Getting bronzed, sun-kissed skin doesn't have to wait for the summer — nor does it require you to expose yourself to harmful UV rays. To warm up your complexion, all you need is a good bronzer. Like a good mascara or reliable concealer, a bronzer is a makeup-routine staple. It can help you sculpt, define, add colour, and illuminate your complexion, depending on the product you get.
The market is filled to the brim with bronzers of all varieties. Popular finishes range from matte, which can look super natural, to satin and shimmer for that lit-from-within glow. They also come in cream [1], powder, and even gel textures, so you're sure to find the perfect match for your makeup style. If you're someone who prefers to apply products with your fingers, a cream product may be best for you; if you have oily skin, a powder bronzer is ideal for curbing shine.
You don't have to spend a ton of money to score a new bronzer. There are plenty of great drugstore options [2] from brands like L'Oréal, Physicians Formula, and E.l.f. Cosmetics that cost less than $15. However, if you are in the mood to splurge on something — perhaps to display on your vanity or gift to a fellow makeup-lover for a birthday — we also rounded up some editor favourites from Chanel, Nars, and Charlotte Tilbury.
To shop for the best bronzers on the market, keep scrolling.
— Additional reporting by Sarah Siegel
Best Contour and Bronzer Duo
Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo [3] ($40)
Sculpt and contour with the Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo. Inside the sleek compact is a cream bronzer to define your face and a powder bronzer to warm it up. The finish is natural, making it great for anyone who doesn't want something matte but also doesn't want to shimmer. It comes in five combos.
Best Sculpting Bronzer
Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer [4] ($30)
The Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer is a magical product. It's a hybrid skin tint, cream bronzer, and face balm that can be used all over the face or just on the cheeks — it's up to you. It's a silky cream with light coverage and a radiant finish. It comes in six shades and is a 2023 POPSUGAR Beauty Award winner.
Best Waterproof Bronzer
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Longwear Bronzer [5] ($16)
We don't know if you'll want to go swimming in the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Longwear Bronzer, but you totally could, which is pretty awesome. The soft matte powder offers waterproof, transferproof, and sweat-resistant coverage. It comes in eight shades.
Best Illuminating Cream Bronzer
Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer [6] ($20)
Give your skin an all-over glow reminiscent of peek summertime with the Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer. The dewy bronzing balm melts into skin, leaving behind zero harsh lines. It comes in five shades.
Best Bronzer Stick
Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks [7] ($26)
This bronzer from Selena Gomez [8]'s brand Rare Beauty is a makeup-bag must have. The creamy stick has a twist-up applicator, which makes applying on the go a breeze. The finish is not too matte but not too radiant, making it look like skin. It comes in eight shades. Read our full Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks review [9].
Best Hydrating Bronzer
Huda Beauty GloWish Soft Radiance Vegan Bronzing Powder [10] ($17)
This product from Huda Beauty is a hydrating pressed-powder bronzer with a satin finish. It's almost like a bronzer-highlighter hybrid thanks to the pearly pigments in the formula. A little bit goes a long way. It comes in five shades. Read our full Huda Beauty GloWish Soft Radiance Vegan Bronzing Powder review.
Best Putty Bronzer
E.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Bronzer [11] ($7)
This E.l.f. Cosmetics product is no ordinary bronzer — it's a TikTok star, having gone viral on the platform. The putty-to-powder formula blends easily and is super buildable. Wear it alone for a natural look or on top of foundation for a more impactful glam. It comes in seven shades. Read our full E.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Bronzer review.
Best Skin-Care-Infused Bronzer
LYS Beauty No Limits Matte Bronzer [12] ($19)
This is a silky powder that comes in five shades. It has a matte finish that gives your face a natural-looking glow and melts into skin. The formula also boasts the popular skin-care ingredient niacinamide, improving your skin while you wear it. It comes in five shades.
Best Highlighter and Bronzer Duo
PYT Beauty Faux Sun Bronzer Duo [13] ($20)
Grab this compact from PYT Beauty the next time you're at Target. The two-in-one product contains a matte bronzer on one side and a shimmery highlighter on the other. This allows you to customise your finish depending on your mood.
Best Travel-Friendly Bronzer
Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer [14] ($24)
It's hard to look at the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer without going "aw!" The small, compact sculpting stick features a creamy formula in an easy-to-use, twist-up stick. It glides across your skin and blends easily. It comes in five shades.
Best Blurring Bronzer
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Matte Bronzer [15] ($58)
Don't let the price of this Charlotte Tilbury bronzer turn you off. The pressed powder is so large, it will last you months. And when you finally do run out, you can purchase a refill. It comes in four shades. The formula is vegan and packed with hyaluronic acid.
Best Powder Bronzer
Nars Bronzing Powder [16] ($40)
The Nars Bronzing Powder contains just a hint of shimmer to give your skin a nice glow without making you look like a disco ball. If you become just as obsessed with it as we are, there's a jumbo size that you can purchase. It comes in nine shades.
Best Gel-Cream Bronzer
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream [17] ($50)
The Chanel Bronzing Cream is a favourite among the beauty YouTube community. It's a cream-to-gel formula that glides on easily, and a little goes a long way. It comes in three shades.
Best Scented Bronzer
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer [18] ($35)
This powder bronzer is infused with real cocoa powder, so it smells like a Hershey's bar. Plus, the matte formula looks natural on the skin. It comes in three shades and is designed to last all day long.
Best Shade Range in a Bronzer
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer [19] ($35)
The Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer has an impressive shade range that fits a large variety of skin tones. It comes in nine matte colours, with the deepest called Thick Mint. It's long wearing and transfer resistant.
Best Cult-Favourite Bronzer
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder [20] ($35)
One of the most popular cult-favourite bronzers is the Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder. It instantly warms up your face with its silky powder formula. Four shades are currently available.
Best Drugstore Bronzer
Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru Butter Bronzer [21] ($16)
You'll love the soft, creamy texture of the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru Butter Bronzer just as much as you'll love the natural-looking, soft finish. It's a super-popular drugstore option that stacks up nicely against products twice the price. It comes in six shades.
Best Sun-Kissed Drugstore Bronzer
Milani Baked Bronzer [22] ($10)
The Milani Baked Bronzer is another drugstore hero. The formula is super pigmented and has a slight shimmer to it, making your skin glow brighter than the sun. It comes in three shades.
Best Dual-Ended Bronzer and Brush
Nudestix Nudies Matte Cream Bronzer [23] ($35)
When you want a quick and natural makeup look, use the Nudestix Nudies Matte Cream Bronzer. The dual-ended stick has cream bronzer on one end and a brush on the other, making contouring your face super easy. It blends quickly and adds a little extra oomph to an otherwise no-makeup makeup look. It comes in eight shades.
Most Affordable Bronzer
Rimmel Natural Bronzer [24] ($4)
An oldie but goodie, the Rimmel Natural Bronzer is a must-get at the drugstore. It's priced at only $4, so you really can't go wrong. The waterproof powder is packed with pigment and blends seamlessly into skin. It comes in four shades.
Best Matte Bronzer
MAC Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer [25] ($35)
Beauty-lovers can't get enough of the MAC Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer. The soft, creamy powder warms up your skin with one swipe. The formula is waterproof, as well as sweat- and humidity-resistant. It comes in 10 shades.
Best Sun-Kissed Bronzer
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer [26] ($58)
No time (or money) to travel to the Amalfi Coast? No problem. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer gives you an instant sun-kissed glow. The marble powder features both bronzer and illuminating pigments to simultaneously warm up your complexion and boost radiance. It comes in four shades.