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What is that one makeup secret for getting the oh-so-hot sun-kissed glow without being in the sun at all? Bronzer, of course! The excellent product is a staple in many women’s makeup kitties. From warming up the too pale or tired complexion to creating that after-holiday radiance at home, bronzer can do a lot with a few sweeps. But getting bronzed may cost you your skin due to the chemicals present in the commercial products. So, what if I say that you can make your natural bronzer with ingredients straight from your kitchen? Well, keep reading to know the easiest natural homemade bronzer recipes to look like your best glowy goddess.
What is Bronzer?
Bronzer is a cosmetic that gives the appearance of a suntan without the dangers of tanning upon application to the skin. Instead, it brings a healthy and radiant warmth to the face, for which you do not need exposure to the tanning beds or the harmful UV rays of the sun. Precisely, a bronzer gives the skin a gorgeous ‘bronzed’ look. It is available in different formulae, finishes, and shades to suit the unique requirements of makeup enthusiasts.
How Does It Work?
A bronzer is used to darken specific parts of the face, which mimics a beautiful summer glow and adds some definition. It also helps camouflage several skin defects, including blemishes, marks, and scars. Generally, the product applied is 1-2 shades darker than the actual skin tone of the person, which sits in the deeper areas of the face to create a fake yet natural-looking tan. However, bronzer has now gone beyond facial application. These days, you can get bronzers for a full-body application, which create the illusion of slimmer legs, deeper cleavage, etc.
Though both bronzers and contours are used for darkening and defining facial features, they are not at all the same. Bronzers make the skin look warm and glowy with warm-toned colors while contours sculpt the face by creating an illusion of shadows (along forehead, nose, cheekbones, and jawline) with cool-toned hues.
Different Types of Bronzer
Bronzers are available in a variety of formulae. You may choose from the following ones based on your skin type:
- Powder Bronzer: This classic formula suits all skin types, but it goes the best with oily skin. You need to blend it very well with a brush and build up the color gradually to avoid harshness.
- Cream Bronzer: If you have dry skin, this cream formula will be the best choice for you. It can be blended seamlessly with fingers to create a subtle and long-lasting glow.
- Liquid Bronzer: This formula has a thinner consistency than cream bronzers, which offers even better blending. Liquid bronzers can be used for all types of skin.
Also Read – 10 Best Bronzers in India to Flaunt That Natural ‘Holiday Glow’
Different Finishes of Bronzer
The bronzer comes in several finishes, and you are free to pick from them depending on the kind of radiance you are looking for. Given below are the options:
- Matte: A bronzer with a matte finish does not contain any shine or shimmer. It simply adds depth and definition to the face while warming it up with a flat shade. In short, a matte bronzer gives the skin an ultra-fine yet defined sun-kissed glow. It works great with all skin types and can also be used for contouring.
- Shimmer: When applied correctly, a shimmer bronzer illuminates the skin beautifully by reflecting light. It helps you achieve a summer-like glow rather than contouring your face. However, the shimmer is not a good option for oily or blemished skin as it highlights the flaws and brings more attention to them.
- Sheer: As the name says, a sheer bronzer gives a sheer – ‘barely there’ kind of a finish. It packs minimal color and adds only a natural glow to the face sans definition. Sheer bronzers go perfectly along with too light or too dark skin tones.
DIY – Natural Homemade Bronzer Recipes
While you can undoubtedly buy bronzers from a reputed commercial brand, it may leave your face weirdly tinted with intense orange color or cause harm to your skin with its harsh chemicals. So here comes the importance of a great homemade bronzer that brings a bit of color and life back to your tired skin naturally and in a controlled manner. Bonus? It is inexpensive and makes you smell awesome! The recipes to make your homemade bronzer are as follows:
[A] Natural Homemade Bronzing Powder Recipe
Ingredients Required:
- Cinnamon powder – 1 tbsp.
- Nutmeg powder – 1 tsp.
- Cocoa powder – 1 tsp.
- Arrowroot powder – 2 tsp.
- Rosemary or lavender essential oil – 15 drops
- One small mixing bowl
- One spoon
- A small and empty airtight container
Method to Follow:
- Combine all the ingredients into the clean bowl.
- Mix them thoroughly to get a smooth mixture without lumps.
- Add essential oil and blend very well until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Transfer the mixture to the empty container and pack it in firmly by gently pressing it down with the backside of the spoon.
- Your natural bronzing powder is ready to use!
[B] Natural Homemade Bronzing Lotion Recipe
Ingredients Required:
- Cinnamon powder – 1 tbsp.
- Cocoa powder – 1 tsp.
- Arrowroot powder – 2 tsp.
- Plain face or body lotion – as required
- One small mixing bowl
- One spoon
- An empty airtight bottle or jar
Method to Follow:
- Sift cinnamon powder, cocoa powder, and arrowroot powder into the bowl and mix them evenly.
- Once you reach your desired shade, test it on your skin by swiping a bit on your hand.
