The No-Fail Guide To Applying Bronzer - Byrdie

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Search Search Close search How to Apply Bronzer for a Sunkissed Glow All Year Round By Julyne Derrick Julyne Derrick Julyne Derrick is a contributing writer for Byrdie specializing in haircare. She has over a decade's worth of experience as a writer and editor. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 10, 2025 09:51PM Reviewed by Ashley Rebecca

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Reviewed by Ashley Rebecca Ashley Rebecca is a NYC-based contributor for Byrdie, where she covers makeup, skincare, and more. She has 20+ years of experience as a makeup artist and has contributed to Byrdie for the past ten years. About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board Contributing Writer and Makeup Artist Close

Joan Smalls wearing glowy, bronzed makeup — @lisaeldridge

Whether your goal is to look glowy or sculpted, bronzer is an essential part of a well-rounded makeup routine. No matter the formula—cream, powder, or stick—bronzer has the power to give skin a sun-kissed glow sans harmful sunrays. What's more, bronzer can easily transform a dull, tired complexion and can even create the illusion of more sculpted cheekbones. But while bronzer can work wonders, it isn't always the most intuitive product to use.

Based on placement, skin type, and undertones alone, bronzer can appear patchy, orange, muddy, or simply nonexistent. Luckily, there are plenty of application tricks that can help you make the most out of your bronzer, allowing you to achieve the glow of your dreams. To help, we've tapped professional makeup artists, Tobi Henney, Amy Spiegel Duskin, and Sarah Egan for their best tips on where to apply bronzer. Read on for a step-by-step tutorial on bronzer placement, plus recommendations on how to find the best bronzer for you.

Meet the Experts

Sarah Egan is a celebrity makeup artist who serves as the makeup department head for Late Night with Seth Meyers, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and The Amber Ruffin Show.
Tobi Henney is a makeup artist based in New York City. Her client roster includes Ashley Graham, Barbara Palvin, and Charlotte Lawrence. She previously served as L'Oréal Paris makeup director for Australia.
Amy Spiegel Duskin is an Emmy-nominated film and television makeup artist based in New York City.

2:58

Click Play to Watch MUA Tobi Henney's Bronzer Tutorial

01 of 09

Consider Your Skin Tone

Henney says the first step is to choose the right bronzer for your skin tone. Some things to keep in mind include:

Shade: Go no more than two shades darker than your skin.
Undertone: Opt for a bronzer that works well with your undertones, whether they're warm, cool, or neutral.
Color: Avoid orange hues, which can look unnatural on any skin tone.

To help you decide, hold the bronzer up to your skin. Better yet, head to a store to try a few before you buy. Keep in mind that you may need a different shade in winter than in summer depending on how much sun exposure you get.

02 of 09

Consider Your Skin Type

Along with your skin tone, you'll also want to consider your skin type. While there are ways to make any product work, some formulas are easier for your skin type than others.

Oily or balanced skin: If you have oily or balanced skin, a powder-based bronzer is your best choice, Henney says. Apply it with a fluffy brush.
Dry or mature skin: Cream- or gel-based bronzers work best for dry skin; you can apply these with your fingers or a sponge. You can also mix a bit of powder bronzer into your moisturizer for a subtle all-over glow.

03 of 09

Make it Your Last Step

You'll want to apply your foundation, concealer, and blush before going in with your bronzer. You might want to apply your face powder first, too: This can help prevent bronzing powder or cream from sticking to your foundation, which could lead to blotchiness.

Byrdie Tip

For a dewy look, Henney recommends applying a cream blush to the apples of your cheeks.

04 of 09

Know Where You Want to Apply

A good rule of thumb with bronzer is to apply it lightly to all the spots where the sun naturally hits, including the temples, under the cheekbones, nose, and chin. Duskin explains, "Always apply to the high points of the face where the sun would hit. Top of forehead, under and on cheek bones to sculpt the face a bit and on top of nose." She adds, "I also love to add a little bit to the outer eyelid and crease for a natural warmth. "

Applying bronzer to the neck is also a good idea– even though it's not a natural spot for the sun– since this will help your overall blending and prevent the dreaded mask look.

05 of 09

Perfect Your Technique: Powder

If you're applying your bronzer with a brush, dip it generously into the powder and blow off the excess before the brush touches your skin. Then, take the following steps to apply the powder bronzer, as Henney outlined.

Start at the top of your ear and pull the brush down, making circular motions on the cheek to blend in the bronzer. Employ the chisel technique, using a swiping motion to contour the cheek, as you go. The key here is to blend, blend, blend.
Apply a little bit on the temples and the jawline, using the brush to blend into the skin.
Finish by lightly applying the bronzer on the neck to blend the face with the neck.

06 of 09

Perfect Your Technique: Cream or Gel

If you're applying a cream- or gel-based bronzer, follow Egan's steps for a natural look.

"Using your fingertip, [pick up] a small dab of bronzer and then apply your bronzer in the areas where you want the skin to look like it has a natural glow—underneath the cheekbones, at the temples, and a bit on the forehead," she tells us.
Next, set the bronzer with powder using a brush. "Gather powder on your brush, gently tap it to remove excess powder, and then apply it over the areas where you applied your bronzer," she says. "Add more powder if needed."

07 of 09

Perfect Your Technique: Liquid

If you opt for liquid bronzers, like bronzing drops or other water-based formulas, Duskin says, "It can be applied with fingers or a brush for a natural glow."

08 of 09

Consider Moving Beyond the Face and Neck

Who says your bronzing has to stop at your décolletage? "For a body bronzer, apply to the palm of your hands and gently rub into your skin, starting with your legs, in upward motions," says Egan. "Use a mirror to make sure you don't miss any spots."

09 of 09

Let it Set

"Let the bronzer dry on your skin for five minutes," advises Egan. "If you find you sweat, you can apply a small amount of setting powder to high-sweat areas." Also, consider the spots where oil tends to accumulate, like the forehead, nose, and chin.

FAQ

What is bronzer vs. contour?
Typically, bronzer is used to add color and a warm glow to the skin where the sun naturally hits the face. Contour, on the other hand, is used to sculpt and add definition to the face with shading. Another difference between the two products is the finishes, as bronzers come in both matte and radiant finishes, while contouring products tend to have a matte finish that mimics the natural hue of shadows.
Do you put bronzer on or below cheekbones?
According to the experts, bronzer looks the most natural when placed underneath the cheekbones as it adds a sculpting effect. However, there are no wrong or right answers when it comes to applying makeup. So,feel free to experiment with placing bronzer on the cheekbones, going for whichever look you like best.
How should you put on liquid or cream-based bronzers?
Duskin says you can use your "fingers or a brush for a natural glow." For powder bronzers, Henney recommends using a bronzer brush and to "dip it generously into the powder and blow off the excess" before applying.