Birthdays And Makeup Party Tricks: Bronzers

SHOW AND TELL

I was at a birthday party with my friends. A gaggle of girls doing what girls do. Catching up on the latest, well, everything. Someone mentions makeup and then everyone shuts up and stares at me. They want answers and they want them now.

They want their buck’s biggest bang, the fastest fix ever, the mother lode of all beauty tricks. No pressure, no pressure at all.

Thankfully, I had it wrapped up and it was ready for the birthday girl: Bronzer. A sun-kissed, healthy glow and chiseled cheeks … in two minutes or less. Happy Birthday! I patted and blended bronzer all over her, right then and there, and she loved it. I love a party trick.

CONFESSION

A few months after receiving the bronzer, the birthday girl confessed that she hadn’t been using it. When she applied it she felt like she looked muddy and bruised. So my gift was buried in the bottom of her makeup bag.

I’ve given a million makeup lessons over the years and this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this. When we’re having our makeup done, we get it.  When we try it at home, it’s another story. You need to do what it takes to help you remember how to recreate the look. Get one of those finger-painted illustrations from the makeup counter. Take notes. Take a selfie. Whatever works!

So, here’s the rundown on bronzer beauty…

TEXTURES

The first trick is choosing the one that is best for you. This is based on personal preference and skin type, of course. But here are some rules of thumb…

• Bronzing powders will give a set look. Matte, polished. If your skin is oily, this is your best bet.

• Cream and liquid bronzers will give a dewy finish and I generally recommend them for dry skin.

• Textures have to work together. Mixing powders with creams can create a mud pie.

• Powder bronzers and highlighters go on after foundation or tinted moisturizer has been set with a loose powder.

• Cream and liquid bronzers and highlighters marry well with moist skin that is free of powder.

OPTIONS

My favorite powders:

• Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

• Park Avenue Princess by Tarte

• IT Cosmetics CC+Radiance Ombre Bronzer (which combines a matte bronzer and one with a subtle shimmer in one compact).

My favorite creams:

• Get Glowing by Beauty for Real in Afterglow

• Naked Skin Bronzing Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum by Urban Decay.

HERE COMES THE SUN

• Bronzers belong where the sun naturally hits your face. Start slowly.

• Forget the giant bronzer brush. It’s too difficult to control. Instead, use a chiseled, blush brush.

• For creams and liquids, use what the Goddess gave you. Your fingers.

• Blend bronzers around your hairline, the bridge of your nose, your cheekbones and chin.To get a slight chiseled look, push the bronzer under your cheekbones a bit.

• If your bronzer comes with a highlighter, add contrast by popping a bit on the bone itself.

GIFT OR REGIFT?

Whew! All worked out.  Bronzer saved. It takes a tiny bit of practice and practice makes … well, I’m not a fan of perfect. But I am a fan of easy tricks that make you feel beautiful, at parties, in private, with your girlfriends or pretty much any day.