The best bronzers should do more than simply add colour to your complexion. A really great formula can warm up the skin, softly sculpt the face and fake a post-holiday glow without veering muddy, patchy or orange. But with powders, creams, sticks and liquids all competing for space in your make-up bag, finding the right one for your skin type and finish preference can feel overwhelming.
To help narrow things down, I tested a wide range of bronzing formulas across a variety of price points and consistencies, paying close attention to blendability, longevity and how natural each formula looked in daylight. I also spoke to Chanel make-up artist Marco Antonio for expert guidance. According to Antonio, powder bronzers are ideal for adding “warmth and definition” while helping to control shine, whereas cream bronzers “blend seamlessly into the skin” and offer a more dewy, natural-looking finish, particularly for drier skin types.
Makeup By Mario's soft sculpt transforming skin enhancer is the best bronzer I've tested. Designed as a dual-performance skin tint and bronzer, the overall finish was like a smooth dusting of warmth and application was relatively easy to blend. The radiance it gave my skin was unmatched, and it’s relatively foolproof – it buffs in beautifully without appearing ruddy. For normal to dry complexions, it’s sure to glaze over any flaking and keep things hydrated and glowy.
For just £6, Revolution's cream bronzer astonished me with its quality, from blendability to how it sat on my skin throughout the day. It really highlights cheekbones for a more sculpting effect while still offering a natural, sun-kissed and complexion-smoothing finish. On my oily skin, it neither promoted shine nor resulted in patchiness, and I’d even use it as a light face base on low to no make-up days.
Dior's forever skin bronze formula gave my fair, freckled skin the sort of glow I only see after a day spent in warmer climes. Swiping it on across my cheekbones, forehead, nose and jawline, I was able to buff the product into the skin in less than a minute using a fluffy sculpting brush. The formula lasted incredibly well on my oily skin, despite feeling moisturising, and the stick-style design is compact and ideal for on-the-go.
Nars laguna bronzer is the OG powder bronzer and wowed me through and through. From its creamy, easy-to-blend texture to its versatility of application, this bronzer looked flattering on my skin come day and night. I loved how it recreated a tanned look and melded with blushes and highlighters without drying or caking. Benefit's hoola bronzer remains in my make-up bag to this day, a testament to its lasting appeal.
