Ottawa Citizen

Bronzer basics

Choose a colour three or four shades darker than your skin tone

- AMANDA ASH

When it comes to bronzers, there’s a fine line between looking sexy and looking like Snooki. Get a little too happy with the shimmery powder and you can go from sun-kissed to sun-fried.

Freelance makeup artist Rene Menendez for The Body Shop says bronzers are great for adding warmer tones to your skin and enhancing (or faking) a tan, especially in summer. However, choosing the right shade and applying it the right way can prove tricky.

Menendez has one rule when it comes to bronzers: “Less is more. You can always build it up. Start with a little bit. If you can see it, that’s great, because a bronzer tends to get darker as it blends with your own oils. You want to stay on the conservati­ve side rather than applying too much right away.”

To choose the right shade, Menendez suggests going for a colour that is three or four shades darker than your skin colour. Most lines of bronzers offer a few different options. The Body Shop, for example, sells four ranging from a touch of tan to a deep, golden bronze. Menendez says to consider how dark you’ll get over the summer. If you go too light, it won’t show up on your skin.

To apply a bronzer, first prep your skin with moisturize­r, concealer and foundation. Then take a fluffy blush brush and tap — don’t swirl — it into the powder. Tap off any excess and brush it along your hairline, forehead, temples and just under your cheek bones. Swipe a bit along the bridge of your nose and down to your chin. Blend the bronzer until your skin reach a healthy glow.

“The purpose is to be able to give the skin some warmth so that you look healthy. Once it’s on there, it’s pretty hard to take off. The key is to be careful how much you apply.”

Menendez recommends co-ordinating the rest of your makeup with a bronzer. Don’t go with too strong of an eye or a lip. Aim for golden eyeshadows and peach blushes that work well with the bronzer.

Bronzers can be worn for all occasions, from running errands to dinner with friends. Although summer seems like the ideal time to boast glowing skin, bronzers can also be worn in the winter.

 ?? BRUCE EDWARDS/POSTMEDIA NEWS ?? Makeup artist Rene Menendez says be restrained when wearing bronzers. He suggests starting with a little bit and building up slowly.
BRUCE EDWARDS/POSTMEDIA NEWS Makeup artist Rene Menendez says be restrained when wearing bronzers. He suggests starting with a little bit and building up slowly.

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