Bronze Monochrome Makeup Is The Sun-Kissed Summer Look You've Been Searching For

There are few summer makeup styles more gorgeous than bronze monochrome. The aesthetic involves applying glowy, bronze products all over the face to create a sun-kissed look. "It's all about thinking about what color you naturally tan and turning that volume up a couple of notches," makeup artist and male groomer Caroline Hernandez exclusively explained to Women.com. "I love that slightly sunburnt look, but the beauty of makeup is, we can do that without compromising our skin's safety," she added. So, think latte makeup, but more dewy and with less variation in shades.

We know monochromatic outfits are great for lazy days, and bronze monochrome makeup is no different. It can be as easy and simple as you want, and, because you're using such similar tones, you don't need to worry about which shades complement each other. Plus, spending less time at your makeup table means more time out in the sunshine! This style is a favorite of a number of stars too, with the likes of Lori Harvey, Simone Biles, and Olivia Culpo all rocking the cosmetics style. So, to help you nail this aesthetic, we're highlighting the tips and tricks you need to know.

To get the bronze monochrome makeup look started, Caroline Hernandez recommends using a glowy (also known as illuminating) primer under a tinted moisturizer. These primers have a pearlescent sheen, making the skin look healthy and brightened rather than dry and matte. If you have cool undertones and lighter skin, this may be the only part of your makeup routine that isn't actually bronze. A cool pink or even pearly white primer will be most flattering. If you have darker skin, you may lean more towards primers that are bronze or peachy gold. 

Using a tinted moisturizer instead of a full-coverage, matte foundation will let your skin shine through for a more natural finish, very in keeping with the summer vibes. Hernandez recommends Iconic London's Underglow Blurring Primer ($30) and Iconic London's Radiance Booster ($39). "This gives a really beautiful, but natural healthy glow to the skin," she shared. Of course, before applying either of these, it's important to use sunscreen. Many of us only apply sun protection in the summer, but it's vital to use SPF even if you're trying this makeup in the winter.

One of the best ways to have fun with bronze monochrome makeup is with the eyes. Caroline Hernandez gets the most gorgeous bronze eyes using Danessa Myricks Colorfix Nudes ($20). These are heavily pigmented cream products that can be used on the eyes, lips, and cheeks. "Go for [a color] around three shades deeper than your skin tone and sweep around the eyes on top and underneath and across the eyelids blending up and out," she recommended. You can also try shimmer products here to catch the light in the summer sun.

Those with darker skin can take things one step further by trying a metallic bronze on the lid. "[This will] give the lid that sheen that we sometimes get when our skin is hot," Hernandez explained. Colorfix also offers metallic versions of its pigment, with Goldmine and Celebration amongst its bronze shades. To finish up the eyes, Hernandez brings extra cohesion and blending via a warm reddish brown or terracotta eyeshadow brushed along the socket line.

Another way to play up the bronze aesthetic is via the cheeks. A good bronze shade here will really tie this makeup look together. "On [the] cheeks I like to apply something red, warm pink or orange toned for a sun-kissed look, whatever the skin tone," Caroline Hernandez shared. "I love to start on the apples and keep it quite high, and blend it quite low. Think of how a child's cheeks look when they are playing," she added. The 2024 brown blush trend is also a great go-to for bronze monochrome.

Cream blushes work well here because they give a dewy, super healthy finish. Hernandez uses Nudestix's Stax All Over Color Blush Balm ($24) in the shades Picante Nude, Melon Sugar, or Pink Love. Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush ($23) can also work for this aesthetic, with the shades Joy and Grateful offering that healthy, day-out-in-the-sun finish without the dangerous UV ray risks.

No summer makeup is complete without highlights to dazzle in the sun. Caroline Hernandez told us that the best places to add sheen for the bronze monochromatic aesthetic are on the cheekbones, the bridge of nose, and the Cupid's bow (the middle part of the upper lip). "I love the new Lightshift Cream Highlighters from Ilia ($38), available in three shades depending on skin tone," she told us. Those highlights come in Glint (a soft champagne), Arc (a peachy gold), and Daze (a warm copper). These are all warm with a hint of bronze, which will keep your makeup monochromatic.

There's also room for highlights to brighten and bring out the eyes. Hernandez adds a light shade in the middle of the eyelid and in the inner corner of the eye. This doesn't have to be bronze, as that won't be flattering. Instead, opt for a light gold or champagne. Not only will it be in-keeping with the glowy, shimmery, and sometimes metallic vibe, it will really brighten your peepers.

It's easy to confuse contouring and bronzing, seeing as so many of us use the same products for both. But when it comes to bronze monochrome makeup, make sure you're actually bronzing. That means creating the illusion of a tan on the highpoints of the face, where it naturally catches the sun. Contouring is more about deepening the lower points of the face. Of course, if you're love contour, you can do both, but try to focus on bronzing. 

"To give a really authentically placed tan to the skin, aim for the high planes of the face, i.e. the parts of the face which stick out more. The forehead, the cheeks, the nose, the chin. This is where we tend to tan first," Hernandez explained. She suggested using stick bronzer and praised Rare Beauty's Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick ($26). "Blend the stick out using a large fluffy brush to get a seamless look. For a simple bronzed look, apply this to the eye lids and under the eye too," she said.

The best bronzer shade will depend on your preference and skin tone. Generally, lighter products are better (and less muddy) on light skin and darker shades flatter darker skin. To really glow, use a shimmery bronze powder over the top of your cream product (but we wouldn't recommend shimmer products for contour).

Though Taylor Swift-esque red lips are super glam and gorgeous, the bronze monochrome makeup aesthetic isn't the time to show them off. Instead, nude lips work best. "Lips should be kept simple and summery," Caroline Hernandez said. In fact, she applies colored lip balm. "I am loving the Melting Touch Lip Balm from Iconic London ($23) and especially love In the Nude or Love Language for this type of look," she told us.

But you can go more made up. Find your perfect nude lipstick match based on your skin tone and go for a sheer product with a satin finish to emphasize the dewy look bronze monochrome makeup is famous for. A bronze shimmer lip gloss (or even glitter if you love extra glam!) is stunning over the top and will tie your pout into the aesthetic and bring shine. Bronze lip glosses are flattering on a range of skin tones, as they bring out the skin's warmness without being distracting, overpowering, or putting down too much color.