Healthy Skin

How to get a safe summer glow from home

Hannah Martin is a leading makeup artist, former Pro and Artistry manager at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Here, she shares some top picks for the best bronzer and fake tan products around to give skin a safe sun-kissed look.

Hannah’s best bronzer

Bronzer. Some love it, some hate it, some are scared of it, some don’t use enough and some use too much! Applied correctly, I think bronzer can make anyone and everyone look, but more importantly, feel healthier and brighter. It’s a very simple theory of adding warmer tones to the skin where the sun would naturally hit. This mimics the appearance of lightly tanned skin without risking sun damage by exposing our unprotected skin to harmful UVB and UVA rays. There’s simply no need to ‘panic tan’ as I have done many times in the past, as there’s makeup and skincare available to help you achieve that sun-kissed glow.

How to choose a bronzer

When choosing bronzing powder, consider the colour you tan naturally. If you go a golden shade in the sun, then a cinnamon-toned bronzer may suit. There truly is a shade for everyone. Likewise, if you don’t tan much but apply a golden bronzer, you may look a little yellow. This is often true of those with very fair skin, so in this instance I’d suggest you look for a pink-based bronzer with golden hues to create that glow. Try Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Antigua.

Guerlain has vastly expanded its Terracotta range of bronzers, so there truly is a shade for everyone. If you don’t want to add too much powder to the skin, then look for gel bronzers that you can either mix into your foundation or apply with a brush or sponge on top of your makeup.

How to apply bronzer

Apply bronzer to the face on the areas the sun would tan naturally – the top of the cheeks, the top of the forehead and the nose. Be sure to connect the areas by sweeping your bronzer brush over the temples. It’s also key to point out that our necks are shaded by our heads, so don’t forget to take a little bronzer down your neck and even on to your chest if necessary. Keep the apples of your cheeks free for a little blush. Too much bronzer over the cheeks can make the skin look flat and sometimes even a bit ‘muddy’. If you’re wearing your hair up, don’t forget to sweep the bronzer brush over and behind your ears to avoid any glaring white patches.

When skin is bronzed, whether it be with fake tan or makeup, I simply can’t resist a good bold lip, and deep orange is my absolute summer favourite. It’s brilliant as it suits all skin tones and can immediately elevate any look. My favourites are L’Oreal Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Hype and Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colour in Sunset Orange. Wear with just a few coats of mascara and you are summer ready!

Tips for fake tan

If, like me, your legs rarely see the light of day but you want to wear your favourite summer skirts and dresses, then fear not. I’ve recently discovered Vita Liberata Body Blur, which instantly makes your skin look tanned and more even. It’s a wash-off body makeup that doesn’t transfer on to clothes and is really easy to apply with a mitt. It’s handy if you’re caught off-guard or don’t want to commit to fake tan.

If you do like a little fake tan but don’t like the mess it can make, then give the St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion a try. Apply to damp skin while in the shower, allow to develop for three minutes before washing off and that’s it – so simple. It’s not a very intense tan but you can use it daily to build the colour if you wish. For the face, I highly recommend Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster. Simply add one to three drops to your usual day or night cream for made- to-measure fake tan. It is very natural-looking indeed.