going to use it, at least go the tontour route.
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