- Now, add plain lotion to this mixture, simultaneously mixing it well until you attain the required consistency and an easily spreadable texture with no lumps.
- Let it sit for a couple of minutes so that everything blends and gets dissolved.
- Finally, please give it a good stir and transfer it to the empty bottle or jar. Voila!
Know Your DIY Bronzer Ingredients:
These particular homemade bronzers can be used on the face and all over the body to get a natural sun-kissed glowing look. Let us take a look at its all-natural ingredients:
- Cinnamon imparts a healthy glow to the skin by creating natural-looking highlights and giving the skin a warm, tingly feeling.
- Nutmeg contributes to the sun-kissed brown color while keeping acne and pimples at bay.
- Cocoa is used to get the brownish depth and darkness in color. Moreover, it nourishes the skin and gives it an antioxidant boost.
- Arrowroot powder or cornstarch is added to lighten the shade of the product and spread it out evenly.
- Essential oil holds it all together and thickens the mixture.
A Few Tips to Remember:
- The ingredients of the natural bronzer can be adjusted according to the shade that matches your skin tone perfectly.
- Add more cocoa powder to darken the shade and more arrowroot powder or cornstarch to lighten it.
- You can replace arrowroot powder or cornstarch with baby powder or powdered sugar.
- For an energizing and uplifting citrus aroma, choose lemon essential oil in place of lavender or rosemary.
- Skip the essential oil if you want to keep your bronzing powder loose. In that case, the final product will be lightweight and dustable.
- Coconut oil can be a simple alternative to plain lotion. It also moisturizes the skin deeply and adds a natural sheen to it.
Adding too much cinnamon to your homemade bronzer may cause trouble to your super-sensitive skin. So, be careful while adding it to the mixture and add bit by bit to come up with the right quantity.
How to Choose the Right Bronzer?
There is a bronzer formula for everyone irrespective of skin tone, undertone, and skin type. Here is a simple guide to picking a bronzer that is right for you:
According to Skin Tone:
- Fair Skin: Rose, peach, etc.
- Olive Skin: Copper and golden browns
- Dark Skin: Rich and dark shades of brown
According to Undertone:
- Warm (Green Veins): Gold and brown
- Cool (Blue Veins): Rose gold and peach pink
- Neutral (Between Warm and Cool): between the shades of gold and pink
According to Skin Type:
- Oily / Acne-Prone / Combination Skin: Powder and gel bronzers
- Dry Skin: Cream and liquid bronzers
- Normal Skin: All types of bronzer
Choose a brush based on the formula of your bronzer for seamless application. A brush with a rounded head is perfect for matte or sheer bronzer while shimmery ones need a sculpting brush. On the other hand, synthetic brushes and natural brushes are good for creamy bronzers and powder bronzers respectively. However, skip makeup brushes for gel or liquid bronzers as a wet makeup sponge or just your fingertips will do the trick.
How to Apply Bronzer Correctly?
Bronzers should be applied to the areas of the skin where the sunlight hits naturally. So, apply your preferred product across your temples and hairline in gentle circular movements. Then, starting from the ears, move to the front and swipe it across the apples of your cheeks. Also, apply the product on both sides of your nose and along your jawline. Make sure that you blend the bronzer very well with small circular movements for all these areas.
Summary:
Bronzer brings a healthy and radiant warmth to the face without the dangers of sun tanning. It darkens specific areas of the skin to mimic a wonderful summer glow while adding some definition to the face. Available in different forms (powder, cream, liquid) and finishes (matte, shimmer, sheer) in the market, the bronzer can also be made naturally at home to get that gorgeous ‘bronzed look’. You can DIY both bronzing powder and bronzing lotion by using simple kitchen ingredients like cinnamon powder, cocoa powder, arrowroot powder, etc. These homemade versions of the cosmetic are not only safer for the skin but also very pocket-friendly. There is a bronzer formula for everyone irrespective of skin tone, undertone, and skin type. Once you pick the right one for yourself, just apply it to the areas (temples, hairlines, cheekbones, jawline, sides of nose) where the sun hits naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can You Use Bronzer and Contour at the Same Time?
Yes, you can, as bronzer gives the skin a natural sun-kissed glow and contour sculpt the face to add definition to it.
Can a Bronzer be Used to Contour?
It is not a wise idea to replace the contour with a bronzer. Both of the products function in different ways for the face. Hence, it will not give you desired results.
Is it OK to Put Cornstarch on Your Face?
It is always good to use pre-treated cornstarch (with preservatives) on the face as it is safer and healthier. Otherwise, do not store your DIY makeup products for more than a few weeks.
Can Bronzer be Used as a Blush?
Sure, you can use your bronzer as a blush for more of a natural vibe. All you need to do is dust a little amount of it onto the apples of your cheekbones with a big, fluffy brush.
How Can I Make My Bronzer Stay on All Day?
You can use a facial mist all through the day to keep your bronzer stay on all day.
