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The Very Best Bronzers For A Totally Believable Sun-Kissed Glow

Meet the new school of bronzing creams, liquids and balms

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best bronzer

So many of us are unwavering in our opinion that we simply look better with a bit of a tan – especially now the last of that Mykonos glow has faded and the colder climes have arrived with a bang. But, as we all know, a real suntan is so 2014. The answer lies in a decent bronzer – and today, we’re spoilt for choice.

'Whether it's a matte, cream or illuminating bronzer that brings you joy, a good formula should spark your natural warmth and add a little "zing" to your face and skin anytime of the year,' says make-up artist Amalie Russell. 'Making sure you get the right bronzer for your skin tone is so important: 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.

Russell considers a cream bronzer the most modern option, as they give a natural, skin-like finish. ‘Feathering one on your forehead, cheeks, and the bridge of your nose with a blending brush will give a soft veil of healthy, skin-like glow,' she says.

But while liquids, creams and oils (yes really – stay with me) are the best choice for skin glossing, a good old powder will always win in the longevity stakes. Today’s best are much more luminous than that tangerine compact we all carried around in the 00’s, and many come with dual tones to allow for some sneaky contouring, too.

Now for the most important part: placement. As legendary make-up artist Gucci Westman explains, 'you don't want to go into the nose or below the cheek. When applying bronzer I focus on the upper half of the face. Blend it so it finishes naturally on your cheeks, or you’ll struggle to fade the colour out.'

You also don't want to end up with bronzer on your neck. 'I find that if you go too far down towards your jawline, it’s tricky to get a soft fade of the product – it’s all about the blending, which is easiest to do on the cheek,' she adds.

From the latest bronzing liquids for a translucent tan to the stick you can apply with your fingers, these are the very best bronzers of the bunch, according to someone who is never without an out-of-the-bottle glow.

The Very Best Bronzers To Shop Now

Best sheer bronzer

Jones Road Gel Bronzer

Gel Bronzer
Best sheer bronzer

Jones Road Gel Bronzer

$32 at jonesroadbeauty.com

For skin that looks hydrated and juicy without veering into shiny or sparkly territory, it's these genius gel bronzing drops you need. Created by the reigning queen of super-natural make up, Bobbi Brown, the silky liquid lights skin up and delivers just enough colour to make you look well-rested, not aggressively tanned. I find buffing it in with a fluffy synthetic brush (and a very light hand) works best.

Best matte bronzer

Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick

Matte Bronzing Brick
Best matte bronzer

Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick

Victoria Beckham knows a thing or two about creating a completely natural-looking bronze. This palette contains two matte colours, designed to be used to sculpt and contour your natural bone structure, creating a super-flattering result that never looks obvious or, worse, soaked in sparkle.

Best luxury bronzer

Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer

Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer
Best luxury bronzer

Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer

Now 20% Off

Gucci Westman's bronzer is the most buttery powder I've ever come across: in fact, I'd say it actually works more like a cream. The finish is sparkle-free but satisfyingly luminous, with nourishing plant oils to keep dry skins happy.

The petite palette is ideal for more strategic swiping and contour-carving – and will slip easily into your bag.

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Best cream bronzer

Trinny London Golden Glow

Golden Glow
Best cream bronzer

Trinny London Golden Glow

These translucent little pots are perfect for anyone who wants a subtle pick-me-up. Small enough to be stuffed into your evening bag, they contain a light and dewy cream bronzer that lights up skin while imparting the most flattering, sheeny colour. Try dabbing them over eyelids for an easy, glowy look, too.

Best bronzer contour duo

Vieve Modern Bronzer

Modern Bronzer
Best bronzer contour duo

Vieve Modern Bronzer

Jamie Genevieve knows exactly what we want in a bronzer. Her perfectly considered palettes contain two tonal shades – so you can contour your cheeks or simply deepen your glow after a holiday – and have the most buttery, almost-cream like texture that means you get the longevity of a powder without the one-dimensional finish. Genius. There's an ever-so-subtle shot of shimmer, but it delivers more radiance than all-out glitter.

Best bronzer for pale skin

Dior Forever Natural Bronze

Forever Natural Bronze
Best bronzer for pale skin

Dior Forever Natural Bronze

Dior's luxe bronzer is the ultimate everyday skin-warmer: it's shimmer-free, but not overtly matte, and skims over foundation for an undetectable blend.

The 95% mineral-origin pigments make this one ideal for sensitive skin and easily clogged pores. (Hint: if you find most bronzers too dark for you, shade 01 will not disappoint.)

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Best powder bronzer

Hermès Plein Air H Trio Healthy Glow Mineral Powder

Editor’s Choice
Plein Air H Trio Healthy Glow Mineral Powder
Best powder bronzer

Hermès Plein Air H Trio Healthy Glow Mineral Powder

It should come as little surprise to hear that Hermès' first bronzer is sublime: I keep this one permanently in my everyday kit.

