6 Places to Apply Bronzer for Sun-Kissed-Looking Skin

It’s no secret that makeup trends come and go (often, fueled in large part by social media). However, some makeup styles, such as the soft glam look, are totally timeless—they never go out of favor.

Whether you’re over the full-glam makeup looks, need some soft glam inspiration, or are simply looking for a way to soften your go-to look, we’re here to help. Ahead, we’ll explain what soft glam makeup is, share tips on achieving the barely-there look, and offer a look at some of our favorite takes on the classic style.

What Is Soft Glam Makeup?

Soft glam makeup is an effortless makeup style that enhances, rather than overpowers, your natural features. You can think of it as an elevated take on TikTok’s clean makeup trend. It typically involves almost everything you’d use in a full glam makeup look (including foundation, concealer, blush, and lipstick), but utilizes neutral tones to create a natural look that works for nearly any occasion.

How to Make Your Makeup Look Softer

When applying your makeup, consider the following tips to make any foundation, highlighter, and eyeshadow application look softer.

Reach for neutral makeup colors

Instead of using bright, electric colors for your blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow, opt for natural colors like pink, beige, brown, and taupe. These neutral colors blend more seamlessly with your natural complexion, making your makeup look softer. For example, you could soften your classic black smokey eye by using the same technique to create an eyeshadow look in various shades of brown.

Apply makeup in thin layers

To avoid cakiness, apply your makeup in thin, even layers (you can always build it up as needed). For a fresh look, start your makeup routine with a face primer that will create a smooth base. Try the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer—the hydrating formula illuminates the skin and helps prep it for your makeup application.

Then, instead of reaching for a full-coverage foundation, opt for a lightweight, sheer foundation or skin tint to even out your complexion. Try a tinted serum like L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, which offers sheer coverage with skincare benefits. This skincare-makeup hybrid is formulated with hyaluronic acid to give skin a hydrated feel, while the luminous pigment gives skin a natural, radiant finish.

Blend, blend, blend

Regardless of the texture of the makeup products you’re using, make sure you’re gently blending and buffing them onto your face. This is fundamental in soft glam makeup—harsh lines can detract from the look.

Keep a fluffy blending brush on hand to blend in any harsh lines that look uneven and unnatural. When applying gel eyeliners, use a product like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Liner, which includes a small sponge on the bottom of the slim pencil to smudge in the color for a blurred, soft look.

It’s no secret that makeup trends come and go (often, fueled in large part by social media). However, some makeup styles, such as the soft glam look, are totally timeless—they never go out of favor.

Whether you’re over the full-glam makeup looks, need some soft glam inspiration, or are simply looking for a way to soften your go-to look, we’re here to help. Ahead, we’ll explain what soft glam makeup is, share tips on achieving the barely-there look, and offer a look at some of our favorite takes on the classic style.

What Is Soft Glam Makeup?

Soft glam makeup is an effortless makeup style that enhances, rather than overpowers, your natural features. You can think of it as an elevated take on TikTok’s clean makeup trend. It typically involves almost everything you’d use in a full glam makeup look (including foundation, concealer, blush, and lipstick), but utilizes neutral tones to create a natural look that works for nearly any occasion.

How to Make Your Makeup Look Softer

When applying your makeup, consider the following tips to make any foundation, highlighter, and eyeshadow application look softer.

Reach for neutral makeup colors

Instead of using bright, electric colors for your blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow, opt for natural colors like pink, beige, brown, and taupe. These neutral colors blend more seamlessly with your natural complexion, making your makeup look softer. For example, you could soften your classic black smokey eye by using the same technique to create an eyeshadow look in various shades of brown.

Apply makeup in thin layers

To avoid cakiness, apply your makeup in thin, even layers (you can always build it up as needed). For a fresh look, start your makeup routine with a face primer that will create a smooth base. Try the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer—the hydrating formula illuminates the skin and helps prep it for your makeup application.

Then, instead of reaching for a full-coverage foundation, opt for a lightweight, sheer foundation or skin tint to even out your complexion. Try a tinted serum like L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, which offers sheer coverage with skincare benefits. This skincare-makeup hybrid is formulated with hyaluronic acid to give skin a hydrated feel, while the luminous pigment gives skin a natural, radiant finish.

Blend, blend, blend

Regardless of the texture of the makeup products you’re using, make sure you’re gently blending and buffing them onto your face. This is fundamental in soft glam makeup—harsh lines can detract from the look.

Keep a fluffy blending brush on hand to blend in any harsh lines that look uneven and unnatural. When applying gel eyeliners, use a product like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Liner, which includes a small sponge on the bottom of the slim pencil to smudge in the color for a blurred, soft look.

