Makeup Tutorial: Achieving the Sun-Kissed Bronze Glow Without the Sun

Bronze, bronze baby

As much as I’ve always loved baking in the sun, I’ve become more conscious of sun protection as I get older (say “no” to wrinkles!). With summer at an end, bidding my inner golden goddess farewell was not something I was ready to do yet, so thankfully, I called upon my friend and makeup artist extraordinaire, Gabbie Lee for her expertise in creating a bronzey glow sans sun. Having been in the industry for years and applying makeup for the likes of top celebrities and models, Gabbie knows a thing or two (or a million!) ways to create temporary looks that accentuate natural beauty. Luckily for us, the uber-talented photographer, Michelle Proctor agreed to shoot and model for the tutorial too. #winwin

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Before we get started on the step-by-step tutorial, here’s what Gabbie used on Michelle. All products can be bought in Hong Kong or online.

• Tom Ford Honeymood Palette available at Lane Crawford
• Hourglass Illume Sheer Coloru Trio Sunset available at Lane Crawford
• Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer, Light Wonder in #2 Fair and #7 Medium available at Net-a-Porter
• Smashbox L.A. Lights Blendable Lip & Cheek Colour in Venice Beach Bronze available at Sephora Hong Kong online

• Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow in Light to Medium available at Net-a-Porter
• Zoeva Coral Spectrum Blush Palette available at Sephora Hong Kong online
• Laura Mericer Matte Radiance Baked Bronzer in 02 available at Lane Crawford

Step 1:

Before you get started, Gabbie says to prep your face before makeup by applying your daily skincare and sunscreen.

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Step 2:

After your skin is prepped, Gabbie suggests to apply Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Rose Gold all over eyelids as a base then apply Tom Ford Honeymood palette in medium gold on eyes. Stop at the crease and then add dark brown close to eye line.

Next, rim the eyes using any brown eyeliner pencil on top of your lashes and extend out to where your lashes end. Curl lashes and apply generous coats of water-proof mascara (aka sweat-proof!).

Step 3:

With the Hong Kong humidity, it’s easy for makeup to melt or slide off. Gabbie’s tips to make your foundation long lasting is by applying a face primer. For this look, Gabbie chose Charlotte
Tilbury’s Wonderglow Face Primer. For the bronzed look, here is the key: apply foundation that is 1 to 2 shades darker then your natural complexion for a tanned look. It may help to mix two shades together. In this case, Gabbie mixed Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder in #2 Fair and #7 Medium. You can apply using your fingers, sponge, beauty blender or a foundation brush – just make sure you blend, blend, blend!

Step 4:

To ensure the bronze glow seamlessly continues from your face to your neck, blend the foundation all the way down your neck. Conceal dark circles, redness on sides of the nose, blemishes or any pigmentation for a flawless finish. Pat and blend a cream bronzer like the Smashbox L.A. Lights Blendable Lip & Cheek Colour in Venice Beach Bronze with your fingers on the cheekbones until it melts into the skin. Powder the face with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder using a fluffy powder brush to seal everything in. Frame your face by filling in the brows using your favourite brow pencil and powder.

Step 5:

You’re almost there! Sweep Laura Mericer’s Matte Radiance Baked Bronzer in 02 and Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze & Glow in Light to Medium on cheekbones, along the hairline and
down the jaw in a W shape to enhance the bronzed effect. Next, highlight your face using Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze & Glow in Light to Medium on top of your cheekbones, bridge of your nose, inner corners of the eyes and Cupid’s bow for the sexy summer glow. Apply blush (Gabbie uses the Zoeva Coral Spectrum Blush Palette) on the apples of your cheeks to give your face a hint of flushed colour. Lastly, apply Charlottee Tibury’s Hot Lips Super Candy lipstick to finish the look.

Ta-da! There you have it, a gorgeous dewy sun-kissed look without having to spend any time under the sun. Let us know if you try out the look, snap a pic and tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #sosassy.

Thanks to the talented Michelle Proctor of Michelle Proctor Photography for all of the beautiful images above! Follow her on Instagram @michellejproctor and Facebook at www.facebook.com/MichelleProctorPhotography.