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The best bronzers can do more than give the illusion that you just returned from a dreamy tropical vacation. The makeup bag staple can be a great way to add a sun-kissed glow to an otherwise flat look, contribute to a full-face contour, or even be used as eye shadow. (Bronzer, you magician, you.) If you're a newbie, there's no need to be intimidated: The following bronzers have rich pigment and take advantage of blendable formulations that are meant to naturally diffuse over the skin. A foolproof way to have (temporarily) glowy skin and skip the sun damage? Yes, please. perfect pearls powder
Allure associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez applying the Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer in Medium Bronze.
Why It's Worth It: The Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer is velvety, lightweight, and melty in all the right ways. Its soft formula builds easily, can be applied over a setting powder, and a little goes a long way—a quality we're always on board with. Saie also offers a handy guide for finding your perfect shade online. If you want a more lowkey bronzed effect, opt for a more neutral or cool shade (relative to your skin tone) and buff inward.
Gutierrez before applying the Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer in Medium Bronze.
Gutierrez after applying the Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer in Medium Bronze.
Tester feedback: "But have you tried Saie's Sun Melt formula? This is my response to anyone who tells me they're intimidated to use cream bronzers, assuming they're harsh and less forgiving when compared to powder bronzers," associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez previously said. She recommends using a thin, angled brush to dab a bit of the Sun Melt onto the top of your hand to diffuse the formula. Then she applies it to her cheekbones, forehead, jawline, and nose “for a lightweight, bronzed complexion that's sculpted but still looks natural and fresh-faced.”
More of a liquid bronzer gal? Content director Kara McGrath reaches for Dew Bronze to add a dollop of definition to her complexion. "I had pretty much sworn off bronzer until this one came out (No offense bronzer; I’m just more of a blush gal.)," she says. "I dab it on my cheekbones, nose, and forehead for a natural, dewy glow."
Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, grapeseed oil, elderberry extracts | Finish: natural | Shades: 3
Allure associate editor Annie Blay applying the Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo in shade Dark
Why it's worth it: The Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo palette features two buildable, powder-based mattes that are practically impossible to mess up. Each of its five colorways is tailored to provide a natural-looking wash of color without erring on orange. Swipe on the lighter shade over your nose and the perimeter of your face for soft radiance and the darker option for defining your cheekbones and jawline.
Blay before applying the Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo in shade Dark
Blay after applying the Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo in shade Dark
Tester feedback: “There aren't many bronzers on the market that are dark enough to show up on deep skin but also warm enough that they actually bronze instead of contour,” says Allure associate editor Annie Blay. “So when I discovered that the Juvia's Place Bronze Duo does both, I was immediately sold. I became an even bigger fan the more I used the product. I tap a brush into the deeper of the two shades and sweep it across my cheekbones after applying blush and powder. Then I brush on the lighter shade sparingly above my cheekbones to blend it all out. The result is always a warm sun-kissed glow.”
Key ingredients: synthetic fluorphlogopite (synthetic fluorine mica), talc | Finish: soft matte | Shades: 5
Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the Milk Makeup Cream Bronzer Stick in shade Blitzed.
Why it's worth it: If shimmery formulations aren’t your thing, you’ll dig this creamy bronzer’s matte formula. This stick bronzer comes in five neutral-leaning shades that are ever-so-slightly warm, creating the perfect middle ground between a contour product and a bronzer. Its creamy, pigmented formula is infused with moisturizing coconut alkanes and antioxidant-rich mango and apricot extracts to nourish skin as you wear it.
Hussein before applying the Milk Makeup Cream Bronzer Stick in shade Blitzed.
Hussein after applying the Milk Makeup Cream Bronzer Stick in shade Blitzed.
Tester feedback: "Most bronzers appear too warm-toned on my vampirically cool-toned skin, and Milk Makeup's Matte Bronzing Stick is one of the rare finds that adds a touch of color to my complexion without reaching Oompa Loompa levels of warmth," commerce writer Jennifer Hussein explains. "Its ultra-matte formula doesn't have a trace of shimmer, so it errs on the side of a subtle contour stick." Hussein uses almost every shade in her routine: dazed for light definition on her nose, slightly dark Baked for the perimeter of her face, and a touch of cocoa-brown Blitzed for sharpening her cheekbones and jawline.
Key ingredients: mango extract, apricot extract, coconut alkanes | Finish: matte| Shades: 5
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream in Soleil Tan Medium Bronze.
Why it's worth it: Swipe on the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream (a 2022 Best of Beauty Award winner) for a dewy look that skips the shimmer. This formula has a balm-like, cream-gel texture that melts once it touches your skin, leaving behind a wash of warm, velvety color. Each of its three shades contains light reflective pigments for a radiant sheen without looking sparkly, and the jar is large enough to accommodate the whole head of your favorite wide, dense contour brush.
