No sun? No matter. We’ve got the perfect solution, whether you want to add a little radiance to your complexion, enhance a natural tan or create definition with a little clever contouring.

Whenever I thumb through my Instagram feed, I’m assaulted by the glowing tanned limbs and beaming bronzed faces of all my friends that are overseas, lapping up the European summer.

I use the world assault in jest, but can’t help but feel a slight tinge of FOMO when I see all those lucky ducks galavanting everywhere from Nammos to Nice, while we’re cranking up the heater yet another notch to stave off the cold.

And if you’ve been stuck in Sydney for winter, I know you feel me too!

Luckily, no one needs to know you’ve been hibernating indoors this winter, because the latest pick of bronzers will give you that fresh-off-a-yacht, European glow in a flash.

Select your dream location and get in the spirit with one of these tan-alicious shades.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light

Packaging and presentation wise, this is the prettiest bronzer I’ve ever seen. This marble finish powder is the most Instagram-worthy product in my makeup bag! A rich-bonze powder with swirls of the most elegant rose tones make the most ideal anti-aging shade mix on the market. Sweep the highlighter-infused bronzer all over and fake the most unbelievable post-holiday glow.

Destination inspo: glamorous Monaco

Rimmel’s Kate Sculpting Palette 002 Coral Glow

Contour like a pro with Mossy’s new trio palette. You can sculpt and define your facial features with this bronzer right before you highlight, then finish with a touch of blush. Both the blush and bronzer have a slightly luminous finish to help bend and brighten the skin, while the champagne-toned highlighter bounces beautiful light specks off pretty much every skin tone. What I love about this trio is the neutral undertone to the bronzer that works well to give both contour and colour. Sexy, enduring and no-nonsense, just like Kate… love a triple threat!!

Destination inspo: Ibiza, natch.

NARS Matte Multiple in Cappadoce

Nars’ Matte Multiple is a busy girl’s dream. The lightweight formula is hydrating and long-lasting, allowing for a comfortable feeling all day long. Yet it’s the consistency of this product that I love. You simply draw your contour straight from the stick, and using your bronzer brush, sponge or fingers (my choice), you blend! Like a block of dairy milk chocolate, the colour is delicious against the skin to build depth and warmth, while the matte formula allows it to becomes one with the skin for longer than other cream bronzers. If you want a more vivid finish, try it applying wet with a sponge. A festival must-have.

Destination inspo: bustling Mykonos

Givenchy Healthy Glow Pwder Bronzers

A talc-free formula that’s in fact a baked gel, gliding onto the skin to leave a powderless texture that looks more like silk. This product’s clever formula gives this powder a weightless quality, making it virtually undetectable on the skin. There are four shades, each one more flattering than the next, to suit every skin colour. Whether you’re shaping your face as a contour, or sweeping evenly over your entire face for that all-over glow, there is an elegance to the matte finish of this radiant powder that not many other brands have been able to achieve. I just can’t get enough!

Destination inpso: seductive Positano

By Terry Tea Tan Face & Body Spray

HEAVEN. Need I say more?! This spray-on golden bronze ‘glow and go’ is for that no-makeup-makeup higher-realm luminescence. Simply spray on the skin and forget! Your skin will have an instant sheer glow that brings it to life without excess shimmer. I love using this on its own for my beach shoots, as it instantly evens skin tone – and I can add blush or a highlighter where need be without having to use a face-full of foundation! If you are not the type to go out without foundation, spray Tea Tan Face & Body on to your blush or bronzer brush and sweep through the contours of your face and across the apples of your cheeks for an equally heavenly, yet more subtle glow.

Destination inspo: sun-drenched Sardinia

CREDITS

Words: Alina Berdichevsky / Photography: Ted O’Donnell for maxmade.com.au / Hair & Makeup & products Review: Max May / Model: ILona at Chic