Bronzer is an important product to add to your beauty arsenal. No matter the formula—cream, powder, or stick—bronzer has the power to give skin a sun-kissed glow sans harmful sunrays. What's more, bronzer can easily make tired skin feel awake and can even create the illusion of more sculpted cheekbones. But while bronzer can work wonders, it isn't always the most intuitive product to use.
Based on placement, skin type, and undertones alone, bronzer can appear patchy, orange, muddy, or simply nonexistent. Luckily, there are plenty of application tricks that can help you make the most out of your bronzer and help you achieve the glow of your dreams. That's why we've tapped professional makeup artists, Tobi Henney and Sarah Egan, to share their best tips for applying bronzer.
Read on for a step-by-step tutorial on bronzer placement, plus recommendations on how to find the best bronzer for you.
Meet the Expert
- Sarah Egan is a celebrity makeup artist who serves as the makeup department head for Late Night with Seth Meyers, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and The Amber Ruffin Show.
- Tobi Henney is a makeup artist based in New York City. Her client roster includes Ashley Graham, Barbara Palvin, and Charlotte Lawrence. She previously served as L'Oréal Paris makeup director for Australia.
Click Play to Watch MUA Tobi Henney's Bronzer Tutorial
Consider Your Skin Tone
Henney says the first step is to choose the right bronzer for your skin tone. Some things to keep in mind include:
- Shade: Go no more than two shades darker than your skin.
- Undertone: Opt for a bronzer that works well with your undertones, whether they're warm, cool, or neutral.
- Color: Avoid orange hues, which can look unnatural on any skin tone.
To help you decide, hold the bronzer up to your skin. Better yet, head to a store to try a few before you buy. Keep in mind that you may need a different shade in winter than in summer depending on how much sun exposure you get.
Consider Your Skin Type
Along with your skin tone, you'll also want to consider your skin type. While there are ways to make any product work, some formulas are easier for your skin type than others.
- Oily or balanced skin: If you have oily or balanced skin, a powder-based bronzer is your best choice, Henney says. Apply it with a fluffy brush.
- Dry or mature skin: Cream- or gel-based bronzers work best for dry skin; you can apply these with your fingers or a sponge. You can also mix a bit of powder bronzer into your moisturizer for a subtle all-over glow.
Make it Your Last Step
You'll want to apply your foundation, concealer, and blush before going in with your bronzer. You might want to apply your face powder first, too: This can help prevent bronzing powder or cream from sticking to your foundation, which could lead to blotchiness.
Byrdie Tip
For a dewy look, Henney recommends applying a cream blush to the apples of your cheeks.
Know Where You Want to Apply
A good rule of thumb with bronzer is to apply it lightly to all the spots where the sun naturally shines, including the temples, under the cheekbone, nose, and chin. Some makeup artists like to brush a bit onto the eyelids for lighter eye makeup looks. Applying bronzer to the neck is also a good idea– even though it's not a natural spot for the sun– since this will help your overall blending.
Perfect Your Technique: Powder
If you're applying your bronzer with a brush, dip it generously into the powder and blow off the excess before the brush touches your skin. Then, take the following steps to apply the powder bronzer, as Henney outlined.
- Start at the top of your ear and pull the brush down, making circular motions on the cheek to blend in the bronzer. Employ the chisel technique, using a swiping motion to contour the cheek, as you go. The key here is to blend, blend, blend.
- Apply a little bit on the temples and the jawline, using the brush to blend into the skin.
- Finish by lightly applying the bronzer on the neck to blend the face with the neck.
Perfect Your Technique: Cream or Gel
If you're applying a cream- or gel-based bronzer, follow Egan's steps for a natural look.
- "Using your fingertip, [pick up] a small dab of bronzer and then apply your bronzer in the areas where you want the skin to look like it has a natural glow—underneath the cheekbones, at the temples, and a bit on the forehead," she tells us.
- Next, set the bronzer with powder using a brush. "Gather powder on your brush, gently tap it to remove excess powder, and then apply it over the areas where you applied your bronzer," she says. "Add more powder if needed."
Consider Moving Beyond the Face and Neck
Who says your bronzing has to stop at your decolletage? "For a body bronzer, apply to the palm of your hands and gently rub into your skin, starting with your legs, in upward motions," says Egan. "Use a mirror to make sure you don't miss any spots."
Let it Set
"Let the bronzer dry on your skin for five minutes," advises Egan. "If you find you sweat, you can apply a small amount of setting powder to high-sweat areas." Also consider the spots where oil tends to accumulate like the forehead, nose, and chin.
