The Ultimate Guide To Bronzer

From sunny holidays to summer weddings, if there’s one product you need in your makeup bag this season, it’s a bronze product. Whether it be fake tan or bronzing makeup products – we’re here to bring you our top ‘Do’s & Don’ts’ for bronzing season.

There’s so many options out there to choose from, and sometimes you just want someone to take your hand and say, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This is exactly why we’ve put together this handy guide to choosing the perfect bronzer.

Here, we’ll take you through how to pick the right bronzer shade for your skin tone, tips and tricks of the trade, and how to utilise both cream and powder bronzers in your makeup routine.

Now, let’s take a deep dive into the gorgeous world of bronzer…

Self Tanning Tips 

If tanning overnight keeps you from sleeping with the fear of how you might wake up, then what you need is an instant tan instead. With an instant tan, you can become a bronzed bombshell in minutes and if any mishaps were to happen, you can just easily remove them with some warm soapy water.

An instant tan is generally visible when applying and can provide extra coverage to the skin over any bruises, veins or discolouration. 

Tips For Using An Instant Tan…

DO exfoliate and moisturise your skin before applying. This will ensure a smooth and effortless application. 

DON’T use a lot of product at once. Gradually build up the colour instead to control the finished result. 

DO use a brush or tanning mitt to apply and use an even smaller brush to strategically tan your hands. 

DON’T get dressed straight away. Allow the product to fully dry into the skin before putting your clothes back on. 

Try Body Base instant tan. It will provide the most flattering finish to the skin and is packed with SPF30, Hyaluronic Acid and Shea butter to further hydrate, moisturise and most importantly protect the skin. It’s a must-have bronzing product all year round. 

Need To Tan Your Face? 

If using a face tan, you might need to let it develop overnight. We recommend choosing a serum formula with added skincare benefits to avoid an overly ‘fake tanned’ result and to keep it looking somewhat natural. A tanning serum specifically designed for the face will be less likely to clog your pores than a general fake tan and will usually be more gentle on the skin. Plus, there’s no better feeling than waking up with an already bronzed face, feeling ready to take on the day without even needing to add makeup. 

When Using A Face Tan.. 

DO apply as the last step in your nighttime skincare routine 

DON’T wash your face for at least 6 hours after applying 

DO remember to wipe through your brows after applying (especially if your hair is fair) 

DON’T forget your ears and blend it down your neck

Bronzing Tips: Use A Bronze Base

Bronze Base is our fuss-free facial tanning serum. Packed with all those Good-For-You skincare ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E. It leaves no transfer and no fake tan smell and leaves your skin looking visibly bronzed and hydrated for up 3days. We recommend using it as the last step in your nighttime skincare routine and applying it with a buffer brush for an even blend. 

Cream Bronze or Powder Bronze?

Firstly you’ll want to choose the correct type of bronzer for you, are you team cream bronze or powder bronze?

Cream Bronzer Tips

The best thing is, both formulas will work for all skin types,  you’ll probably just find that if your skin tends to be more on the normal to dry side, you’ll enjoy a Cream Bronzer that little bit more. It provides less risk of clinging to any dry patches and it blends so effortlessly that you could even do it with your fingers.

Cream Bronzers will also leave a more natural, dewy, skin-like finish and work wonders to add a natural warmth to the skin. You can add as many layers as needed and slowly build up the colour to control the finished look. 

To apply a cream bronzer, we recommend using a buffer-style brush as the hairs are more densely packed and offer you more control in your application. Blend onto the skin in small stippling motions. 

Powder Bronzer Tips

Powder bronzers are equally as flattering on the skin but they are for some perhaps, a little more difficult to control.  They can take a little longer to blend but when applied correctly, they provide the ultimate sun-kissed result.  A huge plus side of a powder bronzer is that it is generally more long-lasting on the skin and you’ll require less product to create instant definition. People with normal to oily skin will usually prefer a powder formula too as it stays in place and helps to mattify the skin.

To apply a powder bronzer,< use a fluffy angled brush and a small amount of product to blend onto the skin in circular motions. 

Whether it’s a cream or a powder you are using, the same bronzing Do’s & Don’ts apply.. 

The Do’s and Don’ts of Cream and Powder Bronzer

DO choose the right bronzer shade for your skin tone. It should be deeper than your natural skin tone but not so deep that it doesn’t blend. Generally, 2-3 shades deeper is enough. 

DON’T choose an overly orange-toned shade. They rarely look good on anyone and can take an army to blend. 

DO apply under the cheekbones, around the hairline, under the jawline and down the sides of the nose. These areas will create a natural definition. 

DON’T apply bronzer all over your face. This is not what the product is for and more often than not, will result in your makeup looking dirty and cakey. 

Top Bronzing Tips

Want the best of both bronzing worlds? Why not start with a light layer of cream bronzer and set it in place with a light layer of powder bronzer. This works particularly well to provide longevity and natural sculpting to the face. 

See the Sculpted by Aimee Bronzing Bundles for sunkissed skin, all year round.

Discover more with Sculpted by Aimee

Our favourite type of cream bronzer to use is from our Cream Luxe range. Effortless to blend, these bronzers glide onto the skin for a smooth and subtle definition. 

When reaching for a powder bronze it has to be Deluxe Bronzer. The formula is soft and buttery and blends easily without caking or drying.  

Now you’re in the know on all things bronze - let’s chat concealer! Read our Guide to Choosing The Right Concealer today. 

What type of bronze are you? Let us know your bronzing tips over on our Instagram, @ sculptedbyaimee, we love hearing from you. 

Lots of bronzing love, 

Aimee & Team xx