Bronzers have long been an important step in our beauty routines.
Its subtle additions can make a big difference in illuminating and transforming our skin and look with just a swipe of the brush to give you fresh “from-the-holiday” glow.
When summer feels far away, bronzers provide a much-needed dose of sunshine for even the darkest winter days without worrying about the potential stupid side effects of spray tans or tanning beds.
Bronzers come in three main forms; sticks, powder and liquid and can have a glittery or matte finish depending on your preferences.
What type of bronzer is best for you?
For beginners, it is probably best to stick to the powder format as they are the easiest to achieve a smooth application with. They also work best for those with oily or combination skin, but it is important to prepare properly before applying. Use primer or moisturizer and apply foundation to give the formula strength. Choose a medium-sized fluffy brush with a flat top for the entire face and an angled brush for contouring to get rid of excess.
For a liquid or cream bronzer, they usually apply darker than their powder counterparts and are not as stupid. With that said, they can have a better shine and work better for those with dry skin. Apply with a sponge or your fingers or combine with moisturizing cream for relief.
Where should I apply bronzer?
Use your bronzer to accentuate and highlight certain areas and add definition to your face. Apply to areas where you are most tanned, around the hairline, cheekbones and nose.
Below we list tips on some of the best bronzers (sun powder) on the market
Charlotte Tilbury Airbush Bronzer No 2 Medium
The new CT Airbrush Bronzer in medium fits perfectly with medium skin tones.
Guerlain Terracotta Matte
A beautiful alternative is the Terracotta Matt formula.
This one is very easy to apply and mix, and it literally feels light as air on the skin. The formula uses Kaolin, which is a white clay known for its matting ability. And of course, it smells absolutely fantastic in true Guerlain Terracotta style.
Guerlain Terracotta Nude
We have to recommend Terracotta Nude from Guerlain and this one is also beautiful on light to medium tones. This is a very special pure bronzer with lots of glow. It uses special technology which means that its tone is adapted to individual skin components.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbush Bronzer No1 Fair
This is really light and will definitely be good for the super pale. A fantastic bronzer simply.
NARS Bronzing Powder San Juan
A good alternative for pale skin comes from NARS. This one has a fantastic super soft gold but has a slightly lighter bronze shade.
NARS Bronzing Powder Matte Vallarta
NARS makes a fantastic bronzer for paler skin. It is called Vallarta and is fantastic on lighter skin tones who love a velvety finish.
Chanel Les Beiges
If you like a cream product, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream is a wonderful luxury option.
Fenty Cheeks Out Cream Bronzer in Butta Biscuit
Cream bronzer from Fenty is a brilliant, more affordable alternative and gives a slightly glossy finish.
Chanel Les Beiges
This bronzer uses a mixture of wax and powder for easy application and a light matting effect, but there are also light-reflecting pigments for radiance.
Fenty Cheeks Out Cream Bronzer
Fenty cheeks out cream bronzer in butta biscuit a very good tonsmatch. It is very affordable too.
Nudestix Nudies Matte
For ultimate convenience, Nudestix Nudies Matte is something to choose from. Easy to apply with fantastic results. It has a matte surface and also a long-lasting formula that makes it a good alternative for oilier skin tones.
Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer
The new Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer in Solar Pop is a perfect bronzer for light to medium skin. The structure is beautiful. It sits on beautifully for a natural glow, luster, and shine. It has a matte satin finish that is wonderful.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddes Matte & Glow Trio
This product – Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Matte & Glow Bronzing Trio is very versatile. You can use individual shades to sculpt, and it has a matte but look but at the same time wonderful luster.
NARS Bronzing Powder Matt
The bronzer formula contains zero shimmer so that no shine is added to the skin, but it is enriched with botanical oils to care and soften.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer
Charlotte really understands mature skin. The products are very effective and the results are fantastic.
Guerlain Terracotta Matte
Guerlain Terracotta Matte bronzer contains Kaolin Clay to gently absorb excess sebum. It is available in three shades, light, medium and deep.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer has a matte finish which also makes it suitable for oily skin. There are four shades to choose from.
