Bronzer is one of my favorite beauty products. It can add warmth, dimension, and a natural glow to your skin without looking like you’re trying too hard. Whether you want to contour or highlight your face, bronzers are an easy way to do it. If you’ve never used toned bronzer before, it’s essential to understand that not all color combinations are created equal.
However, choosing a bronzer can be tricky because so many different shades out there don’t all suit every skin tone perfectly. To simplify things for you, I’ll be creating a guide on neutral vs. red tone bronzer.
The most significant difference between neutral and red bronzer is the undertone of the product. With neutral bronzers, you get a product that sits well with most skin tones, as it tends to complement your shade. On the other hand, red tone bronzers are picky as they are best suited for cool skin tones or darker skin tones.
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What Are Neutral Toned Bronzers?
The term “neutral toned” is misleading since it implies that these bronzers have no color. The best way to think of them is as a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone. Neutral toned bronzers are ideal for fair skin tones because they help you look like you have a tan without having one.
They can also be used on light and medium skin tones, but they may not work as well as on fair ones. If you have dark brown or black hair and eyes, this bronzer will likely make your face look muddy if applied directly.
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What I Love About Using Neutral Tone Bronzers
Neutral tone bronzers are tremendous and hold a lot of benefits. Here are some to help you out:
1. Versatility
In addition to being used as a blush, neutral tone bronzers can also be used as an Eyeshadow. If you have hazel or green eyes, this effect will bring them out even more. For example, if you want to use bronzer as an Eyeshadow, try applying it all over the lid and then using a lighter shade of gold on the inner corners of your eyes for extra sparkle.
2. Compatible with almost every skin tone
Neutral bronzers are suitable for almost every skin tone. If you’re fair to light, a neutral bronzer will work well with your coloring and bring out the best in your features, whether you’re wearing it by itself or mixing it with other products. If you have dark skin, neutral bronzers can add warmth without making you look muddy or fake-baked.
Whether you match your skin tone exactly or go slightly darker than usual, neutral bronzers can help even out reddish tones while keeping a natural look. Neutral bronzers are also great for medium complexions as they’ll make them shine but won’t overpower their skin tone or make them look orangey.
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3. Easy to blend
Use a brush to apply the bronzer more lightly, like with blush. This will help to avoid looking too orangey or muddy on your skin tone. Use a sponge instead if you want more of an intense application or if you’re going for a bolder look. A beauty blender is great because it blends out the product seamlessly while giving your skin that natural finish that every girl loves.
4. Buildable
You can also build on your neutral bronzer with relative ease. A light hand is best, but when using a brush or sponge, dab it on in small circles and apply it in thin layers. You may need just one or two swipes at first before building up more color as you go. For beginners, try using your fingers to apply the product; it’s quick and easy.
5. Great for a minimal makeup look
Neutral bronzers are great for creating a minimal makeup look and can be used to add depth to your cheekbones without the need for an additional contour product. This bronzer is great for all skin tones, so you won’t have to worry about it looking unnatural.
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What I Don’t Like about Using Neutral Toned Bronzer
1. Might not be the best at accentuating your features
If your skin is light to medium and you have a warm undertone, then neutral bronzers aren’t best for accentuating your features. Since these blend easily with your skin tone, they rarely help show off facial features. So while they may seem like they’d make sense on everyone, there’s no universal shade of bronzer that works across all skin tones.
2. It can be dull on certain skin tones
Neutral tones are more likely to be less visible on light skin tones and can add a touch of dullness to your appearance. Using a red-toned bronzer will make your face appear even lighter if you have fair or pale skin.
If you have medium or dark skin, a red-toned bronzer can help brighten up the areas that catch sunlight: your cheekbones and the sides of your nose.
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What Are Red Toned Bronzers
Red toned bronzers are best for cool skin tones or darker skin tones. If you have a warm skin tone, stay clear of red toned bronzers, as they will make your face look even warmer. Red toned bronzers can add shimmer to your face, which is great if you’re going for a glam look. They’re also buildable and suitable for darker tones; however, they can be too much if you have a lighter complexion.
If you have a pinkish undertone to your skin and aren’t sure if you’re warm or cool, choose a red-toned bronzer instead of a brown one. It will help to give an even finish and make it look like your tan isn’t just from laying out in the sun all day.
What I Love About Using Red Toned Bronzers
1. Suitable for darker tones
Red toned bronzers are best used on darker women. Using a red-toned powder can help add dimension to the skin and create a bronzed look without being too harsh. The pigment in a red-toned powder is much more concentrated than in other colors, making it ideal for dark skin tones.
2. Great for photography and glam
This pigment can also create an iridescent shimmer that looks great in photographs or under natural light. Red tones will stand out more than any other color, so if you want to add some shine to your makeup routine, this is an easy way to do it.
3. Can add shimmer
A darker tone has a yellow or olive undertone to it. This could be the right one for you if you’re in the market for a bronzer with a red/coral-like tint. It can help add a bit of radiance and shimmer to your overall makeup appearance. A word of caution: shimmer should be used sparingly. If you’re not careful, it can easily overpower your bronzer, so start small and build up slowly.
4. Buildable
You can build up the color of your red-tone bronzer by adding more layers to create dramatic looks. If you want to use a brush, make sure it’s soft so that it doesn’t scratch or irritate the skin. You can also use a sponge to apply the bronzer, damp or dry.
What I Don’t Like about Using Red Toned Bronzers
In addition to the advantages, there are also some disadvantages to choosing a red-tone bronzer. While it may provide your skin with a more natural-looking color and warmth, it can also have many negative consequences. Here are some things to consider before making a purchase:
1. Limited to use on skin tone
Red-toned bronzers are best for darker skin tones. This is because red-toned bronzers make your face appear more vibrant and healthy, which is ideal for people with darker complexions. The warmth of the red pigment also helps counteract sallow coloring, making it even more beneficial for people with darker complexions.
2. It can make you appear darker than usual
Red toned bronzers tend to make people appear darker than usual. If you already have very fair skin or pale undertones, this is not ideal for you because it will make you look even paler by comparison. Red toned bronzers aren’t meant for everyone, as they’ll often clash against certain types or shades.
Conclusion
The goal is to find a bronzer that works well with your skin tone and helps enhance your features. It’s essential to research before buying one, so you know what kind of product you want and how it will work with your complexion. Try out different brands in person before buying them online or from stores.
