Dan's Papers - February 15, 2008 - The Secret to Beautiful, Bronze Skin

Unless you are reading this on the beach somewhere south of the equator, chances are that February has left you cold, pale and in need of some serious fun in the sun. And while you can't magically transport yourself to a beach chair on a tropical island, you can look like you've spent some time lounging in one before your next social event. So break out your biggest round brush, set aside a few minutes and read on to find out how to look like you've had a Caribbean vacation in ten minutes flat.

First, we must pay homage to the classics that turned everyone's attention from blush to bronze as soon as they were released - NARS Bronzing Powder and Stila Sun. Both of these products are light and infused with tiny golden flecks that not only highlight the contours of your face, but also disguise any unevenness or slight blemishes you might have. The NARS Bronzer is also the perfect companion to that famous NARS face highlighter and blush - the Multiple Orgasm.

There's also a new movement in bronzer that is a big hit in the general population, as on catwalks and photo shoots everywhere: i.d. bareMinerals All-Over Face Color. These feathery, light powders are a little trickier to choose than the classics (they come in thirteen different shades), but they do wonders for even the most sensitive or acne-prone skin, and look natural while covering flaws.

Of course, not everyone likes to carry a purse big enough to fit one of those massive, fluffy bronzer brushes and a compact, so companies like Clarins and Sugar Cosmetics now make bronzer that comes fully loaded into a blush brush with a top. Sugar's Travel Tan and Clarins Summer Fever make it easy to touch up your tan wherever you go and will keep the inside of your purse smudge-free.

If you want an all-over glow, you might want to test-drive Geurlain's new Terracotta Spray SPF 10. It's not a fake tanner, so it doesn't smell like chemicals, but it ensures an even, light application of the same color that has made their Terracotta bronzing powder a favorite. Another option would be a liquid makeup bronzer like Benefit's Glamazon. Similar in concept to their ever-popular Benetint, Glamazon is a light liquid that can be brushed on anywhere for a golden glow that stays put as long as you want it.

There are thousands of bronzing gadgets, lotions and potions from which to choose, but these tried-and-true favorites are guaranteed to get you looking rested and glowing in minutes. Apply some of your favorite product to your neck and shoulders before you hit the town and you're sure to make your friends wonder how you found the time to work on that oh-so-perfect tan.