'Tis the season to be golden and glowy.

Despite last year's popular pale retro look most people still long for a luscious and luxurious tan come the summer months. But with awareness of skin cancer rising, most of us prefer to achieve a sunkissed look without spending too much time exposed to aggressive rays.

Enter the bronzer. Make-up brands from luxe Dior to budget-friendly L'Orel Paris all offer products to create a natural-looking faux bronze complexion.

International make-up artist at The Body Shop, Chase Aston, says the right product is key.

"To add a daily dose of warmth to your coloring, I recommend a bronzer one or two shades darker than your own skin. I would choose a powder or tinted moisturiser for an all-over glow", he told Cover Media. "Never try to warm up your complexion with foundation! It just looks messy."

The perfect way to apply bronzer is with a large brush.

Place six dots of product around the edge of the face and buff it all around.

"If it looks patchy, add some moisturiser and blend it in", Aston recommended.

He also advised how to pick the right tone of bronzer for your complexion.

"If you have a reddish skin tone, go for a powder without any red in it at all. Go for a matte bronzing powder that is golden or yellow. If you have a yellowish complexion, pick a bronzer with pink elements," he said. "And if you feel your skin has a greyish tone - mature skin can appear that way - try a tinted moisturizer to create a subtle glow."

© Cover Media