NOTE Bronzing Powder

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Start with a low exposure time: When using a bronzer cream for the first time, it's best to start with a low exposure time, such as 5-10 minutes. This will allow your skin to gradually adjust to the UV rays and the bronzing effects of the cream. People with dark skin can absolutely use bronzers. If you’re one of them, choose dark and rich brown shades. Bronzer For Olive Skin When you have the proper equipment, bronzing becomes easier. By equipment, we mean the right makeup brushes. Similar to contouring, bronzing your nose, jawline, temples, and cheekbones can help you get that sculpted look and add dimension to your facial structure. Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer is one of the few beauty products that’s truly withstood the test of time. Since launching in 2001, the natural-looking bronzer has risen to cult-favorite fame thanks to its easy-to-blend nature and seemingly universal, sun-kissed shade. Universal as it may seem, however, the brand took note to extend the range, which, as of this year, now includes four shades. Needless to say, fans of the product are even more obsessed, with more than 300,000 Sephora shoppers giving the bronzer their heart-shaped seal of approval.

Using bronzer every day may not be necessary. But if you want to add warmth and a healthy glow to your skin, you should definitely try bronzers. Hoola has been popular forever for good reason—it's a basic (in the best way) bronzer that gets the job done each and every time. The powder is completely matte and shimmer-free, though it doesn't look heavy or chalky on the skin. The original shade of Hoola is already complementary on a wide range of skin tones, though we absolutely love that the brand has expanded the range with even more shades. Now, so many more people can experience the magic that is this matte bronzer. It's silky smooth, soft, blendable, and easy to build up for full-glam looks.Contouring is only applied to the areas of the face where the natural shadows fall, such as the hollows of the cheeks, jawline, temples, and sides of the nose. Tools It’s worth mentioning if at first you don’t feel like the pigment is quite rich enough, Campos says that this bronzer layers beautifully. “The finish is so smooth and the formula is so fine which makes it great for layering,” he explains. “I use these on their own — especially on humid days or if my client has oily skin. I also layer this on top of a cream bronzer to amplify it if I really want the bronzer to be the focal point of the look.” He, too, says that using a brush is your best bet for a flawless finish. If you have an olive skin tone and you’re looking for the perfect bronzer, go for golden brown and copper shades. Bronzer For Fair Skin That said, if you’re looking for the easiest way to apply bronzer, Campo suggests using a dense fluffy brush (and a powder formula). “I think it creates a very beautiful feathered effect and it’s more forgiving if you’re a beginner,” he says. “Just remember that it’s all about layering and adding more as you go through the application.”

Step 4. For a post-vacation bronzed glow, use your brush to apply any leftover bronzer across the bridge of your nose. Jamie Greenberg, a celebrity makeup artist who's worked with clients like Kaley Cuoco, Chelsea Handler, and more

How to choose the right formula for your skin type

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Bronzers are often used as contours, but it’s important to note that not all bronzer shades are suitable for contouring. A powder bronzer, like the aforementioned Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer, has a lightweight finish that easily blends into the skin to provide sun-kissed-looking color. Plus, its non-comedogenic formula resists sweat, transfer and smudging so it will stay put all day long. Here’s how to apply it for the best results. This bronzer type gives off a subtle, barely-there finish. This is perfect for extremely dark or light skin tones. One of the best sheer bronzers is No Makeup Bronzer from Perricone MD. Shimmer Bronzer

How to apply bronzer

Shimmer bronzers have shine on them and are available for all skin tones. If you want a summer-like glow, buy a high-quality shimmer bronzer like Milani Baked Bronzer. Step 1. Swirl a fluffy brush into your bronzer and lightly sweep it onto your cheekbones, moving outward and upward towards the hairline. If you’re using a cream bronzer, then use a stippling brush. Experiment and find the best combination that flatters your features and skin tone the best. What Is Bronzer? Should You Add It to Your Makeup Stash?

Alyssa Kaplanis an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has been wearing and experimenting with bronzers for years, and has personally tried every product on this list. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. Our best overall winner is the Nars Laguna Talc-Free Bronzer Powder, a top-rated product that's beloved by our beauty editors and consumers for its buildable and blendable formula that gives the complexion a beautiful bronze glow. And it's now better than ever thanks to an expanded shade range. For something more affordable, consider the L'Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer which comes in an impressive shade range and easy-to-use formula.

Best bronzers of 2023 at a glance:

The key is to choose the right bronzer shade and formula depending on your skin tone and undertone. For best results, opt for a color that’s one to two shades darker than your skin. Bronzer is typically applied to the areas of the face where the sun and shadows would naturally hit, such as the forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and nose. It’s also worth mentioning that the use of bronzer and contouring can vary depending on one’s desired final look. Some people prefer to use only bronzer, while others only contouring. Not to be confused with contour, bronzer is about adding overall warmth to the skin. " Bronzer adds warmth to your complexion, giving you a more sunkissed look," says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg. "Contour, on the other hand, adds dimension and is typically more cool-toned in shade, acting like a shadow to sculpt the face."