Every magazine, catalog and advert you pick up this summer features beautiful models with a flawless, golden tan radiating from prominent cheekbones and impossibly-long limbs. They never have sunburn or tan lines, their skin is dewy (never dry or flakey) and while they may have a smattering of freckles they never seem to have any obvious sun damage…

So, what’s their secret?  

It’s called makeup! More often than not, there is an awful lot of face and body makeup going on to achieve that “natural” beauty.

If you’re looking to get the modelesque, end-of-the-summer “golden goddess” look (sans sun), make sure you follow these tips:

Fair – Light Skin

Being the fairest of the group is probably your normal, but here are a few ways to warm up your skin without looking ridiculous:

• DON’T apply a darker foundation to your face. It will look obvious.
• DO choose a golden beige bronzer that warms up light skin tones without the orange tint. Dip the tips of your stippling brush into bronzer and smooth over your forehead, cheekbones and bridge of nose for a warm glow.
• DON’T use your contour powder as a bronzer – it has a grey undertone meant to “sink” areas of the skin.
• DO apply a gradual tanner in the lightest shade.
• DON’T get spray tanned by a machine or a person, unless they have a solution that is around 6% DHA. Regardless of application and quality of product, your skin will appear orange if you use the medium solutions (8-10%).

Medium – Tan Skin

The goal is to look sun-kissed and healthy, not super tan everywhere.

• DO choose a sheer bronzer to accent your skin vs. an opaque bronzer that covers your skin.
• DON’T apply bronzer all over your face. Choose a bronzer, one or two shades darker than your skin tone. Run the bronzer under your jawline, over the shoulder bones and down your décolleté with your 100 arched powder brush.
• DON’T use your contour powder as a bronzer – it can look muddy on tan skin.
• DO accent tan skin with a pop of blush.
• DO apply a gradual tanner in a medium shade.

Dark – Deep Skin 

You already have the lovely colour, but take it up a notch with a little sheen.

• DO apply a sheer foundation to even out and add warmth to your skin. Choose a foundation and work over your skin with your stippling brush for a sheer finish.
• DO even out your skin tone and add a lovely sheen all over your body with an illuminating oil.
• DON’T underestimate the power of colour. Accent your deep skin tone with a deep red/orange. Sweep over the apples of your cheeks with your blush brush to brighten your complexion.