Five Favorites: Bronzers

I discovered bronzer at the age of fifteen, and like most fair-skinned girls in the northeast, I immediately overdid it. I caked powder bronzer on my face every morning, and liberally sprayed cheap drugstore self-tanner on my body before bed in hopes of waking up glowing. I spent about a year of my life looking like an Oompa Loompa. Needless to say, it was not the greatest look, and I’ve since learned that less is more.

I never looked this bad, thank God!

But ever since Coco Chanel came back from vacation with a tan, we’ve lived in a world where glowing, bronzed skin symbolizes leisure, luxury, and health, even if it isn’t any of those things. I use SPF because I don’t want to look 60 when I’m 40, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel so much prettier with a little color in my cheeks. Luckily, there are a lot of sunless tanners that won’t leave you looking like our orange president…

Shop my picks for a sunkissed look minus the sun:

5. I’ve been using Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Glow Pads for years. It combines all the best things for your skin: exfoliation, anti-aging, and a beautiful glow.

4. This James Read Spray is a face mist and natural-looking self-tanner made with chamomile, rosewater, and aloe vera. I love multitasking products!

3. I recently tried Tan Towel’s Face Wipes, and I love the long-lasting glow and anti-aging benefits.

2. Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer is my summer bronzer, for when my skin is a bit darker. It’s also great for contouring!1. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends in ‘Sunkissed‘ is my holy grail bronzer: matte, brown and not orange, and never cakey. It’s one of the top-rated bronzers available, and it’s an inexpensive buy that you can find on Amazon or at your local drugstore.