Beauty Tips & Inspiration
The best bronzers for every skin type and tone
Achieve the ultimate sun-kissed glow with this summer makeup-bag essential
Ah, bronzers. Nothing perks up tired faces faster – and yet the quest for the very best can feel exhausting. Powder, cream or gel? Matte, shimmery, coppery or cool? And don’t even start us on the many and varied ways to apply it (thank you for feeding the confusion, TikTok).
When it comes to finding the best bronzer for a healthy glow, a sun-soaked summer face or a fast, fuss-free application, we can help. Here’s what to look for in your ideal match…
How to pick your perfect bronzer
SKIN TONE
Opt for a bronzer one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone, bearing in mind that two shades will better suit summer skin. Peach or pink undertones are best for fair skin, while copper and rich bronze shades better suit olive and darker tones.
FORMULA
Powder, cream, liquid or gel? The choice is yours. However, normal to oily skins may prefer pressed powders, while cream and gel-based bronzers work best on dry or more mature skin types, finger-smudged in or applied with a sponge. Makeup artist Cassie Lomas recommends ‘liquids or creams for daytime (gel textures work especially well for outdoor events) and powders for “big day” evenings and events.’
FINISH
First, think about lighting. ‘If your skin is looking a bit dull or lifeless, a hint of shimmer will always make you look better,’ says Lomas. ‘It gives your complexion a healthy radiance and helps to create the illusion of looking fresher and younger. In turn, matte finishes work really well with moody lighting and heavier makeup.’
TYPE
How do you apply makeup? Are you a ‘dip your face in and hope for the best’ type? If so, opt for bronzers with in-built wands or applicator sponges to make reapplying on the go a doddle. But if you do have the time/talent for more involved application, potted powders and creams are dreamy.
WHERE TO APPLY
Bronzer looks best when applied lightly to all the spots where the sun naturally shines, including the temples, cheeks, nose and chin.
7 of the (very) best bronzers
For year-round healthy glow
For year-round healthy glow
With over 320 five-star reviews (and counting), Benefit’s multi-award-winning Hoola Matte Bronzer deserves its top spot in the beauty hall of fame. This silky-soft powder has a matte finish (perfect for combination and oilier skin types) and comes in seven shades: Hoola Original, Hoola Lite, Hoola Toasted, Hoola Caramel, Hoola Medium, Hoola Medium Deep and Hoola Deep. Prefer a sun-soaked finish? Mix it into your moisturiser for an all-over glow.
For a true bronzing multitasker
For a true bronzing multitasker
If you have combination, acne-prone or oily skin, or simply have a penchant for powders, then pressed is best. Use your favourite large brush to sweep on Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Powder. The smooth, oil-free powder instantly gives your face, shoulders and décolletage a seductive bronzed look. Long-lasting and decadent, it features a unique oil-control complex to help keep skin shine-free.
Best for dry, more mature skin
Best for dry, more mature skin
Beautifully buildable and blendable Lancôme’s serum-infused Teint Idole Ultra Wear C.E. Skin Transforming Bronzer delivers instant sun-kissed colour, with a side of nourishment. Perfect for dry or more mature skin, as well as those who prefer a glides-on-seamlessly second-skin finish, it’s loaded with Vitamin E, Vitamin C derivative and Moringa Oil to lock in moisture and offer long-lasting wear.
Best budget bronzer
Best budget bronzer
Between us, if you’re looking for the softest cream bronzer that will ever grace your face, try this £17 wonder: Sculpted By Aimee Cream Luxe Bronze. Apply to the hollows of the cheeks and around the hairline for a bronzed and sculpted look. It’s fabulous, fuss-free and gives skin a beach-worthy glow with real staying power.
For glow on the go
For glow on the go
Like Spanx for your face, only more summery, nothing will dial up your cheekbones quite like a swish of Nudestix Nudies Matte All-Over Face Bronzer. A handbag must-have, the dual-ended design features a bronzer stick on one tip and makeup brush on the other, making it ideal for on-the-go application. Use it to define your best bits, sweeping it across cheekbones or temples to add warmth and luminosity. Fast and fuss-free, think of it less as a bronzer and more as an instant face-lift.
For WOW results, now
For WOW results, now
Want to feel like an A-lister but don’t have the time (or bank balance)? Step forward Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder. A cult classic, this lightweight powder enhances and sculpts the face, and is available in eight different shades so you can find the most flattering for your complexion. Its blendable, buildable formula creates natural-looking warmth without a hint of glitter or shine. In a word: faultless.
Best overall bronzer
Best overall bronzer
Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Bronzing Cream is often voted the best in the business – the crème de la creams, if you will. Search ‘Chanel Les Beiges’ in TikTok and you’ll be met with millions of mega fans. The unique, easy-to-blend formula is all things to all people; lightweight and delicate with a cashmere-soft finish, pigmented and long-lasting, you can swirl it on with a kabuki brush to lend skin an undeniably decadent sun-soaked glow. It is one of those routine-changing, unicorn buys. With the added bonus that a generously sized jar lasts an age, with this bronzer you’re onto a winner.
