There’s nothing quite like a sun-kissed glow, but that particular lit-from-within, naturally luminous aesthetic is a touch harder to achieve during these cold, grey days, not to mention sun damage is a very real issue and it’s important to slather on that SPF no matter the season. Full disclosure, I used to adore baking all day in the sun, but did a full 180 over the past few years, and now refuse to step outside without covering my entire body in sunscreen, plus a wide-brimmed hat for added protection during the summer. Luckily, you can take care of your your skin and still score that golden glow without sun exposure, all thanks to bronzer.
Truthfully, I’ve been a little scared of bronzers for much of my adult life, considering I grew up in the early aughts era during which slapping a sparkly orange bronzer *all* over was the norm. Thankfully, makeup trends have changed and I’ve learned my lesson about powdering on a full face of glittery, five-shades-too-dark bronzer from forehead to chin, somehow forgetting to apply anything to my ghostly white neck while still managing to ruin every white shirt I owned.
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While I have a few powder bronzers that I use from time to time, I’m more partial to a cream bronzer, which I’ve found to be far easier to use in order to get that sun-kissed glow, and also less prone to creating those dreaded orange-y streaks. There are always exceptions, but in general, cream bronzers are more blendable, lighter and more natural, since the formulas glide right onto your skin. The creamy texture creates a radiant, dewy appearance that looks and feels more like your actual skin, and is less likely to cake or crease, too.
Cream bronzers are also great multi-taskers; they add warmth and depth, and while a contour should technically be a different shade, bronzer works in a pinch. I’ve always loved using a bronzer on my eyelids, too, especially during the summer, for that “just got back from a day at the beach” vibe. While everyone uses bronzer differently, depending on their skin type, tone and concerns, the key is to first find the right bronzer for your skin tone, and also not to overdo it. For bronzers, the general rule is to apply where the sun would naturally hit your face, so the main spots are your temples, cheekbones, bridge of your nose and a touch on your chin.
Below, see the best cream bronzers that will give you a natural, sun-kissed glow no matter the season. Tower28. Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer If dewy skin is what you’re after, look no further than Tower 28’s illuminating bronzer. It’s sheer, slightly shimmery (but not glittery!) and very buildable, so it’s particularly ideal for anyone who’s new to cream bronzer. This balm-like bronzer melts right into your skin, and it’s also an amazing multi-tasker; it’s one of the options I like to use on my eyelids instead of eyeshadow. It’s a great choice for sensitive skin, and comes in five different shades. $20, Shop Now Vapour Beauty. Vapour Beauty Bronzing Stick This super creamy bronzing stick is another one of the more user-friendly cream options out there, as you can truly just glide it along all the spots on your face where the sun would naturally hit (I like to put it mostly on my cheekbones and temples), gently rub it in to blend and voila: a shimmery faux glow, sans sun damage. $36, Shop Now Jones Road. Jones Road Miracle Balm in Magic Hour The Jones Road Miracle Balms have quickly become an essential in my beauty routine; it’s not *technically* a bronzer, but certain shades (like Magic Hour and Bronze) are incredible to use as cream bronzers. Just warm up the formula in your hands and dab it right onto your face; the hydrating, emollient formula is so blendable and honestly, I just tap it on everywhere for an all-over, lightly bronzed luminosity. $38, Shop Now Well People. Well People Supernatural Stick Bronzer This multi-use bronzer stick adds warmth and dimension; you can use it to contour and highlight, but it also works perfectly well if you just want to apply the creamy formula everywhere. It’s especially good for dry skin since it’s so hydrating, and contains quality skincare ingredients like green tea, jojoba oil and sunflower seed oil. $20, Shop Now Milk Makeup. Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer If you want a natural, shimmer-free sun-kissed glow, try Milk Makeup’s matte cream bronzer stick. It’s more blendable and easy to work with than many of the other powder options out there. $21, Shop Now Saie. Saie Sun Melt Bronzer Saie’s creamy balm bronzer lives up to its name: it really does melt right into your skin. It’s light but buildable, and leaves you with a natural glow that’s more on the matte than shimmery side, but still totally luminescent. $30, Shop Now Elaluz. Elaluz Stick Bronzer with Camu Camu These bronzer sticks are intended to be applied directly onto your face or body; just glide it wherever you want a healthy glow. It’s filled with vitamin c-rich camu camu, plus antioxidants like guarana and hydration powerhouses like cupuacu. Don’t fret if you slapped on a bit too much, as this formula is easy to blend out or simply wipe off, without that dreaded streaky stain. $29, Shop Now Refy Beauty. Refy Cream Bronzer You can apply Refy’s sheer cream bronzer with a brush or your fingers. It warms up your skin and leaves you with a subtly contoured, velvety finish. $26, Shop Now Chanel. