Specktra.net MAC Makeup › Forums › Cosmetic Topics › Beauty of Color › Bronzer for the Bronzed!
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Bronzer for the Bronzed!

post #1 of 323
11/22/07 at 12:18am
Thread Starter 
Is it worth it for a darker skinned person to wear bronzer for the purpose of contouring/ highlighting and adding "warmth" to the skin? I've been debating whether or not I should get some 'cuz Tyra and Jay Manuel were on the Tyra Show like , " y'all need some bronzer!!!" and I was like " ummmm okay!" (lol)
I don't even know what shade to get!
So if bronzer is so neccessary, what is a good shade for us.
(I wear NC 45/50)
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 323
11/22/07 at 12:48am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

welll. i'm an NW45-43, and i have MAC's "Refined Enriched Bronzer". i like it, except for the fact that by the end of the day it just looks weird and oily and shiny on me. but thats mainly because i have extremely oily skin. so try some MAC bronzers. and i also have a sample of CARGO bronzer, and i loved it
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 323
11/22/07 at 12:50am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

and this thread may be able to help you --> http://specktra.net/showthread.php?t=32551
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 323
11/22/07 at 2:52am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

I don't have a specific one to name (because I can't find one I really LOVE) but I do wear a bronzer from time to time - I'm a NC 45 and it makes my skin look dewy and fresh. I would definitely recommend getting one.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 323
11/22/07 at 9:47pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

I am NC45. I use Milan Minerals bronzer in either Bajan Princess or Copper Penny.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 323
11/23/07 at 2:09am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Wet & Wild is awesome!..and cheap

Seriosly, I'm nc43 and I loooove #743 Tahitian Tan.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 323
11/23/07 at 3:06pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

I was able to get my hands on Stila Sun Bronzer #3, which is discontinued (and amazing), but not terribly hard to find if you do a Froogle search for it. NARS and CARGO bronzers have also become favorites, and I love love love the Prescriptives Bronzing Trio. You could try Format blush (MAC) as a bronzer as well.

Also, unless the bronzer is fairly matte, avoid using it on the forhead as it will make you look oily. I think that's the reason so many people complain about MSF making them look oily. It's the shimmer on the forhead folks.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 323
11/23/07 at 9:10pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Twinkle_Twinkle View Post
and I love love love the Prescriptives Bronzing Trio.
Ditto
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 323
11/23/07 at 9:28pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

LOVE Nars Casino
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 323
11/25/07 at 1:37pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Yes! Brown girls look fab in bronzer! My fave is one by Wet n Wild- can't think of the name, though. But its just perfect! A lot of times, I just use this in place of blush. Another fave I have is Golden Bronze (loose powder bronzer) which is also nice.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 323
11/28/07 at 9:35pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

? about the bronzer. I purchased bronzer today from Mac but I am not to sure on how to apply. Can I apply all over or would I only apply to the forehead, cheeks and neck?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 323
11/30/07 at 12:30pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

We have an afro-carribean neighbour who looks stunning in bronzer. Im too shy to ask what she uses but I think it looks absolutely gorgeous on her!
You've met Tyra?- She has amazing eyes.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 323
11/30/07 at 3:07pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mocha78 View Post
? about the bronzer. I purchased bronzer today from Mac but I am not to sure on how to apply. Can I apply all over or would I only apply to the forehead, cheeks and neck?
Starting at the profile of your face, you make a three motion, from the side of the forhead, to the cheeks, and down to the bottom of the chin. Like a large number 3. This keeps your application looking natural. If you bronzer is shimmery, I would stick to this method and I would be really careful about applying it to te forhead, even the sides and definately not the center of the forhead as it will make you look greasy/oily. With a more matte bronzer, on deeper skintones, you could just apply bronzer all over with a large, fluffy brush. I sometimes do this. HTH.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 323
11/30/07 at 3:45pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

I looove bronzer,

I am a NW45 and i swear by it. Mac Refined Bronzer was decent, but i love Cargo's glow (bronzer) it makes me look like i am glowing from within.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 323
11/30/07 at 6:41pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

NC45 here also (geez there's a lot of us isn't there?). Anyhow I second the rec for Wet n Wild. I also like one that I have from Avon (it's a loose powder bronzer). I also have one from Mary Kay that is good, but I always forget to reach for it. It's a bit shimmery, tho.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 323
12/1/07 at 7:23am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

I like my Victoria's Secret Mosaic Bronzer, and there is also a Mosaic Blush that is kind of like a bronzed blush. I always use it for "warmth" but not to contour or highlight.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 323
12/1/07 at 2:16pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Of all the bronzers I have tried, I have had the best results with drugstore bronzers. All WOC should try these, they are beautiful

