So you want to rock a golden, bronzy glow but there’s just no time to head to the beach, go sunbathing, or bask in the sun? It's totally fine. Adding a bronzer to your makeup routine is the next best thing. Similar to blush and contour, bronzers add warmth and dimension to your face, creating a healthy, sun-kissed glow.
How to Apply Bronzer
We talked to makeup artist Chuchie Ledesma about how the bronzing step can help you achieve perfectly glowing and sunkissed skin. Chuchie suggests using a big fluffy brush to sculpt and accentuate when applying. She explains, “You want to start with as little amount of product as possible on your face and gradually build it as you finish your whole face. I use the 'number 3' guide when a beginner asks me where to put the bronzers.” She suggests applying the product first on the forehead temple, bringing the stroke to the cheekbone and swiping down to frame the jawline, mimicking a number three sign with the brush. Remember to blend and to add a bit of product on your ears as well to bring the whole look together.
Finding the Perfect Shade
After nailing the technique, it’s time to choose the right shade for your skintone. Start with laying out bronzers that are one to two shades darker than your natural tone. Chuchie notes, "Lighter skin tones (also depending on the undertone) may go for peachy bronzers, while darker tones may go for warm golden browns. Avoid shades that are too orange as they’ll make you look sunburnt instead of sunkissed."
Shop:
Ready to go shopping? We’ve rounded up the best bronzers on the market for you to choose from!
1. Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in St. Lucia, P350, Makeup Depot PH
This one’s perfect if you want to look like you just went to the beach last weekend! It’s a shimmery blush and bronzer combo that’s easy on the wallet and is quite good for its price. The shade St. Lucia has a shimmery, pinkish peach shade for blush and a golden brown for bronzer. The bronze powder is very pigmented so make sure to apply with a light hand!
2. Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder, P260, Watsons
This bronzing powder gives a matte finish and a healthy color on your face. It also comes in a big round pan, carrying twice the product that you can get from most bronzers on the market today. It has just the right amount of pigmentation, blending and settling on skin naturally.
3. Nyx Cosmetics Matte Bronzer, P590, Watsons
This matte formula is a good drugstore option if you want to try your hand at applying bronzer. The product is finely milled and lets you get a warm golden glow once dusted on skin. You can choose from five russet shades so take into consideration your undertones.
4. Max Factor Creme Bronzer, P645, Zalora
This baked bronzer has a fine, soft, and buttery texture that looks really natural when applied. Pigment is buildable so you can achieve a soft diffused color on the face.
5. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil, P1750, Sephora.ph
Get a “medium matte buildable tan” with this bronzer that’s branded with Too Faced signature sweet scent. It smells like chocolate and is infused with 100% cocoa powder. Wear the true matte finish all day with a promised eight-hour longwear.
6. The Balm Bahama Mama, P1335, Sephora.ph
What’s great about The Balm’s Bahama Mama bronzer: (1) The color doesn’t have orange undertones and can suit a wider range of complexions; and (2) it can work as your bronzer, eyeshadow, brow filler, and contour. It has a natural matte finish, for a fresh-off-the-beach-glow!
7. Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer, P1060, Sephora.ph
This one is probably one of the most talked about product in the history of bronzers, ever. It delivers a pure matte finish—absolutely no shine or shimmer and is now available in four shades. Sweep on this bronzer for a soft believable color.
8. Tom Ford Soleil Glow Bronzer, P3200, Rustan's Makati
Want a bronzer that cares for your skin? The Tom Ford Soleil Glow Bronzer features a silky, comfortable formula that’s made from plant-derived butters. It has a luminous finish so you’ll get a lit-from-within glow.
9. Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer Perfect Tan, P3030, Sephora.ph
With a super-sized pan, you can get a natural bronzy glow every day with the O!Mega Bronzer Perfect Tan. It has micro-fine, jet-milled powder that’s great if you want to enhance your natural tan. The finish is a seamless, radiant look for all skintones.
10. Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer, P1950, Sephora.ph
Wear a post-vacay glow with the Fenty Beauty powder bronzer that’s longwearing and transfer-resistant. There are eight shades that can suit a wide range of skin tones and undertones! The product is packed with mango and papaya extract as well to help keep skin look like skin.
11. Laura Mercier Candle Glow Powder, P1950, Rustan's Makati
Laura Mercier’s multi-purpose powder can be used as a bronzer. It gives a diffused, sheer color for a subtle glow and brightens skin with a soft-focus finish. It’s buildable and can be applied with different tools for a customized finish and coverage.
12. Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel, P3300, Makeup Depot PH
For those who prefer cream-gel face products, this one’s for you. The Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel leaves skin with a velvety but mattifying finish and is just a dream to apply. It’s made up of mineral waxes and powders for a fuss-free application.
13. Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna, P2150, BeautyMNL
NARS created the perfect product that mimics a sunkissed glow. This award-winning bronzing powder has diffused golden shimmer that adds warmth all over your face, helping in creating dimension. Laguna, specifically, is a deep brown shade that’s good for adding a soft veil of color that's perfect even for subtle contouring. The finish is matte with just a tinge of shimmer.
14. Bobbi Brown Bronzer, P3850, SM Makati
With the perfect balance of red and brown tones, the Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder helps you achieve a natural look. Easily warm up your skin with this product if you want a lightweight, soft matte finish.
15. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer, $43 (approximately P2200), Sephora
This is the best bronzer for people with oily skin. The powder is formulated with a unique oil-control formula that keeps skin shine-free. Dust it on your face and shoulders for a golden glow.
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