Say goodbye to pale winter skin

Bronzing Statutes
Don’t want to commit to a self-tanner? Victoria Jackson, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Lola Cosmetics, gives us the glow-down on using bronzers.

Self-tanning Session
Antoinette Ritondo, national training manager for Lancôme, gives us the
straight-up on perfecting your haute midwinter glow.

Bronzing Statutes
Don’t want to commit to a self-tanner? Victoria Jackson, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Lola Cosmetics, gives us the glow-down on using bronzers.

• Begin with the right base. “You can use powder or cream bronzer as long as you have the appropriate foundation.” Choose a sheer or matte formula if your skin is oily. Smooth a translucent dewy-finish base onto dry skin. “Foundation should enhance your skin and make it look fresh and healthy.”

• Pick a bronzer free of shimmer. “Shimmer can really accent flaws in the skin, such as large pores or uneven texture.”

• In place of a messy loose powder, choose a hard-pressed bronzer powder compact for colour you can build and control. Sweep it on with a large powder brush (shaking off the excess first) in this order: cheekbones, forehead, chin, nose and jawline.

• Don’t forget your neck. “It looks very weird when you have a bronzed face and a white neck or décolleté!”

• Victoria’s pick: Lola Cosmetics Sand & Sun Bronzing Powder, approximately $40. “It doesn’t look orange or muddy on any skin tone from very fair to African-American.” Swirl the brush in the middle of the compact for a medium shade and move closer to the lighter or darker side, depending on your skin colour.

• Hot tip: Most bronzers simply deposit colour—they won’t make your skin glow. Dust a sheer, fine-milled illuminating powder over your entire face for a radiant finish.
FLARE’s pick: Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder, $32.

Self-tanning Session
Antoinette Ritondo, national training manager for Lancôme, gives us the straight-up on perfecting your haute midwinter glow.

• Always exfoliate and moisturize first. Self-tanners can dry your skin out even more, so do your homework and choose the ideal moisturizer to hydrate and balance your dehydrated winter skin. Let your cream or lotion set for 10–15 minutes before going bronze.

• Take your time. “When we’re in a hurry, we tend to spread self-tanner unevenly,” says Ritondo. The right way to get it on? Warm up a small dollop of self-tanner in the palm of your hands, beginning application on larger areas (cheeks and forehead) and smoothing the rest onto smaller areas (sides of the nose, upper lip) to prevent depositing large doses of self-tanner into small crevices where skin can turn too dark.

• Apply sparingly. “The [ideal way to use self-tanner] is just to layer it one day after the other, instead of applying too much at one time.” The goal is to build a gradual, subtle tan over a few days.

• Antoinette’s pick: Lancôme Flash Bronzer Tinted Self-Tanning Cream Instant Golden Glow Face, 50 mL, $35. “It goes on evenly and it’s quick and easy to apply. And it’s tinted so you can see exactly where you’re putting it.”

• Hot tip: Self-tanner can mask fine lines and wrinkles and even out your skin tone. Turn back the clock tastefully—pick the most natural shade to match your skin colour.