Having tanned, healthy and even skin is a desire of many people when the summer months arrive. To achieve this, practices such as overexposure to UV rays or sessions in sunbeds, with which they are associated Harmful effects. However, tanning powders are presented as a safer alternative in the field of cosmetics.
This product has the ability to darken the tone of the dermis. Apply to face, shoulders and chest for a tanned effect. When applied thinly, the finish is very natural. How to use? What are the most common mistakes during your application? We detail it in this space.
What are Tanning Powders?
tanning powder They are cosmetic products intended to imitate the natural tanning of the skin. Therefore, they are usually used during the summer months, when sun exposure is more frequent, as is the desire to exhibit a tanned dermis. Even so, it’s a product that can be applied any time of the year.
The use of tanning creams and powders has changed over time. Currently we opt for more subtle applications, in order to obtain a natural effect and not an exaggerated orange tone.
At the same time, There are techniques that work to accentuate or reduce certain facial features. For example, sharpen the nose, highlight the cheekbones or highlight the contour of the lips.
Therefore, this product has an aesthetic purpose, mostly used to get that summery tone on the face. The best? This goal is achieved without the need to use aggressive methods, such as sunbeds.
Why use them?
People try to get tanned in different ways. Sometimes, they relapse into excessive sun exposure and avoid basic treatments such as the use of sunscreen. Other times, the solution is access to tanning beds, questioned for their negative impact on skin health.
Tanning powders, for their part, pose fewer risks when going for darker skin. That doesn’t mean your application should be abused. The most important active component in these products is usually the dihydroxyacetone or “DHA”causing the skin to discolor towards a darker tone.
Although it is considered a non-damaging agent for the dermis, excess can cause irritation or allergy. People with sensitive skin should be especially careful not to generate an allergic reaction with these products.
On the other hand, it is common to confuse the use of bronzers with that of sunscreens. However, tanning products do not perform any UV protection function.
Tanning powders: ways of application
These powders are primarily targeted at the face, but can be swept down to the shoulders and chest, as these are often bare areas. In this way it is possible to show off a tan aligned on the whole upper body.
There are many ways to apply them; in principle, with a general rule that guarantees a basic tan. However, with its placement in certain strategic points, it is possible to accentuate or reduce some features of the face.
brush types
The first thing to keep in mind is that you need a large brush to apply the powder and distribute it evenly. We recommend using a conical brush that is soft enough to facilitate application.
Choose the right shade
There are numerous options on the market for all skin types. Generally, it must be considered that the objective of the product is to generate the sensation of a natural tan and not of an artificial splendor. Following this premise, it is recommended to acquire a tone twice as dark as the color of the skin.
- clear skin. Powders in apricot or gold tones look good on this skin type.
- dark skins. In this case the brown powders match.
- Yellowish skins. For sallow skin, you may want to try tan and ocher tanning powders.
- pink skins. The brown range also favors these skins, even if they need to be soft.
- satin powders. They generate a natural effect and hide wrinkles.
- Powders in matte finishes. They should not be applied to dry skin, as they enhance the effect.
Basic steps for applying bronzer
The correct distribution of this product is achieved by forming a sort of number “3” on the face. It starts at a point on the side of the forehead, above the temple and near the scalp. Thus, you need to go down to the cheekbone, forming a curve. The idea is to get up a few inches from the nose.
From that point you have to go back down towards the jaw, drawing a curve again. Here it is advisable to spread a little more product on the finger. In the end, you will have formed the drawing of an imaginary “3”.. While it’s an effective technique for most faces, it’s best suited to long faces.
Common mistakes when using bronzing powder
There are a number of practices that should be avoided in order to achieve that natural looking tan that one seeks when buying tanning powders.
- Avoid applying all over the face. For this it is convenient to follow the “3” technique or one of its variations.
- Beware of excesses. Using too much can create the opposite effect to what you want, as well as create a very artificial shine.
- Dry skin. For this type of dermis, it is advisable to avoid powders and opt for other bronzer formats, such as creams.
- exaggerated shine. If too much glitter is added, the particles create a reflection with the the sun’s rays which is not aesthetic at all.
How to get effects with bronzing powders
In addition to looking for a natural tan, these powders have the ability to produce different effects on the facial features. It is about highlighting the depth in some specific sectors, to highlight or hide parts. Here are some examples:
- To shorten a long face, you need to place the product on your forehead and chin.
- In the same way it is possible to highlight the cheekbones by placing the powder under the bone area. If some parts are darkened, the others are highlighted.
- To finish the nose, it is applied to the sides of it.
- If the idea is to deepen the gaze, the cosmetic is applied in the eye socket, as if they were shadows.
Alternative ways to apply bronzing powder
In addition to the “3” technique, other forms of application allow you to generate different effects. For example, for a fine tan aiming at a more elegant result, bronzer powders should be placed on areas of the face that stand out. That is, on the cheekbones, chin and nose.
Conversely, a more informal result is obtained with a general application and a matte tone product. Alternatively, you can use the “W” technique, which allows for a more even application.
It’s about making movements that form tiny copies of that letter on your face, passing through the forehead, cheekbones and chin. Then, with a few light circular strokes, a natural tan is obtained.
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