The 16 Best Cream Bronzers to Help You Achieve the Perfect Summer Glow

The bronzer, the myth, the legend. I’m pretty sure many of you are already well acquainted with CHANEL’s cult classic, and for good reason. Everything about this bronzer is decadent, from the packaging to the whipped cream-gel formula. I’d challenge anyone not to slightly hesitate when breaking into a new one. I find that you get the best finish when you apply an all over wash of colour with a large brush.

"Warm in all of the right places, it seamlessly melts into my skin leaving a sun-kissed halo that adds dimension and warmth," says Harrods' deputy beauty editor Nateisha Scott. "A bronzer and contour all-in-one, it makes it in every make-up edit and beauty look."

Glossier's much-adored Cloud Paint blushers now come in bronzer form to impart a sunny bronze hue to your complexion. The paint tubes house a creamy formula that effortlessly blends into the skin with zero sparkle or shimmer, just a radiant-matte finish that gives your skin a realistic flush of colour. Everyone will ask if you've been away on holiday.

A firm favourite in my make-up bag, this bronzer harnesses the benefits of Monoï de Tahiti (a cosmetic oil) which adds additional moisture onto the skin. This bronzer works best when buffed all over the face with a brush in circular motions, or applied slightly above the hollows of the cheeks to softly sculpt.

Milk's product is an easy-to-use stick that can be used to contour the face and as an allover bronzer. The coconut scented formula contains mango butter to help nourish the skin and apricot oil to give a hydrated yet matte finish. It blends perfectly with fingertips, a makeup sponge or a brush and I also love using it as a cream eyeshadow. 

A brand that proves brilliant beauty products can be yours for a tenner or less. The formula is lightweight, non-greasy, and highly pigmented and turns from putty-to-powder once you’ve buffed it into the skin. Plus, it’s infused with Argan Oil and Vitamin E and comes in eight different shades.

With seven sheer, buildable shades designed for all skin types and tones, there’s something for everyone in Fenty’s cream bronzer line up. It makes light work of softly defining and sculpting the skin as well as achieving a natural fresh-faced bronzed glow. All hail Queen RiRi.

"This has fast become a staple in my makeup routine," says freelance beauty journalist Vanese Maddix. "I wasn’t much of a bronzer person, however, a year ago I discovered that the right bronzer has the power to warm up the face for a sun-kissed glow. I love this cream formula from Rare as it glides effortlessly onto the skin and blends like a total dream. I’m all for a cream stick too, as it makes it easier to apply on the go directly on the skin and onto a brush. This is the perfect bronzer for those just starting to warm up to bronzers as well as the pros."

It’s always good to have a variety of the same type of product so you can switch things up depending on the mood and occasion. If I’m going out-out, I’m reaching for Tower 28’s multidimensional and illuminating sheen that makes it a perfect bronze and highlight at the same time. Snatched cheekbones incoming.

Since I was sent this to try, I have been completely hooked. I apply it over my face and décolletage for an instant week-in-the-Mediterranean glow and the fact it contains hyaluronic acid means it feels nourishing and comfortable to wear. Plus, it’s available in four shades to suit all skin tones.

From world-class make-up artist Mario Dedivanovic comes this bronzer. "It’s a three in one product that instantly warms, tints and evens out your skin,” he explains while applying the product in a Youtube tutorial. "It’s extremely sheer and buildable. I developed this so its very easy to build the product to the desired effect.” The end result? *Chefs kiss*

A go-to pick for freelance beauty editor Morgan Fargo. "It's buttery soft and requires little blending—a great choice if you favour using your fingers or hands to apply make-up."

You know the one product in your makeup bag that you use every single day yet feel like it's been in there forever? For me, it’s this one. The highly pigmented cream-to-powder bronzer stays perfectly in place, from application to removal, and a little product on the brush goes a really long way. Winner.

Me and Jones Road have a thing going on. The majority of my makeup bag currently features the brand. This is the perfect combination of moisture and tint, and can be used as a bronzer, blusher and highlighter depending on the shade you go for. "It can also be used literally anywhere,” says Brown. "Cheeks, eyes, lips, neck, legs and body.” So, in short, worth every penny.

If you want a lightweight cream bronzer that blends like a dream, look no further than Refy's take. The silky formula melts into the skin to deliver a sheer veil of warmth wherever you require it, and it is easily buildable if you want more intensity.

"Typically I'm not a huge bronzer girl, but this new launch from BareMinerals is a really unique blush-bronzer hybrid that delivers a sun-kissed glow like no other," says freelance beauty editor and Who What Wear contributor Mica Ricketts. "I'm specifically obsessed with the shade Kiss of Copper which gives you the kind of bronzed, rosy glow that you could expect after spending the afternoon relaxing with friends on a breezy British beach. The gel-cream texture means that it has a beautiful sheen on the skin too, so skin looks dewy as well as golden."