This Iconic Bronzer Can Give You Cillian Murphy-Level Sculpted Cheekbones
Cillian Murphy's performance in Oppenheimer is impressive, but his red-carpet presence is even more so. We kid, but there really is something to be said about it. Maybe it's his reserved demeanor. Maybe it's his brooding stare. Or, maybe it's his impossibly sculpted and sun-kissed cheekbones. Again, we kid, but we're beauty editors, so we've definitely taken notice of the latter.
Lucky for us, celebrity groomer Gareth Bromell, who personally prepped Murphy, gave GQ the inside scoop on the exact products he used. The big-ticket item is an iconic high-end bronzer Bromell used to accentuate and define Murphy's genetically-gifted cheekbones. It also happens to be beloved by beauty editors like us because it provides such natural-looking warmth and definition. Ahead, see the exact bronzer and four other glow-boosting products that Bromell used to prep Murphy's skin ahead of his red-carpet appearances.
Murphy wore this iconic Tom Ford Beauty bronzer during his Oppenheimer press tour.
Bromell would apply it to the high points of the face, where the sun would naturally hit, for natural-looking warmth and definition. He'd start with the pièce de resistance—the cheekbones—then move on to other areas of the face. "I work it into the left and right of the forehead, the points that are a bit more raised on the face shape, and the center of the nose, a bit on the chin, the ears, and a little on the neck—but a very light dusting," he said.
Bromell says this bronzer is a good fit for everyone, including men like Murphy, who are walking the red carpet, thanks to a subtle, glitter-less formula. "The powder doesn't have any glitter or shimmer, or anything like that, which I think is very important for male clients," Bromell said. "You want them to look sunkissed, but you don't want them to look like they're wearing makeup."
Bromell applied the bronzer with this powder brush for a soft and diffused effect.
Cillian Murphy's Skin Prep
Skin prep is the most important step in any makeup look—even Murphy's. Bromell used a combo of serums to give him hydrated, glowing skin ahead of his red-carpet appearance.
The first is this, which uses an effective combination of sodium hyaluronate (an ingredient similar to hyaluronic acid) and peptides. It boosts hydration, improves elasticity, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Murphy has incredible skin, so we're going to go ahead and say it works.
This is the second serum Bromell used. It's full of vitamin C to brighten the skin and provide antioxidant protection. It uses a form of vitamin C called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. While a mouthful to say, it's incredibly stable and has a low risk for irritation, which makes it a good choice for sensitive skin. There's also vitamin E, which works in tandem with vitamin C, to protect the skin and prevent premature signs of aging.
Next, Bromell says he lets the serum soak into the skin under an LED mask for 5 to 10 minutes. LED masks are known to boost collagen and reduce inflammation in the skin, so it's clear why Bromell would use them on his celebrity clients.
While we don't know the exact LED mask he uses, we like this one from CurrentBody. It's powerful and effective and promises to improve skin tone, texture, and firmness. We're sold.
After a face and eye mask for extra hydration, Bromell brings out this secret weapon. These gel tanning drops are "very popular on the male grooming circuit." He mixes two clicks with a moisturizer and applies it all over Murphy's face. "I apply that into the skin, and that develops over an hour, and it's very, very natural and adds a really beautiful glow to the skin," he says.
Bromell says when he uses it, it makes him look like he's been out in the sun all day. He also says it fades naturally over a few days, so it's pretty much a fuss-free tanning product. Now, please excuse us while we buy one (or two).
Shop 5 More Bronzers We Love
Okay, this isn't technically a bronzer, but it gives our skin the prettiest glow, so we're considering it as one. It's an illuminating serum that gives skin a golden radiance while improving skin tone and texture with 5% niacinamide. Use these under your foundation, and you'll totally get the hype.
This drugstore bronzer is iconic. It's silky, blendable, and natural-looking, which is why celebs like Sofia Richie swear by it too.
If a cream bronzer is more your style, we recommend this one. It blends into the skin like a dream, leaving the most perfect I-just-left-the-beach glow.
This one does have a touch of shimmer to it, so be warned if you're a matte-bronzer-only person. However, it's not garish or over the top. Instead, the formula is creamy and easy to use, and that price just can't be beaten.
Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.
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