Bronzer is a makeup product you will see repeatedly, especially in the summer. It’s the perfect product to give you a sunkissed glow, making it a makeup staple for beauty gurus. Bronzer and bronzer sticks are a classic part of a makeup routine, but is bronzer necessary, or can you get away without wearing bronzer?
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What Is The Point Of Bronzer?
Bronzer helps bring more warmth to your face, delivering the look of sun-kissed skin, even if you haven’t been near a beach for weeks. Adding color to your face is an essential makeup step. After applying your concealer and foundation, your face can look dull and flat. Products like bronzer give your face a splash of color and add more dimension.
While adding color to your face is essential, you don’t have to use bronzer. Most people use bronzers during the warmer months when they appear more natural, and they opt for blush or highlighters in place of bronzers during the colder winter months.
However, you shouldn’t use bronzer to create dimension. Other face makeup products, like blush, can also add a little dimension. Many people use contour products to add more dimension or create chiseled features.
How To Apply Bronzer
Even though bronzer isn’t necessary, many people enjoy the sunkissed glow you can only get from a good bronzer. Applying bronzer goes after your foundation in your makeup routine.
The easiest way to apply bronzer is to draw a three on your face. The first part of the 3 is on your forehead. Then, the 3 goes down the side of your face, along your cheekbone, and back down the side of your face and along your jawline. Using a cream bronzer or bronzer stick to draw a 3 is easy.
Using a powder bronzer, use a precise angled bronzer or blush brush to carefully draw a 3 on your face using the abovementioned method.
After your 3 is done, blend it out.
Where To Put Bronzer On Your Face
Bronzer goes on most parts of your face at higher points the sun naturally hits. When you draw a 3 on your face, you’ll notice that the three wind up on the same high points: your forehead and jawline.
Your nose is considered a high point on your face, but don’t use bronzer. You wind up accidentally contouring your nose, making it look flat and unnatural.
Can Bronzer Be Used As Contour
Yes, bronzer can be used as a contour. Matte bronzers, two shades darker than your skin tone, are the perfect choice if you want to use a bronzer stick for contouring. Avoid using shimmers or bronzer with glitter for contouring. This gives you an unnatural look instead of the dimension and sculpting that contouring typically provides.
However, it’s important to check the undertone of your bronzer. Bronzers are typically warm-toned, which is necessary to create a certain glow. Contour products, on the other hand, are usually cool-toned. You can’t use a warm bronzer to replace contour.
Wearing Blush And Bronzer
Wearing both blush and bronzer is easy. First, apply the bronzer on your forehead, jawline, and underneath your cheekbone. Blend, blend, and blend some more. Then, use a blush on the apples of your cheeks. When blending blush, sweep it upwards towards your eye.
Does Bronzer Go Before Or After Foundation
The wonderful thing about makeup is that there are no hard and fast rules about whether bronzer should go before or after foundation. Most people apply bronzer after foundation to add more dimension and pigment to their faces.
Applying bronzer before foundation is an excellent option, though. This is a fantastic idea if your bronzer is too dark because the foundation will help mute the color a bit. Bronzer under the foundation has a soft focus finish for a naturally radiant appearance.
Is Bronzer Necessary?
No, you don’t have to wear bronzer. There is not a single makeup product that is a necessity, including bronzer. You can wear eye makeup without eyeliner, lipstick without lip liner, and face makeup without bronzer.
If you’re not wearing bronzer, wear other face makeup to add more color. If you wear foundation and concealer, your face has a uniform, unnatural appearance. Instead of bronzer, contour your face, give your cheeks a few dabs of blush, or apply highlighter to add color to your face.
Awesome Bronzer Products
Matte Bronzer By NYX Cosmetics
NYX Cosmetics made a name for themselves by bringing you professional, luxury-quality products at affordable prices, making makeup accessible to everyone. This bronzer is precisely what you need if you’re searching for an essential bronzer. It’s available in five shades, and a virtual try-on option will help you find the perfect shade to suit your skin tone.
Why You’ll Love It
- Vegan
- It can be used as a contour
- It gives the perfect amount of pigment to add definition
- Works well with oily skin
Laura Mercier Moisturizer Bronzer
A pigmented, hydrating formula that provides 12 hours of hydration and doesn’t clog your pores. This moisturizer gives you the ideal, all-over glow, making it great for anyone who wants a natural, sun-kissed look. Various shades ensure you can find something no matter what your skin tone is, or how your deep your tan has gotten. The lightweight formula isn’t streaky and feels comfortable on the skin.
Why You’ll Love It
- Inclusive shades range
- Lightweight
- Easily blends into the skin
- Hydrating
Half Caked Candy Paint Cream Bronzer
Candy Paint Bronzer is a cream bronzer in a cute compact that can help you achieve one look after another. It’s suitable for use on the eyes, lips, and cheeks, making it the ideal bronzer. You can easily pull off the one-color brown eyeshadow look or show off a sultry brown lip.
Every swipe of this cream formula glides seamlessly across the skin with the perfect amount of pigment. It melts into the face to create warmth, so you don’t have to worry about a greasy finish.
Why You’ll Love It
- Multi-purpose
- Non-greasy formula
- Multi-tasking
- Infused with Vitamin E
Pixi On The Glow Bronzer Stick
Pixi On The Glow Bronzer Stick makes getting a sunkissed glow easier than ever. Thanks to the various shades available, you can invoke your bronzed goddess year round. You can easily use it on your lips or cheeks. Enjoy the color you want with one quick swipe! It’s infused with powerful antioxidants to keep your skin healthy and protected.
Why You’ll Love It
- Great color payoff
- Blends easily
- Cruelty-free
- Multi-tasking
Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer By 100% Pure
Enjoy instant color and dimension thanks to this creamy, natural formula. The vegan formula is packed with fruits and cocoa pigments to deliver a combination of intense nourishment and the color you’d like. It’s also cruelty and gluten-free. It gives your face a natural-looking bronze instead of turning orange.
Why You’ll Love It
- Natural ingredients
- Blends easily
- Buildable
- Vegan
Final Thoughts
Is bronzer necessary? No, it’s not. You can use your bronzer stick as a contour stick and wear blush instead. This will create the same dimension that most people get from bronzer and give your cheeks a pop of color for a gorgeous look.
Highlighter is another option for adding color to your face. Remember to avoid a uniform, flat look. If you’re not a fan of bronzer and don’t feel bold enough for blush, try a cheek tint to get the perfect wash of color!
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