The Best Bronzers Will Give You Snatched Cheekbones And A Warm Glow

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In the mood to look like you’ve just returned from a dreamy tropical vacation? The best bronzers are the easiest, most sun-safe shortcut to creating that illusion. Whether you're after something subtle or megawatt radiance, these creams, powders, and liquids will instantly brighten your complexion with a healthy glow. But the benefits don’t stop at radiance: You can also opt for a cool-toned bronzer to sculpt and contour. Talk about range.

If you're a newbie, don't be intimidated: Bronzers are hard to mess up; just use a light hand and the right tools (we'll get to more details later). To help you figure out your perfect formula, we surveyed our editors and chatted with makeup artists who gave us a rundown on what to look for in a bronzer. Scroll on, and thank us later.

Our Top Bronzers

  • Best Palette Overall: M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette, $64
  • Best Powder Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer, $59
  • Best Cream Overall: Nars Laguna Cream Bronzer, $44
  • Best Liquid Overall: Saie Dew Bronze Soft-Focus Sculpting Liquid Bronzer, $26
  • Best Shade Range: Rhode Pocket Bronze, $25

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • What are common bronzer mistakes?
  • What's the difference between powder, cream, and liquid bronzers?
  • What is the best bronzer for older skin?
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How we test and review products
  • Our staff and testers

Best Palette Overall: M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

m.ph by Mary Phillips Underpainting Face Highlight & Contour Palette in branded component on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

m.ph by Mary Phillips

Face Palette

$64

Sephora

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Shanna Shipin

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Sarah Kinonen

Why it’s worth it: Seldom can a product be touted as both beginner-friendly and professional-grade, but m.ph’s Underpainting Face Highlight & Contour Palette is exactly that, beloved by makeup lovers—including Allure editors, of course—across the experience spectrum. The palettes are available in six shades—fair, light, medium, tan, deep, and deep rich—and each palette includes six colors for color-correcting, highlighting, and contouring. The exceptionally creamy, sheer-to-medium-coverage formula builds up easily; the ingredients include skin-blurring and oil-absorbing powders, as well as sodium hyaluronate and vitamin E for hydration and moisture. While the palette is designed for “underpainting,” a.k.a. defining and before foundation application, it can also be layered over base products for those who prefer more traditional contouring and bronzing methods.

Shipin before applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Shipin before applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Shanna ShipinShipin after applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Shipin after applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Shanna ShipinKinonen before applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Kinonen before applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Sarah KinonenKinonen after applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Kinonen after applying the M.PH by Mary Phillips Face Palette

Sarah Kinonen

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“Is this actually a bronzer? No, not technically—but there is a bronze shade in the palette that gives the dreamiest warmth to my face. I use this in place of a separate bronzer on most days, and I like to use it particularly around my nose and just above where I place the actual contour (the deeper cool-toned shade in the palette). When the "underpainting" is done, I even use the bronze pigment on top of my foundation for touch-ups and extra glow. If you're heavy-handed or prone to patchy application, there's no need to worry—this may be the creamiest, most blendable product you own. It plays so well with my dry, textured skin, but I could see the formulation being a touch too oily for those who already lean that way (but it's nothing a powder can't fix!).” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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“I loveeeee cream bronzer. In fact, it's really the only type of bronzer I use these days. I find that the texture is easy to build and blend (compared to liquid and powder options), which gives me a little more control and a dewier finish. This multi-purpose palette from m.ph has been great for both, plus a little more. Although I've only used the two brown shades on the far right of the palette (with a fluffy blush brush), I love that it comes with lighter shades to use as a highlighter (or color corrector!) when I'm ready to play a little more. Until then, I'll keep bronzing and blending!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: sodium hyaluronate, vitamin E
  • Finish: natural
  • Shades: 6 colorways (Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, Deep, Deep Rich) with 5 shades each

Best Powder Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer in branded component with the best of beauty 2025 seal in the top right corner on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Charlotte Tilbury

Airbrush Bronzer

$59

Amazon

$59

Nordstrom

$59

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer

Jesa Marie Calaor

Why it's worth it: Not all powder bronzers leave your skin looking cakey by midday, especially not Allure Best of Beauty Award winners. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer is infused with mica to blur texture and add a hint of shimmer, as well as a touch of hyaluronic acid to keep skin feeling soft and comfortable all day. It's perfectly buffable, diffusable, and leaves a matte finish that never reads flat. All four shades are refillable, which is a nice bonus if you become as obsessed with the formula as we have.

