We all love a subtle sun-kissed glow, but spend too much time in the sun and your skin pays the price. If you choose to abstain and instead rely on bronzers and self-tanner, a heavy hand can turn a beauty “do” quickly to a beauty “don’t.” We asked makeup artist Vittorio Masecchia and dermatologist Dr. Benjamin Barankin for tips on how to make the most of color enhancers while keeping the skin on your face and body healthy and protected.
First, the sun isn’t all bad. “Sunlight produces vitamin D in skin, which is important for bone development and strength, prevention of several cancers, and is the best way for the body to control abnormal cell growth,” says Dr. Barankin. It’s when unprotected skin is exposed to damaging UVA and UVB rays that problems — such as an increased risk of wrinkles, skin cancers, age spots, and reactivation of cold sores — arise. The good news: skin is less susceptible to these problems with regular use of SPF.
But healthy skin needn’t be pasty skin. While there’s no such thing as a safe suntan, self-tanners and bronzers are the ideal — and safest — way to get color. For the most natural look on the body, exfoliate skin well, moisturize lightly, then apply a layer of a buildable self-tanner like Olay Quench Plus Touch of Sun Body Lotion all over and let dry. Help your skin tone look more even with an in-shower treatment like Olay Tone Enriching Ribbons Body Wash. When it comes to your face, Masecchia says that while self-tanners are a good option, he opts for bronzers because they supply a subtle effect that’s completely customizable. Try Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion + Touch of Sun since it gives skin a nice glow while protecting it from the sun.
Here are his tips for beautiful bronzing:
STEP 1: TEST
To find the right bronzer for you, look for a shade that’s close to the one you’d see on your skin if you were to tan in the sun. Someone with fair skin should look for bronzers with pink undertones, someone with olive skin should try ones with hints of yellow, and those with dark complexions should try bronzers with orange tones, says Masecchia. Test the bronzer along your jawline to be sure that the color blends well with your skin tone. Once you’ve determined your shade, try a loose powder like CoverGirl TruBlend Mineral Bronzer, for a more natural look, or a pressed powder like CoverGirl Cheekers Bronzer. It’s matte and great for oily skin that needs blotting.
STEP 2: PREP
Apply moisturizer to your face, cover under-eye circles and flaws with concealer, and apply foundation. “You may also want to apply the rest of your makeup now – blush, eye shadow, mascara, etc., because bronzer will be the finishing touch,” says Masecchia.
STEP 3: APPLY
Apply bronzer in gentle, outward strokes where the sun would naturally touch you: along the hairline, nose, hollows of the cheek, and a bit above the hollows. And don’t forget to dust a light layer of bronzer onto your neck, shoulders and décolletage, or apply a layer of self-tanner to bring focus to these areas.
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Rouge Magazine. – How to get sun kissed without the sun. September 23, 2010. |
