Where to Apply Bronzer for a Sunkissed Look (VIDEO)

Pale is pretty, but let’s face it…there are times when it’s fun to look like a sunkissed beach babe. (Or at least create that illusion!) That’s when self-tanner and bronzer can come in handy. I've created a “Get Ready with Me” video so you can watch me apply my makeup from start to finish — including my bronzer routine. I’ll demo where to apply bronzer so you can duplicate the look to create your own natural glow.

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What is Bronzing?

Bronzing is simply adding a warm glow to your skin in areas the sun would tan naturally if you spent an afternoon outdoors.

TIP: Don’t confuse applying bronzer with contouring; they’re two different things. Contouring takes more skill because it involves using dark and light tones to “sculpt” your face. Use contour when you want to make your face look slimmer or minimize features you don’t like.

Tools You'll Need:

Bronzer + a makeup brush. You can use a kabuki brush, powder brush, or a blush brush — anything with a big, fluffy tip that evenly disperses powder will work. (You can find the exact Sigma Mrs. Bunny brush kit that I use in my Amazon store here.) **For my steal of the week, BH Cosmetics + Urban Outfitters collaborated to offer this fantastic brush kit for ONLY $20!!! That is an amazing deal!** Here are a few others you can't go wrong using, and I personally use Sigma:

Recommended Bronzers:

The best bronzer for you varies based on your skin color, so I suggest heading to the makeup store to test out the bronzers that look best on your skin. I'm light-skinned with freckles, and I prefer to use a matte bronzer then add shimmer through my highlighter. The exact bronzer I used for this look is Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer in Matte. I also use St. Tropez Foam Classic Bronzing Mousse on my face once per week so I'll look tan even with no makeup on. Laura Geller also makes really good bronzers.

How To Get The Look:

Use a kabuki brush to add bronzer in the areas where you’d tan naturally from the sun, like your cheeks, nose, and forehead. If you’re wearing something that shows a bit of skin, add a dusting of bronzer to your collarbone area to complete the look.

TIP: Select a bronzer that is naturally one or two shades darker than your current skin color. Gradually build color when applying bronzer and add more as needed.

Click play to watch the video! Sorry the sound is off in the beginning — just turn it up. 🙂 

TIP: Ladies, did you know it's better to wear matte bronzers as you age? Sparkly ones tend to highlight wrinkles more. Also…use a light touch when applying bronzer, otherwise it may settle into fine lines and make wrinkles appear more prominent.

I hope you like the tutorial (minus the sound issues at the beginning)! If you do, please subscribe to my YouTube channel and don’t forget to follow on Bloglovin’ or sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay in touch. Have a great day!

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Here's the complete list of products used on my Get Ready With Me video: Real Techniques (beautyblender dupe) | Ulta Super Blender Sponge | Pur Correcting Primer in Illuminate & Glow | Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Liquid Luminizer | Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in Snow Glow | Benefit Dew the Hoola Liquid Bronzer  | Maybelline Master Fix Setting + Perfecting Loose Powder (Great dupe for Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in “Translucent” at 1/4 the price!) | Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow | Carli Bybel Palette | Benefit Boi-ing Full Coverage Concealer | NYX Cosmetics Baked Blush in “Foreplay” | Pixi by Petra Glow Mist | Rosebud Perfume Co. Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm Tin | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in “Soft Brown” | Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel | NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in “Espresso” | NYX Cosmetics Love in Rio | Urban Decay Naked2 Palette | NYX Cosmetics Liquid Crystal Liner in “Crystal Silk” | Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner in “Ultra Black” | NYC Sky Rise Lengthening Mascara | Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama in “Blackest Black” | NYX Cosmetics Slim Lip Liner in “Ever” | NXY Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream in “San Paulo”

You can also shop the look here.