You don’t have to go on a sunny holiday to get that sun-kissed glow, a few swipes of bronzer will easily do the trick. But we all know that finding the perfect bronzer can be tricky: too orangey, too shimmery, too obvious… I like a healthy glow that instantly transforms dull, pale skin into a summer-ready glow. Here are my top 6 go-to’s that are in constant rotation in my makeup drawers. I have also included links to videos where I have used them so you get an idea of how they look on my skin.
1. Marc Jacobs Tan-tastic
It’s clear to see why this bronzer is an industry fave. Golden hued, it quickly adds depth to the skin, not orange-y what so ever. It’s massive so it lasts forever (which helps with the steep price tag), but on the downside, as it is that it IS massive it can be hard to travel with. See it used here and get it here too.
2. Physican’s Formula Light Bronzer
This is a beloved drugstore find with numerous awards under it’s belt. It comes in a number of different hues (I use light in the winter and regular in the summer), and it’s a creamy formula that gives a beautiful natural-looking glow. I had forgotten about this bronzer until I attended a press event earlier this year and the dermatologist who was wearing it had stunningly bronzed skin. Naturally, I asked what she was wearing, and of course, it was this butter bronzer. When I got home, I brought that bronzer right back out from the depths of my makeup drawers, and I haven’t looked back since. PS. It smells amazing too. I use it in this video here.
3. Benefit Hoola bronzer
Another beloved bronzer, the Hoola bronzer adds a matte finish to the skin that always brightens my complexion. It looks good summer and winter, no matter how pale or tanned my skin is. There is also a lite version that looks lovely when I’m super pale. It’s also super travel friendly and seems to last forever. It does come with its own brush, but I prefer to use my own, even when I travel. Shop it here too.
4. Revlon Powder Blush in Bronze Beauty 024
This bronzer surprised me — when I looked at the container I though it looked too brown for my complexion, but it gives a wonderful warm hue to the skin. It was the key to making this bronzed makeup look work. See how it looks on my skin here.
5. Smashbox Cali Contour
This is an all-in-one kit — bronzer, contour, blush, highlight. The bronzed tones are beautiful for my fair complexion, one that tans easily and has a neutral undertone. With this kit I can build colour — make the bronzer warmer, or peachier, or, if I swirl it together with the highlighter, I get a lovely light sheen. See it worn here and here and get it here too.
6. Guerlain Terracotta Sun Trio
Guerlain and beautiful bronzers go hand-in-hand. They give a natural-looking glow and smell like heaven on earth (everything from Guerlain does!). I have numerous versions of this bronzer, as each year they come out with a slightly different version that is totally covetable. The disk has a multitude of shades so I can build or lighten the depth of colour depending on the season — but I usually gravitate to Guerlain in the summer when my skin is more golden as I find their colours are stronger. Shop it here too.
Which is your go-to bronzer?