When the weather turns warm I love sporting my summer clothes but my pale skin leaves me a little self-conscious. With my natural skin shade, there's no way I can hide a bump or blemish, especially on my face. To fake a warm-weather glow and hide a few spots, I turn to lotion bronzers for help. However, I've learned that haphazardly slapping on a lotion can leave my face and/or body looking uneven and sometimes orange. By practicing, I've discovered how to avoid the five top bronzer mistakes. No more weird coloring for me!
I shop for the right shade. Believe it or not, bronzers come in different shades. You can try to go too dark too soon and end up looking a mess. Also, it's helpful to note that a bronzer is different from a self-tanning product. Self-tanners contain semi-permanent or permanent coloring while a bronzer will wash away with a few showers. I examine the labels to make sure I've bought a bronzer.
I don't skip the applicators. Smoothing on a bronzer seems simple and it can feel like you've covered every spot but that's not always true. When you first put on the product, it will look even but without using an applicator you can't be sure. Read the product label (again) to see if you need a sponge or a cloth to apply the bronzing solution. If no applicator is suggested you can assume that using your hands is okay. Also, don't forget your skin prep. Exfoliate your body before applying a bronzer for the best results.
I forgot to blend the bronzer. My face is a bit angular so rubbing in the product around my chin (plus elbows and knees) is essential. If you don't blend, your bronzer application will look pretty obvious. If you don't blend, you'll have to wait for the bronzer to fade before you can correct it. (I hate it when that happens.)
I went too heavy. Applying a bronzer takes a little skill. Slathering on a dye too heavily will make your new shade look unnatural. It is better to apply layers of bronzer rather than one heavy application. Allow plenty of drying time in between applications to verify you have the desired shade.
I got wet too soon. I've learned from personal experience that if you jump into a pool or frolic in the waves too soon after applying bronzer it all washes away. Allow your skin to absorb the bronzer for two to four hours before you take a dip.
Don't be afraid to try a bronzing lotion and avoid my mistakes!
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