Glowing strong

Summer is just around the corner and, while most of us are well aware of the dangers of tanning, it's hard to resist that fresh-from-the-beach glow. Thankfully, there's now a bronzer for any occasion and every skin type.

Traditional options include M.A.C's Bronzing Powder, a lightly frosted compact available in four shades. The sheer powder offers buildable coverage and can be used to darken an existing tan. It also contains skin-conditioning ingredients for smoother application.

Guerlain's Terracotta Light, also available in four shades from pink-toned Blondes to coral-hued Brunettes, blends several sheer bronze pigments and pearlescent particles to adapt to changing skin tones. The lightweight powder can be used all over for radiant colour or brushed on the cheekbones and the arch of the eyebrow for a more sculpted effect.

A loose bronzer, Make Up For Ever's Shine On Powder contains fine mother-of-pearl particles to highlight tanned skin and provide a healthy glow. It comes in four shades, including amber and caramel, which can be blended with translucent or matte powders for a less iridescent effect.

Taking things to a sparkling new level, Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Brick Compact in Bronze offers a deeper glow thanks to five complementary shades. The brilliant colours can be blended together or used separately to highlight different areas of the face. The lightest shade, a shimmering ivory, can even double as an eye shadow. Other Shimmer Brick Compacts include beige for a "candlelit glow" and nectar for a coral effect.

Available in two shades, The Body Shop's Honey Bronze Brilliance Powder is bronzer and brush in one. The easy-to-apply powder also features Community Fair Trade honey from Ethiopia and beeswax from Cameroon for moisture and conditioning. It's recommended for use on the face and décolletage.