The Bronze Medal

WOW is it hot outside! Thankfully most of us don't notice (too much) since we are inside glued to the television and the glorious Summer Olympics. We all love it. The competition, the pageantry, the medals. And even though at the 29th Summer Olympiad the Bronze is considered third place, in the hearts and minds of many a BGND reader, bronze is the place to be.

For some reason, bronzer has only really taken off in the past five to ten years. Maybe it is the realization by many that tanning beds are beyond silly or maybe it is just the natural curiosity to be a slightly more glam version of yourself. Whatever the reason, bronzer is a HUGE seller in the beauty market and for at least the time being, is here to stay.

Now truth be told, I am not a huge fan of bronzer. However, if you are someone who longs for a sun-kissed glow bronzer is probably a main-stay in your make-up bag whatever the time of year. So today I am going to talk about some bronzers that I recommend as being the best. I may not love to bronze, but I can appreciate it for those who do. The following are three bronzers I recommend in order of slightest bronze (for those just testing the waters) to the bronzer for a gal looking to skip the tanning bed but still get that "I've been sunning on the beaches of Hawaii" look.

For the gal just starting out:

Clinique Up- Lighting Liquid Illuminator - $22.50 (Sephora and Department Stores Nationwide, Online at Clinique.com)

Now this is the one bronzer that I do own. It is a glorious light liquid that adds just a hint of sheen to your face. It comes in many colors so there is a level of bronze for everyone. The main reason I like this bronzer is because it is great for someone like me who doesn't want to be bronzed but does like a little glow to their face. Sometimes I mix it in with my face lotion for an all-over glow, or just dab a bit on my cheeks or on my brow-bone for a bit of gloss. And the bottle will last you for a while since a little of this lotion goes a long way.

For the gal looking for a bit more color:

Hoola by Benefit - $28 (Benefit Counters and Sephora nationwide, Online at Benefit.com)

As most of you BGND readers know, I love Benefit. Their Dandelion powder has been in my arsenal for years. Hoola is essentially the bronzer version of that. I love Hoola because it is a fool-proof bronzer. Good for everyone wanting to dabble in bronzer but afraid to end up looking like a muddled mess. It glides on smoothly, gives subtle color and allows you to decide how dark you want your faux tan to be. Use it without fear of looking like you plopped an entire pancake of bronzer on your face.

For the Pro:

Nars Bronzing Powder - $29 (Sephora nationwide or Online at Narscosmetics.com)

One of the most popular bronzers out there for a reason. Apply this correctly and your skin will look even, smooth and tan. For most skin tones, Laguna is the color to go with but if you want to try it out before you buy ($30 is a lot for an "accessory" make-up as I like to call them) then pop into your local Sephora and try it out. Sometimes you can find Nars at Bath and Body Works as well.

So there you have it. My choices for the best bronzers out there. Glow girls glow!

Keep looking fabulous,

BGND