1. Excessive glitter and over the top shimmer are de rigeur in most bronzers while I eschew them.

2. When you are as fair as I am, it’s a challenge to find a bronzer that doesn’t go too dark, too muddy or too orange.

I found the solution to my bronzer dilemma in MAC’s new Colour Craft collection.

This bold color story for summer includes some of the most beautiful baked, marbled Mineralize Skinfinishes and Mineralize Blushes you’ve ever seen, including my new BFF, Warm Blend.

Three layers of color – Antique Gold, Mahogony Brown and Copper – can be swirled together to create the perfect diffused, iridescent glow.  I like it best with the Daft Pink Mineralize Blush ($21) added on the apples of cheeks for a finishing pop.

Mineralize Skin Finishes retail for $27 – but don’t forget that they can easily do double duty as eyeshadows.

p.s. That “u” in “colour”? Blame Canada (MAC’s homeland!)

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This clever kit contains three of Too Faced’s most popular bronzers, including  Snow Bunny, a skin perfecting winter bronzer Sun Bunny, a cult favorite medium bronze and Pink Leopard, which creates an illuminating tropical tan. 

It also comes with a sweet little Kabuki brush for the perfect application. And here’s a little Makeup Minute tip from me – for the most natural looking bronzer, focus your application on the spots where the sun naturally hits your face: the bridge of your nose, chin, cheekbones and the hairline.

If you shop now (today through Sunday, the 28th) at www.toofaced.com, you can even enjoy 20% off any order by using code “SIZZLE” – that brings the price of this palette down to just $28!

Happy Shopping!

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1: Most appear either orange or dirty on my skintone

2: Glitter. I’m 30. I don’t need it (yet most bronzers have it.)

LORAC has the solution this summer with their new TANtalizer Baked Matte Satin Bronzer SPF 15 ($30).

This finely milled powder does the unthinkable…it adds radiance without adding a ton of shimmer or heaven forbid, glitter. The mineral-based, baked formula applies like a dream too – it’s long-wearing and virtually weightless on skin.

For a little versatility, try this baby either wet or dry. (A damp brush will make this a bolder, darker hue.)

To snag your very own, visit www.loraccosmetics.com.

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TREND: A NEUTRAL, FLAWLESS COMPLEXION

In the spring and summer, your best feature should be flawless skin. But since it’s warmer outside, you have to use a product that isn’t too heavy and won’t run down your face when it’s humid.

TIP: To make sure you don’t over-do it, use a product that gives you sheer, light coverage that makes it look like you were born with smooth, flawless skin! Apply it just like you would your regular moisturizer. An added bonus is finding one with SPF in it! (She suggests Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 – I also love Laura Gellar’s, though it’s a bit more expensive.)

TREND: A SUBTLE GLOW… EVEN WHEN A VACATION ISN’T AN OPTION

It’s not as easy these days to jet off for a weekend getaway, but you don’t want your only glow to come from the light of a computer screen either. The solution? Fake it with a subtle, natural-looking bronzer – one that will make friends ask which beach you spent your weekend at.

TIP: For a subtle glow that is polished, not overdone, use a bronzer that offers gorgeous color and one that offers a mistake-proof formula. Picking the correct bronzer will give the illusion of a soft, smooth surface. Sweep it across cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, neck and chest for a healthy looking fresh finish. Use it to create some cleavage as well! (Joanna suggests Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Bronzer)

TREND: MAKE EYES POP WITH A WASH OF WARM, RADIANT BRONZE

A subtle application of bronze shimmer shadow on the top of lids is right on trend for spring and summer. With the same shade in hand, sweep color gently under the lower lashes to make your eyes stand out for a more dramatic pop.

TIP: Make sure the shadow is applied starting right above eyelashes and take it up just past the crease. Be careful though – if you apply it any higher, the look will go from being in trendy to clown-ish. (Try another great Physician’s Formula product to get this look - Shimmer Strips Custom Enhancing Shadow & Liner – Bronze Collection)

Will you be sporting any of these key trends this summer?

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A moisturizer and bronzer in one, the Bronzing Argan Oil incorporates beauty’s latest “miracle” ingredient (argan oil, that is) with a great subtle infusion of golden bronze color. 

