Even though powder bronzer has been the better-known way to fake that healthy glow, a CREAM BRONZER is quickly becoming a popular option and is a winter makeup must have.
Just like my favorite nude lip gloss and mascara, my bronzer is a makeup bag must-have. As the weather gets colder and drier, my skin starts to reflect that. And as most of our skin does during the winter, it gets paler from the lack of being out in the natural sunshine!
Therefore my face needs added dewiness AND realistic color which powder bronzers just can’t seem to provide. In steps my new favorite cream stick bronzer to the rescue…
I recently bought the widely popular and positively reviewed Merit Beauty Bronze Balm Sheer Bronzer stick, $30, in shade “Seine.” And I’ll go ahead and put it out there – the hype over this bronzing product is REAL! Especially if you’re looking for a realistic bronzed look that looks like skin once it sinks in!
The great thing is that a cream-based bronzer can give a very dewy and bronzy glow that is relatively easy to apply and blends well on top of foundation.
Disclaimer: It’s important to not overdo your bronzer (no matter if it’s powder or cream) as you want it to read as a natural sun-kissed appearance.
The Summary
Today, Jennifer is featuring this winter makeup must have: cream bronzer
Jennifer is deep-diving into the bronzer, showing you how she incorporates it into her makeup routine
All of Jennifer’s product suggestions are shoppable inline
Jennifer is sharing a favorite Christmas memory too, so make sure to scroll to the end of the post!
Don’t Miss Out On This Winter Makeup Must Have
1. What It Is
A sheer and buildable cream formula that creates natural-looking warmth and soft definition, without orangeness and streaks. It is almost impossible to mess up! The Merit stick contains fatty acids that condition and lock in moisture on the skin which is why this gives a second-skin finish that is never cakey looking!
2. How I Use It
I apply my foundation first, then I add the warmth of the cream bronzer on top. However, it’s not uncommon for people do the opposite! By applying the bronzer first, then blending their foundation on top, which would provide an even more subtle look of warmth.
Using your fingers is a perfectly fine way to blend in this product. But as you’ve probably come to realize when following my posts, that I am always a brush gal! I love using a contour brush similar to this #78 one from the Sephora collection, $30.
3. Where I Like To Add My Cream Bronzer
What I dig about this formula is that it is in stick form, which makes it super easy to glide on my bronzer exactly where I want it! I like to add a bit on either side of my nose, with a tad across the bridge of the nose.
Then I like to take it along the temples, under my cheekbones, and then along the jawline. I always make sure to drag the product along the jawline down my neck to bronze it up as well.
I also tend to draw under and along either side of my chin to give it a bit more definition. And if my forehead was exposed (without bangs!) I’d place it along the perimeter of my forehead hairline.
After I have sufficiently bronzed my skin, I then add my blush and a bit of finishing powder to complete my skin.
Lately, I cannot get enough of the Patrick Ta Double Take creme + powder blush in shade “She’s That Girl,” which is the most beautiful soft but very pigmented healthy flush of pink. This product gives you the option of cream blush, powder, or layer both!
4. Other Cream Bronzer Options
Now if you have very oily skin, a good cream bronzer to try would be the Fenty Match Stix Matte Cream Bronzer, $28, since it’s not as sheer as the Merit one. And if drugstore pricing fits your wallet best, try the mega-popular ELF Cosmetics Putty Bronzer, $7. But I’d definitely suggest a brush to work with this product.
Other components of my makeup look were wearing this Buxom X Ash K Holm shadow palette, $39, because I love adding a hint of purple into my shadow looks these days!
Plus my fave drugstore lip gloss formula, the Maybelline Lifter Gloss in shade “Ruby,” which reads as a pretty ruby berry with gold pearl finish. If you’re curious what my favorite shades are from this gloss formula, you can check out all of the ones I swatched on my YouTube video here.
Do you have a favorite cream bronzer? What is it?
Christmas Memory
One of my favorite Christmas memories is from my own childhood! For many years, I would participate in the live nativity at my local church.
As a kid, it was so magical to dress up as a shepherd, or an angel, and be a part of the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus. We even had live animals like donkeys and sheep we took care of, and our church had the most beautiful music and set up to resemble the stable where Jesus was born in.
We put the production on for the local community for a couple of days right up until Christmas Eve and I always felt it to be so magical to be a part of the celebration of the reason for this season!
In Case You Missed It
This morning’s What To… Wednesday is what to do when you want to treat yourself! Click the title or image below to read the article.
What To Do When You Want To Treat Yourself
About The Author
Beautiful Jennifer! Love creamy sticks of any kind; so easy! I’m going to try this one.
Love your top, earrings, bracelets and nail polish color!
Wish they were all listed to “shop!” You know we ladies are tuned into fashion as well as make-up!
Love your Christmas memory!
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Nancy!
You can definitely shop this post. Hover over the text, and you can click on that link. It will take you to the product.
Beth
In my 40s, I discovered the beauty of cream makeup products, eye shadow, blush, bronzer, concealer, face tint and soft cream or glossy lips. With a bit of practice, cream products are easy to apply, I use a different brush for each product. Cream products, applied with a light hand, never look cakey or heavy; my face always feels fresh and not overdone. Less IS more, especially concerning makeup and women over 50.