An Ode To Cream Bronzer: The Best Formulas For A Subtle, Sunkissed Glow

The added bonus of skincare ingredients in your make-up proves both beneficial for your dermis and your desired aesthetic. That's why you'll find the likes of squalene, avocado oil and Vitamin E in this much-hyped formula by MUA Jamie Genevieve. Keeping skin hydrated and happy throughout the day, the complex of ingredients also helps improve staying power and makes for a more seamless application, too.

It's not just the chic Chanel exterior that's had Senior Site Beauty Editor, Amelia Bell, hooked on Les Beiges Bronzing Cream for years: the formula here really stacks up too. With a lightweight, highly buildable finish, it imparts a soft, satin-like radiance that never cakes or creases. Use a sculpting brush for subtle contouring and to carve out those cheekbones, or opt for an au naturel finish simply by blending out on the high points of the cheeks.

Those familiar with founder Jess Hunt's signature sun-kissed glow will know that this cream bronzer is a mainstay in her make-up arsenal. Tested on a range of skin tones and types, it's designed with warm undertones and is easily buildable; it runs the gamut of offering a subtle glow (without any dreaded shimmer or shine) and imparting a faux post-holiday tan.

One for the minimalist make-up enthusiasts among us, this sheer beauty balm is free of shimmer and adds a natural-looking glow that could be mistaken as the work of a solid slumber and not, say, a clever concoction of ingredients. It also earns its stripes as one of the easiest formulas to apply – just ask the myriad Merit fans who rave about it.

With the seal of approval from sunkissed queen and founder, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, there's a lot we love about this Rose Inc cream bronzer. First, the finish – featuring tourmaline to add a soft-focus and skin-like veil. Then, there's a ton of ingredients to help boost your skin too, from rejuvenating rose oil to antioxidant-rich vitamin C.

With a more extensive shade range than most, this cream bronzer has something for everyone. Not only is it non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores (ideal for us oily skin girlies), it's also water resistant, stays put for hours on end and still offers a weightless, breathable and satin-like finish.

Yes, it was the original Airbrush bronzer that became famed around the world for imparting the perfect matte finish. But Charlotte Tilbury's newer, softer cream bronzer might be even better. Not to mention it's far more advanced: it's packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin D3. And the best part? It features a clever resin that forms a film, or 'magic' shield, to help lock in moisture.

Millennials will most likely remember the enduring chubby stick as one of their first beauty purchases from back in the day. Nostalgic they might be, this handy stick is also pretty high-tech in that it makes contouring a total breeze. You can sculpt and bronze to your heart's content, with a cake-free finish achieved every single time.

Laguna was the OG shade that put Nars' bronzers on the map. It's now the inspiration for a collection of bronzing creams that add instant warmth and definition. Available in a number of warm beach-inspired hues, expect a long-lasting finish and a sunkissed glow in seconds.

A second-skin finish, hybrid cream-to-gel formula, and highly pigmented hues – it's little wonder Cloud Paint has amassed such a cult following. A product that has over 44 million views on TikTok, Glossier's take on bronzer is a tad shinier than your average cream bronzer, so if a more light-reflective finish is on your wishlist, this one's for you. P.s. a little goes a long way.