Calaor before applying the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer

Calaor before applying the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer

Jesa Marie CalaorCalaor after applying the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer

Calaor after applying the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer

Jesa Marie Calaor

Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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“Despite the many prescriptive face charts and rigid tutorials out there, I see bronzing and contouring as more of an art than a science. My preferred tools are the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer and a fluffy brush. I dust on this featherweight formula to create soft shadows that help shape my face and add warmth. The giant pan sits in a compact with a mirror that is just as large, so I can see myself clearly as I sweep it on.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, mica
  • Finish: matte
  • Shades: 4

Best Cream Overall: Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream

Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream in branded component on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Nars

Laguna Bronzing Cream

$44

Nordstrom

$44

Sephora

$44

Bluemercury

Allure content director Sophia Panych applying the Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream

Sophia Panych

Why it’s worth it: It's no secret that Nars shines in the base arena (Hello, foundation! Powder blush!) and even less of a secret that the Laguna Bronzing Cream is a Best of Beauty Award winner and an editor fave. Its melt-into-skin formula and semi-matte finish instantly give your complexion that “just got back from the beach” glow without looking overdone. Makeup artist Tomy Rivero has also given this cream bronzer big props. "The Laguna Bronzing Cream adds warmth to your look while adding contour," Rivero says. "Don't be afraid of the shimmery look of the product—once it's applied, it has a satin finish, and the shimmer dissipates.” It’s infused with Nars' signature French Polynesian monoï de Tahiti oil, which not only helps hydrate and firm the skin but also imparts subtle notes of white frangipani, ylang-ylang, and vanilla. Oui, oui.

Panych before applying the Nars Laguna TalcFree Bronzer Powder

Panych before applying the Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream

Sophia PanychPanych after applying the Nars Laguna TalcFree Bronzer Powder

Panych after applying the Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream

Sophia Panych

Tester feedback from content director Sophia Panych

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"One of the many things I'm grateful for in life is that Nars made the decision to make its Laguna Bronzing Cream a permanent part of the line, after originally launching it as part of a limited-edition summer collection back in 2021. Everything about this bronzer—the look, the feel, the finish, the scent—is fantastic. Because it's shimmer-free, it doesn't look very pretty in the jar, but when you spread it on, you get the most beautiful, natural-looking sun-kissed bronze on your skin. It blends effortlessly (seriously, just a few swipes of your brush buffs it into the skin) and has the faintest blurring effect, so you never see an unsightly streak or splotch (that is, unless you just don't blend it at all). I use shade Laguna 02, a neutral light-medium color with neutral undertones that honestly looks like the exact same shade my skin turns in the sun (if I was to skip sunscreen, which I don't). I am not someone who likes to fuss around with their makeup, so I appreciate a bronzer that is super quick and easy to apply. And while I don't normally like scented makeup, I love the fact this formula smells like Nars' coconuty/white floral Monoï de Tahiti Oil. It puts me in a summer mood every time I wear it." —Sophia Panych, content director

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: synthetic fluorphlogopite, mica
  • Finish: radiant
  • Shades: 8

Best Liquid Overall: Saie Dew Bronze

SAIE Dew Bronze in branded component on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Saie

Dew Bronze

$26

Amazon

$26

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Saie Dew Bronze

Deanna Pai

Why it’s worth it: Saie’s Dew Bronze more than lives up to its name, providing an airbrush-like finish thanks to its inclusion of silica, which helps give it its smooth consistency and light-blurring properties. The ingredients also include a plant-derived glycerin for moisture and licorice root extract to brighten dull skin—making it a solid pick for mature skin. The formula is sheer and very blendable, and the doe-foot applicator makes it perfect for targeted sculpting (though it works just as well for all-over bronzing, too). This bronzer comes in six shades—two for fair-to-light skin tones, two for medium-to-tan skin tones, one for tan-to-deep skin tones, and one for deep-to-rich complexions. “The tones are thoughtfully balanced, so fair to medium complexions won’t turn orange,” Tonya Riner, a makeup artist based in Houston, attests.

