Sunkissed for Summer ~ Without the Sun

Beauty by Brianne

I am always the first to admit- I was a tanning ADDICT. Not only did I love the bronze glow for summer and beyond, I was convinced it made my skin look and feel better. I never had the patience for hours at the beach, so I would hit the tanning bed almost every day! Once I started working in the beauty industry, I discovered products that smoothed my skin and corrected the uneven tone and I no longer felt the need to tan to correct my skin concerns. A year and some change later and my mom can’t even get me in the sun! I always wear an SPF, hat, and cover up whenever we’re boating or spending time outside.

 While I no longer tan at all, there are many women (my beautiful mother included) that still want to achieve that delicious bronze glow. The harmful rays of the sun and damaging effects of a tanning bed are not your only option!

With products like St. Tropez, the right bronzer, and a few of my tips- anyone can be a bronzed goddess in no time!

Sephora

~ St. Tropez ~

To achieve an all over sun kissed glow, I love recommending St. Tropez. This brand eliminates 70% of that self tanner smell, is oil free, and produces a very natural color. The product comes in several different types of packaging but the most popular is the mousse. Paired with the $6 mit, the coverage is unbelievable and streak free! This tan lasts for a week.

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They also created a gradual tanner that applies like moisturizer and darkens over time. You can pick this up in the firming option as well. Two birds!

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~ Bronzer ~

Another sure fire way to create that tan effect is with a bronzer. Selecting the perfect bronzer for you will depend on your undertone and current skin shade. If you have a more golden complexion, choose a brown bronzer with red undertones. This shows up flawlessly on olive skin and looks so natural! For my fair, pink undertone girls- choose a light brown bronzer with lilac undertones. The Dallas bronzer from Benefit is a great option! It won’t overwhelm the skin’s natural pigment and still provides a natural contour.

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When applying these, begin by making a fishy face. Start at the ear, and following the natural contour your silly face has made, sweep the bronzer towards the mouth. Bring the pigment up onto your temples as well- almost as if making a giant C shape. I like to hit the underside of my jaw line as well. Try just one side first! Notice the immediate warmth a bronzer can bring to the face. You can alternate between matte and shimmer shades to provide different looks.

If a bronzer makes you nervous, opt for an all over face powder instead! Smashbox makes a beautiful one-  shimmery, with pink, brown, and peach pigments. This is a great option for on the go and touch ups! Buff this beauty on top of a BB or foundation to set and bronze!

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~ Primer~

Another way to achieve that beautiful summer glow is with a primer. Most brands make a radiance option, which immediately brightens the skin. Once layered under a foundation, the complexion looks radiant and luminous. Place a bronzer on top and you’ve got an incredible glow- perfect for achieving that sun kissed look! My personal favorite is Laura Mercier’s radiance primer. Never glittery, but always radiant! And you can’t beat the packaging- it’s huge! That primer will last you for months and months.

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~ Lips ~

Lips are a great way to enhance the look of your makeup and what better way to appear bronzed than with luscious, golden lips! I love wearing a neutral lip color with a brown undertone and laying a gold gloss right on top! The depth of the brown will immediately warm your face and the gold will brighten as well as reflect. The combination is unbeatable. Anther great color for summer, paired with the gold gloss, is a baby pink. Careful not to get frosty- this color should still be a saturated and full pink. Paired with the gold, this combo is bright and youthful! Takes several years off the face while still appearing natural and luminous.

Smashbox in Eternity

NARS in Gold Digger

You can pick and choose or combine all of these tricks! Each are a fabulous alternative to the damaging effects of the sun. If you are a junkie, just remember to protect that skin! An SPF, regardless of the level, should be applied every two hours. To read more Beauty by Brianne click here.