Bronzer help/tips for a first timer!

Mar 4, 2014

Nikita R.

I've always looked past Bronzer! Is it very important? Like do any of you simply love??
What are some ways of using Bronzer?

Mar 4, 2014

Jordyn H.

Bronzer is used to contour! Look up some youtube vids on how to contour and highlight. :)

Mar 4, 2014

Hannah K.

No, it's not for contouring. It's for warming up your face. Use it on your high points, like the center of your forehead, tops of your cheekbones, temples etc. it's meant to give a sunkissed glow. Please don't use it to contour; if you'd like an explanation for that please feel free to ask me and I'll gladly give one.

Mar 4, 2014

Kat A.

No it's not. bronzer is for a sunkissed look.

Mar 4, 2014

Liberty M.

Try using a stippling brush, elf sells one for $3.00. Apply it to your cheek bones up to your temples, and on your neck and chest, for a sun-kissed glow!

Mar 4, 2014

Tiara W.

Bronzing will give you that sun kissed look! Which I personally think that looks great! So in my opinion I think it is very important. Got starters buy the NYC bronzer in sunny it's very cheap and amazing!

Mar 4, 2014

Tiara W.

*for

Mar 4, 2014

Andrea V.

Go look at Kathleenlights on YouTube! Her classic and girly valentines day tutorial. I love the way she uses bronzer and honestly the reason I started using it, I feel like it makes my face look a little thiner and it gives a illusion of higher cheekbones also it gives me color since I don't like or use blush.

Mar 4, 2014

Hannah K.

What Andrea is talking about is once again contouring. That said, here's an explanation on contouring and bronzers so you don't get confused :)

Basically, bronzer is the wrong product for several reasons:

It is often shimmery, which is not what you want when trying to create a shadow.

It is also often orange in tone, and though not all bronzers are, bronzers are warm toned and therefore unsuited to the task of contouring, which entails making a darker, almost grey toned shadow. Shadows are not orange.

If, somehow, you found a bronzer that was a matte, cool, grey toned brown, bronzers are also often sheer and therefore require a more heavy handed application. That's why, when people contour with bronzer, it can often end up looking dirty or muddy, because they have to apply and blend a thick layer of product.

In short, what you're trying to do with contouring is create the illusion of shadows, which are cool and grey toned in nature. Bronzers are specifically designed to give a bronzed glow to your face, so you should apply it on the high points of your face, where the sun would hit. Bronzers are simply not the correct product for contouring. They will never give the desired effect, though of course if you have nothing else they can be used.

I'd ask Jacqueline H what she recommends, as I myself don't contour or have experience with contour products. I do know that she highly recommends the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder. If nothing else, a concealer or foundation two shades darker will work in a pinch. Hope this clarified it for you! :)

Mar 4, 2014

Andrea V.

I use the balm Bahama mama bronzer and it's very pretty. But I get what you mean:) it's not really considered contouring :p

Mar 4, 2014

Vanessa W.

Basically covered it above. Only other tips I got is to use a matte bronzer if you're doing an overall bronzed look. A bronzer w a little bit of glow is great for putting on the cheekbones along blush. I don't think it's all that important, it's nice to have on but not a must-have imo. I like to use a blush brush, particularly ecotools, for application. :)

Mar 4, 2014

Nikita R.

Thanks ladys!! This is all great help! :D you all are very amazing, thank you!

Mar 4, 2014

Kendra H.

Like our wonderful moderator said it basically what there is to it! Listen to her and you'll be fine!

Mar 4, 2014

Stephanie S.

I second what hannah said!(: