Bronzer can give your complexion warmth and a sculpted appearance. Apply too much or apply it incorrectly, however, and it can look unnatural and severe. “Depending on your face shape, strategic placement of bronzer is key to creating the perfect glow and enhancing your complexion,” says makeup artist Rachel Halsey. “The basic rule I follow when applying bronzer is to focus on the areas of the face that the sun would naturally touch: the forehead, bridge of the nose and cheekbones,” says Halsey.
Because the right placement can differ by face shape, we asked Halsey to share the best way to apply bronzer, whether your face is oval, round, heart or square. Read on for her tips.
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Where to Apply Bronzer on Oval Face Shapes
With a light hand, apply your bronzer to the top of the forehead along the hairline, as well as on the cheeks. For a more contoured look, apply it in the hollows of cheeks. You can also lightly dust it along the bridge of the nose.
Where to Apply Bronzer on Heart Face Shapes
Similar to that of an oval face shape, bronzer application should hit the top of the forehead and cheeks. For heart face shapes, however, you’ll want to use more product along the hairline and temple area. Finally, add a touch of bronzer on the bottom of the chin — you want to accentuate your natural angles.
Where to Apply Bronzer on Round Face Shapes
To sculpt a round face, apply the bronzer along the cheekbones in a downward motion toward the jaw so it creates a soft shadow. It might be best to use a powder formula like the FENTY BEAUTY SUN STALK’R INSTANT WARMTH BRONZER for this. Blend well for a natural finish.
Where to Apply Bronzer on Square Face Shapes
If you have a square face shape, sweep your bronzer in a curved line along the middle of the forehead and along the middle of the cheeks (right between the hollows and the top of the cheekbones) to help soften the corners of your face.
Recharge your energy and calm your mind this winter with 11 simple rituals. From cozy cup pauses and candlelight resets to winter journaling and morning sunlight, these seasonal practices help you winter intentionally, boost wellness, and embrace the solstice.
Create the ultimate holiday glow with tinsel lids. Discover step-by-step tips for shimmering gold and champagne eyeshadow, subtle sparkle, and festive eye makeup that’s elegant, wearable, and perfect for holiday parties.
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This season of life has come with a lot of surprise challenges. Who knew I’d stay up all night listening to Megan Thee Stallion for days on end? Or that I’d learn the problem with my finances all this time was me going out to eat every other day? But the most surprising of all is that even though I spend the most time at home as ever, I get significantly less sleep. And I know I’m not the only one! The Sleep Foundation explained that everything from raised anxiety to changes to daily life to extra screen time can cause our sleep to decrease in length and quality.
So we know we’re not sleeping, and while there are a few healthy, natural waysto get that under control, you know my style: I’ll show you how to Band-Aid the problem for a little bit. What better way to hide all the sins of yesterday than concealer!? Until you can get those glorious few hours of sleep, these will save you for any shopping trip, meeting, or virtual happy hour you have planned—and they’ll do it without looking cakey, dry, or heavy on your face. Here are our favorites (and a reader-favorite!)
If concealers typically make you feel parched under the eyes after a few hours, you need a creamy formula that keeps its moisture all day long, and Uoma’s Stay Woke concealer does just that. It’s hydrating right from the start and blends seamlessly into your skin or any foundation you might have underneath it. The creaminess doesn’t take away from the coverage though, so you’ll be sure to cover up those dark circles in a cinch.
As someone with dry under eyes, I never found love with this concealer, but I can see how it would be an absolute dream for oily skin (and also, it’s one of the top-selling concealers in the world, so maybe it’s me!). When I’ve used it on the parts of my complexion that get oily, it stays put all day long and doesn’t move, which is exactly what you want in a concealer. It boasts full-coverage, all-day wear that causes minimal creasing.
Of all the concealers on this list, this ranks as the highest coverage. If you’re rocking deep, dark circles, this will be your saving grace. However, the high-coverage doesn’t result in cakey or dry under eyes either. Instead, you’ll notice a smooth canvas that barely needs set with a powder. Coming in at 24 shades, you’re bound to find one that works best with your skin tone.
