It's no secret that finding the right bronzer for your skin tone, texture, and concerns can be more challenging than fun. While spending countless hours sifting through bronzers at your beauty retailer of choice could sound like heaven for some, it may be awful for others, especially if they're shopping without a clear idea of what they should be looking for. Long before I became a beauty editor, I found myself in the latter group—hoping that one day my hands would graze over my perfect bronzer pairing.
With summer drawing to a close on the western hemisphere and a few years in the beauty industry under my belt, I'm hunting for the perfect bronzers to give me that year-round vacation-like glow. Below, two celebrity makeup artists weigh in on the best bronzers on the market and offer helpful tips for how to create the sun-kissed makeup look of your dreams. Believe me. This is one you won't want to miss.
What should be considered while shopping for bronzer?
Celebrity makeup artists Tomy Rivero and Michele Probst both agree that consumers should consider how they would like their bronzer to serve their makeup goals before taking to the stores in hopes of finding their perfect bronzer. "It totally depends on how bronze you want to be. Your skin tone and undertones matter. Typically, you want a shade or two darker than your natural skin color," explains Probst. "I advise a sample test on a small portion of your face to provide accuracy. The goal is to have a radiant, healthy glow."
According to Rivero, swatching different shades can be done by creating a square swatch on both arms, blending the product as if you're trying to tan and then allowing it to sit for a few hours to determine which color looks the most natural on your skin without appearing too dark or orange. "You have to wear bronzer to see how it oxidizes for the best natural color match," Rivero tells us. He suggests going two to three shades darker to achieve a natural, sun-kissed glow.
Shoppers may also find it helpful to compare potential bronzer options to the shade of their skin when it's naturally tanned. "If you're someone who tans and doesn't burn, pick up the color that is closest to your darkest tan in the summer," Rivero explains. Have a few shots of your natural, sun-kissed skin on hand for an easy reference and then shop accordingly. Remember: The goal is to re-create the appearance of your skin with a healthy glow as opposed to how it looks after experiencing any form of sun damage.
Which formulas work the best for my skin type?
With so much available on the market, selecting the right bronzer for your skin type and texture can be easier said than done. With guidance from Probst and Rivero, we've identified the best ways to predict which product formulas would perform the best on your skin. Generally, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the products that are nourishing for every skin type. "Look for ingredients like silicone emulsion, jojoba or coconut oil, and hemp-seed oils. This will help hydrate and nourish the skin," says Probst.
If you have problematic and reactive skin (oily, acne-effected skin falls under this category), keep an eye out for formulas that work well with your specific condition. For individuals with oily skin, Rivero tells us that a good rule of thumb is to start the search with powdered, mousse, and cream formulas. Alternately, people with drier skin will benefit from bronzers that are cream based and formulated with hydrating ingredients. Lastly, normal and combination skin may see success with any formula as long as it's set correctly.
Another important factor to consider when shopping for a new product to add to your makeup lineup is how your skin's natural undertones determine the finished look of your bronzer. Probst has an easy way of knowing which bronzer will work the best with your skin. "For cool-undertoned skin, search for bronzers with pink or red bases. If you have warm undertones, look for golden or peachy shades. Definitely avoid anything orange," she says.
How can bronzer be applied?
There are several ways to apply bronzers, but this time around, we're taking cues directly from the pros on how to achieve the best possible sun-kissed look. While using a powder-based bronzer, Probst favors leaving it as the last step of the makeup routine. Using a fluffy brush, she takes the bronzer down the nose bridge and across the apples of the cheek to the cheekbones. When using a liquid or cream bronzer, she applies the product in a circular motion on the cheeks, chin, and forehead before blending.
Rivero likes to underpaint with his bronzer—a technique where products that provide warmth and contour to the face are applied first before being followed with foundation and concealer. "This helps unify the tones for a more natural finish. It also helps with using less makeup overall, which is effective in creating a natural finish to your makeup," Rivero tells us. The general consensus from both Rivero and Probst is that bronzer placement should be on the temples and hairline, over the cheekbones, and under the jawline.
The Best Bronzers, Listed
- Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
- Tula Skincare Bronze Boost Glow Bronzing Drops
- Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
- Iconic London Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer
- Milk Makeup Bionic Sunkissed Liquid Bronzer
- Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Bronzer
- Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick
- Nyx Professional Makeup Buttermelt Pressed Powder Bronzer
- Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
- Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer
- SheGlam Silk Haze Cream Bronzer
- BareMinerals Warmth All-Over Face Color Loose Bronzer
The Best Bronzers for a Natural-Looking Glow
A couple of drops of the Face Illumination Self-Tan Drops can be added to any moisturizer, serum, or face oil to transform your favorite skincare must-haves into custom self-tanner. Its formula features a blend of raspberry-seed oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E for a natural-looking, streak-free finish.