Black Radiance bronzer in Warmth Glo

Posner blush bronzer in Bronzed and Terracotta

Jordana blush in Bronze

Physicians Formula Virtual Face Powder in Bronzer

Iman bronzer in Clay and Earth

Shimmer Bronzers I like:
Milani Shimmer Strips and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks

I am NW45
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 323
12/2/07 at 1:25pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

^^^ I don't find the Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick in Bronze to be all that bronze, just slightly deeper than the other Shimmerbricks, but without much if any color pay off. I'd say it's more of a highlighter than anything.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 323
12/2/07 at 11:18pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Love NARS Casino, Fake Bake Bronzy Babe and MAC Matte Suntan and Refined Deeper Bronze.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 323
12/3/07 at 2:09am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Why is this thread still open?
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 323
12/4/07 at 1:56am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

OK... so the verdict seems to be yes to bronzer.

But what are the best choices for Ladies of Colour with cool (pink / blue) undertoned skin who do not favour the 'Golden Goddess' look that seems to be pandemic at the moment?

I do not wear golds, bronzes, rust, oranges or browns so is there really a place for bronzer in my palette?

Or is there a true neutral / cool toned bronzer out there that will work with my blues, greys, berries and purples, even during winter?

My story:

I am a cool undertoned / deep winter NW45 gal. A MAC MA introduced me to MAC Raizin this summer which she used as a contour / blusher / bronzer. It was nice at the time and I even bought one but before you could blink (here in the UK) summer was over and my 'tan' was long gone. It just looks wrong now...
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 323
12/4/07 at 2:03am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Vincent Longo's Sun & Fun is really pretty.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 323
12/4/07 at 2:26am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Quote:
Originally Posted by moondeva View Post
OK... so the verdict seems to be yes to bronzer.

But what are the best choices for Ladies of Colour with cool (pink / blue) undertoned skin who do not favour the 'Golden Goddess' look that seems to be pandemic at the moment?

I do not wear golds, bronzes, rust, oranges or browns so is there really a place for bronzer in my palette?

Or is there a true neutral / cool toned bronzer out there that will work with my blues, greys, berries and purples, even during winter?

My story:

I am a cool undertoned / deep winter NW45 gal. A MAC MA introduced me to MAC Raizin this summer which she used as a contour / blusher / bronzer. It was nice at the time and I even bought one but before you could blink (here in the UK) summer was over and my 'tan' was long gone. It just looks wrong now...
I've never heard of bronzer that favors cool undertones rather that warm. I think of bronzer as warming the skin in general, it is supposed to mimic the glow of skin that's been kissed by the sun. First off, are you sure you are cool toned? I don't really get NC v. NW (is it Neutral Cool and Neutral Warm or Not Cool and Not Warm? The wording completely changes the meanings) but regardless, I am NW45 and am very warm. Anyway, I don't think it's really going to matter if you are cool or warm or what color palette you pair with it. And if you are NW45 there are a lot great suggestions that have already been mentioned; as I previously posted I like Cargo bronzer in Dark, Nars in Casino, Stila Sun in #3 and the Prescriptives Bronzing Trio in Dark. HTH.

ETA: Raizin is a warm toned color, so if you were using that all over your face, I think you'll be fine with any bronzer so long as it is deep enough.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 323
12/4/07 at 9:46am

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Twinkle_Twinkle View Post
I've never heard of bronzer that favors cool undertones rather that warm. I think of bronzer as warming the skin in general, it is supposed to mimic the glow of skin that's been kissed by the sun. First off, are you sure you are cool toned? I don't really get NC v. NW (is it Neutral Cool and Neutral Warm or Not Cool and Not Warm? The wording completely changes the meanings) but regardless, I am NW45 and am very warm. Anyway, I don't think it's really going to matter if you are cool or warm or what color palette you pair with it. And if you are NW45 there are a lot great suggestions that have already been mentioned; as I previously posted I like Cargo bronzer in Dark, Nars in Casino, Stila Sun in #3 and the Prescriptives Bronzing Trio in Dark. HTH.

ETA: Raizin is a warm toned color, so if you were using that all over your face, I think you'll be fine with any bronzer so long as it is deep enough.
Thank you so much for answering!

MAC definitely confuses things with it's topsy turvy Neutral Cool and Neutral Warm definitions. I understand that as a Woman of Colour there is going to be some warmth in my colours (especially base products like foundation and powder) but I definitely fall into the Neutral Warm spectrum.

Am I cool toned? Well I cannot wear gold well, look 'fake' / disco and overly made up when I wear the lightest amounts of Golds / Oranges / Bronzes / Yellows / Russets in my make up. The florid (like I am suffering from hot flushes) / overheated look really kicks in when I attempt to wear Coral / Peach toned blushers and lipsticks. I cannot wear large amounts of any of these colours in clothing either. The only time they remotely look 'right' is in a hot summer when I have a deep tan. Warm Browns just look like mud on me...

