Melanie Morris on how to become a glowing goddess
The story so far: They've had a bad rap in the past, but these days, bronzers are less Oompah Lumpa and more glowing goddess. Right now, it's all about sheer effects, light coverage and lots of tinted, healthy sheen.
Absolute beginnings: Bronzers work best on skin where there's already a bit of colour. If you've not done the fake tan thing, use a product like Bobbi Brown's All Over Bronzing Gel to bring colour up a notch or two, or MAC's Tint and Tan, a body product that provides base coverage as well as a bit of bronze.
Where does it go: As well as making skin appear brown and healthy, a bronzer is great for shading and shaping. Once you have your (lightly) tanned base - face and body - it's good to use a more iridescent product to highlight. Apply on top of bones - shoulder/cheek - and run down the centre of arms and legs to trick the eye and lengthen limbs.
Speedy solutions: ERA's revolutionary aerosol cosmetics range (Brown Thomas) includes three different bronzers and two shimmers. Application is quick and simple. Pin hair back from the face, shake the canister and, from a distance of 12 inches, spray in a wide circle, catching forehead and face with light colour while contouring cheekbones in one swoop. Practice will make perfect.
Finishing touches: There are some great fun products that work really well with bronzed make-up. Sisley's Glossy Glosses (in Lychee, Cherry or Cappuccino) have a sophisticated sparkle, while Estée Lauder's Pure Color Eye Color Mousse in Cool Melon refreshes eyes whist adding a pinky/gold glow. Lancôme's Star Bronzer Magic Brush is a perfect handbag product, dispersing sparkly powder through the soft bristles, and their Bronzing Papers in gold provide highlight in one quick rub. Finally, finish off with a spritz of Bobbi Brown's Beach fragrance. It's everything we love about summer.
Above all: Whatever product you choose, use sparingly. The rule is - if you can see it, you have too much on.