Olympics 2012: Winning Ways With Bronzer

Thu, 2 August 2012 9:37AM

No, the late nights spent shadowing Christian Sprenger and Emily Seebohm’s epic strokes this week haven’t over chlorinated my brain.

I really mean that you can get a winning performance, a bonafide personal best, a gold-medal makeup moment with the right bronzer.

First choose the playing field that is right for you:

• Crème-to-Powder bronzers are best for dry skin where pigment products may hug dry lines. It’s best applied with a sponge and pressed into the skin in ‘suntrap’ areas of the face and décolletage.
• Powder bronzers are best for youthful combination skin and applied with a clean blush brush to ‘suntrap’ areas also.
• Liquid bronzers are best for darker skin tones as a highlight and skin illuminator. These can be applied with fingertips or sponge and blended.
• Bronzing illuminators are best applied to highlight specific areas only like the cheekbones and temples.

Now, you’re armed with the right equipment, it’s time to ready, set, go!

Here the beauty world’s elite to bring you up to speed on just that:

Laura Mercier Bronzing Pressed Powder in Sun Bronze

“Bronzer is so easy to use, but it’s an intimidating product because it can look fake when applied incorrectly or with a heavy hand,” says Laura Mercier, of Laura Mercier Cosmetics. “If you use a powder bronzer, take a large fluffy brush and swirl it around the product. Tap off the excess and lightly brush where the sun naturally hits your face: the tops of cheekbones, tip of your chin, bridge of your nose, and on your forehead at the temples and the hairline.”

And always apply your bronzer before your blush, she advises. And if powder bronzers aren’t your speed, “the simplest way to go bronze? Add a few drops of liquid bronzer to your foundation and apply.”

Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer

“Always have a consultation with a beauty advisor who will try a number of different shades and intensities to perfectly match your skin tone,” says Charlotte Turner, Head of Education and Training Clarins. “Never buy a bronzer without having it professionally applied or you run a risk of adding to that bathroom cabinet of broken dreams.”

Charlotte’s tips for application go a little like this: “Conceal dark areas of the face properly with concealer and full-coverage foundation first. Get the complexion tone even and correct and the bronzer will blend well. Avoid coppery highlights that magnify to orange on a warm undertone skin.”

Hourglass Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronze Duo in Bronze Light

Mecca Cosmetica Makeup Artist, Alexandra Dix, says that the biggest ‘no-nos’ include applying bronzer all over the face and using it as a touch up powder during the day as it simply makes the complexion look muddy.

“Also avoid applying powder bronzer straight after foundation – especially if your foundation is hydrating/dewy. It will just grab/stick and you won’t be able to blend.”

Some favourite players include:

• Natio Instant Bronzer, $18.95, from Myer
• Laura Mercier Bronzing Pressed Powder in Sun Bronze, $65, Adore Beauty
• Clarins New Bronzing Duo SPF 15, $58, from department stores on August 6th
• NARS Bronzing Powder, $55, Mecca Cosmetica
• Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer, $74, Mecca Cosmetica
• Hourglass Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronze Duo in Bronze Light, $60, Mecca Cosmetica

Are you on a winning streak with your bronzer, Primpettes?

Which brand gets you over the line?

ecb x

Posted by: ecb

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Tags: 2012 olympics, applying bronzer, bronzer, how to, makeup tips