This concealer is basically makeup royalty. It’s in the makeup bag of most celebrities, beauty editors, and normal people alike. Our editor Cassie once said it best in our annual empties: “It’s super natural looking while still giving the perfect amount of coverage, and never creases or looks dry (even on my crazy-dry skin). I’ve been loving putting a little of this under my eyes and on blemishes when I work from home to put a little put-together and awake. I love that I can wear it on its own without it ever looking like I’m obviously wearing concealer. This was an obvious re-purchase for me—I’ll never be without it.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve raved about this concealer. It’s my favorite concealer I’ve ever found at the drugstore, and I think it’s ideal for all skin types. It has a natural matte finish, but don’t let that deter you dewy girls: it still looks gorgeous and natural when paired with your favorite dewy moisturizers, foundations, and highlighters. I love this all over my face to spot conceal as well because the coverage is amazing and it blends out to look just like my skin. At under $10, go ahead and buy your summer and winter shade.
I know this one is a little on the pricey side, but I couldn’t leave it out because it’s basically the only concealer I’ve worn the past five months. It is everything you want in a concealer: light, natural, hydrating, creaseless, and blendable. The price might put an ache in your neck for a second, but you only have to use a little bit so the concealer goes a long way. I also use it as a foundation sometimes, and that is absolutely *chef’s kiss*. I feel a little fancy and extra confident every time I use it, and that’s worth double the price to me!
Fenty Beauty has to make its way into basically any roundup because the products are truly made for everyone. I could have given this “Best Shade Range” or “Best for Special Occasions” or “Best for All Skin Types,” but the magic of this concealer lies in its staying power. Dab it on the under eyes and without setting it, it lasts hours upon hours. If you set it (ideally with the Fenty powder, which I can vouch for, and it’s one of the best!), it’s over for your under eyes. Dark circles who? Never met her. This concealer has all the properties of those above, but how long it lasts without creasing or separating is what makes it stand out. If you have a hard time with concealers rubbing off on you, try this.
Falsies are a girl’s best friend — bring on the volume and length. But if sticky eyelash glue gets stuck to your real lashes, it’s game over. The buildup and tackiness can make reapplication nearly impossible and cause unwanted irritation. To ensure that our false lashes can be used more than once and our real lashes stay healthy, it’s important to keep ’em clean. For some advice on the best way to do so, scroll down and enjoy!
Tip #1: Use Less Glue From the Start
To prevent a buildup of gunk and glue on your lashes at the end of the day, try to use as little glue as possible during application. My best tip is not to apply too much glue on the false lash to begin with. Think you may have gone too heavy with your glue? Recommended wiping it off and starting from scratch. Not only will this make it easier for you to take off your falsies at the end of the day, but it’s also a way to ensure that too much glue doesn’t get on or around your eyes.
PRIMP TIP: Apply Lash Couture Strip Lash Adhesive on the eyelids like an eyeliner then apply your favorite pair of lashes. Its easier and quicker to apply the lashes plus it is just less messier overall. Lee wished she came up with this brilliant beauty trick but she actually received it from Raye Boyce.
Tip #2: Don’t Pull Them Off
Time to take off your lashes for the day? Don’t start pulling them off, tugging or scrubbing. You won’t get all the glue off your lashes, and you risk getting glue in your eyes. What’s worse? You’re going to end up ripping your own lashes.
Tip #3: Use a Gentle Eye Makeup Cleanser
Instead, to get your fake lashes and glue off cleanly, Lee recommends using a soft and gentle eye makeup remover. For years I’ve been using the Lancôme Bi Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover; it’s the best for getting rid of lash glue. Just pour some onto a cotton pad and dab it over your lashes until the strip falls off cleanly. Plus, you can also use the product to clean glue off your falsies so they’re good as new for reapplication.
The no-makeup makeup trend is going nowhere in 2020. If you don’t believe us, check your social media feed… Ours is inundated with dewy skin goals, glossy lips, rosy cheeks, and feathered brows. Next, check Trendmood, and you’ll notice that all of the latest beauty releases have been created with no-makeup makeup goals in mind. Plus, the minimal makeup vibe was all over the runway this season; from Hugo Boss to Armani.
