Done right, bronzer is awesome. It can make you look like you just spent a week somewhere warm and beautiful, like St. Barts or Cap d'Antibes. Done wrong, the words "muddy," "streaky," and "Paris Hilton circa 2004" come to mind. We'll take a wild guess that the latter is not the look you're going for. "Applied correctly, bronzer warms up the skin," says makeup artist Dick Page. "It shouldn't change your whole skin color or look like a spray tan." Because we see these four bronzer mistakes more than fashion bloggers in Stan Smith Adidas, and since bronzer season/summer is basically here, we're issuing a PSA: Stop committing these bronzer errors and let these makeup artists help you get on the right path.

The mistake: Ending up with "bronzer mask"

__The advice:__You should only put bronzer where the sun naturally hits your face—the apples of the cheeks, the bridge of the nose, and around the hairline—otherwise, you risk it looking like a mask. (The one exception: a light coating of gel bronzer worn all over, topped with blush on the cheeks.) "You also want to use highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones, your brows, and the Cupid's bow so your face doesn't look flat," Page says.

__The mistake:__Using the wrong formula

__The advice:__Pressed powders are generally easier to apply than loose ones or gels, especially if you prefer a subtler look. Dip a large, fluffy brush into the powder, then tap it on a tissue— otherwise, you'll get too much color on your face.

__The mistake:__Applying in dim lighting

The advice: "Step outside and you may realize how horrible it looks," says Page. Try to apply bronzer in natural light, near a window. If that's not available, go for the brightest indoor lighting you can find. And don't use a compact mirror, Page warns, or "you might get floating-head syndrome and not notice your face turning a different color than the rest of you."

__The mistake:__Overdoing it

The advice: Applying bronzer is like salting food: You can always add more, but it's hard to take it away. It's best to start lightly and build up gradually. If you've applied too much, you can soften the effect with serious blending. "Buff the edges of your bronzer with a clean makeup brush," says makeup artist Pep Gay.

See the Kardashian Beauty Cabana Bronze above? We're such big fans of this glow-enhancing pressed powder that we've included it in June's Allure Beauty Box. The supersmooth powder goes on seamlessly and you can use the chose-your-own-shade stripes to create your perfect bronzing shade (while you're also practicing your newly acquired bronzer skills). Just remember, whatever you do, don't apply it in the dark.

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