Bring On Your Best Bronze!

By: Beauty Editor Mister Makeup

(aka David Maderich DavidMaderich.com)

Summer is in full swing and Mister Makeup is enjoying every glorious day of blue skies and sunshine.  Of course, Mister Makeup avoids the direct sun, but that doesn’t stop him from getting that golden glow. No way, Missy – everyone looks better as a bronzed baby!

This month’s column is about achieving a summer tan without turning your face into a fried egg. I worked with star stylist Garren (www.garrennewyork.com) and the gorgeous model in the photo to achieve her striking, bronzed essence.

I get asked continually – “Mister Makeup, How do I use self- tanner without ending up looking like one of the Lohans?”

Good question, darlings, read on for the dos and don’ts of getting that fake bake.

EXFOLIATE – Okay, girls, to get an even glow, you have to use a scrub (try St. IIves Medicates Scrub at  www.drugstore.com) on your face and body to remove any rough spots that might cause the self-tanner to “stick” and create an orange spot.

MOISTURIZE – Once you’re smooth as a baby, coat your body and face with a light lotion (try The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Body Lotion at  www.thebodyshop-usa.com).

SELF-TAN – The secret to self-tanning it to apply the product gradually over a few days – too much product will cause streaks and spots. I suggest using a self-tanner that has a slight bronze tint (try Clarin’s Self Tanning Instant Gel at  www.sephora.com) – this way you can actually see and correct your mistakes.  And be sure to wash your hands with a strong soap – I like Dawn (www.drugstore.com) dish soap – to avoid the dreaded pumpkin palms. Finally, rub on a dollop of lotion on your hands and wrists to soften and blend the color.

MAINTENANCE – Once you achieve the color you desire, it’s important to keep you skin moisturized and glowing by daily application of a rich lotion (try La Mer Body Lotion at  www.greatermedical.com). I usually suggest repeating the self-tanning process every 4 to 5 days to maintain your color.

No, time to self-tan?

Don’t fret, sweeties, just reach for the bronzer. I often get asked – “Mister Makeup, how do I choose the right color bronzer?” It’s easy: just pick a color a few shades darker than your skintone – peachy bronze for pale skins and golden bronze for darker skins. Where to apply: dust the color along your hairline, the sides of your face, the apples of your cheeks and a touch on your forehead and chin – and voila! Instant bronze goddess!

For bronze girls on the go, try Mineral Fusion’s amazing all-in-one Simply Sun kissed kit (www.mineralfusioncometics.com) that features everything you need to look kissed by the sun – a trio of shimmering eye shadows, two bronzing powders and a sun loving lip-gloss.Toss this kit in your new Hermes bag for anytime summer fun. PS – This little kit also makes a great gift if you are visiting a hostess with the mostess in the Hamptons.

Another fun product I discovered this month is GloMinerals gloGolden Bronzing Stick (www.gloprofessional.com). On a recent shoot, I used it as lip-gloss, shadow and bronzer – yes, a three-in-one product!  I mean, who wants to carry around a ton of makeup in the summer when one little stick will do?

For extra glowy cheeks, try Becca’s Cream Blush (www.beccacosmetics.com) in Byzantine – a fantastic peachy gold shimmer. Don’t know where to put it? Just smile in the mirror and smooth a dot of color onto the apples of your cheeks and blend, blend, blend. Speaking of blending, check out the Beauty Blender that celebs like Mariah Carey, Shakira, Taylor Swift and Gwen Stefani are going gaga over – it’s perfect for any bronzing action on the face or body. Retailers can be found at http://beautyblender.net/retailers.html or you can call 888-474-5369.

If you prefer a powder bronzer/blush, try Bronzed FX Mineral Bronzing Powder in Pink Topaz by Cover FX  (www.coverfx.com).  This amazing powder is oil and wax free and is a shimmering pinky bronze. In a hurry? Try mixing a dab with ChapStick for a slight lip and eye tint.

If your face looks greasy in the summer heat, I adore Laura Mercier’s Secret Finish Mattifying (www.nordstroms.com) – just smooth a dab on shiny spots for instant matte glamour. Keep it in your purse or desk drawer for instant touch-ups.

For sizzling summer nights when you want to drive the boys crazy, don’t forget to dust a touch of shimmering bronzer on your collarbones and shoulders. Try Rimmel London’s super sized Sun Shimmer Maxi Bronzers for Face and Body –  www.rimmellondon.com.  Just use a big brush and watch yourself glow.

That’s it for this month, darlings!  Enjoy summer and have a cocktail for me.

Keep the questions coming! Email me at davidmaderich@yahoo.com.