YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Beauty Fail, Beauty Score: Wearing Bronzer in Winter

    By | Fashion – Wed, Feb 2, 2011 5:30 PM EST

    Why is it that as soon as the temperature begins to drop celebrities seem to get more and more tan, regardless of the lack of sun and warm weather? It's because they are using the same bronzer shade they used in the summer, a big beauty no-no according to our self-tanning experts. Read below to crack the code to a natural tan in winter and see the mistakes you shouldn't repeat.

    Whitney Port's Brassy Bronzed Cheeks: FAIL

    Whitney Port's super shiny and dark complexion doesn't even come close to making it look like she just stepped off a tropical island getaway. Instead, it looks extremely fake and very out of season for winter. "When wearing bronzer in the winter, it's important to know what season you're in," says Sinead Norenius, Founder of BeautiSoul and Editor-in-Chief of selftanningqueen.com. "If you're out in the winter but your face still looks like it is living in the summer, you need to tone your bronzer back a shade or two lighter."

    That's definitely the big issue here with Port's look. She is so bronzed up it's obvious that's not her natural complexion, which makes her look a little out of place. If you find yourself having a similar issue, heed this advice from Norenius - "In the winter, you may not even need bronzer. Instead, use a darker foundation or powder to give your skin a little tint, especially if you have fair skin."

    Port's face and neck are also a little two toned, a very common mistake most people make when applying bronzer, Norenius says. "Learn to blend your bronzer down so that there is no line of demarcation. Make sure you're blending into the neckline down through the neck. If you have residue bronzer left over apply on your chest area to get a natural glow throughout." As for the rest of your body, Norenius recommends applying a gradual self-tanner on your body or at the very least, areas that people can see (i.e. neck, hands, and the tops of your feet). This will give you an even appearance head to toe.


    Lauren Conrad's Light and Easy Glow: SCORE

    In the battle of The Hills versus The City we'd be completely torn. But when deciding who didn't overdo it on the bronzer, LC is a clear winner. Makeup artist Joanna Schlip says the way to get a natural hue like Conrad's is to go with a tinted moisturizer. "If you know you have a heavy hand when it comes to bronzer, a tinted moisturizer is much more subtle and will melt right onto your skin. It's also an ideal product for winter since it gives you that added kick of hydration."

    If you are going to use bronzer, Schlip recommends swiping the areas of your face the sun naturally hits - your forehead, temples, cheeks, and lightly along your jawbone. Schlip says it's also important to pick a great quality brush (her favorite is Physicians Formula Mineral Formula Airbrush Kabuki Brush, $10.95; drugstores nationwide). "For an even look throughout, circle the brush around your powder and tap the excess off. Starting on your forehead with swirling movements (think like the shape of a cinnamon bun) blend lightly over your face, hitting your ears, neck, jaw, and chest."

    If you find your shade is still too dark, Norenius suggests mixing in an illuminator to break up the color. Also, make sure the formula you're using is right for your skin type. "If you have dry skin, opt for cream bronzer over a powder. It's much softer on the skin and will brighten it up rather than give you that flat, hard, dark appearance."

    Related Links

    Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.