The 11 Best Bronzers To Get A Radiant Glow, According To Makeup Artists
A sun-kissed glow can lend dimension, radiance and depth to your face. Whether you prefer a cream, liquid or powder-based formula, a good bronzer is key to capturing that coveted just-back-from-vacation look. Our pick for the best bronzer overall is the classic Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder. We also chose the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer, which is portable in its easy-to-swipe stick form, and the velvety Lawless Summer Skin Bronzer.
In choosing a bronzer, the right formula for you can depend on your skin tone and skin type. “You should select a bronzer that is the same undertone as your skin, but a shade or two darker,” says celebrity makeup artist Kelly Dawn. It’s also helpful to factor in your skin concerns, too; dry skin, for instance, may benefit from a cream bronzer instead of a powder. With that, find the best bronzers below, as well as expert tips on how to choose the right shade and formulas for your complexion.
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Best Bronzer Overall: Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder
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Best Drugstore Bronzer: E.L.F. Putty Bronzer
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Best Contouring Bronzer: Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Bronzer
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Best Bronzer Stick: Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
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Best Cream Bronzer: Tower 28 Bronzino Cream Bronzer
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Best Bronzer For Mature Skin: Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops
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Best Bronzer Palette: Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo
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Best Matte Bronzer: Lawless Summer Skin Talc-Free Velvet Matte Bronzer
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Best Bronzer For Fair Skin: RMS Buriti Bronzer
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Best Bronzer For Dark Skin: Saie Sun Melt
Best Bronzer Overall
A Silky Bronzing Powder Considered The Holy Grail
Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder
Finish: Natural | Shades: 9 | Cruelty-free: No
What you’ll love:
- Wide range of shade options
- Streak-free application
Keep in mind:
- A little goes a long way
- Better for warm or neutral undertones
Decades ago, this makeup artist-favorite rose to fame for its natural, streak-free finish and silky powder formula. “It blends easily and has just a hint of a shimmery finish,” says makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci. It has become available in more shades in the years since; the nine colors offer far more options than other bronzers on the market.
What the editors say: “Nars Laguna has always been a favorite bronzer of mine,” says deputy editor Jane Sung. “It blends so well that applying it is almost foolproof, and you can fake a sun-kissed glow in an instant.”
Best Drugstore Bronzer
A Putty-To-Powder Formula That’s Big on TikTok
E.L.F. Putty Bronzer
Finish: Matte | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Hydrating formula
- Lightweight
Keep in mind:
- Not ideal for fair skin tones
This budget-friendly, highly pigmented bronzer initially has the unique feel of putty—flexible and dough-like—but it blends into a lightweight powder. You might already recognize it if you spend any time on #beautytok, where it’s gone viral. While the cruelty-free formula blends seamlessly into skin for a smooth appearance, it also has argan oil in it to help hydrate.
Best Contouring Bronzer
A Powder Formula To Add Dimension And Depth
Finish: Matte | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Good for contouring
- Buttery texture
Keep in mind:
- May not layer well
Contouring bronzers like this one can help create shadows to sculpt, define and enhance your natural bone structure, according to celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips. Founder Mario Dedivanovic, who made contouring popular on red carpets, created this particular powder formula. Each of the six shades have a matte finish and is designed to flatter each skin tone’s undertones.
Best Bronzer Stick
A Highly-Pigmented, Oil-Infused Cream
Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
Finish: Matte | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Has an inclusive shade range
- Contains nourishing ingredients
Keep in mind:
- May feel too heavy for oily skin
- Some have trouble opening the package on first use
Stick formulas are easy to apply and tend to have a creamy consistency that blends seamlessly into skin without streaking. Case in point: This bronzer is very pigmented, but the stick applicator gives you control over how much product you swipe on. It comes in several shade options, and is infused with oils and fruit extracts to nourish skin while you wear it.
What our writers say: “I travel frequently, so I like the convenience and ease of a stick applicator. This one in particular is great because the formula is super creamy and I can just use my fingers to blend it,” says contributor Neha Tandon, who applies a darker shade to contour and a lighter option for her cheekbones.
