15 Of The Best Bronzers For A Totally Believable Sun-Kissed Glow

15 ways to fake that long-haul glow.


Bronzers - they're the make-up essential giving us a convenient faux glow, minus the sun damage. Because, as we all know, a real sun tan is so 2020. But, while our skin may thank us for it in the long run, we’re still hankering after the radiant glow that comes after a holiday spent soaking up the rays.

'Whether it's a matte, cream or illuminating bronzer that brings you joy, a good bronzer should spark your natural warmth and add a little "zing" to your face and skin anytime of the year,' says Bobbi Brown artist, Amalie Russell. 'Making sure you get the right bronzer for your skin tone is so important because getting the wrong one can either make you look orange, ashy or like there’s no make-up on you - it’s all about getting the balance right here.'

But with so many bronzers on the shelves, how do you know which one to choose? Select the wrong shade, and you might end up more terracotta than tanned. And when you’re trying to keep things natural, the wrong glitter ratio is sure to hamper your efforts. 'A cream based bronzer is the modern way to wear bronzer,' says Russell. 'Cream based textures give natural, skin-like finishes - feathering it on the forehead, cheeks and bridge of nose with a blending brush will give a soft veil of healthy, skin-like glow.'

From the powder with built-in self tan to the stick you can apply with your fingers, these are the very best bronzers we’ve ever tried. 

18 Of The Best Bronzers To Shop Now



1 Vieve Modern Bronzer - £31 

You know what they say, you can never have too much choice, and we think that this bronzing duo from Vieve hits the spot. Giving you the option to go from a light sun-kissed look in the day to a sultry bronze in the evening, this buttery formula covers all bases.


2 Iconic London Sheer Bronze - £18

For those who constantly live in fear of looking tangoed post-bronzer application, this liquid glow in a bottle is the low-key answer to your prayers. The sheer formula means it's nigh on impossible to overdo it, with the added bonus that it blends in effortlessly with both fingers and a brush.



3 Forever Natural Bronze


Dior £40.00

Dior's luxe bronzer cleverly combines complementary tones of tan to ensure your look is as natural as can be. The 95% mineral-origin pigments in the formula make this ideal for sensitive skin and easily clogged pores. (Hint: if you find most bronzers too dark for you, shade 01 will not disappoint.)



4 NARS Sunkissed Bronzing Cream - £30



Everyone knows how good the Laguna powder bronzer is (right? RIGHT?). But if you've not tried this cream one, you're missing out. Use it under foundation, over, or for contouring. The glow-giving possibilities are endless.



5 Marc Jacobs O!Mega Perfect Tan Bronzer - £26.50

This matte finish mega bronzer not only looks super sleek in its slimline white case, but also applies like a dream thanks to the neutral undertone and micro-fine jet milled powder. Plus, if you like coconut, this bronzer comes complete with a delicate tropical scent to transport you to the Bahamas, even if you're just wearing it on the tube to Balham.



6 Tower 28 Bronzino - £18


Ever wish that you could bottle that California glow? Well, Tower 28 provides the closest thing in our opinion. Inspired by the beach culture of the Cali coast, Tower 28 formulates its products with super sensitive skin types in mind, meaning even those of us prone to eczema won't find our skin flaring up after using them. If you love a bronzer that adds to a super dewy, glowy complexion, this is the one for you.



7 Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer, £32



Struggle to find the right balance between too-orange and too-ashy bronzers? These cream bronzers make for a seamlessly blended sun-kissed look, and come in seven different shades with either warm or neutral undertones.



8 Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer - £39


This formula is so finely milled that it basically melts into the skin, leaving not a trace of chalkiness or tide marks. It's infused with hyaluronic acid, which helps to give it that seamless finish. For us, it was love at first sweep.



9 Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder - £33

If you like your bronzer matte, as in even the tiniest hint of shimmer, this is the one. So good in fact that sometimes we dust a little on to control shine (and add a little extra colour) later in the day.



10 Guerlain Terracotta Original Bronzer - £38


We love how finely milled this is, and that the six shades cover all skin tones. But mainly we love the scent - that familiar, summer holiday, ylang-ylang and vanilla filled perfume. It makes applying it just that much nicer.



11 Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer - £34

This bronzer is that genius blend of being matte but somehow adding instant glow too. It blends beautifully, and comes in four shades. That being said, we're were sold on the packaging alone.



12 Rimmel London Natural Bronzing Powder - £6.99


We love a beauty bargain, but do find high-street bronzers have a tendency to crack under the slightest bit of pressure. This, however, stands up as well as some of it's luxe lookalikes. A bit of added SPF is nice too.


13 Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer - £27.50


One of the original matte bronzers - try to find a millennial make-up fan who didn't start with this - and still one of the best. It now comes in four shades too.



14 Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer - £69



What's better than a bronzer? One that's embossed with hearts of course. Formulated with nourishing Capuacu, Cocoa Seed and Mango Seed butters and Biomimicry pigments to gently nourish skin and protect against environmental pollutants, this bronzer does it all.



15 Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream-Gel Bronzer
Chanel £42.00


No bronzer works harder than this creamy, radiant wonder. Swirl it all-over to warm up your face pre-foundation, apply it with a smaller brush to contour your cheekbones, or dust it on top of your base to set and enhance. If that's not enough to have you sold, the gigantic double-C topped jar will look great on you.