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Rant & Rave: Powder Bronzer

Tell us what you love and hate about...

Powder Bronzer

I don’t use bronzer that often in my “normal” routine, other than when I’m testing it. I’m not opposed to it, but I just don’t find myself reaching for it much myself! If I do, it’s usually as a cheek color!

— Christine

22 Comments

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Lesley Avatar

I hate that so many of them have shimmer. In the days that I used to tan, I did not tan shimmer. I much prefer a creamy that can be more easily blended in to provide a little warmth to my skin. I only use powder in summer when it is too sticky out for creams and then I wear the lightest shade I can find that still shows up on me.

Wednesday Avatar

I’m the opposite, Lesley ?. I like a soft shimmer bronzer as a cheek colour. Kevyn Aucoin has this killer ombre bronzer, which is super soft and when applied carefully with brush, you can get the graduation of colour placed just right for depth on the cheekbone. The colour is perfect too.. not orange and not yellow. I pop a bit of blush on top for a hint at colour.

So not a fan of the typical powder bronzer tho

Grace Avatar

I totally agree with you about the shimmer! I just want something natural looking. I usually use benefit hoola, but I also like the ambient light bronzer that was included in the marble cased ambient edit. It blends so easily!

Deborah S. Avatar

I rarely use bronzer since my day to day life doesn’t lend itself to super sculpting, glam, bronzing! When I do use bronzer I need a shade with neutral to cooler undertones, not super pigmented and blends out seamlessly. I really am not the best to ask about bronzer or contouring powders.

CeeBee Avatar

It’s not something I use regularly and if I do add it to my face, it’s usually as an extremely light all over “glow” (usually one with subtle shimmer, Guerlain’s LE Terra Inca is still my go to for this) or as a blush, usually with a pop of orange or coral blush layered on top.

Rachel R. Avatar

I don’t use them that often, and never all over my entire face. I’m just too pale to pull that off. My biggest gripes are that they are almost always too dark and too orange for me. A lot of them are too shimmery or downright sparkly. Most bronzers that come in face palettes end up being used by me as an eyeshadow.

I do occasionally like a nice light, matte bronzer for a sunkissed kind of look in the summer, or too warm up my face when wearing lip colors that drain the color from my face (unless that’s what I’m going for). My favorite is theBalm’s Balm Desert, as it’s light, matte, and has just the right hint of a rosy tone to it. I also find Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil works really well on me, and can even work as contour in a pinch.

Nancy T Avatar

It can be a great option for those who cannot or do not get much sun exposure, just to give a little sunkissed color to their face.
I do use it myself, but not as a face warmer or faux tan. Instead, I look for ones that lack orange or strong yellow tones to use as a contour that looks natural on me, as my skintone is on the darker end of the medium spectrum. I also love ones that act as a bronzing blush type effect due to their having a red base! MAC Taraji Glow w/ its corresponding Highlight The Truth is perfect for that effect.

Genevieve Avatar

I think it can be tricky to get right and you can easily end up with some unnatural looking colour on your face. Many of them seem to end up orangey – not a good look.
I have to say I have never used a bronzer on my face, as I prefer a peachy blush instead.
Lots of them look a tad too shimmery as well.
Being so fair, it just wouldn’t work on me.

Ana Maria Avatar

I personally just use bronzer as another blush option. I don’t like to `bronze` or `darken` my skin (as I see many people applying bronzer all over the face); I like that my foundation, concealer and powder actually fit my current complexion. But I do like to apply a slightly shimmer bronzer as blush, to give more warmth just to the cheeks; that’s why the only `bronzer` shade I have is Trace Gold from MAC.

Lea Avatar

I’m all for powder bronzers to warm up my fair skin, so long as the coloring is right. I don’t know if I have a preference for powder over cream, it depends on what I grab that morning as to what goes on my face. We’ve been on this high-end question pattern for a few days now and I was all set to answer this like one of those until I re-read the actual question!

For other fair skinned ladies out there – I have found that Tom Ford (Terra year round and Gold Dust in summer), Armani (100) and the By Terry Sun Designer palettes work for fair skin tones without making you look like an Ooompah Loompah. On the cream front, I also like Armani’s and Chantecaille’s formulations; Chantecaille came out with a smaller tube size last summer too, so it’s easier to try and see if you like it!

Susan Nevling Avatar

I use bronzer to contour especially under my chin and cheeks as my face is full.. I prefer light to medium in color with neutral tones. My current favorites are a Becca, the new lighter By Hoola and an Edward Need bronzer. Two are matte and Becca is close to matte.
I’m interested in trying cream bronzer but am not founding many in singles.

Alison Avatar

Funny you should say that. I never wear either bronzer or contour. Have tried the cool toned ones- meh! But I recently saw previews of the May Chanel and they have what almost looks like a khaki bronzer. As a fair olive, I wondered if it could be interesting though it sounds nuts to put green on your face.

Aj Avatar

I don’t really use bronzer all that often, maybe here and there during spring. Most of the time I use it as an eyeshadow in the end to help finish it or as a one-shadow look.
I only own 2 bronzers, and haven’t bought any since I realized I rarely use the ones I own anyways.

Bonnie Avatar

I use bronzer, to bronze, every day. It’s one of the three cosmetics I would take on a desert island lol. It must either be matte or have a very subtle shimmer. I can use glittery or heavier shimmer on my cheeks, but not my forehead.

Bonnie Avatar

I forgot to say that I almost always use powder bronzer. I find it easier to control than liquid or cream, and the color diffuses in a more natural looking way. My current fave is Lotte London Tan Time. I’ve repurchased 3 times.

Kat Avatar

I just wish there was more variety overall. I wish there were more pale reddish ones, since real tans tend to actually have a red or pink base instead of orange or yellow, and I wish there were more super dark ones. Most of them seem to be in this medium tone, and mostly with yellow or orangey tones. There’s nothing wrong with those, but I just wish we had more variety. I also prefer sheer or medium opacity to super pigmented ones. For everyday people, I think sheer is a lot easier to use.

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