Designed to create a truly natural result, this cleverly combined trio of tones blends over skin to leave behind a weightless, completely sparkle-free finish. Don't expect a high-impact tan, but rather a beautiful, seamless hint of colour that blurs pores and imperfections at the same time.

Best stick bronzer

Nudestix Nudies All Over Face Color Matte

Nudies All Over Face Color Matte
Best stick bronzer

Nudestix Nudies All Over Face Color Matte

These clever colour sticks are lightweight yet matte, so ideal for some strategic cheekbone-chiselling. The attached brush is a handy addition, but just be sure to use it with a light hand, or you'll shift any foundation you've layered beneath.

In terms of placement, go for the higher edges of your cheekbones to lift your face and create the illusion of supermodel structure. And if your favourite shade is out of stock, you can thank Sofia Richie – after she wore Sunkissed on her wedding day, the brand cam't restock the shelves fast enough.

Best balm bronzer

Charlotte Tilbury Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer

Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer
Best balm bronzer

Charlotte Tilbury Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer

Both of Charlotte Tilbury's bronzers are brilliant: the best one for you will simply come down to the texture you prefer. Those with drier skin, and who like the dewier look a cream offers, should snap up the make-up icon's Sun-Kissed Glow formula. This super-sized compact (with an equally super-sized mirror) contains a dense, balmy cream that settles on skin with just a touch of shine.

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Best hydrating bronzer

Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer

Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer
Best hydrating bronzer

Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer

Now 20% Off

If you're yet to try Saie beauty, I recommend you bump it right to the top of your list. The burgeoning brand is fast becoming my go-to for easy, glowy products that deliver that glass-skin sheen. This brilliant bronzer delivers on both radiance and staying power: it's not so creamy that it'll smudge all over your clean white shirt, but is hydrating enough not to dry or cake over pores. Perfection.

Best liquid bronzer

Iconic London Sheer Bronze

Sheer Bronze
Best liquid bronzer

Iconic London Sheer Bronze

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 a brush, sponge, or even your fingers.

Best Bronzer for glass skin

Tan-Luxe Super Gloss SPF 30

Super Gloss SPF 30
Best Bronzer for glass skin

Tan-Luxe Super Gloss SPF 30

This criminally underrated member of the Tan-Luxe family is one for anyone that wants all-over radiance, rather than strategic contouring. It might look scarily metallic in the bottle, but this oil-textured bronzer sheers out on application to make skin look literally moist (sorry).

A little goes a long way, so limit yourself to a couple of drops, and blend it with a loose brush (like this one) and a light hand to avoid streaking. It works on top of foundation, on bare skin, and can even be mixed into a moisturiser.

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Best shimmer-free bronzer

Milk Makeup Bionic Bronzer

On Sale
Bionic Bronzer
Best shimmer-free bronzer

Milk Makeup Bionic Bronzer

Now 25% Off

Milk Makeup's offering sits in the make-up/skincare overlap of the beauty venn diagram. The shea butter and jojoba seed base works to smooth and hydrate dry skin, while the shimmer-free pigment lends a translucent wash of colour that looks flattering on absolutely everyone. Dab it on with fingers (or a very loosely packed brush) and remember to shake the tube gently first.

Best bronzer for darker skin

Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer

On Sale
Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer
Best bronzer for darker skin

Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer

Now 25% Off

People rave about Rihanna's Mocha Mami bronzer shade in particular, thanks to the way the red-brown undertones pop on darker skin. It's warm, easy to blend, and stays put from morning to night (no matter how late you stay out). If you find most bronzers veer too grey for you, this is guaranteed to become your One.

Best bronzer for cool shades

Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer

Cream Bronzer
Best bronzer for cool shades

Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer

Struggle to find the right balance between too-orange and too-ashy bronzers? These cream formulas make for a seamlessly blended sun-kissed look, and come in shades that serve both ends of the spectrum properly.

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Best bronzer for brightening

Guerlain Terracotta Light Sun-Kissed Natural Healthy Glow Powder

Terracotta Light Sun-Kissed Natural Healthy Glow Powder
Best bronzer for brightening

Guerlain Terracotta Light Sun-Kissed Natural Healthy Glow Powder

Something would be amiss if I didn't mention Guerlain here: the brand is famed for creating some of the best bronzers on the planet. This mosaic of pressed powders is a riff on the OG Terracotta compact, with both matt and shimmering pigments alongside muted blush tones. Swirl them together, and you'll have both bronzed and brightened skin in one fell swoop.

Best shimmer bronzer

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Ambient Lighting Bronzer
Best shimmer bronzer

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Hourglass knows exactly how to get shimmer just right. These dual-tone baked bronzers are shot through with the lightest touch of light-reflecting pigments, and light up cheeks without leaving behind flecks of glitter. Bridal make-up artists always have these to hand and, with one use, you'll see why.

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