To help you live out your best no-makeup makeup life (flawlessly), we’ve curated an entire makeup routine using only Fenty Beauty products. Not only am I a fan of Rihanna but I love her products. Each product glides on the skin smoothly and little does go a long way. When spending my money, I expect to get what I am paying for which is quality and quantity! Fenty Beauty definitely delivers.
Step 1: Primer
Applying a primer is one of the most important steps when it comes to no-makeup makeup as it’ll help you achieve that stunning, dewy finish. Our current fave is the Fenty Beauty PRO FILT’R HYDRATING PRIMER, $32. The liquid primer blends seamlessly into the skin, smoothing out the appearance of pores and imperfections while leaving your skin looking hella-radiant. Simply apply two drops to prepped skin, and blend out with your fingers.
Step 2: Concealer
Okay okay okay…. I know what you are thinking. What about foundation??? Well, I personally ( Crystal Lee) don’t use foundation anymore because foundation has more bad chemical ingredients than concealer and skin feels more breathable without it. PRO FILT’R INSTANT RETOUCH CONCEALER, $26 is a amazing substitute for foundation. This creamy, light-as-air, soft matte concealer easily builds to full coverage, instantly brightening under eyes, concealing blemishes and dark spots, and reducing redness.
TOO FACEDBorn This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer, $29 is the go-to for the eyes, eyebrows and etc. This hydrating, buildable, multitasking concealer masks imperfections, smooths, and sculpts skin for natural-looking coverage. It’s infused with coconut water, alpine rose, and hyaluronic acid—skin-loving ingredients that come together for crease-free, weightless wear that’s so naturally flawless they’ll think you were born this way.
Another great concealer that we couldn’t live without, is the LA Girl HD Pro Concealer, $5, to instantly transform our tired eyes. The creamy formula offers up intense coverage, so you don’t need to use a lot, which helps to give that no-makeup look. Once again, blend it out with a damp beauty blender to maintain that no-makeup makeup, airbrushed finish.
Pro tip: To achieve that wet skin finish, apply your foundation with a damp beauty blender. Or if you’re looking for more coverage, apply your foundation with a brush and then press a damp beauty blender into your skin for a seamless finish.
Step 3: Powder
If you have normal to dry skin, you can always skip powder or just apply on your T-zone, as this look is all about dewiness. However, if you have you have oily skin or want to lock your look in for extra long wear, powder your T-zone lightly to prevent any midday shine using the PRO FILT’R SETTING POWDER, $32 and TRUE COMPLEXION™ SOFT FOCUS FINISHING POWDER, $7.49. The superfine powder sets makeup effortlessly for extra-long wear.
The best part? Rihanna was obsessed with creating a setting powder for everyone that wouldn’t flash back, so Pro Filt’r was born in 8 versatile shades to melt into your unique skin tone, letting you set, perfect, and brighten without a trace. And with its light-as-air blend of mattifying powders that won’t cake or settle, Pro Filt’r minimizes shine while letting skin look like skin. So you can—for once—get matte, get even, and keep your photo-ready finish on lock.
True Complexion™ Soft Focus Finishing Powder is a micro-fine powder with skincare benefits exclusively formulated to give women of color a camera ready complexion that looks flawless from any angle.
Step 4: Bronzer
Next, add some definition to your cheekbones by warming up your face with a bronzer like the MOCHA MAMI, $30. The shimmer finish works perfectly for the look, leaving you with a soft, luminous glow.
Bask in that post-vacay bronze year-round with Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer. Rihanna dreamt of an easy-to-use powder bronzer that truly works for everyone, so she created Sun Stalk’r in 8 versatile shades that bring out the warmth in all skin tones, from the fairest to the deepest!
Super smooth, creamy, and easy to blend, this light-as-air bronzing powder builds like a dream yet is hard to overdo, giving you a believable sun-soaked glow that stays put all day without transferring. Whether you’re looking for all-over warmth or the ultimate contour, Sun Stalk’r does it all with the perfect soft matte finish that lets skin look like skin. Plus, it’s backed by mango and papaya fruit extracts to help give skin a natural, healthy-looking glow with every swipe.
