Glow Up! Brilliant Bronzers for Every Skin Type

Best bronzers for different skin types
Marie-Antoinette Issa

Lifestyle Editor

Oct 10, 2024

If you want a sunkissed glow without the burn (Is there any other option in 2024?), then the right bronzer has got your back. But, with so many options – powder, cream, liquid, gel and even hybrids – it can be tricky to know which one will suit your complexion. Whether you’re aiming for a light, natural finish or a more dramatic sculpt, the key is in choosing the right formula. Here’s a breakdown of the best bronzers for different skin types.

How to chose the right shade

While choosing the right formula for your skin type is crucial, the shade you choose is just as important. For a natural look, go for a bronzer that’s no more than two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Lighter skin tones tend to suit warm peach or soft brown bronzers, while medium to deep skin tones can opt for rich golden or copper hues.

Powder bronzers: Classics for combination skin

When we think of bronzers, powder is often the first to come to mind. Powder bronzers are incredibly versatile and easy to use, making them a popular choice for bronzer beginners and makeup pros alike. Available in both matte and shimmer finishes, powder bronzer works best for those with oily or combination skin.

Why? The mattifying properties of powder help absorb excess oil, keeping your face shine-free throughout the day. The light texture also makes it easy to blend, giving you control over how intense or soft you want your bronzed look to be.

Pro tip: Apply powder bronzer with a fluffy, angled brush and focus on the areas of your face where the sun naturally hits – your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. If you’re going for a more contoured look, opt for a matte finish, while shimmer powders are great for adding a glow to your high points. An excellent one is the Brush Set 3 Piece Set, $9, by Savvy by DB Cosmetics at Priceline.

Best bronzers for different skin types


Best powder bronzers:

  1. Zoeva Suntorini Matte Bronzing Powder at Sephora: A finely milled matte bronzing powder that offers a sun-kissed glow, easily blending for a natural, radiant finish without any shimmer.
  2. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer: A lightweight, silky bronzer that provides a soft-focus effect, delivering a flawless, airbrushed finish while enhancing your natural glow.
  3. Skinlights Bronzer by Revlon: A lightweight bronzer infused with skin-loving ingredients, offering a radiant finish that gives your complexion a luminous, sun-kissed look.
  4. Natural Matte Bronzer by MP Cosmetics at Priceline: A smooth, matte bronzer that effortlessly warms up your complexion, providing a natural sun-kissed effect ideal for everyday wear.
Best bronzers for different skin types

Cream bronzers: A dewy dream for dry skin

If your skin is more on the dry side, cream bronzer is your best friend. Cream formulas offer a hydrating, dewy finish that enhances your natural glow without clinging to dry patches or emphasising texture. It blends seamlessly into the skin, creating a smooth, radiant finish.

Cream bronzers are also excellent for layering. If you’re building a more defined look or blending with other cream products like blush or highlighter, this formula ensures a harmonious blend. It’s also more forgiving for touch-ups throughout the day, as it won’t cake or flake the way powders sometimes can.

Pro tip: Use your fingers or a dense brush to apply cream bronzer. The warmth of your fingers helps melt the product into your skin for a natural finish. Tap onto the cheekbones, along the hairline, and under the jaw for a soft, sun-kissed glow.

Best cream bronzers:

  1. Golden Glow by Trinny London: A smooth cream bronzer that blends effortlessly, providing a natural sun-kissed finish with buildable coverage for a radiant complexion.
  2. Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick by Rare Beauty at Sephora: A creamy, easy-to-blend bronzer stick that glides on smoothly for a warm, natural glow, perfect for a soft, sculpted look.
  3. Sculpting Soft Cream Contour by Tower 28 at Mecca: A lightweight, soft cream bronzer designed for easy blending, delivering a natural, dewy finish for a subtle sculpted look.
  4. Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream by Huda Beauty at Sephora: A creamy, highly pigmented bronzer that sculpts and defines while delivering a long-lasting, flawless bronzed glow.
Best bronzers for different skin types

Liquid bronzers: An A+ for all-skins

Liquid bronzer is a versatile, long-lasting option that works well for all skin types, depending on how you apply it. The great thing about liquid bronzers is that they’re buildable, allowing you to start light and gradually intensify the look. With a more fluid texture, they blend beautifully and often contain moisturising ingredients, making them particularly great for normal to dry skin.

