Bring Euro Summer to You with These Blonzing Tips
May 20 | 3 minute read
Words by Danielle Gay
Thankfully ‘blonzing’, a makeup application technique that promises a natural glow sans self-tan, is all over our TikTok feeds – and on the enviably glowing skin of one Hailey Bieber.
“Blonzer is, as the name would suggest, a mix of blush and bronzer,” explains MECCA Pro Trainer Hannah Daniel. The idea here is to apply them together – starting with a bronzer for warmth and following it with a swipe of blush for a subtle flush of colour. “It gives the skin a ‘just been out in the sun’ appearance while staying really natural,” Hannah adds.
While blonzing isn’t new (just ask any MUA worth their brushes), the continued appeal is in its simplicity – once you nail it, blonzer becomes a fuss-free way to layer in dimension and achieve a luminous payoff. It gives the complexion a sunlit glow without, well, the actual sun.
For those who like to keep their contour where they can see it, a full-glam, high-coverage look can be achieved by paying extra attention to the placement and finish of your bronzer. “The Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Blurring Matte Bronzer are great for this as they match the finish of a fuller coverage [base] – really blurring, really matte – and can blend well over makeup without disturbing anything underneath,” says Sally Axford, MECCA’s Makeup Education Lead. “Skim it along the top of your cheekbones with a small brush that fits that area, right up under the eye and across the bridge of the nose where the sun would hit naturally.” A light dusting on the temples and forehead mimics time spent poolside.
The beauty of blonzing is that it’s uncomplicated, so for a high-summer take on your blush, go for a formula that doubles as a highlighter. The bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Liquid Highlighting Blush is a gel-cream, blush-highlighter hybrid that serves up a natural beachy glow. For those who prefer a smoothing powder, dip into Kosas Blush is Life Baked Dimensional and Brightening Blush for long-wear radiance you can’t mess up.
The ultimate pro tip? Apply a dot of blush in a berry tone (like Tom Ford Soleil Sunkissed Blush in ‘Mile High’) high on the apple of the cheek, directly under the pupil of the eye, for a toasted look. “This is where we can get a little red if we have too much sun, and keeping it in a small area in that shade range keeps it believable and, surprisingly, really youthful and flattering,” Sally says.
After all, blonzing is all about the illusion, so expect the kind of all-over glow that will have everyone asking when you got back from your Euro summer holiday.