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream Chanel’s iconic cream bronzer is almost gel-like; it’s a soft, more matte option, and leaves you with the loveliest glow. Keep in mind that this one is definitely easier to apply with a brush than with your finger. $50, Shop Now Rare Beauty. Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick Even if you’re not a diehard beauty fanatic and don’t follow every skincare account, chances are you’ve still seen this bronzer stick somewhere on Instagram or TikTok. Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty has managed to create quite a few viral products that are worth the hype; just scroll through your Instagram feed to see someone using this bronzer stick to create an effortlessly sculpted, sun-kissed look. These are *creamy* and pigmented, but blend right in. $23, Shop Now Anastasia Beverly Hills. Anastasia Cream Bronzer This is probably the most matte bronzer on this list; it warms up your complexion and gives natural-looking definition. $35, Shop Now
If dewy skin is what you’re after, look no further than Tower 28’s illuminating bronzer. It’s sheer, slightly shimmery (but not glittery!) and very buildable, so it’s particularly ideal for anyone who’s new to cream bronzer. This balm-like bronzer melts right into your skin, and it’s also an amazing multi-tasker; it’s one of the options I like to use on my eyelids instead of eyeshadow. It’s a great choice for sensitive skin, and comes in five different shades.
This super creamy bronzing stick is another one of the more user-friendly cream options out there, as you can truly just glide it along all the spots on your face where the sun would naturally hit (I like to put it mostly on my cheekbones and temples), gently rub it in to blend and voila: a shimmery faux glow, sans sun damage.
The Jones Road Miracle Balms have quickly become an essential in my beauty routine; it’s not *technically* a bronzer, but certain shades (like Magic Hour and Bronze) are incredible to use as cream bronzers. Just warm up the formula in your hands and dab it right onto your face; the hydrating, emollient formula is so blendable and honestly, I just tap it on everywhere for an all-over, lightly bronzed luminosity.
This multi-use bronzer stick adds warmth and dimension; you can use it to contour and highlight, but it also works perfectly well if you just want to apply the creamy formula everywhere. It’s especially good for dry skin since it’s so hydrating, and contains quality skincare ingredients like green tea, jojoba oil and sunflower seed oil.
If you want a natural, shimmer-free sun-kissed glow, try Milk Makeup’s matte cream bronzer stick. It’s more blendable and easy to work with than many of the other powder options out there.
Saie’s creamy balm bronzer lives up to its name: it really does melt right into your skin. It’s light but buildable, and leaves you with a natural glow that’s more on the matte than shimmery side, but still totally luminescent.
These bronzer sticks are intended to be applied directly onto your face or body; just glide it wherever you want a healthy glow. It’s filled with vitamin c-rich camu camu, plus antioxidants like guarana and hydration powerhouses like cupuacu. Don’t fret if you slapped on a bit too much, as this formula is easy to blend out or simply wipe off, without that dreaded streaky stain.
You can apply Refy’s sheer cream bronzer with a brush or your fingers. It warms up your skin and leaves you with a subtly contoured, velvety finish.
Chanel’s iconic cream bronzer is almost gel-like; it’s a soft, more matte option, and leaves you with the loveliest glow. Keep in mind that this one is definitely easier to apply with a brush than with your finger.
Even if you’re not a diehard beauty fanatic and don’t follow every skincare account, chances are you’ve still seen this bronzer stick somewhere on Instagram or TikTok. Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty has managed to create quite a few viral products that are worth the hype; just scroll through your Instagram feed to see someone using this bronzer stick to create an effortlessly sculpted, sun-kissed look. These are *creamy* and pigmented, but blend right in.
This is probably the most matte bronzer on this list; it warms up your complexion and gives natural-looking definition.
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