I don’t reach for the much any more, so for me,
they’re usually just an extra step I’m not willing to add to my routine these days. I love when brands actually put out neutral and cool-toned highlighters, though.
— Christine
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I dislike how so many of them are too orange or so heavily pigmented that they can’t be applied to look natural. I don’t like too much shimmer. They aren’t supposed to be highlighters as far as I’m concerned. When the color is right, I love how easy powder bronzer is to apply and how the application can be changed with a different brush. Powders are easier to use on parts of the body other than the face.
Love: That there are far greater options for various skintones and range of depths nowadays! I’m particularly a fan of shades that run a little bit on the red or yellow side as opposed to orange tones. When formulated well, they can be applied with a more buildible, naturally sun-kissed effect.
Dislike: Noticeably orange based, spray tan looking ones. They look pretty fake, IMHO. Also, the ones that go on streaky or muddy looking. Not the faux tan I’m looking for!
I love powder bronzer for emphasizing face dimension (especially in cheekbone hollows) and I’m happy there are a growing number of options for people not wanting to go the traditional orange oompa loompa route. I prefer satin or slight shimmer formulas best.
About the only time of year I don’t like to use bronzer is in the winter when I am at my palest as I think it just looks odd against my skin tone. Once the weather warms, I find a nice subtle bronzing powder enhances my skin. In the summer when I have a bit more of a tan my favorite bronzer is more of a 3-in-1 highlight/blush/bronzer combo from Too Faced, their Sweetie Pie Radiant Matte Bronzer is all I need on my skin.
I find most powder bronzers have too much of an orangey undertone to them to make them work for me with my fair complexion. I don’t use them at all.
I also think you have to use them lightly too.
I rarely use bronzer. If I do, it’s notover my entire face, and I use either theBalm Balm Desert or Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer. IOccasionally, I’ll use theBalm Take Home the Bronze in Oliver or Too Faced Milk Chocolate Matte Bronzer.
LIKE: They’re easy to use when done right. I can get them with matte and satin finishes. They’re readily available across brands and price points. There are a few out there light enough for me to actually use. They are good to use on oily skin. They don’t melt when traveling.
DISLIKE: They’re usually too dark, and/or too orange, and/or too shimmery. (That’s true of cream and liquid bronzers, too, though). They can be patchy or chalky. They can break if they’re dropped.
I love the expanded shade ranges. I also appreciate that there are now many more golden and neutral undertone options.
I like them to soften/finish cream contours. If i’m in a hurry, or on a light-makeup day, they’re easier than cream or liquid, for a quick bronzing effect.
Powder is better than pretty much any other form because I can more easily use it as eyeshadow, which is my only use for bronzer. I’ve worked too hard over the years to keep my skin out of the sun, and the more pale and even-toned (and smooth, and less stressed) it gets, the more I appreciate my decision and celebrate it by letting my skin be seen just as it is, rather than trying to apologetically bronze it because that’s someone’s idea of attractive. I completely reject the notion that I need a product that makes me look like I spend unprotected time in the sun. I don’t.
No judgment on anyone else’s use of bronzer — if you wished you could spend more tme in the sun or tan more because of the way that makes you feel, and bronzer is the closest you can get, then that’s a good solution. It’s just not who I am.
I like that I can contour lightly with them (even if some say no).
I don’t like that if I do use it to contour my nos, then I must have one that’s not warm, which of course brings us back to not using it to contour. LOL!