The sun isn’t the only way to add colour to your skin—bronzing powders, tinted moisturizers and self-tanners help you get that sun-kissed look safely. Here’s what you need to know:
Bronzing powder
Similar to face powder, it can be found in pressed or loose form. Powder can be applied on top of foundation and reapplied as needed. Some formulations include minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which provide a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The bronze effect lasts only as long as the powder is worn; like makeup, it should be cleansed from skin before going to bed.
Powder is best used for face, throat, collar bone and chest area, and can be applied quickly with a large, soft brush. Powder colours are concentrated, so dip brush and shake off excess, or swipe lightly across hard surface. Then, using circular motions from jaw to forehead, brush it onto skin. After that, move from jaw toward chest area. Repeat this process until you achieve the colour you’re after.
Tinted moisturizer
Similar to a liquid foundation, this product offers the best results on clean skin from face to décolletage. Be sure to blend the colour past the jaw line, down the throat and across décolletage in order to achieve even colour. (Regular exfoliation will help ensure even coverage.)
Tinted moisturizer is suitable for all skin types and can be a real benefit to dry skin. (Newer formulations can include a SPF.) Be sure to choose the right shade, matching your face colour to the starting shade on the packaging. (Most products have a colour chart on the packaging, showing the starting colour and what the colour should be after application.) Since this product has a small amount of tint, it’s generally not necessary to test it in advance. To apply, start with a small amount, such as the size of a quarter, and gently apply to skin with fingertips to achieve even coverage.
Like makeup, tinted moisturizer should be removed before going to bed; while the moisturizer is absorbed during the day, the colour stays on skin until you remove it.
Self-tanners
These creams can be applied to face and body and have a similar consistency to sunscreen and more concentrated colour than tinted moisturizer. (Self-tanners formulated for the face may not be ideal for oily skin, check the label to see if the product is non-comeodogenic, which is less likely to cause acne, or ask your Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Expert for a product that’s right for you.)
Dry skin makes it difficult for the product to adhere, that’s why adding exfoliating to your routine is key to getting a natural and streak-free look from a self-tanner. Use your fingers to apply, ensuring even coverage across face, neck and chest area.
They are particularly good if you’re adding colour to large areas. Start at the feet, working the product up the legs. If you're headed to the beach soon, you can go as far as hips, stomach, chest and arms. Use a generous amount of product to ensure even coverage and prevent streaks. Be sure to wash hands thoroughly after application, to prevent staining your palms and fingers. Most self-tanners don’t contain SPF and are not sunscreens.You can wear sunscreen over self-tanners, but it’s best to wait at least an hour before applying sunscreen.
Self-tanners can last several days, but if improperly applied will fade more quickly, so follow the product directions to ensure a long-lasting effect. Once applied, avoid exfoliating or shaving, which can remove the colour, and remember that moisturizing regularly will help maintain that colour. Your skin will start to look uneven after several days; this means it’s time to reapply. Use an exfoliator to completely remove the colour before reapplication.
