How To Fake A Fabulous Safe Tan With Bronzer

This Tuesday, June 21, marks the first day of summer. And for many of you, the beginning of your tanning routine.

We are not here to judge. We don't want to scold anyone for heading to the beach for a little rest and relaxation. BUT------

There really is NO safe tan, except in the form of sunless tanning. And that means bronzer for your face, and tanning spray for your body. And yes, you CAN fake a fabulous tan with bronzer.

Your face can glow and look like you spent a day lying by the sand and sea. All you have to do is pick the right bronzer and delicately apply it, so it results in a natural, sun-kissed way.

Choose a bronzerthat is one or two shades darker than your skin. If you have an oily complexion, then stay with a powder bronzer. Dry complexions would be wise to select a cream bronzer. And remember: Don't go bronzer-wild all over your face.

Try Maybelline's DreamMousse Bronzer ($7.29, at drugstores)> It's so light and glides on beautifully!

Celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes, a fave of Jennifer Lopez, is the king of bronzer. Here are his tips, the best we've seen on applying a fake tan for the face:

"Make sure that you don’t use a bronzer like you would be using a loose powder. You shouldn’t be applying bronzer all over your face. You should actually use bronzer on parts of your face that the sun would kiss naturally and you should make sure that the centre of your face is lighter than the outer parts of your face.".

Use bronzer sparingly, says Scott:

"In general, I try to abide by a less-is-more mentality: You can always layer more on but it’s harder to take it off. It’s really all in the approach, though. I always see women applying powders and bronzers starting next to their nose. But the trick is to work from the outside of the face inward, rather than the other way around. This creates a halo effect and leaves a diamond shape of light in the center so your face appears a little more open. This will hide double chins and give you a visible bone structure so you don’t wind up looking old. Also, use a bronzing brush to blend allover rather than applying product directly to problem areas like crow’s feet and laugh lines. And don’t forget to do your neck and décolletage."

Great tips! And Scott Barnes sells his own popular makeup line of bronzers for face and body.