GOLDEN TOUCH
Brilliant bronzers for adding a burnished warmth to any skin tone
The ‘golden hour’ plays muse to many a make-up artist, with its enticing, soft light that gives a flattering lit-fromwithin radiance. Truly good summer make-up recreates that. Gone are the days when highlighters sparkled and bronzers came in a single shade. With ranges representative of a full spectrum of skin tones, this summer’s glow boosters add warmth and luminosity.
Boost your skin’s highlights
The aim is to recreate that sun-on-skin effect. ‘Start by generously applying a facial oil,’ suggests the celebrity make-up artist Ruby Hammer. ‘As well as boosting the skin’s natural radiance, it also exaggerates the areas where light is reflected, which is what you want to enhance.’
The latest barely there balms are brilliant for creating sheer highlights, says Mali Thomas, the global artist in residence for Bobbi Brown. ‘Try mixing Bobbi Brown’s Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm with a small amount of highlighting powder for a subtle radiance boost.’
Perfect your application
‘For a sun-lit glow, the secret is to keep everything high on the face,’ says Hollie Ellis, a professional artist for Bobbi Brown. ‘Sweep bronzer across (not under) the cheeks and over the forehead, the bridge of the nose and the tops of ears if your hair is up.
‘For sculpting, something matte will mimic the natural shadows on your face,’ says Ellis. Try a foundation stick in a darker shade than you’d usually use, applied delicately below your cheekbones.
Find your bronzing shade
‘Bronzing powders have improved so much recently,’ says Hammer. ‘They aren’t as chalky so are less likely to become patchy or leave an ashy cast.’ Choose a shade just two tones deeper than your natural skin colour as ‘too much contrast can dull your complexion’, she says.
Hammer recommends bronzers with hints of raspberry or blush/bronzer duos to bring out the warmth in olive skin, while rosier undertones imitate the way pale skin naturally tans. For Black skin, avoid cool undertones, says Hammer. ‘When dark skin catches the light, there tends to be a little pink or red, so enhance that.’ This is best achieved with bronzers in deep cinnamon or warm golds.
Complete the look
‘Bring everything together by using your bronzer or highlighter on your eyes as well,’ says Thomas. Apply to the centre of your lids, to brighten and lift for a grown-up, monochromatic look, before applying multiple coats of Bobbi Brown’s Smokey Eye Mascara.