Best Cream Bronzer
A Natural Finish And Formula That Works For All Skin Types
Tower 28 Bronzino Cream Bronzer
Finish: Radiant | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Made with skin-soothing ingredients
- Gentle on all skin types
Keep in mind:
- Thicker consistency
Creams are a good choice for those who have dry skin, but this one is also non-comedogenic and suited for oily or acne-prone skin, too. (Plus, Tower 28 founder Amy Liu launched the brand specifically for those with sensitive skin.) This bronzer contains ethically sourced mica that is very finely ground and emulsified, so it gives skin an especially natural glow. Dab it on cheeks, eyelids and even lips for a monochromatic bronzed look.
What our writers say: Tandon has been using this product for years, and it’s a mainstay in her gym bag. “After applying some tinted moisturizer and mascara, I put this pretty much all over my face to look like I put way more effort into my look than I really did,” she says, adding that she dabs it on her cupid’s bow, cheeks, eyelids and the tip of her nose.
Best Bronzer For Mature Skin
Liquid Sunshine In A Bottle
Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops
Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Has a highly pigmented finish
- Contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C
Keep in mind:
- Lemon fruit water may be irritating
- All three shades aren’t available at all retailers
This shimmer-flecked bronzer from Pai Skincare is infused with naturally derived pigments that deliver a more dramatic look. Each of the three metallic shades has a water-like consistency that is ultra-lightweight and won’t set into fine lines. It has hyaluronic acid and vitamin C in it to help hydrate and brighten skin as you wear it.
What our writers say: Tandon says this is by far the most lightweight bronzer she’s ever tried. “The color payoff is pretty intense, so I prefer using this by mixing it into my moisturizer or foundation,” she says.
Best Bronzer Palette
A Luxurious Duo To Shape And Define
Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo
Finish: Luminous| Shades: 5 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Creates a cohesive look
- Talc-free powder
Keep in mind:
- Some may prefer a more pigmented product
While bronzers can either contour skin or give it a glow, duos offer the best of both worlds. This pairing features a cream contour alongside a luminizing powder, and each palette has complementary shades to deliver cohesive definition and radiance. The lightly pigmented formulas are buildable, so you can choose a more natural or dramatic look.
What our writers say: Tandon says this is the first contour product that ever worked for her. “As someone with medium-toned skin, a lot of the bronzers I’d try growing up just matched my skin tone, so contouring was out of the question,” she says. “I love the overall glow this gives me.”
Best Matte Bronzer
A Talc-Free Option For Contouring And Adding Radiance
Lawless Summer Skin Talc-Free Velvet Matte Bronzer
Finish: Soft matte | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Long-lasting formula
- Talc-free
Keep in mind:
- Only two shades
This finely milled matte bronzer adds a touch of color to your complexion. The silky texture blends easily into the skin, imparting a matte, shine-free finish that is meant to leave the skin looking believably sun-kissed. It has a unique semi-matte finish, so you can use it to contour your face, too.
Best Bronzer For Fair Skin
A Luminous Cream Infused With Shea And Cocoa Butters
RMS Buriti Bronzer
Finish: Radiant | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Sheer, glowy tint
- Blends seamlessly
Keep in mind:
- Only one shade
For those with fair skin—for whom some bronzers can look too dark—this sheer cream bronzer adds just enough of a tint without overdoing the pigment. Packed with buriti oil, shea butter and cocoa butter, it nourishes skin while imparting a subtle glow. Use it sparingly on cheekbones and anywhere else you want a hint of luminosity.
Best Bronzer For Dark Skin
A Moisturizing Balm Formula With A Velvety Finish
Saie Sun Melt
Finish: Natural | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Velvety cream texture
- Contains grapeseed oil and colloidal oatmeal
Keep in mind:
- Not ideal for oily skin types
The range of deeper shade options makes this balm-like bronzer the ideal choice for those with medium to dark skin. Lightweight and creamy, the grapeseed oil-infused formula melts quickly into skin, leaving a velvet finish. Dab it on cheekbones for a hint of color or sweep it on with a brush for an all-over, end-of-summer look.