Tips and Tricks for Bronzer Application

The Muse is busy exploring the world of bronzers this year and she still has reservations about it, especially dank, matte ones, but she's found a few tips and tricks that work at making bronzer (even the matte ones) rather flattering and pretty on her face!

Jump ahead for a few tips for making your boring, blah bronzer POP and SIZZLE for Summer!

Try pairing a matte bronzer with cheek stain!


Application Tip:
Apply a dab of cheek stain on your cheeks and wait for it to dry. After dust on a bit of bronzer for a subtle sunkissed glow!

What the Muse says:
I absolutely love breaking bronzer up with a pinch of pink or red. Try using Benefit Posietint or Vincent Longo Lip and Cheek Gel Stain in Baby Boo.

Matte bronzer is a tad boring for me but you can spice it up a bit by using a deeper pigmented powder blush on top.


Application Tip:
Buff your matte bronzer on, smile, locate the apples of your cheeks, brush on a light dusting of your favorite pigmented blush!

What the Muse says:
The final effect is a pretty sunny bronzed look! I love breaking up my matte bronzer with a touch of color as it looks more natural and pretty this way rather than a blah brown shade on my cheeks I can get a nice bronze finish with hints of pink or peach by using a richer blush color. Try it with MAC Mineralized Blushes as they are richly pigmented with plenty of pop!

A majority of bronzers are matte but shimmery ones are becoming more and more common. I actually prefer them with a heavy dose of shimmer as it breaks up all that heinous muddy brown! Try pairing your matte bronzers with a bit of shimmer to create a pretty glow on cheeks.


Application Tip:
Buff bronzer onto cheeks and apply a fine application of gold or pink shimmer!

What the Muse says:
Not many people like glittery, shimmery finishes but I happen to adore them. That's how I like my makeup. It's not for everyone but I do think that a tiny bit of shimmer breaks up a matte bronzer beautifully.

Urban Decay Baked Bronzer on it's own is beautiful but also pairing it up with a cream blush is really a pretty effect. It adheres to skin better and gives a gorgeous flushed, sunny look!


Application Tip:
Apply a cream blush to cheeks, I suggest trying out Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, after brush on Urban Decay Baked Bronzer or the shimmery bronzer of your choice.

What the Muse Says:
I love the flush of pink contrasted with the deeper brush of golden shimmer that this gives to my cheeks. It's as if my face was touched by the sun!

Using a fan brush or a skunk brush to apply bronzer is always great for a lighter, more subtle application. It's easy to go overboard with bronzer during application and using these lighter, less dense brushes allows for a sheer layer of bronzer on your face!


Application Tip: Swirl your fan or skunk brush in your bronzer and sweep onto face and cheeks for a light application. Build up color as needed. Since the brushes only capture the smallest amount of powder you can build up color easily without over doing it!

What the Muse Says:
A skunk brush isn't really meant for bronzers but I like using it to buff a bit of color on my cheeks. It works beautifully with shimmery bronzers in particular.

Bronzers are scary. I should know I'm deadly scared of 'em! They just all look so terribly muddy. If you're a bit fair of skin or just don't find the typical brown bronze appealing try out a pink one!


Tip:
Pink bronzers have just the right contrast to give cheeks and face a touch of the sun while avoiding muddy brown shades. Try out Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Maui or Antigua.

What the Muse Says:
Nothing says bronzer like pink for me. Yes, you can look equally sunny with a hint of bronzy pink for cheeks and face! It doesn't always have to be about brown!

As the economy continues to keep us awake at night maybe bronzers are the furthest thing from your mind. If you happen to have a MAC MSF stashed away somewhere you can recycle it as a killer a bronzer for cheeks!


Application Tip:
Try buffing some MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in a golden shade (I suggest Shimpagne) onto cheeks. Spice it up by applying Stila Convertible Color underneath and a splash of your MSF on top for a sparkling, sunny look!

What the Muse Says:
MAC Mineralized Skin Finish are ideal as a bronzer since many are golden or bronze in color and have that pretty bronze look to them. Since many of us already have these in our stash you don't have to spill out cash for a new bronzer, simply use what you already have!

When all else fails and you're simply a bronzer dummy (like me!) you can turn to some great liquid bronzers to make application a breeze!


Tip: Liquid and cream bronzers are easy to smooth onto cheeks and create just a great a glow as powder. They also wear quite long too!

What the Muse Says:
Liquid bronzers are easier for me to apply as it's a simple dab and blend technique. I love Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Liquid Bronzer for this reason. DuWop SunDrops are on my list for this reason! Ahh simple, blissfully easy bronzing at it's best! I'm testing our Josie Maran Argan Bronzing Oil too at the moment, LOVE!

The Muse is no expert when it comes to bronzers but hopefully some of these tips and tricks help you to get the most of your bronzing experience. Breaking up bronzers and using different techniques for application and of course experimenting with other shades, colors, and products make the normal ho-drum bronzer into a new adventure!

Tell me some of your tips for the best bronzer application!