The Right Way to Apply Bronzer, According to a Pro

July 19, 2024

By: Gillian Fuller | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

Where To Put Bronzer for a Natural Sun-Kissed Look

Eyeshadow, lipstick—many makeup products tell you where they’re supposed to be applied right there in the name. Knowing where to put bronzer, however, is a little bit trickier, as the name gives few clues as to where it should go. Many people dust it onto their cheeks, but that’s far from the only place you can apply bronzer—in fact, this versatile makeup product can be used in many different ways. For tips on where and how to apply bronzer like a pro, we tapped YSL Beauty makeup artist J. Brandon Correa. Here, Correa reveals his top bronzer application tips and tricks and explains how to use bronzer for a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow.

What Is Bronzer?

Bronzer is a makeup product that is used to “mimic how the sun naturally warms your skin,” explains Correa. It can come in a range of shades, from sand to deep brown, and tends to be warm in tone. Like blush, bronzer comes in a variety of different formats, including powders, creams, and liquids. Finishes can vary, too—matte bronzers are often used to create a natural tanned effect, while shimmery formulas are ideal for creating a luminous or dewy makeup look.

What Is Bronzer Used For?

According to Correa, bronzer is used to help warm up the complexion and give the skin a fresh-from-the-beach glow (sans the sun damage). It’s often confused with contour—which also tends to be brownish in color—but the two products have entirely different purposes. While bronzer is designed to help replicate a natural tan, contour is used to create the illusion of shadows to help sculpt and define the facial features. Contour is also cooler in tone, while bronzer typically leans warmer.

How To Choose the Right Bronzer for Your Skin

As mentioned, there are many different types of bronzers you can choose from, though creams and powders are the most popular formats. Finding the right formula ultimately hinges on your personal preferences. Powder bronzers tend to be a bit drier and have a velvety texture, which makes them a great pick for those with oily or combination skin. They also tend to be buildable, making them easier to use if you’re a beginner.

Cream bronzers, meanwhile, are creamier and may feature hydrating ingredients in their formulas. As such, they can be well-suited to those with drier skin. Coverage can vary from sheer to pigmented—it all depends on the specific bronzer you choose.

When choosing your bronzer, you’ll also want to consider what type of finish you’d like. Matte bronzers provide a more natural look and can be great for adding a subtle touch of color to the skin. Dewy and radiant-finish bronzers, meanwhile, are great for those seeking to complement a glowy makeup look.

Finally, you’ll also want to consider the other makeup products that you use. Powder bronzer can be layered over liquid and cream makeup, but it’s generally best to avoid layering cream bronzer over powders. If you use a powder foundation, stick with a powder bronzer—it’ll provide the most seamless result.

Where to Apply Bronzer

As mentioned earlier, bronzer is meant to replicate a sun-kissed glow. So when determining where to put bronzer, think of the places you’d naturally tan. Typically, Correa explains, that includes the “high planes of the face”—namely, your cheekbones, the top of your forehead (along your hairline), and along the bridge of your nose. You can also apply it to your decolletage and shoulders for a cohesive, summery look. And, depending on your chosen formula, you may be able to apply it to your eyelids in place of eyeshadow—the slightly unconventional application is well-suited for understated makeup looks, like latte makeup. And before setting your brush down, apply some bronzer to your neck and ears, too. “This helps ensure your complexion is uniform, and it’s something all the pros do,” Correa says.

How to Apply Bronzer

Applying bronzer is pretty simple, though the application method may differ depending on what formula you choose. Ahead, we’ll explain how to use bronzer—both powder and cream—to create a flattering, bronzy glow.

How to apply powder bronzer

1. Apply your base makeup

Start by applying primer and whatever base makeup you usually use (such as foundation and concealer). If you’re using cream or liquid base makeup, consider applying a thin veil of translucent setting powder to your face before reaching for your bronzer. This can help set your base makeup and ensure your powder bronzer applies smoothly.

2. Sweep bronzer onto your skin

In order to apply powder bronzer, you need the right tools—specifically, a makeup brush. Correa recommends selecting a “large, fluffy brush that isn’t extremely dense” for powder bronzer. The bristles “should be flexible to the touch,” he adds, for a seamless, streak-free application.

Once you’ve selected your brush, sweep the bristles over your powder bronzer and dust off any excess product. Then, begin applying the bronzer to the areas of your face outlined above. We recommend buffing the product into your skin in circular motions to help avoid any harsh lines.

3. Build and blend

If you’d like to deepen your bronzer after your first pass, go ahead and swipe your brush over the powder once more and reapply it to areas you’d like to darken. Continue this process until you’re satisfied with your look—just be sure to blend everything well for a seamless finish.

How to apply cream bronzer

Apply your base makeup

Applying cream bronzer is pretty straightforward. As with powder bronzer, you’ll want to start by applying your base makeup. Remember that creams shouldn’t be applied over powder products, so be sure to use cream or liquid base makeup, and don’t set your base with powder (yet—you can later, if needed).

Swipe on your bronzer

Cream bronzers often come in a stick or pencil format, which makes applying them super straightforward—all you have to do is draw the pigment onto your skin where you’d like a bronzy glow. If your cream bronzer comes in a pot, you can use your fingers or a bronzer brush to apply the product to those same areas.

Blend with a sponge or brush

When you’re satisfied with your bronzer placement, blend it all out with either a dampened beauty sponge or a large, dense brush. When blending, work outward (toward your hairline) rather than toward the center of your face. Then, Correa suggests using a foundation brush to “stretch the edges of your bronzer into your complexion [products] for a seamless blend.” From here, you can set your makeup with powder, if desired, or give everything a good mist with your favorite setting spray.

10 Editor-Approved Bronzers to Shop Now

YSL Beauty All Hours Hyper Bronzer

While bronzer is meant to be warmer in tone, some formulas can read orange—which does not make for a flattering look. That’s not the case with this luxe formula, which comes in five silky, skin-adaptable shades to flatter an array of skin tones. Correa loves that the lightest shade “won’t overpower the skin or make light complexions look orange” and notes that the darkest shade “is the perfect bronzer for deep skin tones.” The pressed powder formula is infused with skin-loving ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, and boasts a subtle sheen perfect for mimicking a day spent seaside.