Powder Pop Clinic – Clinique Powder Pop
Lower Bronzer is a good alternative for oily skin because it has a matte formula without shine but instead a flattering shine. It is long lasting too so will stay in place.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer
The new Airbrush Bronzer from CT has the right finish for contours because they are shimmer-free, so it would come to choosing the right shade.
Nars Bronzer
Nars bronzer has long been a favorite product offered in two versatile shades; Laguna and Casino. They look darker in the packaging than the color appears on the skin but still offer a fresh glow with a golden copper finish.
This bronzer is best for light to medium skin tones. The formula builds well and is easy to mix, which gives you more control. This powder has a subtle glittery sheen.
Becca Sunlit Bronzer
Becca bronzer is fantastic because it creates a discreet finish. It is available in five colors that work for all skin tones.
The fine texture powder glides on the skin and melts seamlessly to create a realistic finish but with a lovely subtle shimmer. The illuminated bronzer gives you a smooth, flawless and golden glow.
Powder Pop Clinic
Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer is an excellent candidate for more mature skin. It has a very even consistency that slides on and does not settle in pores or lines.
Chanel Les Beiges
Creams are also great for mature skin and a recommendation is non-matte textures for an even more flattering finish. Although Chanel Les Beige’s Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream has matte properties, it still gives a lovely glow, so it’s a good alternative.
Fenty Cheeks Out Cream Bronzer
This bronzer is perfect for mature skin because it gives a beautiful dewy but even finish.
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer
The fluffy powder brush makes it easy to use, while the pigment-packed formula takes your skin from dull to dreamy in one sweep.
BareMinerals Endless Summer Bronzer
BareMinerals make the application easier than ever. The pressed powder formula is mineral based and pure. It is applied seamlessly to the skin with a matte cover that is miscible and will not be uneven.
The bronzer is very pigmented and has an intense color. It leaves you with flawless skin that is long lasting.
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer
This bronzer is available in several colors. You can have a very opaque bronzer if you get a little darker than your skin color or instead choose a powder-like product if you go down to the lighter end of the spectrum.
The tightly pressed formula is easy to use, so you can start with a subtle glow and build the color gradually. There is no shimmer or sparkle in the formula and it emits a warm glowing shade.
Soleil Glow Bronzer
This Tom Ford bronzer is luxurious and comes in an elegant package where it is decorated with gold spots.
The formula is nourishing thanks to the combination of cocoa seed butter, mango seed butter and cupuaçu butter, but it has a brilliant and flawless finish. Soleil Bronzer is also long lasting in both application and product life.
Soleil Tan de Chanel
This best-selling Chanel product is an extremely customizable bronzer. The innovative product has a firm mousse structure that resembles a cream but glides on the skin like a powder, leaving a nice glow and nice glow. You can even mix with your moisturizer to increase the mixing ability or wet your brush for easy use.
Although it may seem thick, when it is on the skin, it feels extremely light, and you only need a small amount to enjoy the benefits.
Yves Saint Laurent Sahariennes Bronzing Stones
Not only is this YSL alternative an extremely attractive product with its design and luxury packaging, but it is also a fantastic bronzer. The powder is weightless and flexible.
Apply all over the face or use as a contouring tool for more defined glow. It has a light, warm finish that gradually builds up without sinking into fine lines or drying out your skin and is ideal for normal and oily skin.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer
This aesthetically pleasing Bronzer comes from Hourglass and is available in four shades. Its oigment gives a subtle finish that glides right on the skin and provides good coverage. It fits well to make highlights brighter and offers a flawless, sun-kissed look.
Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
Sun in a stick, Milk Makeup cream bronzes are available in two shades and are super easy to apply. Pull over the cheekbones, jaw line, or wherever you need, to melt seamlessly with your fingers, a sponge or brush.
The light formula looks darker than it appears on your skin. It is very buildable to intensify the color.
