Bronzer for the Bronzed!

[moondeva]

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...

 

[j_absinthe]

Vincent Longo's Sun & Fun is really pretty.

 

[Twinkle_Twinkle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondeva 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.

 

[moondeva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twinkle_Twinkle 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.

 

[Twinkle_Twinkle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondeva 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.

 

[Perple1]

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!!!

 

[moondeva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perple1 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!

 

[LatteGoodness]

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...

 

[~*Starlicious*~]

I use Clinique Bronzer.

I'm a NC43

 

[DirtyPlum]

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??

 

[brownsuga lady]

I'm NC50 and I love the warm look bronzer gives me. I use MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Deep Dark or Bare Escentials 'Warmth'. I also like Cargo's Miami Beach for the summer months because it gives me a bronzey shimmery glow. HTH!

 

[Twinkle_Twinkle]

Has anyone discovered any new bronzers that they love? I am always on the lookout for more bronzers. Right now I am really loving my Prescriptives Custom Blend Bronzer and I can't wait until Summer hits so I can use my Face & Body Bronze FX (Bait '06) in Deeper Bronze. Loving it!

 

[dominichulinda]

my fav. bronezer:

sugar baby : hawaiian princess cream
mac bronzer: bronzer powder light shimmer
bobbi brown bronzer: deep kind orange ..and a little too dark..but it has no shimmer
l'oreal glam bronzer: seductive sunset (looks like smooth harmony bp)
neutrogena blends: sunkissed
physicans formula shimmer strips: sunset
n.y.c bronzer: sunny matte
miliani sunset duo: sunset shores
cargo blush strip: echo beach (last strip is a bronzer)

 

[HeavenLeiBlu]

I've always liked The Body Shop's brush on beads bronzer. I've been using it for almost 10 years now. For a DIY kinda girl ( which I am) you could also look into getting some micas from Coastal Scents and pick one or a few colors to make your own. FYI: some of these micas are EXACT dupes of MAC and HIP pigments.

 

[Twinkle_Twinkle]

Just bumping this to see if anyone has found any new loves.

 

[nunu]

NARS bronzer in Laguna! I bought this last weekend and i am in love!
It gives my skin a natural glow.

I also love the golden bronze MAC loose beauty powder.

I am nc43 and a newbie to bronzer

 

[lilMAClady]

So weird this thread was at the top cuz I was just on the Bobbi Brrown site trying to figure out which bronzer color was for me. (NC45) I think I will go to Wal-Mart and check out wet n wild. I've heard so much about them and they are Cheap!!! I will look into others tho, but in all honesty you don't have to get something that says "Bronzer" If you don't want shimmer just get a deeper foundation and use like you would a "Bronzer". That's what I plan on doing if nothing else works!

 

[frocher]

........

 

[d n d]

Try the Victoria's Secret Mosaic Luminous bronzer. I bought one the other day and I wasn't going to keep it cause I didn't think I could pull it off. I ended up trying it and it actually looked good on my NW 45 skin. I usually shy away from shimmery products since they make my skin itch and get a lil shiny but I was very impressed with how it turned out. It gave my cheeks a subtle golden glow that I can't wait to try again.

For reference I purchased the bronzer in Glitterati

 

[milamonster]

i just got bronze by stila nad i love it
i also have refined golden bronze. it's weird cuz i dont see it that much in real life but it turns up well in pictures and others se it. in pictures i just glow but not too much
i layer these ovr blushes usually