3. Temples and hairline

If you want to create the illusion of a smaller forehead, apply bronzer to your temples and hairline. The darker color will create a shadow-like effect around the areas, making the forehead appear lower.

Try the following three-shape technique for the best bronzer application. Visualize the shape of the number three on each side of your face, with your temples, cheekbones, and jawline, each being one part of the number. Then, sweep your bronzer following a three-shaped pattern. Make sure to extend the bronzer from the temples and across the hairline for an even and blended makeup look. Because the goal is to create a soft, subtle blend here, we recommend using our aforementioned L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer rather than a liquid or cream bronzer.

4. Eyelids

Face bronzer may be the number one product for adding a sun-kissed glow to your complexion, but it also looks great when used on the eyes. It’s a quick way to create a sultry look and help relieve the appearance of tired eyes by adding warmth to the area. To try it out, reach for a dark brown matte eyeshadow like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Brown Bliss and use your fingers to blend the creamy formula onto your lids and slightly outward. For a bit of shimmer, pat the L’Oréal Paris Le Shadow Stick in Brown Abyss on top, only at the center of your lid.

5. Bridge of the nose

Next on the bronzer application list is your nose. Applying bronzer to the bridge of your nose is the key to a subtle sun-kissed look. This area naturally catches the sun, so lightly dusting bronzer here gives your face a warm, radiant glow. Avoid applying bronzer to the tip of the nose, as this can create an unnatural look.

Start with a soft hand and gradually build the product, focusing on the bridge. Then, blend well for a seamless finish. Remember, less is more—too much bronzer in this area can appear overdone. A light touch will give you that effortless, sun-kissed glow without the harsh lines. For added emphasis, lightly tab a cream highlighter onto the bridge of your nose—it’ll reflect light and help ensure a glowy-looking finish. We love the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick in Glowy Crème Chic.

6. Collarbone

Bronzer is a makeup product, but you can use it on areas other than your face. Try bronzing around your décolletage (specifically the collarbone and cleavage) to bring more definition and glow to the area. Always keep in mind that a little goes a long way with bronzer—the goal is to look tanned, not crispy.

Instead of using a powder bronzer, opt for a highlighter or liquid bronzer to add glow to your chest. Cover your entire chest with a thin layer of L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer in your skin tone to mimic a wet glow before applying a darker bronzer to the divots on either side of your collarbone.

If these divots are hiding in your neck, place your fingers on your collarbone and roll your shoulders to see where your natural lines are. That’s where you’ll want to apply your bronzer. Add the Lumi Glotion in a darker shade to the tops of your collarbones (and even your shoulders) for extra shimmer and added definition.

How to Get an All-Over Bronzed Glow

If you’re looking for a way to get all-over glowing, bronzed skin, you can reach for a self-tanner that you apply at home. You can choose from different formulas, including a self-tanning facial mist, tanning mousse, self-tanning facial drops, or body towelettes. And you don’t have to worry about L’Oréal Paris self-tanners ever leaving you looking bright orange and streaky. Here are our picks:

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Mist

This product has a 360° wide-angle jet applicator that delivers a tinted fine mist for a pro-airbrushed tan effect. It also has a quick-drying formula with castor oil that works with your skin for customized results, ranging from a subtle glow to bronzed tan, streak-free finish, and transfer resistance.

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse

This mousse tanner applies as a foam and gradually develops on the skin within four to eight hours for a natural-looking glow. The hydrating and lightweight formula softens the skin with coconut water and vitamin E while it deposits color.

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops, Fragrance-Free

For those looking for a product specifically made to give your face a natural glow, give these facial drops a try. This serum can be mixed into moisturizer, so you can add it to your nighttime face cream and wake up to a golden glow. Plus, the infused hyaluronic acid helps your skin stay hydrated with every application. You can customize your glow by adding five to seven drops for a light tan or eight to ten drops for deeper bronzing.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Body Towelettes

These pre-prepped, individually wrapped self-tan towelettes are easy and perfect for sunless tanning. They provide a quick-drying self-tanner with AHAs and Vitamin E to help you achieve a smooth skin look. This convenient product gives customized results when used daily until you have the desired tan.

L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer

For those who want a glowy, bronzy look but aren’t prepared to break out the self-tanner, we recommend this multitasking formula. The tinted moisturizer is infused with shea butter and glycerin and provides a soft tint of color while helping to illuminate the skin. Use it anywhere you’d like to get your glow on, such as your chest, arms, or even legs.

Next Up: Bronzer vs. Contour: What’s the Difference?

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris