The school holidays are now sadly over and although the weather in recent days has begun to cool, it’s been a pretty glorious summer overall. I’ve spent much of the summer in special effects workshops and on set so the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine was fairly limited. C’est la vie.
For those of you who did manage to get their skin sun-kissed, then the arrival of September may herald the rooting out of the autumn wardrobe or of fresh starts now the kids are back in school but for some it’s concerns over a fading tan; or rather keeping it.
If I’m honest, I haven’t always loved Bronzer. For many years I was put off by products which were too orange, glittery/shimmery or strangely pigmented; I’m thinking back to those Body Shop Bronzing Balls… Remember them? Thankfully things have moved on significantly and formulations are much improved and pigments much more natural. It’s still not my favourite product but it’s growing on me.
These are my favourite bronzing products to help to keep your summer skin glowing for longer…
Inika – Baked Mineral Bronzer (£42.00)(V)
This is my (current) favourite powder bronzer and it’s been a fixture of my pro kit for a good couple of years now. Available in two bronze shades, this lightweight baked bronzer has a beautiful matte finish which gives the skin a gorgeous radiant glow.
Baked on a terracotta tile in Tuscany, Italy (like many of us may be wishing to be doing right now) it is enriched with calming, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich Magnolia Bark extract which reduces the appearance of fine lines. I love this powder. It’s not shimmery, orange or over pigmented; it’s all the things I want in a bronzer!
Dr Hauschka – Bronzing Tint (£22.00) (V)
This is a staple of my pro kit and a product that I have used for YEARS! A tinting fluid perfect for to even-ing out skin tones, giving a healthy glow or natural looking tan to fair to medium skins. I love using this on my male clients to create my hero tans.
Designed to be blended with a moisturiser, I have a tendancy to use it neat for a little more density of colour; depending on the skin tone it can add a delicate glow or look positively tropical!
Pai – The Impossible Glow Drops (from £19.00) (V, O)
Beautiful bronzing drops that boost luminosity, creating that lit from within glow. The drops are formulated using Hyaluronic Acid and Sea Kelp to hydrate and soften the skin whilst vitamin C-rich lemon fruit water brightens and moisturises the skin to leave it glowing and radiant.
Available in three shades (Champagne, Rose Gold and Bronze) the drops can be mixed with moisturiser (face or body) or used directly on the skin. They come in super handy travel sized bottles too – perfect for my pro kit!
RMS Beauty – Buriti Bronzer (£29.00) (GF)
Formulated using wild crafted Buriti Oil from Brazil (apparently the oil with the highest levels of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene), Buriti Bronzer has become a bit of a cult classic like it’s sister product Living Luminizer.
A beautiful sheer bronzer which gives the appearance of sun-kissed skin on most skin tones (and can work as a highlighter on darker skin). A little goes a long way so apply sparingly with fingers (or a brush) over the high points of the face for that natural bronzed glow. Like many of the RMS products it’s a multi-tasker and can also be applied to the lips and eyes for that summer tonal look!
Kjaer Weis – Cream Bronzer (from £28.00) (O)
A gorgeous cream bronzer designed bronze and sculpt giving the skin a beautiful sun-kissed glow. Enriched with nourishing cold-pressed Sweet Almond Oil, Rosehip Oil and Vitamin E to hydrate and soften the skin. Available in four shades, there is pretty much something for everyone!
*Sadly founder Kirsten Kjaer Weis stepped away from her namesake company early this year leaving the company in the hands of an investor so I’m not sure what this will mean for the brand going forward. I have noticed that many products seem to be out of stock in various places so I guess we will wait and see…
What is your favourite bronzing product?
Key: O – Organic; V – Vegan; GF – Gluten Free
Images: (1) Unknown; (2) Inika; (3) Dr Hauschka; (4) Pai; (5) RMS Beauty; (7) Kjaer Weis