Liquid bronzers are fantastic for creating a natural, second-skin effect, especially if you prefer a radiant or satin finish. They’re also ideal for mixing into foundation for an all-over warmth that feels effortlessly sun-kissed.

Pro tip: Use a damp beauty sponge to blend liquid bronzer into the skin for a flawless, airbrushed finish. It’s also great for a more subtle, everyday look when mixed with your foundation.

Best liquid bronzers:

  1. Brazilian Glow Bronzing Serum by Ciate at Mecca: A luxurious liquid bronzer that effortlessly warms the complexion, delivering a radiant, sun-kissed glow for a beautifully bronzed look.
  2. Softsculpt Bronzing Shaping Serum by Makeup by Mario at Sephora: A versatile liquid bronzer that shapes targeted areas while providing an all-over warmth. With 2-in-1 breakthrough packaging, use the pump for a luminous glow or the wand for a sculpted effect. Infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, it hydrates and nourishes the skin while leaving a soft-blurred finish for a natural look.

Gel bronzers: Sensitive skin superstars

If you’re looking for something a little lighter, gel bronzers are a fresh and cooling option. These are especially suitable for oily or sensitive skin because of their weightless texture and quick-drying finish. Gel bronzers offer a sheer wash of colour that gives you that “just back from the beach” glow without overwhelming your skin.

Gel bronzers are often water-based, making them a great choice for those who want a more breathable feel. They typically come in a pump or tube, making application simple. If you’re after a bronzed look that’s subtle yet buildable, this one’s for you.

Pro tip: Apply gel bronzer using your fingers or a stippling brush for a sheer, natural finish. A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and build up gradually if needed.

Best gel bronzers:

  1. Radiance Gel Bronzer by Chantecaille at Mecca: A lightweight gel bronzer that glides on smoothly, delivering a natural, sun-kissed glow while enhancing your complexion with a dewy finish.
  2. Cloud Paint Gel Cream Bronzer by Glossier at Mecca: A unique gel-cream formula that blends effortlessly into the skin, providing a soft, buildable bronzed effect for a fresh and natural look that lasts all day.
Best bronzers for different skin types

Hybrid bronzers: Best for the multi-taskers

For those who want more from their bronzer, hybrid bronzers are the perfect solution—combining makeup with skin care benefits. These multitasking products not only deliver a bronzed glow but also nourish and protect your skin. Think of them as a 2-in-1 or even 3-in-1 product: a bronzer that hydrates, protects from sun damage, and enhances your skin’s overall appearance.

Some hybrid bronzers include SPF, offering sun protection while giving you that radiant, sun-kissed look. These are ideal for outdoor lovers who want their bronzer to double as a protective layer against harmful UV rays, all while evening out skin tone and creating a flawless makeup base.

Other formulas are infused with skincare ingredients like niacinamide and peptides, which work to plump fine lines, hydrate, and brighten the skin while giving it a healthy, bronzed glow. These bronzers blur the line between makeup and skincare, providing sheer to light coverage that enhances your natural complexion, perfect for that ‘no-makeup’ makeup look.

Pro tip: Hybrid bronzers can be applied solo for a fresh, dewy finish, or layered under foundation for added coverage and a more sculpted look. Use your fingers or a brush to blend into the skin for a seamless, glowing complexion.

Best hybrid bronzers:

  1. SPF50+ Bronzing Primer & Serum Drops, by The Quick Flick: A multitasking primer, serum, and SPF that provides a bronzed glow while creating a flawless makeup base.
  2. Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint by Anastasia Beverly Hills: Packed with eight skin-loving ingredients, including niacinamide and a peptide complex, this hybrid skincare and makeup product plumps fine lines while delivering a natural finish.

Best bronzers for different skin types
Marie-Antoinette Issa

Marie-Antoinette Issa is the Lifestyle Editor for The Carousel and Women Love Tech. She has worked across news and women's lifestyle magazines and websites including Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Madison, Concrete Playground, The Urban List and Daily Mail, I Quit Sugar and Huffington Post.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

By Marie-Antoinette Issa

Lifestyle Editor

Marie-Antoinette Issa is the Lifestyle Editor for The Carousel and Women Love Tech. She has worked across news and women's lifestyle magazines and websites including Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Madison, Concrete Playground, The Urban List and Daily Mail, I Quit Sugar and Huffington Post.

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