Customer Review: "I've been using for a few weeks and absolutely love. I'm very fair and it provides a perfect bit of color. It mixes well with my regular moisturizer and has a very light scent. It's absolutely worth the cost."
Tula Skincare's bronzing drops can be used alone or mixed into a moisturizer to provide an instant, sun-kissed finish while helping brighten skin over time. The bronzer also defends the complexion from the effects of blue light and pollution on the skin's surface.
Customer Review: "Absolutely in love with these bronzing drops, actually gave me a bronze glow and didn't just make me look like a spray tan victim!"
TikTok convinced us to get our hands on these peptide-enriched bronzing drops. Not only do they deliver a long-lasting, bronzy wash of color to the complexion, but they also boost skin elasticity, promote healthy skin-barrier function, and defend against pollution and environmental stressors.
Customer Review: "I absolutely adore this product! It's a staple. I mix a few drops with my sunscreen after moisturizing to give my skin a sun-kissed finish. 10/10 will always recommend."
The easy-to-blend, nongreasy texture of Iconic London's Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer makes this product perfect for wearing alone as a sheer wash of color or layered with your other makeup must-haves. We love this one because it can also contour the cheeks for added depth and definition.
Customer Review: "Got this as part of a set and it has turned into my go-to cream bronzer. The finish is very skin like and the undertone feels realistic. Easy to blend and build."
Milk Makeup's award-winning Bionic Sunkissed Liquid Bronzer is one of those "gotta gatekeep" products every beauty enthusiast keeps in their makeup bag. The bronzer is lightweight and easy to use and seamlessly blends to help you achieve the perfect amount of bronze.
Customer Review: "Absolutely an amazing product. I use this everyday and it blends like a dream. Truly so lucky I was able to try such an amazing product. I have been using it for a couple weeks now and I’ve had no problems."
Glossier's Cloud Paint Gel Cream Bronzer went viral the second it launched, and for good reason. It uses blurring powder pigments and a smooth-gel system to offer silky, even application and help the skin retain moisture to stay fresh and dewy looking.
Customer Review: "I am loving this cream bronzer by glossier. It is so soft and blends so easily. It gives me such a beautiful bronzed skin look. I like using it alone and also with full face makeup—works great both."
If you want to look bronzed but with a matte complexion, Victoria Beckham Beauty's Matte Bronzing Brick is the product for you. The two-step system includes a sun-kissed bronzer and contour to help users accentuate their features with a soft-focus finish that can't be beat.
Customer Review: "Love this bronzing brick. Really nice to use, good color and coverage, and lasts all day over the golden primer. Can't do without this one!"
Nyx's buildable, lightweight formula delivers a sun-soaked, bronzed look to the complexion using a skin-loving formula infused with mango butter, shea butter, and almond butter. Plus, it doesn't transfer, fade, or crease for up to 12 hours of wear.
Customer Review: "This goes on smooth and blends great. I have oily skin and it has great longevity. I am fair/light and have the lightest shade. It's a good neutral color."
Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream stands out to us because it uses a unique lightweight cream-gel formula with light-reflecting pigments to create natural-looking radiance. Use it wherever the sun naturally hits the face for a sun-kissed glow that rivals all others.
Customer Review: "My absolute favorite bronzer! Buildable and the texture is wonderful. You can never go wrong with Chanel."
The iconic Laguna Bronzing Powder comes in nine talc-free, stunning shades and uses finely milled powders for long-lasting warmth and comfort, and translucent micro-spheres work to smooth the skin. It's also versatile enough to be used as contour.
Customer Review: "I love Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder. It defines and add a lift to my face. This gives a beautiful sun-kissed glow, perfect for summer days. It blends easily, and I get a smooth buildable bronzer. A great addition to my makeup routine."
Adding eye-catching depth and dimension to the skin is possible with the help of Hourglass's Ambient Lighting Bronzer. Like the brand's best-selling Ambient Lighting Powder, this product is formulated with bronze pigments and photoluminescent technology for a radiant finish.
Customer Review: "I purchased this as a gift for myself and immediately fell in love. It's soft and blends beautifully. I feel elegant using it every time, and it's lasted me twice as long as any other bronzer. I have aging skin, slightly dry, and it doesn't accentuate any flaws. I will repurchase this."
SheGlam's Silk Haze Cream Bronzer is the bronzer at a drugstore price point that Who What Wear beauty editors swear by to achieve the look of sun-kissed skin in minutes. It's extremely silky, easy to blend, and at the perfect price point.
We're rounding out the list with a classic: BareMinerals' Warmth All-Over Face Color Loose Bronzer. The dewy-looking glow this bronzer delivers is created with the help of illuminating minerals designed to enhance the areas where light naturally hits your face.
Customer Review: "Best bronzer I have ever used. I've been using it since it came out and haven't found anything better. It's extremely lightweight and looks very natural. Especially great in the winter to get that sun-kissed glow back!"
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