Q&A for How to Apply Bronzer

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Question

What shade of bronzer should I use?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You should select a bronzer shade that is slightly warmer and 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone. The closer it is to your skin color the easier it is to blend.

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Question

What is bronzer used for?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Bronzer gives the skin a subtle sun-kissed glow. It can also be used for contouring.

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Question

Can you put bronzer all over your face?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You should not apply bronzer all over your face. It can make you look brassy or like you have a bad fake tan.

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Question

Where should you put bronzer?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Bronzer should be applied around the edges of the face and under the cheekbones. Use a large soft brush or an angled contour brush.

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Question

How do you use bronzer, contour, highlighter, and blush all on your cheeks?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The short answer is you shouldn't. Either use blush and bronzer, contour and highlighter, OR bronzer and highlighter. Apply the products to the same areas you would if you were using them independently.

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Question

Should I use bronzer or cream first?

Community Answer

Use cream. Always apply liquids first. If you were to apply liquid on top of a powder, it would clump/cake.

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Question

Where should I apply highlighter?

Community Answer

You should use highlighter on your cheekbones. Also, if you contoured your nose, it's optional to use it on the bridge of your nose too.

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Question

How can I tell if the bronzer is too dark?

Community Answer

Bronzer should be two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Avoid any orange-looking bronzers, as those tend to take away from the natural look. The point is to give your face a little dimension. Buy a lighter bronzer first and test the color before jumping to "two shades darker" because you may not like the depth it gives you.

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Question

Do I need to use both a pressed powder and bronzer?

Community Answer

Yes. Put the powder on first, then the bronzer. It will help bring out the color of the bronzer.

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Question

Where does the bronzer go? On the cheekbone or under the cheekbone?

Community Answer

Just under. Highlighter goes on the cheekbone. If you put bronzer directly on the cheekbone, it will not slim your face the way it's supposed to. It will just make your skin look muddy.

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Question

What should I do if the bronzer is lighter than my skin tone?

Community Answer

If it's shimmery, use it as a highlighter. But your bronzer should be two shades darker than your natural skin tone.

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Question

What order do I put on moisturizer, foundation, powder and bronzer? How do I pick the color for all three?

Community Answer

You apply it in the order you wrote it. Most makeup stores like ULTA and Sephora have workers who will help find a color for you, if you ask.

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Question

Where do you put blush?

Community Answer

On the apples of your cheeks, or the parts that puff up when you smile. Some people apply a tiny bit on the bridge of their nose to have a rosy-looking complexion, but this takes practice to look right.

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Question

Do I have to use concealer to use bronzer?

Community Answer

Not necessarily, but concealer does help hide imperfections, which makes for a smoother finish with the bronzer.

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Question

What is the difference between bronzer and contour products?

Community Answer

Many people use bronzer to contour, they just apply it more intensely and more precisely. If something specifically is labeled a contour, it's probably just more pigmented than most bronzers.

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Question

Do I use only concealer on my full face instead of foundation?

Community Answer

No. You use concealer under your eyes if needed and on any blemishes, then you apply your foundation to your full face.

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Question

In what order do I apply my foundation, pancake and bronzing powder?

Ayesha Mukherjee

Community Answer

You apply it in the order you wrote it. First the foundation, then pancake, and then bronzing powder.

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Question

When I apply bronzer, do I swipe my brush upwards?

Community Answer

You swirl it in circular motions. There is a mini video of this in the article.

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Question

Do I have to use foundation first?

Community Answer

You do not need to apply foundation if you don't want to. Foundation is optional.

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Question

What is the purpose of concealer and when it is applied?

Community Answer

Concealer is used to cover imperfections or blemishes. It is used under the eyes and on any spots or blemishes. Some people apply it after their foundation, others apply it before foundation. Either way, make sure to blend it well so there aren't obvious spots of concealer on your face.

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Question

Do I have to use concealer, or can I use powder?

Community Answer

They have different purposes. You don't need to use any makeup product you don't want/need to. Concealer is the best option for covering up blemishes. Powder is mainly meant to set your other makeup in place.

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Question

What is the difference between bronzer and rouge?

Ayesha Mukherjee

Community Answer

Rouge is basically blush, which is used to give a natural glow. Bronzer is used to give a tan or sun-kissed look. It also help to make your face look slimmer if applied properly.

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Question

What do I do if I can't afford contour kits?

Community Answer

If you can't afford contour kits, you can buy multiple bronzers in different shades, or you can make you own bronzer using cocoa powder.

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Question

Could I use blush and a highlighter?

Community Answer

Yes, with blush on the apples of your cheeks and highlighter on your cheek bones. They have different purposes but will complement each other well.

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Question

What is difference between highlighter powder and contour powder?

Community Answer

Highlighter powder is applied on your cheekbones and is generally very shimmery and light, while contour is used directly under cheekbones to slim down your face and is a darker shade then your complexion.

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Question

Do I apply blush onto my cheekbones on top of the bronzer?

Community Answer

Yes. You can apply bronzer just under the jawline, and then apply blush on the part that puff when you smile.

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Question

What is bronzing powder used for?

Community Answer

It's used to look a little more tan and/or to help contour your face.

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Question

Can I have a boyfriend if I do this?

Community Answer

Makeup will not get you a boyfriend. Looking attractive could increase your chances of getting asked out by someone, but there is no guarantee. The best way is to talk to people and make friends.

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Question

Do I need to use bronzer after applying contour?

Ayesha Mukherjee

Community Answer

No, it is not required as both of them are used for the same purpose. Contour products are much more pigmented, so they are more difficult to blend, whereas bronzing powder is very easy to use and will give you an even finish.

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Question

Where and how should I apply powder?

Community Answer

If it's setting powder, all over. If it is like a baking powder, just right under your eyes.

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