Han before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream in Soleil Tan Medium Bronze.
Hanafter applying the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream in Soleil Tan Medium Bronze.
Tester feedback: “This bronzer is just as creamy as it looks. I’m always rushing with application and I’ve had a fair share of not-so-blended-out streaks but that’s not an issue with this gorgeously packaged formula. I use a double-ended Saie brush to stipple on and diffuse a light layer on my cheeks and along the sides of my nose—just enough for a tinge of warm definition. I used a very light hand in my demo here, but I can confirm Les Beige is easily buildable for the moments I actually wear a full face of foundation and my skin needs more color.”
Key ingredients: coconut oil, pinnata leaf extract, vitamin E | Finish: dewy | Shades: 3
Why it's worth it: The Patrick Ta Beauty Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo, which comes in three shades, offers the best of both worlds: a soft powder for subtle bronzing moments and a more pigmented cream for added intensity. Technically, this is a bronzing and contouring palette, so you can use the powder formulation for minimal bronzing, cream for defining your natural contours, or combine them for multi-faceted results. Another benefit? With this Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning compact, you don't have to choose between a powder or cream formula.
Tester feedback: "The beauty of Patrick Ta’s Major Sculpt duo is that you can create added dimension by layering cream and powder formulas, which is a new concept for me," says commerce editor Sarah Han. "The cream contour applies like butter (I usually use stamping motions to press in the product), and the powder just gives my complexion an extra oomph—it's super blendable and leaves a silky-smooth finish."Han, who favors this compact when she wants a more dramatic bronze, suggests using stamping motions to press in the product. "The cream contour applies like butter, and the powder just gives my complexion an extra oomph—it's super blendable and leaves a silky-smooth finish," she adds.
Key ingredients: mica, jojoba seed oil, coconut oil, glycerin, sunflower seed wax | Finish: demi-matte | Shades: 5
Why it's worth it: The Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick is the perfect mélange of a liquid and cream-feeling bronzer, all wrapped up in a convenient stick. Of course, it's easy to blend, simple to sculpt, and contains skin-friendly ingredients like meadowfoam seed oil and water lily root extract for moisture. You can apply it with fingertips, a brush, or a sponge to your cheeks, or (and!) a touch to your lids like eye shadow to tie your glow together. It’s layerable formula is practically goof-proof, so it’s great for those who are new to bronzers or just want an easy-breezy application experience.
Editor’s tip: This water-resistant formula can handle a low amount of moisture, so it’s great for hot, sweaty, and humid days.
Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, waterlily root extract, silica | Finish: dewy | Shades: 7
Why it's worth it: The Guerlain Terracotta Light Healthy Glow Bronzer provides all the warmth you could possibly need Each compact marries four shades, crafted with moisturizing Moroccan flower honey to boost radiance and definition while adding a subtle, natural-looking flush through its honeycomb-patterned design. Apply the bronzer to all the raised areas on your face, finishing at the top of your forehead for added structure.
Editor’s tip: For a more natural bronze finish, try swapping this bronzer for Guerlains’ Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder, which features one matte shade rather than Terracotta Light’s blush-spiked, shimmery finish.
Key ingredients: Moroccan flower honey, shea seedcake butter, zinc salt | Finish: luminous | Shades: 6
Why it's worth it: Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Matte Bronzer is our not-so-secret hack for a blurred, natural-looking glow that could put FaceTune to shame. This pressed powder isn’t as opaque as creamier options, but sometimes all we want is a sheer formula that subtly enhances our complexions. (That said, if you want a more dramatic effect, you can layer this buildable formula to your liking.) Dry skin types might quake at the thought of a matte powder, but the Airbrush bronzer happens to have a silky, powder-to-cream texture and is spiked with hydrating hyaluronic acid to keep skin looking and feeling supple throughout the day.
Editor’s tip: Sweep this over a cream contour to minimize oiliness while maximizing your warmth and radiance.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, micro-fine perfecting powders (mica), microspheres (dimethicone) | Finish: matte | Shades: 4
Why it's worth it: The ever-creamy LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer has a balm-like formula that sculpts and contours while delivering hydrating sodium hyaluronate, a derivative of hyaluronic acid, that plumps skin and creates a glowy (not greasy) finish. To top off its nourishing formulation, antioxidant-rich rosehip oil softens the look of dark spots and delivers moisture.
If you’re not enticed by the formula alone, New York City-based makeup artist Jamie Dorman says this cream bronzer is one of her favorites for its wider range of undertones. "It can be so hard to find bronzer shades for dark skin with options for people who want a warmer or cooler tone," she says. “This product comes in multiple undertones and has a silky formula that will make skin look naturally tan.”
