Bronzers give you perfect faux glow
The season of sleeveless tops and summer dresses has arrived, so that means it’s also time to make sure you have a few good fauxglow products in your beauty arsenal to ensure you’re putting your best face forward.
Whether you’re looking for a natural flush, or prefer something a bit darker and more dramatic, there are a wide variety of products available to ensure your face and body are looking perfectly sun-kissed.
From high-pigment contour palettes to clear (yes, clear!) self-tanning solutions, here are a few of our favourite bronzing products to try out this summer season.
While the harsh contouring of past seasons seems to have fallen out of favour, soft contouring and highlighting remains a flattering way to add dimension to one’s face. And this Smashbox Cali Contour Palette is a full-face contouring option all in one. We use the medium brown shades for adding shadow to cheek bones and streamlining the nose and the light matte shade to clean up the line with contrast and the brighter highlighting option for cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and the Cupid’s bow. The darker shimmer shade is the perfect natural eyeshadow shade for day-to-night wear too. $49 | Sephora This mineral pressed bronzer from the London-based brand Lily Lolo is the perfect option for those who are wary of — or entirely against — bold shimmer in a bronzing product. The buildable shade gives skin a natural flush without looking too, well, fake. $36 | kissandmakeupstore.com
Another dual-purpose product, this pretty Paul & Joe Beaute Powder Blush features two shades: a pretty pink for a healthy flush, and a shimmery terracotta for a touch of tan. The limited-edition product is available in two shade options, Heat Wave and Hot Spell, to better enhance skin’s natural glow and give a lit-from-within glow. $21 | Shoppers Drug Mart, beautyboutique.ca
A departure from the typical makeup formula, this Chanel L’Eau Tan Refreshing Self-Tanning Body Mist hydrates skin while also enhancing its natural golden glow with special self-tanning technology. The gradual tanning spray is a modern remix on the brand’s L’Huile Tan, which was originally released by Gabrielle Chanel in 1932. $80 | Hudson’s Bay
Self tanning mousses have a bad reputation of being messy, streaky solutions to pale skin. But this St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse does its best to do away with both concerns thanks to its easy application process, and clear formula. The hydrating mousse is applied using an applicator mitt, dries almost instantly and won’t stain clothes or sheets. All it leaves behind is a perfect faux glow. $54 | Hudson’s Bay
If you’re dreaming of a deep, dark tan that says “extended beach vacation,” then look no further than this rich matte Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer from Too Faced. The pressed powder is infused with 100 per cent cocoa powder to give skin a long-wearing (and sweet-smelling) hit of dimension and colour. $38 | Sephora
RMS Beauty has become a superstar in the natural beauty and skin care market. Created by former Vancouverite Rose-Marie Swift, the line specializes in moisturizers, serums, colour products and more, all formulated without the use of any toxic or chemical ingredients. This Buriti Bronzer, which is best applied using plain old fingertips, gives skin a quick kiss of colour, and hydration. $35 | Sephora
Last but not least, this Stila Heaven’s Hue Highlighter in the shade Magnificence boasts a unique, “bouncy-to-the-touch” texture that makes it melt onto skin, almost like a liquid formula. The product features extra-fine, light diffusing particles to give skin a warm, pretty flush. $42 | Sephora