KZN#32

WEDDINGS
The Essentials of Becoming
a Golden Goddess
We live in very
sunny parts of the
world, where it’s
essential to put on sunblock
before you even think about
stepping outside. But, being
skin conscious doesn’t mean
you have to be an alabaster
bride, as there are all sorts of
ways to achieve a healthy, sunkissed
glow. Read on for all the
do’s and don’ts of bronzing on
your big day.
(Courtesy life.time.com)
Fake tans generally fall into
two categories: cosmetic bronzers
and sunless tanners. Cosmetic
bronzers can be compared
to regular makeup, as the application
is similar, and you get
to wash it off at the end of the
day, while sunless tanners stain
the skin to achieve a darker colour,
and only fade when you lose
skin cells.
Cosmetic Bronzers
These products are usually
applied to the face, and come in
a range of forms: powders, gels,
spray, creams and sticks. They
are generally easy to apply, and
they last from a few hours, up
to a full day, depending on the
quality of the product (and when
you wash your face!). Bronzers
have warm tones that mimic a
healthy tan, and give your skin
a radiant glow – just what every
bride wants on her wedding day.
(Courtesy beautifulmakeupsearch.com)
Bronzing Powders
Powders are by far the most
popular form of bronzer. You
can use pressed or loose powder,
and it’s available in a variety of
shades. It’s easy to blend, you
can place it perfectly wherever
you want, and it instantly makes
you look like you’ve just come
back from Bali.
Bronzing Gels
These are harder to apply
and dry quickly, which means
that your results can vary. This
is a concentrated product and
it requires some experience to
correctly apply it. Add a small
amount of gel to your moisturiser
and apply it over your face,
neck and chest.
Bronzing Spray
This is a quick and easy way
to fake a tan, but it can be messy,
so apply the spray while you’re
in your bathtub. They’re usually
water-based, so if you find that
you’ve created a Jackson Pollock
on the wall behind you, you
should be able to hose it down
without a problem. Use it on
your face, neck and chest, and
apply under natural light to get
the right effect.
Bronzing Cream
This is a good choice for dry
skin as it moisturises while leaving
a healthy tan. It blends easily
onto your skin, or over foundation,
but use it before powder
to avoid caking and streaking.
Apply using fingers or a sponge.
Bronzing Stick
It’s quite similar to a deodorant
stick and it’s popular for its
no-hand application. You can
also dab the stick onto problem
areas like scars, and then blend
the colour using a sponge or
your fingers, to hide the imperfections.
Use powder to set the
bronzer so it won’t rub off.
General Bronzing Dos:
• Choose a colour closest
to your natural skin tone,
no more than a shade
darker, and preferably
matt
• Pick a product that suits
your skin type (sensitive,
oily, combination)
• If your hair is up, remember
around your ears and
your hairline
• Apply and blend down
your neck and décolletage
• Touch up during the day
• Focus on areas that naturally
get sun, such as
cheek bones, the bridge
of your nose and your
chin
• Work slowly – you can
always add more colour
General Bronzing Don'ts:
• Avoid anything too dark
or too orange
• Shimmer could collect in
the creases of your face,
and it may also make you
reflect like a disco ball in
your photos
• Using the same products
throughout the year
is a no-no, as your skin
is different depending on
the season
• Too much bronzer can
make you look dirty
• Collar bones and shoulders
shouldn’t be forgotten,
so apply shimmer to
accentuate them
• Applying bronzer to your
entire face is unnatural,
you should be highlighting
and contouring certain
areas
Kzn Lifestyle Magazine • Issue 32
7