Get Glowing with New Bronzers

Summer used to mean baking in the heat for hours in search of the perfect sun kissed complexion. Skin cancer and aging concerns have driven smart beauty queens indoors away from skin damaging UVA and UVB rays, but you don't have to spend the summer porcelain pale. The new generation of bronzers gives fair complexions a healthy glow without damaging the skin or going on streaky or orange.

Bronzers come in cream, gel and powder. Each has their own advantages, with powdered bronzers being the easiest to apply. Powdered bronzers are available in shades to compliment any skin tones, from very fair to deep. Pressed powder bronzers can be found for under $10 in most drugstores. Cover Girl CG Bronzer is available in Copper Radiance and Golden Tan and can be found at major retailers such as Target and Walgreens for around $6. Loose powder bronzers are becoming more popular. They are slightly messy, but the loose powder makes all over face and body application easier. Bare Minerals Face Color in Faux Tan in available at Sephora for $20 and compliments a variety of skin tones with a warm glow.

For staying power on oily complexions and precise application, gel bronzers are the best choice. Gel colors are more concentrated than powder bronzers, so a little goes a long way. The gel bronzers aren't as easily available as powder bronzers, but a few great products are worth the effort to find. Stila Sun Gel is a lightweight, buildable sheer bronzing gel available at Sephora for $24. For the budget conscious, Loreal Paris Glam Bronze Highlighter Gel is available at mass retailers nationwide for around $12.

If your skin is too dry for a powder or gel formula, you can still get that summer look with a cream or lotion bronzer. Cream bronzers have the added benefit of moisturization so they are perfect for dry or sun damaged skin. Many also include a self tanner, so your glow can last even after your make up comes off. Maybelline's Cream Mousse Bronzer is whipped, so it is light and easy to apply. It doesn't feather or crease, which can be a problem for dry skin. Wonderbod Jiffy Tan is a tan tinted lotion that not only works for your face, but can be used on legs and arms for a fake tan that doesn't streak or turn orange and comes off with soap and water, so there is no commitment. It retails for $24 at Sephora.