So far, I’m loving it for face as a sheer-but-glowing substitute for foundation and I’m also looking forward to giving this a try on legs. (Mine need all the help they can get!)

For those eco-concious gals out there, you’ll also be pleased to know that the Bronzing Argan Oil uses organic ingredients, was not tested on animals and is packaged in recycled and recyclable materials. Look pretty, feel pretty, ladies!

You can shop the Josie Maran collection at Sephora stores or www.josiemarancosmetics.com.

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• Never apply a powder or cream bronzer to an un-prepped skin. Bronzer is rich in color and will grab onto dry or un-exfoliated skin creating a choppy and dirty look to the skin.

• Powder bronzer will adhere smoother to a skin that has a slight base, if you want to go sans foundation, wait for your moisturizer to dry, very lightly dust a sheer translucent powder over entire face using an oversized powder brush. Follow with powder bronzer, using a bronzer brush over entire face

• If you wear a liquid foundation in the summer, mix a drop of liquid or cream bronzer with it to create a sheer glow on the skin with out being too dark.

• Bronzer should always look like its coming from your own skin not a bottle. Go for a bronzer with a satin or matte finish during the day, keeping luminosity very sheer. However using a bronzer with shimmer at night will add depth and glow to the skin – try Prescriptives Mineral Bronzer (available in Warm or Cool.)

• If your skin is tan naturally, avoid a flat look by adding a liquid or powder low level shimmer in gold for warm and rose for cool, this will brighten the skin and enhance your natural tan.

Image courtesy of Prescriptives

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Available in three shades for light, medium or dark skintones, this gorgeous, diamond-embossed pressed powder comes with its own small Kabuki brush for expert application. Brush a bit over cheeks, the bridge of your nose and your forehead for the most-natural sun-kissed look.

Image Courtesy of Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden’s mineral formula uses “microlight” minerals and natural extracts for a skin-healthy, subtle look. Pick it up for $32 at www.elizabetharden.com.

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This all over face brick of color blushes your cheeks, highlights and contours. The picture does not do it justice. Seriously. Those shimmery stripes of color look rather blah in the picture, but if I could find a way to describe their true tone to you, I would say it’s a buttery golden shimmer that looks good no matter if you are 20 and wearing it or 50.

You can do one quick sweep to blend all of the colors, or what I like to do is use the pink on the apples of my cheeks, then lightly layer the golden shimmer on top of it and contour my face with the remaining colors.

Prescriptives The Illuminator is Limited-Edition, so I would pick it up before they’re gone. Trust me–you want this.

Have you used it? Tell me your take on it in the comments.

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Borghese Spa Bronzer Travel Set: Tanning Face Crm+ Tanning B/Crm+ Splendore M/U+ B/Glow+ Bronzer Trio+ Brush Spa Bronzer Travel Set: 1x SPA Solare Self Tanning Face Cream SPF15 28g 1x SPA Solare Self Tanning Body Cream SPF15 70g 1x Splendore Brightening MakeUp 30ml 1x Splendore Brightening Body Glow 30ml 1x Spa Bronzer Trio – #Powder Multi Bronzer 3.4g 1x Brush

Lancome Flash Bronzer Transfer Resistant Self Tanner Shimmering Instant Tan Body Flash Bronzer Transfer Resistant Self Tanner Shimmering Instant Tan Body

Clinique True Bronze Loose Powder Bronzer & Brush – No. 01 Sun Glow Bronze True Bronze Loose Powder Bronzer & Brush – No. 01 Sun Glow Bronze

jane iredale® Bronzer Moonglow-Quad A quad of golden bronze and copper-toned shades designed to be used individually on eyes and cheeks or as an all-over highlighter. This subtle, yet sexy combination brightens up any complexion and can be as soft or dramatic as the wearer desires.

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I received Hotel Heiress and was a little nervous that it would be too dark for my pale skin, however, it was the perfect pick me up to bring me from porcelin doll to a living and breathing person.

The powder is very light feeling and depending on how much you apply, you can have a fresh glow or slightly bronzer look (more suitable for night).

Have you used this product? What did you think?

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