It’s supposed to be spring but I am seriously pale right now. And I know pale is supposed to be interesting, and it’s the favourite skin tone of all those super chic peeps in fashion, but I just look and feel better with a bit of colour on my skin. I’m definitely more Donatella than Stella when it comes to skin tone. There, I said it! Does this make me Eurotrash? Or tacky? Or, god forbid, like a Kardashian?! (Side note: I just don’t get the Kardashians - like, who even are they!?)
Well, even if it does, I’m in an IDC kinda mood, so in this in-betweeny stage of still-feels-like-winter-but-its-not-quite-spring, I take a look at a few of my fave ways to bronze up your body – and your face.
Hoola Zero Tanlines – The Believable All Over Body Bronzer, £30.00
No need to settle for the typical wintery pale complexion with this fab product! With Benefit you can now Hoola your way to a sun kissed bikini bod all year around. “Hoola Zero Tanlines” is a zero mess, zero streak, zero worries solution. With the sponge attached, this lotion is easily applied, without the hassle of using a tanning mit and getting your hands messy. The formula also lasts for 12 hours and stays on when you take your clothes off - even better! You can also use this lotion as much as you want to build up for the perfect bronzed look for your skin tone. Also, forget about that typical ‘self-tan smell’, this product has the full Hawaiian Hoola-la scent! Available at counters everywhere or on www.cloud10beauty.com
Dew The Hoola - Soft-Matte Liquid Bronzer For Face, £28.00
Sticking with Benefit - “Dew the Hoola” is the perfect product for your face. This soft-matte liquid bronzer gives you a natural sun-kissed look for your face. The Benefit gals claim that it’s a “year-round glow, without the gleam”, and I certainly agree. Use this product either with or without foundation for a matte, au natural look. Most importantly, the lightweight texture of this allows your skin to breathe. I’ve been teaming this product along with Hoola bronzing powder for a perfect tanned look.
Too Faced Sweethearts Bronzer, £25.00
This gorgeous girly heart shaped bronzer gives a shimmering rose gold look – the perfect tone for a spring beauty look. Because of the sheen, I would use this more as a highlighter as it gives that luminous glowing look, perfect for just above your cheek bones. The two shades of the product create a multi-dimensional radiant bronze. Or for that chiselled look, use the two different shades to contour your face.
Ambient Hourglass Lighting Bronzer, £50.00
This Ambient Lighting Bronzer leaves your face naturally GLOWING. The shades of pink and brown tones mixed together give a neutral shimmer which reflects beautifully in the light. This product is so well pigmented that you only have to use a tiny bit each time, meaning it can last AGES! I built this powder for some natural looking contouring.
PUR Glow Together Gradient Matte-Shimmer Powder, £24.00
It’s easy to “glow together” with this PUR gradient matte-shimmer bronzer. With a mix of both matte and shimmering powders, this really fab product gives you an easy to achieve all-over-bronzed look. The bronzing pallet itself is also MASSIVE, meaning you get great value formoney. Plus, you no longer have to buy a separate matte and shimmer powder with this 2-in-1 miracle product, as you switch up between day and night looks. Offering six sun-kissed shades, it is suitable for all skin tones, from a natural tan to a deeper look. And finally, the best part about this “give back, glow forward” product is that a portion ofproceeds from each sale goes to Action Against Hunger, a charity dedicated to ending hunger worldwide. So come on girls, get bronzed up while doing your bit for charity.
Makeup Forever Pro Bronze Fusion, £33.00
Although this brand is usually reputable for its high colour choice, this product gives a sheer finish which can be layered up for a more intense bronzed look. The best part about this product is that it is compatible for all skin types, especially those who may have difficulty with acne-prone skin as it is fragrance free. As this bronzer has gel powder which makes it glide on to both oily and dry skin. This product is also waterproof so it can be worn whatever the weather.
Diego Dalla Palma Make Up Studio Bronzing Powder, £25.00
Enhance and darken your complexion or create the perfectly contoured look with this soft-focus powder. This bronzer has a deep brown tone so would be suitable for slightly darker complexions or to build up a paler complexion. The perfection effect lightly veils the skin for an airbrushed look. Apply this product generously to cheekbones for a contoured look.
Sisley Phyto-touche Illusion D’ete Sun Glow Bronzing Gel-Powder, £69.50
Last but by no means least… This beautifully sun kissed bronzer has a ‘barely there’ feeling on your skin. Just like a stroke of sun on your cheeks, this bronzing gel powder leaves you with a luminous glow. The powder also has a soft-focus effect which camouflages wrinkles and pores, blending in flawlessly and leaving you with a stunning radiant complexion. I also ADORE the packaging and their products last ages and feel great on the skin… Can you tell I’m a massive Sisley fan…?!