Forsaking the sun is a smart move when it comes to protecting your skin. But by this time of year, everyone else is starting to look a little tan. So if you can’t bear to face summer without some color, consider the faux glow of bronzers. Faster acting than self-tanners (and more forgiving if you mess up the application), bronzer sales have boomed in recent years, according to market research firm the NPD Group.

The growth of the category means numerous options to choose from: shimmering loose powders, matte pressed compacts, tubes of gel, and tubs of mousse. There are formulas with self-tanner and SPF, and formulas without. So how do you choose — and apply — the right product for your skin?

“The way to choose the best formula for you is by playing with makeup,” a makeup artist, Napoleon Perdis, said. But he recommends that beginners start with “liquidy mousse” formulas because they are easier to control — an opinion seconded by the director of global artistry for Stila, Shawn Peltier, who recommends translucent liquid formulas for bronzing newbies. He suggests mixing the liquid with a “carrier” like moisturizer or foundation to help the product slip onto the skin; then adding more bronzer to build color as needed.

When it comes to powder bronzers, formulas with a bit of shimmer can enhance an existing tan, while matte formulas are good for evening out a tan, a makeup artist for Sephora, Lyn Lynch, said. But there’s another factor. “When a bronzer is matte, it’s more difficult to apply evenly,” Mr. Peltier said. For enhancement, apply a light shimmering bronzer to the high plains of the face, where the sun would naturally hit, and blend well. Finish with a touch of peachy blush to the apples of the cheeks. Then tell everyone you spent a week in St. Barts.