Pai before applying the Saie Dew Bronze

Pai before applying the Saie Dew Bronze

Deanna PaiPai after applying the Saie Dew Bronze

Pai after applying the Saie Dew Bronze

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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"While I love the ease of a powder bronzer, nothing beats the natural look of a liquid. The doe-foot applicator makes this incredibly easy to dab and blend, and I just have to add it around the perimeter of my face and just under my cheekbones to get instant depth. It practically melted into my skin—and surprisingly (to me), the final result is really subtle and hard to overdo." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: plant-derived glycerin, elderberry extract, licorice root extract, silica
  • Finish: natural
  • Shades: 6

Best Shade Range: Rhode Pocket Bronze

Rhode Pocket Bronze in branded component on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Rhode

Pocket Bronze

$25

Sephora

Allure contributor Eden Stuart applying the Rhode Pocket Bronze

Eden Stuart

Why it’s worth it: Hailey Bieber has a reputation for creating viral products that are worth the hype, and the Rhode Pocket Bronze is no exception. This stick bronzer (which, as the name suggests, comes in a petite, pocket-size tube) provides buildable, lightweight coverage with a natural, healthy-skin finish, bolstered by smoothing peptides and nourishing tamanu oil. The shade range is particularly impressive: Not only are there a whopping eight options, but within each of the four shade families—light, medium, tan, and deep—there are two different undertone options (cool, warm, and/or neutral), making it easier to find a match that seamlessly blends into your complexion.

Allure associate social media editor Katie Gunderman before applying the Rhode Pocket Bronze

Allure associate social media editor Katie Gunderman before applying the Rhode Pocket Bronze

Katie GundermanGunderman after applying the Rhode Pocket Bronze

Gunderman after applying the Rhode Pocket Bronze

Katie Gunderman

Tester feedback from contributor Eden Stuart

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“Bronzer is probably the base makeup I use the least, in part because I find it a little too ‘high risk, high reward:’ Yes, a great, well-applied bronzer will leave you glowing to the gods. But a splotchy, unblended bronzer will leave you looking like you played in the mud. So no one is more surprised than I am that I’ve been using Rhode’s Pocket Bronzer pretty much every day since I received it. The shade Bake has the perfect neutral-gold undertone that looks warm against my own neutral undertones (as opposed to orange), and the formula melts right into the skin and blends like a dream. I’ve been adding it to my cheeks, forehead, and around my jawline to warm up my go-to foundation—which is a tad too light for me now that it’s summer—and I’ve been impressed by how well-blended it looks when I’m out and about in natural lights, or even under the harsh fluorescents at stores.” —Eden Stuart, contributor

Tester feedback from associate social media editor Katie Gunderman

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“The Pocket Bronze is such a rich and creamy bronzer. It can be applied directly on the face or with a brush or sponge, which is my favorite way to use it. The formula is so buttery and makes blending it out such a dream. It warms up my complexion so perfectly and the shade range is also really great!” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media editor

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: peptides, tamanu oil
  • Finish: natural
  • Shades: 8

Best Duo: Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo

Bronzed Duo in branded rose gold compact on light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Juvia's Place

Bronzed Duo

$24

Amazon

$24

Ulta

Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the Juvia’s Place Bronzed Duo

Annie Blay-Tettey

Why it’s worth it: Melanated skin is very seldom one color; often, those with medium-deep to deep skin tones need to use different shades around the perimeter of their faces and the center. Juvia’s Place’s Bronzed Duo Palettes take this into account, featuring two matte powder bronzers that are about one shade apart. The neutral undertones make them perfect for, say, using the deeper shade along the jawline and forehead, and the lighter tone on the cheekbones or down the nose. It’s available in five shade duos that span the complexion spectrum, but the real highlight has to be the richest option—Deep Dark, designed to complement chocolate brown skin tones.

