Makeup: The bronzer

For a long time we believed that bronzing creams or powders were made for clear skin only. However, this has become another myth. A good bronzer with a slight touch of gold suits skins of color wonderfully, giving it a luminous and healthy look.

Say goodbye to the grayish and dull aspect that foundation gives to our skin, a touch of glow is what we need. A good bronzer highlights the red tones on dark skins, making it look radiant and fresh. Also, it helps to achieve a more uniform skin complexion, a common problem in skins of color.

For better results, try a two toned bronzer(one dark and one light). By blending both tones it will be easier to achieve the one that better suits your complexion. The dark tone does the times of the foudation and the light tone works like a highlighter, specially under the eyes to minimize the tired look and give radiance to your face. Also, if your nose is a a bit wide, apply just a touch of light bronzer with a big round brush on both sides of the nose to refine it. If your skin is dry you can try the Dream Mousse Bronzer from Maybelline, that comes in two tones to choose from so you can find the perfect match for your skin. Another option is the Brush on Pearls Bronzer from The Body Shop.

Bronzer tips:
1. A touch of light is the perfect complement for a gorgeus skin. On the other side, shimmer in excess doesn't look very natural, so be moderate when applying it.

2. If you have oily skin, a bronze powder will suit you better, while gel, cream or mousse bronzers are the best pick for dry skins.

3. When you use a bronzer, keep the rest of your make up simple. Avoid the use of shimmer shades or frosted lipsticks. Go for a natural look with the help of an eyeliner or mascara and a lip gloss in rose or cherry.

4. When using a bronzer, it is not necessary to use foundation. In fact, if you have trouble finding the right foundation tone in your country, the bronzer will be your best ally.

5. In order to apply the bronze powder correctly, you will need a big brush to spread it uniformly on face.

6. If you use a bronzer in cream or gel, apply it with your fingers making small dots in the area of the cheeks, the jaw, on both sides of the nose and under the eyes. Then massage it into your skin until it fusions with your complexion.

7. If you feel that you've applied too much bronzer on your face you can use a cotton ball to eliminate the excess. You can also use a translucent face powder to minimize the bronzing effect.

In summer the bronzer isn't the best option if you have oily skin, as the humidity sometimes makes your face look greasy and you don't want to have a bronzer on top of that.

Next time you see one of the celebrities showing off their gourgeous makeup, you won't have to wonder anymore, now you know the secret.

Learn how to apply a bronzer here.