It won't be long before you'll be able to soak up some sun and get more color in your cheeks. Until then, If you'd like to get a sun-kissed hue you might try one of the many bronzing products that are available. Here are a few things to remember before you go for the gold:
Tips
— Always remember: A bronzer's job is to warm and enhance, not color or cover, your skin.
— A good rule of thumb is to never pick a shade that's two or more shades darker than your skin tone. If you go any darker, your friends may think you've been testing a new box of crayons ... on your face.
— Simplify your makeup. Use subtle shades around your eyes or cheekbones. Browns and ivories are good colors to blend in to your warm look. Also, slip your foundation back in your makeup bag; you won't be needing it. The mix of a foundation and a bronzer usually gives off a "dirty" look.
— Practice applying your bronzer a bit before presenting your faux-tanned self to your friends and coworkers. Bronze the areas that sunshine would hit: cheeks, chin, forehead, nose.
Stephen Beck, MD, of the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Clinic in Longview, offered words of advice for people planning to use a bronzer:
"Patients with atopic dermatitis (sensitive skin) should test any bronzer on the inner part of their arms for allergies or irritations," he said. "Never put bronzer over rashy skin."
Available for around $11 at Drug Emporium and other area drug stores.
"Every person's different, so it's hard to recommend which type of ?bronzer to use. I like the powders," said Kim Hardin, cosmetic manager at Drug Emporium in Longview. "They give me a natural glow anytime I want."
Available for around $12 at Walgreens and other area drug stores.
"This product has a neat look to it," said Kathy Sistek, a sales associate at Walgreens in Longview. "The different colors mix together to blend with a person's complexion, and to enhance your glow, especially in the winter."
Around $7 at CVS and other area drug stores.
"I think Jergens is one of the better products," said Kathy Welch, a sales associate at CVS in Longview. "It's a moisturizer with a bronzing tint. It offers lotions for different skin tones. I'm hooked!"