BlayTettey before applying the Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo

Blay-Tettey before applying the Juvia’s Place Bronzed Duo

Annie Blay-TetteyBlayTettey after applying the Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo

Blay-Tettey after applying the Juvia’s Place Bronzed Duo

Annie Blay-Tettey

Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey

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"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. 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." —Annie Blay-Tetty, associate beauty editor

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: synthetic fluorphlogopite (synthetic fluorine mica), talc
  • Finish: soft matte
  • Shades: 5

Best Applicator: LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer

LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer on a grey background with Allure Best of Beauty award winning badgeSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

LYS Beauty

No Limits Cream Bronzer

$24

Sephora

$24

Credo Beauty

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer

Sarah Kinonen

Why it's worth it: Bronzer sticks are some of the most versatile (and bag-friendly) of the bunch, and the Best of Beauty-winning LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer proves it. This ever-creamy, balm-like formula sculpts and contours precisely where you need it and melts into skin effortlessly. That’s not all: It delivers a hit of hydrating sodium hyaluronate (a derivative of hyaluronic acid) to hydrate skin and leave a glowy (but never greasy) finish, while antioxidant-rich rosehip oil helps soften the look of dark spots. Keep in mind that this formula is ultra-pigmented, so we recommend using a dense bronzing brush or makeup sponge to apply and blend. Don't fret if you overdo it because the No Limits Cream Bronzer's tint easily blends out to a sheerer finish.

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."

Kinonen before applying the LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronze

Kinonen before applying the LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronze

Sarah KinonenKinonen after applying the LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronze

Kinonen after applying the LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronze

Sarah Kinonen

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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"My contour game is pretty pathetic. A few swipes across my forehead, down my cheekbones, and along my jawline is the extent of it—applied with my fingers. This bronzer/contour stick makes it so much easier; the mess-free tool chisels even better than my digits." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: rosehip oil, green tea extract, sodium hyaluronate
  • Finish: demi-matte
  • Shades: 7

More bronzers we like

Best for Mature Skin: Laura Geller New York Baked Bronze-n-Brighten Multipurpose Bronzer

Laura Geller New York Baked Bronze-n-Brighten Multipurpose Bronzer in branded component on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Laura Geller

New York Baked Bronze-n-Brighten Multipurpose Bronzer

$34 $30 (12% off)

Amazon

$34

Sephora

$34

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: While cream bronzer might be the classic first choice for mature skin, don’t write off powders entirely. In fact, New York City-based makeup artist Kat Dorn loves Laura Geller’s Baked Bronze-n-Brightened Multipurpose Bronzer precisely because it’s formulated for skin over 40. This marbled formula features a trio of moisturizing and soothing ingredients, jojoba seed oil, green tea, and cica, for a seamless blend—plus, the finely milled powder won’t emphasize texture. “You can apply this with a powder brush under the cheekbones, around the forehead, under the jawline, [and] even on the apples of the cheek anywhere you want extra warmth,” says Dorn.

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, green tea extract, Centella asiatica extract
  • Finish: natural
  • Shades: 3

Best for Dry Skin: Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balm

Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balm in branded component on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Summer Fridays

Bronzer Butter Balm

$32

Sephora

$32

Revolve

Why it’s worth it: One of the main reasons someone (especially those with dry skin) may choose a cream bronzer over others is moisture, and Summer Fridays’ Bronzer Butter Balm offers plenty of it. Anchored by ceramides, peptides, and a blend of shea, mango seed, and illipe butters, these hydrating and moisturizing ingredients create a creamy, pigmented balm that offers medium-buildable coverage. Also on the ingredients list: a “soft-set complex” designed to help the formula melt more easily into the skin before settling into a natural finish. It’s available in six shades, five of which have a neutral or cool undertone, making this one a solid pick for contouring, too.

