MAU Mimi Kamara Breaks Down Bronzers!!

JUICY: Bronzer is a great make up product, but what is the correct way to apply it?

MIMI KAMARA: I would say first and foremost a good tool, so a large fluffy brush. It doesn’t have to be a black fluffy brush it can be the black and white one which is ideal for liquid or cream or powder. Then from apply as if you were writing the number “3.” Start towards the center of forehead and swoop down right underneath the cheek and then circle and round off the three underneath the jaw, and repeat. Essentially it’s about if the sun were to hit your face where would it hit and where would you be bronzey, glowy and warm.

J: With bronzer and there being so many different looks how do you achieve glistening, golden, and bronze?

MK: Trust yourself and give yourself a little more credit. Just like with hair, even if you don’t do hair you know when your hair is jacked up and you know when your hair is fine and on point. That’s the same rule of thumb with make up, do one thing with a lot of different things. For instance, we just talked about the number “3″ scooping down and coming back around. Take that same bronzer and use it as your eye shadow, or maybe put it just right on the ball of the nose to create just a little more depth. Or even mix up what you use, try  using Amber Lights by MAC, as a bronzer, for a different type of glow.

J: With so many different complexions of brown skin, how do you know what’s best for your complexion?

MK:  That’s the advantage that a lot of women have with makeup, you can try it whether you’re in Sephora or in Bergdorf Goodman and ask a professional to try it on you. If you don’t have that luxury, the cool thing about a Rite Aid or a Duane Reade is you can do a hand swatch. No matter if you’re blue, green, black you can swatch it and see if it’s going to work.
J: You mentioned you can use Amber Lights eyeshadow as a bronzer, does that cake up?

MK: Amber Lights is a very popular color not just among women of color, but with women of color it’s a true gold. Be sure to use a fluffy brush because, yes the texture can be so dense, the brush allows it to disperse a little bit more. Because it is an eye shadow, slap it on your eye, do a really rich brown liner instead of a black, smudge it out a little then hit up the temples and you give yourself a bronze-y finish.

J: What consistency or texture of products works best for Black skin?

MK: It’s more about your skin type and then your skin tone. Always address that first. Knowing if your a size 0 or a size 22, will  matter first in looking at if I want a red shirt or a blue shirt. Skine type and tone work the same way. For instance whether you’re Asian, Latina, Caucasian, or Black if you’re oily, you don’t skip moisturizer because nine times out of ten you’re oily because your skin is dehydrated. Now you’re skipping moisturizer and your skin is overproducing oil. Educate yourself it’s not about , “ooh I’m too dark or, “ooh I’m too light,” it’s about do you really like it – and does it work for my skin type.

J:When you use bronzer should you use blush, or anything else you usually use?

MK: I do. At the end of the day bronzer is just adding warmth. Using the number “3″ application, you can certainly use it on your entire face. So you want to even out the skin tone? If it’s the summertime, you’re rocking your bronzer, take your moisturizer and concealer, slap it together in your hands and mix it together, there’s your tinted moisturizer. Even out the skin without looking too heavy, do your number “3,” then after you do your number “3″ smile and brush in an upward motion, do a little blush, do a little mascara.

J: What are some tips to make bronzer coordinate with your other makeup so you aren’t “doing too much”?

MK: Bronzer is something that can be used at anytime and throughout any season, but there is definitely times people do too much. I say for sure utilize the number three method. It is not meant to go all over your face because then what happens is you either look like an oompa loompa or you look like you have on foundation but the foundation doesn’t match.

J: Any other tips about bronzer?

MK: Trust your instincts and let the expert be the expert.  Trust the person and trust they know what they’re doing and will steer you in the right direction and get it out your mind that you have to be a certain complexion to do a certain thing. It’s makeup, it’s not rocket science, it’s fun, it’s not permanent. If you mess up, the beauty of it is you can wipe it off and start all over again.

Donyel L. Griffin As an educator, freelance writer, and former online show host, it would be an understatement to say Donyel L. Griffin has a love for words. For the last five years Griffin has write about hip-hop, celebrities, pop culture, beauty and education for VIBE, AllHipHop.com, Examiner.com, and UChic. Word lovers follow her @donnyd1va

• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Presents ‘Drag Queen’ Lip Tar and Nail Line!!!
• Celeb MUA Mimi Johnson Highlights Top Fall Beauty Trends!!!
• Juicy Webstar: How To Highlight And Contour Makeup!!!
• No More Makeup Meltdowns: Andrea Face-Q Fresh Ups !!!