The purpose of bronzer is really quite simple: To warm up your skin. In the summer, it can be used to enhance an existing glow, while in the cooler months, it’s ideal for giving your skin a bit of sunlit warmth—even if you’ve been in total hibernation since Halloween.

Color is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing a bronzer. You want a shade that mimics a natural tan, without making your skin look orange or muddled. We recommend looking for a shade two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone, depending on how intense you want your bronzed look to be.

Also important to consider is the formula, because the type of bronzer you use will play a role in what the end result looks like. If you like more matte-finish looks or have oily skin, a pressed powder bronzer without shimmer is ideal, as it’ll help minimize texture in the areas it’s applied. For a more natural-looking luminous glow, we recommend liquid or cream bronzers. And for those who like their makeup to be somewhere in the middle of matte and glowy, a shimmer-infused bronzer can provide warmth and a touch of illumination without leaving your skin looking overly shiny or glittery.

Pro Tip: Use our virtual try-on tool to test out the different bronzers we have on offer and find the best pick for you.

Because the goal is to add warmth to your base makeup and fake a healthy glow, bronzer should be applied on top of your foundation—doing it the other way around (that is, bronzer before foundation) can leave your skin looking patchy.

Pro Tip: For a glowy, beachbound look, mix a liquid illuminator, like Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator, into your foundation before applying your base and bronzer, then add blush to your cheeks. Learn where to put blush in our article How To Apply Blush and Flatter Your Face Shape.

Generally speaking, you want to apply bronzer anywhere that the sun naturally hits—think your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the very top of your forehead, along your hairline. And while bronzer is most commonly used on the face, that’s not to say it can’t be used elsewhere, too. A light dusting of bronzer on your chest and shoulders can help pull together your look for endless summer vibes.

The tool you should use to apply your bronzer depends on the formula you’re using. Brushes work beautifully with powder bronzers and provide a fuller-coverage look, while liquid formulas can be applied with your fingers or a sponge for a sheerer, more natural effect. Experiment with different methods to find which works best for you.

Nope—it’s a pretty common misconception since they can look similar, but contour and bronzer are two different things. Bronzer typically has a warmer undertone to mimic a sunkissed glow, whereas contour is cooler-toned to help create the illusion of shadows in the areas you’d like to sculpt and define.