Carol Spenser in her book 'Style Directions For Women' has a small section which describes Colour Directions for Women of Colour (especially for Black & Asian). There are 4 main 'types' - Deep & Bright, Deep & Muted, Deep & Warm and Deep & Cool.

She describes Deep & Warm:

"This colouring is characterised by an overall 'golden glow' which emanates from the hair colour, eye shade and skintone. The hair can be a rich golden brown or subtle red highlights can visible in darker hair. If the hair colour is natural, the eyes will usually be a hazel or golden brown colour and the skin may sometimes have freckles - especially in summer. [...] Combining Deep & Warm colours together will always look good, together with gold or wooden jewellery and warm toned cosmetics."

On the other hand I look truly divine in cool / blue toned Purples / Blues / Greens / Silvers / Greys / Wine and have a penchant / weakness for deep Berries lipsticks and glosses. I favour these colours (along with Black) in my clothing too. My usual everyday blush is MAC Loverush, though I have just recently discovered sheertone shimmer and I am currently madly in love with MAC Lovecrush! It is as if it was made for my skin tone! It wakes up my whole face (with or without other makeup) and receive many compliments...

Deep & Cool (according to Carol Spenser):

"This colouring is characterised by an overall 'bluey or ashy' look which emanates from the hair colour, eye shade and skintone. The hair can be ash black, blue-black or even beginning to go grey. The skin can also have an ashy or bluey look or even a rosey tone to the brown. The eyes can be very dark - almost black - or may have a greyish tinge to the brown shade. Usually there is very little evidence of warm of golden tones. [...] Combining Deep & Cool colours together will look good, together with silver jewellery and cool toned cosmetics."

I feel this description describes my colouring well.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 323
12/4/07 at 8:03pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Quote:
Originally Posted by moondeva View Post
Thank you so much for answering!

MAC definitely confuses things with it's topsy turvy Neutral Cool and Neutral Warm definitions. I understand that as a Woman of Colour there is going to be some warmth in my colours (especially base products like foundation and powder) but I definitely fall into the Neutral Warm spectrum.

Am I cool toned? Well I cannot wear gold well, look 'fake' / disco and overly made up when I wear the lightest amounts of Golds / Oranges / Bronzes / Yellows / Russets in my make up. The florid (like I am suffering from hot flushes) / overheated look really kicks in when I attempt to wear Coral / Peach toned blushers and lipsticks. I cannot wear large amounts of any of these colours in clothing either. The only time they remotely look 'right' is in a hot summer when I have a deep tan. Warm Browns just look like mud on me...

Carol Spenser in her book 'Style Directions For Women' has a small section which describes Colour Directions for Women of Colour (especially for Black & Asian). There are 4 main 'types' - Deep & Bright, Deep & Muted, Deep & Warm and Deep & Cool.

She describes Deep & Warm:

"This colouring is characterised by an overall 'golden glow' which emanates from the hair colour, eye shade and skintone. The hair can be a rich golden brown or subtle red highlights can visible in darker hair. If the hair colour is natural, the eyes will usually be a hazel or golden brown colour and the skin may sometimes have freckles - especially in summer. [...] Combining Deep & Warm colours together will always look good, together with gold or wooden jewellery and warm toned cosmetics."

On the other hand I look truly divine in cool / blue toned Purples / Blues / Greens / Silvers / Greys / Wine and have a penchant / weakness for deep Berries lipsticks and glosses. I favour these colours (along with Black) in my clothing too. My usual everyday blush is MAC Loverush, though I have just recently discovered sheertone shimmer and I am currently madly in love with MAC Lovecrush! It is as if it was made for my skin tone! It wakes up my whole face (with or without other makeup) and receive many compliments...

Deep & Cool (according to Carol Spenser):

"This colouring is characterised by an overall 'bluey or ashy' look which emanates from the hair colour, eye shade and skintone. The hair can be ash black, blue-black or even beginning to go grey. The skin can also have an ashy or bluey look or even a rosey tone to the brown. The eyes can be very dark - almost black - or may have a greyish tinge to the brown shade. Usually there is very little evidence of warm of golden tones. [...] Combining Deep & Cool colours together will look good, together with silver jewellery and cool toned cosmetics."

