Can you skip foundation and just use bronzer?
A bronzer is a must-have in any beauty bag. It helps adding dimension to the complexion while accentuating the cheekbones.
We all know that we should apply bronzer over foundation, but using bronzer without foundation can also be effective.
If your skin tone is even, you don’t need foundation and can just use bronzer. It will give the skin a natural and sunkissed glow. To get a long-lasting look, make sure to prepare the skin by hydrating it beforehand, which will help ensure an easier application.
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How to apply bronzer without foundation?
Follow these simple steps so that the bronzer blends perfectly and lasts well throughout the day.
Hydrate the skin
If you want to do your makeup like a pro, you need to start with great skin.
People often forget about skin preparation before applying makeup. When the skin is healthy, it looks fresh, blemishes are minimized, and pores are less noticeable. Take care of your skin before starting with makeup to get flawless coverage.
The first step is to cleanse your skin gently with a cleanser that helps to remove all dirt and impurities.
I‘ve been using this cleanser for over a year, and I love how effective it is. It cleanses the skin without leaving any greasy residue.
Wet your skin with water and massage the cleanser gently in circular motions. A little bit goes a long way, so you only need a small amount.
The only downside of this cleanser is that it has an unpleasant smell. Other than that, I think it’s a great product and very affordable too.
The next step is to apply a lightweight moisturizer for hydrating the skin.
Makeup needs something to stick to it to last longer on the skin. What you apply underneath the bronzer can impact its longevity.
Avoid rich and heavy moisturizers during the day as they might not sit well under makeup. If you want to use a bronzer by itself, use a gentle moisturizer to prepare the skin.
I love this light, comforting cream for every day. It has a light formula that blends easily into the skin without feeling greasy, and it sits well under makeup which helps the bronzer blend easily.
If you have some blemishes, skin discoloration, or large pores, you can apply a primer or a bb cream.
Primers are designed to even out the skin, hide pores, fine lines, and other skin imperfections. Apply a silicone-based primer to minimize big pores and blur the look of fine lines.
BB Creams are extra moisturizing and provide sun protection. If your skin needs extra moisture, apply a lightweight BB cream that matches your skin tone.
You can also apply a setting powder without foundation to help the bronzer blend perfectly into the skin.
Using one of these products helps provide a good base for the bronzer.
Tip: if you don’t have time for touch-ups, use a setting spray to set the bronzer for a long-lasting look.
Read More: Sunscreen Vs BB Cream
Choose the right bronzer shade
The right bronzer makes you look summertime-ready. With that being said, it can be a little bit tricky to find the perfect bronzer shade. Wearing a color that doesn’t match your undertone can make you look muddy, dull and tired.
So here are some tips you need to know before choosing a bronzer that suits your skin tone.
As a rule of thumb, pick a bronzer that is one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone while still matching your undertone.
Undertones are the shades within your skin’s color. They are divided into three categories: warm, cool, and neutral.
Warm undertones are yellow, gold, or peach undertones.
Cold undertones are blue, red, or pink undertones.
Neutral undertones are a combination of cool and warm undertones.
The easiest test to do to know your undertone is to check the color of your veins.
If they tend to look blue, that means you may have a cool undertone.
You may have a warm undertone if they look more on the green side.
If they look in-between, you might have a neutral undertone.
Cool skin tones may need to select a cool toned bronzer with blue or pink undertones, while warmer skin tones may need a warm toned bronzer with yellow or peach undertones. Neutral skin tones are best matched with bronzer that is neither too cool nor too warm.
The key is to make sure that your bronzer is not very orange or dark, and this will give you a natural sunkissed look instead of an Oompa-Loompa tan.
Pick the right formula
Knowing the right bronzer for your skin type is essential for achieving radiant, youthful, and glowing-looking skin.
Comparing all of the different types of bronzers can be overwhelming. Not only are there a variety of options, but most people don’t know what to look for in a bronzer to fit their skin type.
The key is to know your skin type and then choose the right bronzer formula that works best with that specific skin type.
Choose a liquid, cream, or stick bronzer if you have dry skin. These formulas all have hydrating properties and are easy to blend. Using them gives even the dullest complexion a stunning natural glow.
Go with a powder bronzer for oily skin that gives the skin a matte look. Avoid shimmery formulas as they might emphasize large pores and make the skin look shiny.
To know more, check the differences between matte and shimmer bronzers.
You can use cream, liquid, or powder bronzers for combination skin. The best way to know which formula works well is by testing them out first.
Tip: You can apply a small amount of translucent or pressed setting powder on top to set your bronzer for a long-lasting look.
Apply using the right tools
Applying bronzer with the wrong tools can give the skin a streaky and uneven look.
Using a big fluffy brush helps apply the product evenly into the skin while avoiding harsh lines.
The fuller, larger bronzer brushes are ideal for getting a natural and sunkissed look.
On the other hand, using a dense brush can make the bronzer hard to blend, especially if you’ve applied an emollient moisturizer underneath.
Dense brushes work best for contour, giving the skin a sculpted look.
If you are using a cream or stick bronzer, you can blend it with a damp makeup sponge, and this helps to give the skin a natural bronzed look.
Blend the bronzer seamlessly in circular motions until you get no harsh lines.
Related: Can you Use Highlighter without foundation?
Bronzer Vs Highlighter
Conclusion
Applying bronzer on a bare face is absolutely possible.
If your skin is even and free from discoloration or acne scars, you can skip foundation and keep it natural. However, applying bronzer alone can make it hard to blend. Plus, it might not stay as long as when it’s applied on top of a foundation or moisturizer.
If I use a silicone-based moisturizer or primer, my bronzer blends easily on top without looking streaky. It lasts well throughout the day too.
You just need to play around with your products and discover what works best for you. Regardless of their formula, some products might last longer than you might expect.
In general, applying a lightweight moisturizer, sunscreen, or bb cream underneath can give the bronzer a base to stick to. This can make it blend easily and last longer on the skin.
I’ve definitely used bronzer without foundation before on lazy days!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
me too! best tip ever!