Pro Tip: Not a eyeshadow fantatic then use your bronzer as a shadow. Been doing this lately and love the outcome. Also, I don’t really contour like y’all faves but when I do, I use this same bronzer on my nose instead of using cream.
Step 5: Blush
A no-makeup makeup look is lost without a rosy glow. One of our go-to blushes is the e.l.f Jelly Pop Flush Blush, $6, as it has a unique jelly texture that melts effortlessly into the skin. The glow-enhancing formula also boasts a rich blend of argon oil, vitamin E, and castor oil to hydrate the skin.
MATCH STIX SHIMMER SKINSTICK, $25, is a magnetized makeup stick in a longwear, light-as-air shimmer formula to highlight, blush, and enhance in 15 colorful shades that let you play.
Pro tip: For a youthful look, apply your blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it out using small circular motions. Avoid stretching it out along your cheekbones too much.
Step 6: Highlighter
If you weren’t #blessed with naturally dewy skin (newsflash: very few people are), highlighter is the easiest way to fake it! A liquid highlighter is perfect for a more natural skin finish: The L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops, $15, has been a staple in our kit forever! The ultra-lightweight formula blends seamlessly and is easily buildable so it can take you from no-makeup makeup to full glam. The formula’s also infused with shea butter, providing rich hydration leaving your cheeks plump, and most importantly, glowy AF.
Diamond Bomb, $39, features a unique jelly-powder formula that’s bouncy, cool to the touch, and melts into skin like butter. This diamond dust highlighter is loaded with 100% pure brilliance to create an all-glitz-no-grit finish that decks out every skin tone. Plus, all of this glittery goodness comes in a faceted jewel-like compact you’ll never want to put down.
FAIRY BOMB SHIMMER POWDER, $28 is also another great highlight if applied right because the goal is still for a natural makeup look. Available online only, these loose highlighting powders coat all skin tones in the ultimate bejeweled finish that catches light with every movement. Plus, it’s softly scented with the same irresistible vanilla coconut for a full-on sensorial experience you can’t get enough of.
Step 7: Brows
Feathery brows are one of our fave brow trends RN, and the quickest way to get the look is with a brow mascara. Work with your natural brow and comb the hairs upwards with the BROW MVP ULTRA FINE BROW PENCIL & STYLER, $20. It’ll instantly add definition by adding a hint of color while shaping and adding volume to the brows.
Rihanna knows how personal brows are, so she made it easy to get instantly defined, natural-looking brows that are true to you. This super fine-tipped pencil is the ultimate pro at precision, letting you outline and fill-in brows with smooth, hair-like strokes that’s not too creamy, not too dry, but just right—giving you the exact payoff you need, every time. We’re talking serious stamina, too, with a waterproof formula that resists smudging, fading, and transferring. Plus, Brow MVP’s smart triangle shape makes it easy to hold, with a built-in paddle brush to comb through and shape up brows while blending out excess color.
Step 8: Mascara
While we usually advocate for lashings of mascara, for this makeup look, you want to enhance your lashes without looking overdone. The FULL FRONTAL VOLUME LIFT & CURL MASCARA, $24, is ideal, as it defines each lash without being too intense. Full Frontal builds easily, too, giving you plenty of playtime to layer, define, separate—whatever it is you need to do to create the look you want. And thanks to the long-wear, water-resistant formula life-tested by Rihanna to stand up to smudging, sweat and tears, this mascara keeps up while you turn up, keeping lashes fully exposed from root to tip until you’re ready to wash it off.
Step 9: Lip Gloss
No look is complete without a lip! For daytime, we like to keep our lips hydrated with a tinted lip balm in a similar rosy hue to our blush shade, which helps create a cohesive and harmonious look. We (like so many others) are devoted to the Burt’s Bees Lip balms, our fave is the Pomegranate Lip Balm, $3, as it leaves your lips looking rosy and soft. For a sexier look, opt for a high shine gloss like FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNAGlossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Set $42, which makes your lips look so full and juicy.
Do you guys like the no-makeup makeup vibe? Let us know in the comments below.
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