I feel this description describes my colouring well.
Hmmm. You could be NW45 simply because the color is deeper that NC45. I disagree with the description of the warm undertoned complexions. I don't see what hair or eye color really has to do with anything seeing as most black women have dark hair and dark eyes, and some are cool toned with blue undertones. And I've never seen anyone with a naturally "ashy" undertone. I've seen makeup look ashy on someone when it is too yellow or too light. Regardless, just wear what works for you. A lot of people look good in cool and warm colors. I can wear any color although I am most def. warm. But if you can't wear golds and earth tones, don't. Good for you for knowing what works for you. Still, I don't think bronzer is going to be a problem. Bronze is a warm color (earth tone) so I imagine that most bronzers are going to be warm, but I am sure there are plenty of cool-toned people wearing bronzer.
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 323
12/4/07 at 10:26pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

GAH!!! Just when I thought I had it all figured out...hmmm. The NC/NW, Deep Warm, Cool, yada, yada, has me a bit perplexed. According to MAC I am a C6 (only in summer can I use NC45). I am VERY warm (yellow undertones), so why wouldn't I be NW??? I wear all colors of the rainbow. I can wear cool pinks & purples to warm orange, corals, golds (clothing included) I wear silver jewelry everyday...sooo, if Twinkle is warm & wears NW, then...
I dunno. I have been wearing C6 for YEARS!!! I want to change to liquid, but that's a different topic...
I guess if it ain't broke, I won't try to fix it, I'll continue to wear what works for me. Lots of food for thought in this thread though!!!
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 323
12/4/07 at 11:57pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Perple1 View Post
GAH!!! Just when I thought I had it all figured out...hmmm. The NC/NW, Deep Warm, Cool, yada, yada, has me a bit perplexed. According to MAC I am a C6 (only in summer can I use NC45). I am VERY warm (yellow undertones), so why wouldn't I be NW??? I wear all colors of the rainbow. I can wear cool pinks & purples to warm orange, corals, golds (clothing included) I wear silver jewelry everyday...sooo, if Twinkle is warm & wears NW, then...
I dunno. I have been wearing C6 for YEARS!!! I want to change to liquid, but that's a different topic...
I guess if it ain't broke, I won't try to fix it, I'll continue to wear what works for me. Lots of food for thought in this thread though!!!
So sorry, Perple1, I did not mean to confuse things further! MAC is vaguely at fault for using such a backward labelling system and many choices of makeup, jewellery, clothing etc basically boil down to the individual's choices and preferences. To make sense of MACs system I use the following:

NW - Neutral Warm = NOT WARM
NC - Neutral Cool = NOT COOL

As I said every one has their own opinions / preferences. Personally I have found that even though I have deep brown eyes and deep black natural hair like 80 - 90% of other women of African descent there is a significant difference in the undertones of colours that work for me and what is currently 'fashionable / desirable' for other Afro women of colour.

An example: Hair dyeing / colouring.

Many modern women of colour enhance their looks by using (semi permanent / permanent) hair washes / hair dyes. Colours often chosen are warm reds / russets / golden blondes / warm chocolates / 'natural' black / etc. These are amazing on the right colouring - usually those with yellow / warm undertones.

On myself (and yes I have tried a few) I am left looking ill / washed out and just plain off! My hair 'clashes' with my skin.My eyes and teeth look dull and yellow and I look exhausted / feverish even after a full restful night's sleep.

But when I have used a cool undertoned hair wash like bluey red / blue black / berry / etc the results are amazing. My eyes and teeth are bright / white, I need less make up, and I look well rested with glossy healthy looking hair that takes years of me!

There is no diecast rule set in stone and I am not a qualified MA so what do I know?!

Personally I have found that many of the colours and tones that work on my warm / golden toned sisters will not look so amazing on me. The only time that I can join in the fun is in summer when a tan moves my colouring closer to neutral - where any colour undertone will do as long as you are in the mood!
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 323
1/28/08 at 3:40pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

Quote:
I've never heard of bronzer that favors cool undertones rather that warm. I think of bronzer as warming the skin in general, it is supposed to mimic the glow of skin that's been kissed by the sun. First off, are you sure you are cool toned? I don't really get NC v. NW (is it Neutral Cool and Neutral Warm or Not Cool and Not Warm? The wording completely changes the meanings) but regardless, I am NW45 and am very warm. Anyway, I don't think it's really going to matter if you are cool or warm or what color palette you pair with it. And if you are NW45 there are a lot great suggestions that have already been mentioned; as I previously posted I like Cargo bronzer in Dark, Nars in Casino, Stila Sun in #3 and the Prescriptives Bronzing Trio in Dark. HTH.
I went to MAC this weekend to grab some concealer (I'm NC35 normally) and I got a NW40 (I think? Don't remember exactly) to cover my ginormous pimple. Ugh. Anyway, I asked the makeup artist what the NW meant, and she said that it has more red tones in it. So yeah. So I'm assuming that alternatively, the NC40 would have more blue tones...
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 323
1/28/08 at 4:49pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

I use Clinique Bronzer.

I'm a NC43
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 323
4/15/08 at 5:35pm

Re: Bronzer for the Bronzed!

anyone have any recs for bronzer on an nc40 please?????????? mainly want to use it for cheeks.... have heard abt nars and guerlain mostly... anyone??
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Beauty of Color
Specktra.net MAC Makeup › Forums › Cosmetic Topics › Beauty of Color › Bronzer for the Bronzed!