Get a safe, sun-kissed glow with a bronzer

Many dark skinned women shy away from using bronzers assuming that bronzers are not useful to them.

While light-skinned women use bronzers to achieve a tanned look, darker skins can use bronzers to highlight and enhance different features.

Bronzer “an instant touch of sun,” warms up lighter complexions and evens out darker complexions, giving them glow and definition. Bronzer is an essential component for a professional, contoured look.

Pick a colour that’s one or two shades darker than your skin tone, and no more. Go for products that are generally sheer, not matte. Iman products are specially designed for women of colour and these are available from several stockists in Kenya. Do your research before picking your shade and get advice from professional make-up gurus on their You Tube channels or in person. Remember that too light a shade of bronzer can look artificial and ashy, but too dark of a colour can look muddy. The best bronzer will be roughly a couple of shades darker than your natural complexion — and it should be rich in pigment. Bronzed, golden, amber, tawny, ruby or copper hues tend to be flattering for non-Caucasian skin.

Face

To use bronzer, concentrate on the areas where the sun normally hits your face - cheekbones, bridge of nose, temples, hairline and forehead. Use a large soft brush rather than a small stiff one to prevent streaks and blotches. Swirl your brush in bronzing powder and tap of the excess. Apply bronzer to your cheekbones not your cheeks, using light sweeping motions. Less is more, however, so remember to blend, blend, and blend it into your make-up. Make sure you use a good brush to apply your bronzer, as these can make or break your entire look.

 Keep it simple with bronzer. Use less foundation and pair your bronzer with sheer lips, and avoid going too brown with your shadow. This will give you a natural glowy effect. If you have normal to oily skin, then try a powder bronzer. For dry skin, a cream or gel bronzer is a better choice of formulation for you.

Body

This is common to apply during weddings for the bridal party or when going out for a special night. Use a light shimmery bronzer with a golden undertone rather than one with pink or red. Use a large brush to apply bronzer around your cleavage, over your shoulders, around your neck, and down your arms. Don’t overdo it - a subtle shimmer is more appealing than gaudy glistening skin everywhere.

Legs

You can either use a bronzing lotion or lightly dab some bronzing powder on your legs to give them a nice sheen. This step is not really necessary for women of colour but some with lighter complexions choose this option especially during long winter months overseas.

In short, there are several possibilities with bronzer. Find the right shade for you, use the right brush and apply it sparingly for a subtle, naturally sun-kissed appearance.

photo:www.beautybylee.com