
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
If you're anything like me, your first experience with bronzer (opens in new tab) was in middle school, when you covered your entire face with a layer of sparkly, too-dark bronzer that left you looking like a weathered Oompa Loompa. And if that experience forever turned you off of a life of glow, (opens in new tab) I'm here to lead you back to the fold, because trust me—bronzing your face is really, truly simple, as long as you know where to apply it.
Bronzer is a must-have makeup product in your beauty bag. There's a reason it's been J.Lo's signature beauty look (opens in new tab)all these years—it adds dimension and a glowy warmth to the skin that brightens your complexion like no other. If you want to look like you've been bathing in the sun on vacation, but in reality have just been on your couch, a swirl of shimmery bronzer using a fluffy brush will do the trick.
But the world of bronzers includes textures, shades, and finishes galore, which can feel challenging to sift through for your skin tone, skin type, and face shape. We've cut out the guessing game to bring you a straightforward approach to achieving a believable bronzed glow. Below, a nifty five-step guide that'll take you approximately 60 seconds or less to complete. Pop a squat in front of your mirror and keep reading to get that I-just-left-Miami glow.
Step 1: Buff It Out
First, you need to find a bronzer that actually matches your skin tone (opens in new tab) (yes, we have a comprehensive guide (opens in new tab)) to mitigate your chances of looking like a Cheeto.
Then, gently rub a fluffy blending brush (opens in new tab) over the bronzer, tap off any excess, and swirl it in small concentric circles across your hairline, from one temple to the other.
Step 2: Carve the Cheeks
I promise that contouring your cheekbones (opens in new tab) is way easier than you've been led to believe. Just reload your brush in bronzer, swipe a line of powder from your ear to the apple of your cheek, then gently blend it out using tiny circular brush strokes, rather than a back-and-forth wiper motion.
Step 3: Define the Nose
Don't worry—powder bronzers (rather than cream bronzers) are so sheer, they won't leave you with an ulta-skinny, obvious-looking lines. Sweep a bit of bronzer down each side of your nose (make sure to tap off the excess from your brush, first) for a subtle contour.
(Please make sure to make this exact pose, too.)
Step 4: Pose
Pose for the mirror, like our model here, and then take at least one-billion selfies. You've officially mastered the art of bronzing.
•••
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter (subscribe here). (opens in new tab)

Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
-
The Queen Had a Strong Opinion About Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Renovated Kitchen
Tell us how you really feel, Your Majesty!
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Meghan Markle Reportedly Fears Another Visit to the U.K. Will Further Pull at Prince Harry’s Heartstrings
The Duke of Sussex is said to have been homesick for some time.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Clarifying Shampoos to Banish Build-Up
Because nobody has time for lank hair or an itchy, irritated scalp.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 16 Best Clarifying Shampoos, According to Experts
Because nobody has time for lank hair or an itchy, irritated scalp.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How to Dermaplane at Home Safely: A Dermatologist Explains
Everything you need to know about shaving peach fuzz off your face at home.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 20 Best Korean Skincare Brands in 2022
Peach & Lily, Glow Recipe, and Dr. Jart+ are just a few of our faves.
By Alexis Gaskin
-
The 20 Best Acne Spot Treatments to Shrink Pimples, Stat
Smaller zits in 24 hours? Count us in.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Concealers for Acne in 2022
Zits? What zits?
By Samantha Holender
-
The 14 Best Neck Creams for Firming and Tightening in 2022
Thank us later.
By Deena Campbell
-
The 10 Best Moisturizers With SPF to Amp Up Your Sun Protection
It’s all about the layering.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 16 Best LED Face Masks for Next-Level Light Therapy At Home
Masking at home: So hot rn.
By Julia Marzovilla