How To: Apply Bronzer

I'm headed to the beach until Monday--don't worry, I've got posts all week! Even if I'm not at the beach, I'll use a bronzer to fake that beach glow. Bronzer is designed to give certain areas of your face a bronzed glow, but having a dark bronzed, glittery face that doesn't match the rest of your body doesn't look great. Am I right? Here's how to apply bronzer:

Pick a bronzer or powder a couple of shades darker than your skin tone (see my quick tip).

Using a flat brush, swirl brush in the bronzer. 

Mine is from Coastal Scents, $3.98. 

ELF makes a decent powder brush that's similar for $3.

Tap off excess and swirl brush in the lid. 

This will avoid the horrid first brown spot--

you know, the first spot where you apply bronzer 

that is always way too dark and hard to blend?

You're going to create a 3 or butterfly on your face with the bronzer.

Note the grey areas are your guide.

Start at your temples and brush down to cheekbones.

Then from cheekbones to under the jaw. 

It makes a 3 or reverse 3, depending on the side of your face.

Repeat on the other side.

Use a big fluffy powder brush to blend out any harsh lines.

A  F E W  O P T I O N S :
I'm not a fan of sparkle, (doesn't look natural to me) but there a few brands that I like:

• Rimmel $5-6
• Hard Candy $7-9 (sparkle)
• Milani $7-9 (sparkle)
• NYC Color Wheel (a couple of you have broken out from this, but I've not) $5
• Two Faced Chocolate Soleil (there are 2 versions, with the lighter Milk Chocolate version being the more wearable version for most than the Chocolate. Both smell so good, I like them both, & are my 2nd choice) $29
• Nars (my favorite high-end bronzer) $34

 T I P :

• Skin showing? Brush on décolletage or shoulders for a bit of added glow.

What's your favorite brand of bronzer?