Editor’s tip: This bronzing stick is ultra-pigmented, so we recommend using a dense bronzing brush or makeup sponge to apply and blend. Don’t fret if you put too much on because the No Limits Cream Bronzer’s tint easily blends for a sheerer finish.
Key ingredients: rosehip oil, green tea extract, sodium hyaluronate | Finish: demi-matte | Shades: 7
Why it's worth it: Gucci's Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder has a soft, silky, and lightweight feel and blends effortlessly for a faux glow that stays all day. Its demi-matte formula makes your skin look luminous, sculpted, and just the right amount of bronzed while minimizing oiliness. This luxurious formula also features hyaluronic acid, a skin-care ingredient known for its hydrating properties.
Editor’s tip: This bronzing powder also acts as a blurring powder for fine lines, enlarged pores, and blemishes.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, shea butter, biomimicry pigments | Finish: demi-matte | Shades: 5
Why it's worth it: E.L.F.'S Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand got all of TikTok talking for its warmth-mimicking magic. This liquid bronzer’s plush applicator allows for precise, contour-ready application while the velvety, creamy formula blends like a dream. This 2023 Best of Beauty-winning liquid bronzer is available in five flexible shades that work across a wide range of skin tones, too.
Editor’s tip: A little goes a long way with this bronzer, so we recommend dotting a small amount of product and blending wherever desired, gradually building up the intensity to your desired finish.
Key ingredients: squalane, marigold flower extract, isododecane | Finish: demi-matte | Shades: 5
Like foundation and concealer, bronzer can go catastrophically wrong if you use the wrong shade for your skin tone. As a general rule, you want to steer clear of any bronzers that look too orange or too gray, as these hues can make you look unnaturally tan or washed out. It's a good idea to check out how the color looks on your skin in natural light to ensure it's a spot-on match.
If you have fair skin, New York City-based makeup artist Elisa Flowers recommends looking for a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone and always using a light hand when applying. Those with light-to-medium complexions can also benefit from choosing shades one or two hues darker than their natural skin color. However, when it comes to undertones, neutral options will always look the most organic. "Be sure to avoid bronzers that appear overly orange or red-toned in the pan, as it will only become more intense when you apply it to the skin," says Flowers.
People with tan, olive-toned skin can get away with wearing most bronzer shades as long as they don't stray too far from their natural skin color, says Flowers. However, she also says to choose terracotta hues with a hint of red, as they look beautiful on tan complexions.
Finding a suitable bronzer can be especially tricky for those with dark and deep complexions, as fewer options on the market cater to melanated skin. Still, brands like LYS and Fenty Beauty are getting it right with a more comprehensive, inclusive range of shades.
Apply your bronzer to the areas of the face where the sun would hit, including the top of your cheeks, along your hairline, nose, middle of the chin, and forehead, according to Brielle Pollara, a New York City-based makeup artist. "Using a brush, apply onto the skin using light strokes,” she previously told Allure. “Make sure to blend well into the skin for a natural finish." That being said, there are nuances to application techniques, depending on the type of formulation you use:
Liquid bronzers can be used under your complexion products, alone as an all-over glow booster, or concentrated on certain areas of the face for a more contoured appearance. "With any liquid product, I always recommend using a dense brush to apply it," says Pollara. "This will give you more control over the product placement." For a softer, natural-looking finish, she suggests applying your liquid bronzer to the back of your hand and picking up product with your brush before applying it to your face.
Similarly to a liquid formula, apply your cream bronzer by placing the product on the top of your hand and using a dense, angled brush to place the product on the skin, according to Jamie Greenberg, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and founder of Jamie Makeup. "I like to first place the product here because it allows the formula to warm up and it’ll lay better on the face," she says. Tomy Rivero, a makeup artist based in New York City, recommends moisturizing your skin before applying your cream bronzer for ultra-dewy results. "Spray your setting or hydrating mist right before your cream bronzer application," he says. "Not only does it help the bronzer go on smoother and more evenly, but once the moisture dries down, it naturally sets the cream bronzers for a more skin-like finish."
Cream and liquid bronzers tend to have buildable, more opaque formulations, whereas powder bronzers are sheerer in pigment. You can layer for more intensity, but bronzer powders are overall more useful for a subtler definition or on top of your denser creams and liquids. Los Angeles-based makeup artist Daniel Chinchilla previously told Allure to tap any excess bronzer off your makeup brush before applying since “a little goes a long way.” He suggested applying your powder bronzer from your temples down to your cheeks for natural-looking warmth.
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best bronzers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear, longevity, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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