Bronzed Belles

Everyone knows summer in the South means many wonderful things; sweet tea, sundresses and backyard barbecues. But what it definitely means is beautiful, bronzed skin for those of us that lounge around outside all day trying to perfect our dewy glow.

Now, I was unfortunately born without the "tan gene" (I inherited my skin tone from my Irish-Hungarian Daddy, thankyouverymuch!) so tanning for me creates various problems. I love the way a natural tan looks (not fake bake!) and I do know the damage that constant sun exposure can cause, but I absolutely HATE fake tanners (I use Jergens Natural Glow once a week instead of every day because of how much I hate the fake-tan look). So, I have a gigantic debate with myself every summer about how to achieve that perfect bronzed look, without completely damaging my skin or having to use self-tanners.

Tanning your body is easy enough and if you mess up or look strange/burnt, you can always cover it up with clothes. Tanning on your face isn't that simple; that is why I thank God every day for good bronzer. I wear bronzer literally every day. Winter, spring, summer, fall-I always have it on.

Here are my suggestions for the best bronzers for anything (matte, shimmery, dark, light, etc):

Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunswept, $24
This is an oil-free matte bronzer (no shimmer) that comes in three different colors and is appropriate for all skin types.



Physicians Formula Magic Mosaic Multi-Colored Custom Pressed Powder in Light Bronze, $12.95
This is the matte bronzer I use every day. It is actually meant to be used as powder, but I am so fair skinned that it works as bronzer on me.
I like that it combines both dark and light bronze colors so I don't look too cake-y.



Lancome Tropiques Minerale Bamboo Bronzer in Temptingly Bronze, $45
This is a shimmery bronzer that combines many different shades of bronze and a little pink to create the perfect highlighting color for your face.

My only bronzer tips for application and purchasing the right bronzer for you are:

1. Keep your all-over bronzer matte. Putting shimmery bronzer all over your face makes you look cake-y and fake. Use shimmer sparingly to highlight your cheekbones and any other area you want highlighted.
2. Follow the 3-B application process. The 3-B is hard to explain over the internet. Basically what it means is starting at your temple, go down the side of your face in a 3 shape on one side and a B shape on the opposite side; highlighting your temple/forehead area, your cheekbones and your jawline. You can also apply some bronzer to your nose and chin if you're going for an all-over bronzed look.
3. Pick a bronzer that is appropriate for your skin type. Do not go too dark with your bronzer! It looks fake instantly and is not cute. The sales associates at any makeup counter or makeup store should be able to help you pick a color that looks natural on you and they can show you how to apply it properly!
4. Remember to blend! This is probably the most important bronzer tip I have. Blending is crucial when it comes to all makeup, but especially when it comes to bronzer. No one wants to walk around with makeup lines all over their face! Blend the bronzer into your hairline and on your neck (even applying more bronzer to your neck area) and if you're feeling a little frisky...you can always apply it to your collarbone and your décolletage!