If you're longing for that summer glow already, but don't want to fake tan just yet, then a summer bronzer is the way to go. Banish all thoughts of shimmery glittery bright orange stripes on your face. Today's formulations are super-fine, some matte, some with just a hint of shimmer that give the skin a sheer, sun-kissed finish. Try a few before you commit – you are aiming for a look that says "I've spent a day at the beach", rather than a too-dark muddy color that will flatten, not lift your complexion. Look for a powder formulation that won't budge, even in the heat, and if you can find one that contains an SPF, even better!
Don't limit yourself to using bronzers purely on your cheekbones. Whisk the brush over your collarbones, shoulders, décolleté, even down the front of your lower leg, for a youthful glow. Healthy looking radiant skin is just a sweep of a brush away!
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder
Guerlain’s classic amber compact was the original bronzing powder and is still the one for bronzing aficionados. The natural healthy kiss of the summer sun is yours with just a light dusting. The newest shade, Make-up Artist, is moisturizing, matte and has a hint of pink for an ultra-flattering look.
This elegant bronzing compact comes in two shades, Copper Sand and Golden Sand, each with light diffusing properties that lend a radiant luminosity to the skin. The large mirror housed in the compact makes on-the-go touch-ups a cinch, and the added bonus of SPF12 makes this a must-have.
The Chanel face is always the epitome of classic elegance and this summer’s bronzer, in a limited edition shade called Bronze Corail, from Chanel is the perfect companion to this look. The four shades blend perfectly together to create a harmonious natural healthy glow. The warm tones have been expertly chosen to particularly highlight and show-off the luminosity of olive and tanned skin. Make like the make-up artists and pick out a shade or two with an eye-shadow brush and dust lightly over the eye area for a look that’s natural yet “pulled-together”.
DIOR Skin Nude – Healthy Glow Summer Powder
Dior’s bronzer is truly a collectable piece. The weighty compact opens to reveal a powder designed to resemble the Lady Dior clutch, combining four shades including bronze and a flattering shade of pink to deliver a healthy glow. The velveteen pouch contains the accompanying brush – use to sweep lightly all over the face for an air-brushed look and then use a little more over the areas that would naturally catch the sun – cheekbones, browbone and collarbones.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Sea Star Bronzing Blush
Inspired by long walks along the beach and those treasured mementos from the sea, this limited edition compact is beautifully crafted and a treasure in itself. The illuminating blush adds a sun-kissed glow to an already tanned complexion and will take any skin from flat-looking to radiant in seconds. The coverage is very light, but buildable so if you prefer a stronger color, blend a second time for a deeper shade. Use over a bronzer to add a sexy iridescent sheen for evenings.
Clarins Mosaique Summer Bronzing Compact SPF10
This striking compact is a work of art in itself! The cover is delicately and intricately designed, opening to reveal a semi-sheer, multi-tonal bronzing powder pressed and embossed with a darling mosaic motif. The super-fine, silky sheer powder contains clever soft-focus pigments to give a radiant glow that conceals fine lines – and we all appreciate a little help in that department! The powder is also infused with feather light oils and Vitamin E and don’t forget the SPF10 – this little beauty does you good while you look good.
For an airbrushed look that is quietly understated, look no further than Shiseido’s new Bronzer. Available in three shades, (Light, for a gentle glow, Medium for a warm rich glow and Dark, perfect for sculpting and contouring the face), each shade is translucent as it is made of finely milled, silicone-coated powder, so the look is never heavy or overdone. Treat yourself to two shades and use to sculpt definition into the face, defining cheekbones and jaw line. Shiseido is world famous for its brushes, and this little brush in the compact lives up to the reputation. Chunky and soft, it is everything a bronzing brush should be.
– Ambarina Hasan
