How To Apply Bronzer To Suit Your Face Shape

Bronzer can help you to add warmth to your face to achieve a sun-kissed glow, help your skin to look healthy and radiant, and also even out your skin tone. Although bronzer is not the same as contour, it can still be used to accentuate your best features. Placing your bronzer in specific areas of your face creates different effects. By understanding your face shape and features, you can place your bronzer in the areas that most suit your face shape, and showcase your best features. 

Types of Bronzer

The first thing you will need to consider is the shade of bronzer you want to use. We recommend using a bronzer 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone. Any darker can end up looking orange and can be difficult to blend out. The shade will also depend on the overall look that you want to achieve. If you want to define and sculpt your face with the bronzer and create shadows, it is best to use a cool-toned bronzer. If you are looking to create a more sun-kissed look it is best to use a warmer toned bronzer. You could also consider a warm-toned bronzer with shimmer which would create a radiant, healthy glow. 

The next thing to consider is the type of bronzer to use. There are powder bronzers, liquid bronzers and cream bronzers. Choosing which bronzer to use will depend on your skin type and the overall look you want to achieve.

 

Powder Bronzer

Powder bronzers are the easiest bronzer to apply so are great for everyone, and are handy for quick makeup looks. They work well on all skin types, but they work particularly great with oily skin as they will prevent your makeup from becoming shiny throughout the day. Powder bronzers generally create a more matte finish, however, some powder bronzers contain a shimmer which can create a more radiant look. Powder bronzers also work great for sculpting and defining your features. The application of our mineral bronzer is effortless and it is easily blendable to achieve a sun-kissed glow. Our mineral bronzer also uses only natural ingredients, free from any harmful additives making it great for all skin types.

 

Cream Bronzer

A cream bronzer is a good option for normal to dry skin types and is a good option for a dewy finish. A cream bronzer can be a little bit more difficult to use, it’s important to ensure you don’t use too much product and ensure it is blended out properly to avoid any harsh lines. We recommend applying immediately after a liquid foundation so that it melts into the skin and blends seamlessly. 

 

Liquid Bronzer

A liquid bronzer is a good option to use if the overall look you want to achieve is a glow, healthy, dewy look. This type of bronzer is best used for dry skin as it won’t leave your skin looking dry or patchy. However, a liquid bronzer can be more difficult to apply. It is best to use small amounts and spend time blending it in with either a brush or a beauty blender. Using a thin amount of a liquid bronzer in the places the sun would naturally hit your face is a great way to achieve a natural sun-kissed look.

 

Applying bronzer to suit your face shape

Round Face Shape

A round face generally has a shorter forehead and chin, with the centre of the face being the widest point.

1. Firstly, apply bronzer to the outer corners of the forehead blending slightly into the hairline. We would recommend avoiding applying any bronzer to the very top of the forehead as this could make your forehead look shorter. However, if you are after a natural sun-kissed look, applying a small amount of bronzer across your forehead will achieve this as this is usually where the sun would catch your face first. 

 

2. Apply some bronzer to the cheekbone and apply the bronzer diagonally slightly towards the centre of your face. Blend out in an upward motion to create a lifted look. Apply slightly more product near the outer edge of your face to create a slimming effect. 

 

3. Finally, apply a small amount of the bronzer to the outer part of your jawline.

Oval Face

Oval faces are generally slightly longer than they are wide and often have a rounded jawline and chin. Makeup application for oval face shapes is generally quite standard.

1. Firstly, place your bronzer along the hairline on your forehead and across the temples blending up towards the hairline. 

2. Next, place the bronzer on and slightly above the cheekbones and blend this out into the hairline in an upwards motion to create a lifted look. This should meet the bronzer placed on the temples.

3. Finally, place a small amount of bronzer under your chin and blend this out.

Oblong Face

An oblong face is similar to an oval face but is usually longer. For an oblong face, makeup can be placed to create the appearance of a slightly shorter, wider face.

1. Firstly, to de-emphasise the height of your face, we recommend placing the bronzer at the top of the forehead and blending this upwards slightly into the hairline. This will create the appearance of a slightly shorter forehead as well as create a natural sunkissed look. Placing the bronzer on the temples can create the look of a narrower face so we would recommend not applying here.

2. Next, apply the bronzer underneath and on the cheekbones, blending upwards to create a more lifted look. For a natural, sunkissed look you could also bring a small amount of the bronzer across the nose.

3. Finally, apply some bronzer underneath the chin. This will help to create the appearance of a slightly shorter face shape. 

Square Face

A square face is usually as wide as it is long, and quite often has a sharper jawline. Bronzer can be placed to soften the jawline, and balance out the face slightly.

1. Firstly, apply bronzer to the temples blending out in an upwards motion slightly into the hairline.

2. Next, apply some bronzer to the high points of your cheekbones. You can also apply some across the bridge of your nose for a natural sun-kissed look.

3. Finally, apply some bronzer to the jawline focusing on the outer jaw near the ears, and the chin to help create a softer look.

Heart-Shaped Face

A heart-shaped face has a wider forehead and a narrower jaw/ chin. It’s also common for heart-shaped faces to have quite sculpted cheekbones.

1. Apply some of the bronzer along the top of the forehead, and the temples and blend out slightly into the hairline.

2. Also apply some under and on the cheekbones, blending upwards to create a lifted effect

3. If you want your chin to appear shorter or less defined, you can also apply some bronzer to the chin.

 

Other Bronzer Placement Tips

  • Placing bronzer from the centre of your chin down the centre of your neck creates a slimming effect for your neck and face.
  • If you want to apply bronzer for a sun-kissed look without enhancing any features, we recommend applying this to the main areas where your face would naturally catch the sun. This would be your forehead, the high points of your cheekbones, and across the bridge of your nose.
  • If you want to quickly apply bronzer for a sculpted look, we recommend applying the bronzer in the shape of a 3 / E down your face starting at the forehead, then across your cheekbone, and finally across the jawline.

 

Although these bronzer placement tips generally work best for these face shapes, you shouldn’t feel like you have to follow them. There really is no right or wrong with makeup. Test out different placements to see which works best for you.