Face Basics Part 3 | Bronzer & Blush

Foundation and concealer perfected, now we have to bring life and dimension back into your face. This is where bronzer and blush come in and I know it can be rather tricky to get right. I typically start with bronzer first choosing a matte shade that is one to two shades darker than my foundation. Bronzer should be used all year round as it brings warmth and definition to your skin and generally makes you look better or should say healthy. Start at the temple mimicking a number three, this is where the sun would naturally hit the skin. Use a big fluffy brush to give you the lightest, foolproof application. 

My favourites are:

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess 03 medium deep – this is my Summer choice when I’m tanned. It’s the darkest of my bronzers. It’s a deep matte,terracotta shade that can also be used as a face powder and I often use it as a transition shade in my crease.  I love the big mirrored compact, I find it’s quite glam! This is available in four shades so you are bound to find one that suits you.

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel is a cream bronzer with a soft matte finish. You will get the most natural effect with this one. It is perfect for those who struggle to find the correct shade for their skin as this suits all magically. I love this all year round and especially in Winter when I want just the subtlest of glows.

MUA Bronzed Perfection Matte in sunset tan is an excellent budget bronzer. This is a beautiful, soft, matte neutral shade that is slightly cooler in tone than the above. So if you are very pale or scared of looking like an Oompa Lumpa than this is the one for you as it’s totally goof-proof and will give you very subtle definition which you can build upon if you so choose. This is available int two shades this one being the lightest.

The job of a blusher is to bring back much-needed life and colour into skin that has been covered by your foundation. Apply it onto the apples of your cheeks sweeping up and out toward the hairline. Choose a tone that is close to your cheeks when you naturally blush. If you are warmer in skin tone you may prefer peach shades, if you are cooler in tone look to trying pink shades.

My favourites are:

Stila Convertible Color in gerbera – a peach cream blush that can also be used on lips. This gives a gorgeous pop of peach on cheeks that looks fresh and natural. Great for any skin tone really. There are nine shades to choose from.

MAC Mineralize in dainty is a baked mineral blush that is sheer and light on application leaving skin with a luminous, pearlized shimmer. It has a baby pink tone that is suitable for most skin tones. Easy everyday blush that you never have to worry about over applying. Available in eleven shades.

Milani Baked Blush in berry amore is the budget equivolent to MAC’s Mineralize blushes and very good too! This particular shade has purple undertones so perfect for those with a cooler or neutral skin tone. This is my Autumn/Winter blush choice as it just makes me look like i’ve had a brisk walk in the countryside. The slightly golden hue brings warmth into a dull, lacklustre face.

I hope you found this helpful and please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions in the comments below.

Stay tuned for the final part of face basics – Contour and Highlight.