More to Know

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  • Key ingredients: ceramides, peptides, shea butter, mango seed butter, illipe butter
  • Finish: natural
  • Shades: 6

Best for Contouring: Hung Vanngo Beauty Tansculpt Bronzing Contour Balm

Hung Vanngo Beauty Tansculpt Bronzing Contour Balm in branded component on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Hung Vanngo

Beauty Tansculpt Bronzing Contour Balm

$34

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: The Hung Vanngo Tansculpt Bronzing Contour Balm is a favorite of New York City-based makeup artist Jewels Grogan; she describes it as “a blurring, balm-to-powder formula, which helps it just glide onto the skin and create effortless bronzing and sculpting.” It comes in eight shades, all of which have neutral undertones, making them not only great bronzers but also ideal contouring products for most people. The coverage level is medium and buildable, which is another win for contouring—for natural-looking dimension, strong pigment, and the ability to work in layers are crucial.

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: silica microspheres and vitamin E
  • Finish: natural velvet-matte
  • Shades: 8

Most Natural Coverage: Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer

Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer in branded component on a light gray backgroundSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Makeup by Mario

SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer

$34

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic did his big one with the SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer: Both Grogan and Dorn recommend this Makeup by Mario offering for those with more mature skin. The cream formula has a radiant finish and provides some of the lightest coverage of any of the options on the list—ideal for those who want to avoid emphasizing texture, since heavier products can settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamins A, D, and E are on the ingredients list, providing plenty of smoothing and hydration, while omega-6 fatty acids offer nourishment. While the lighter coverage does mean that this one isn’t going to be your first choice for heavy contouring, it can still provide plenty of warmth.

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids
  • Finish: radiant
  • Shades: 6

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common bronzer mistakes?

“The most common mistake I see with bronzer is over-indulging,” says Grogan. It’s important to remember that bronzer is for adding warmth or sculpting— meaning you want to think of it as your icing, not the cake. “There is no need to apply bronzer all over the face,” says Grogan. “The best way to create a beautiful, glowy, bronzed complexion is to be very intentional where you apply it.” Stick to the high points of the face that would naturally be hit by the sun, she says; think the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin. After blending it into those areas, you can “use whatever is left on the brush to lightly sweep around the mouth, ears, and temples, but keep it minimal.”

You also want to make sure you’re using the right tools; Dorn says people frequently use brushes that are too big for the task. “When using a powder bronzer, you want a medium-size blending brush,” so that you don’t cover too much surface area, she explains.

And perhaps unsurprisingly, “another common mistake is getting a color that does not suit your skin tone,” says Dorn. 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. For these skin tones, neutral undertones will always look the most organic. "Be sure to avoid bronzers that appear overly orange or red-toned in the pan, as they will only become more intense when you apply them 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. That said, she does note that terracotta hues with a hint of red 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.

What's the difference between powder, cream, and liquid bronzers?

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 told Allure. "Make sure to blend well into the skin for a natural finish." That said, there are nuances to application techniques, depending on the type of formulation you use:

Liquid Bronzers

Liquid bronzers can be used under your complexion products, alone as an all-over glow booster, or concentrated on specific 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.

Cream Bronzers

Similar to a liquid formula, apply your cream bronzer with your fingers onto the top of your hand and use a dense, angled brush to transfer the product to your skin, per 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."

Powder Bronzers

Cream and liquid bronzers tend to have buildable, opaque formulations, whereas powder bronzers are sheerer in pigment. You can layer for more intensity, but bronzer powders are overall more helpful 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.

What is the best bronzer for older skin?

In general, cream bronzer formulas work best for more mature skin types; Grogan says they’re less likely than powder formulas to sit on top of texture. “With mature skin, I am always trying to add moisture and a youthful dew, so I tend to avoid powder products in general,” she adds.

And you can even maximize your hydration during the application process: “Before blending, I like to spray the face with a hydrating setting spray, then blend with either a dense foundation brush or a damp Beautyblender sprayed with the same setting spray,” advises Dorn.

Meet the experts

  • Jamie Dorman, a New York City-based makeup artist
  • Elisa Flowers, a New York City-based makeup artist
  • Brielle Pollara, a New York City-based makeup artist
  • Jamie Greenberg, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and founder of Jamie Makeup
  • Tomy Rivero, a makeup artist based in New York City
  • Daniel Chinchilla, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
  • Jewels Grogan, a New York City-based makeup artist
  • Kat Dorn, a New York City-based makeup artist
  • Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist

How we test and review products

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.

Our staff and testers

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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