Soft Bronze Makeup for a Natural Glow

April 23, 2021

As the weather warms up I can’t help but be excited to wear warmer bronzy tones. I’ve been playing with a few new launches for summer beauty and today I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share some favorites for a soft bronze makeup glow.

BASE

For a good makeup base I always love trying new formulas that launch this time of year, but my usual go-to’s have been the Chanel CC Cream (for high SPF and good coverage, I wear B40) or the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (I wear 3N1 Sand or 3W1 Bisque) for no-makeup makeup days.

A number of you asked for a review of the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (with SPF30) and it’s one I used to wear a lot. They recently extended the shade range and I think it’s a good base that doesn’t really feel like your traditional tinted moisturizer. It’s more of a sheer-medium coverage base with a minimal dewy effect which I actually like better. My color is St. Moritz. (What I’m wearing in this post.)

BRONZER

There are a number of new bronzers out and I will have a roundup soon. If I could pick one classic for my skin tone it would be the NARS Bronzing Powders in Laguna or Laguna Matte. Both offer a soft tan bronzed effect on the skin without looking orange. If you’re fair and have trouble finding bronzers light enough in color you might want to check out their lighter shades in Vallarta (matte formula) or San Juan (regular formula).

They recently launched a few items in the Summer Solstice collection and I ordered the Summer Solstice Cheek Duo which smells amazing like their body oil glow! It smells like a tropical vacation. The Duo has an ultra sheer finish and texture which is perfect for me. I think it’s lovely for a super soft diffused kind of glow. If you want a more subtle bronze or contour this is perfect. For a bronzer brush I really like the Laura Mercier Bronzing Brush for a fluffy large option. (This duo is what I’m wearing in the photos in this post.)

EYE MAKEUP

For eyes I’m a huge lover of one-and-done bronze copper tones, especially cream shimmers. My favorites are the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow in Copper (best neutral copper that isn’t too warm), Hourglass Scattered Light in Burnished (love the sparkle on this), Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadows in Star Gold and Bette (I wear these weekly). For liner if you want definition but don’t want something has harsh as a deep black or brown, I highly recommend checking out the Sisley Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof in Sparkling Brown. It is a gorgeous shimmery brown with silver flecks and glides on without tugging.

Swatches below with a few others added in the Hourglass Scattered Light in Foil and Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shade in Lion for reference (more gold than bronze).

I also picked up the NARS Summer Solstice Eyeshadow palette and think it’s a winner. The texture and pigment is incredible with every shade. It has a good mix of shimmers, metallic, sparkle and mattes. Red tones can be a bit intimidating but I decided to give this one a chance and it’s a solid winner.

LIP PICKS

For lips instead of bronze to match bronzer, I love wearing warm beige, peach or gold tones so the look isn’t too monochromatic. I’m a huge fan of the Dior Lip Maximizers for plump and shine. They are nice throw on the lips for a polished look. I love 16 Nude Shimmer which is a sheer gold beige. I just hauled the newest one for summer 23 Shimmer Bronze which is a coppery almost orange shade with a hint of shimmer.

If you want shine with a bit more pigment and color the Dior Addict Stellar Glosses are really nice. I have a number of colors in this formula and really love J’Adior, D-Light and Mirrored.

Hermes Satin Lipsticks are pure luxury. Beige Kalahari is a neutral pink beige and Beige Tadelak is a peachy color perfect for summer. Both are easy to wear and I think will be flattering for a wide range of skin tones.

That wraps up my roundup for soft bronze makeup favorites I’m loving right now. I am particularly impressed with the NARS Summer Solstice Cheek Duo and Eyeshadow Palette.

Makeup Breakdown + Other Details: