20 Of The Best Bronzers For Every Skin Tone

A sun-kissed glow is always in. Whatever your skin tone, adding a little bronzer can give you a little color and dimension like you just got back from a vacation. While some of us might get away to a beach vacation to get some natural color, for those of us who don't get to leave our zip codes, a bronzer can do wonders. In fact, Danessa Myricks, makeup artist and CEO of Danessa Myricks Beauty, told Glamour, "When selecting a bronzer, think about what naturally happens when you're in the sun." She added that when selecting the right color, you want it to add a little "depth and warmth" while still looking natural.

While tons of bronzers are available in beauty aisles, you want to be careful to choose a color that is "one shade darker than your complexion," which is a great way to find a bronzer that compliments your skin tone (via Byrdie). The outlet recommends you skip the ones with "chunky glitter, which can look flashy," but choose one that gives you a nice summer glow. The end result should be a natural-looking sun-kissed glow and not a super-dark patch on your face. Furthermore, Kate Synnott, ROEN's beauty creative director, told the New York Post to choose a bronzer with "soft golden bronze tones" with "glowy highlights," and Emma Willis from Made Addicts recommends skipping bronzers that look "too orange" against your skin tone.

If you are in the market for a bronzer, you want it to compliment your skin like you were born with the killer bone structure without being too extra. It might seem too challenging to find the best shade for you based on your skin type, skin tone, and budget, but we have made the selection process easier for you by picking the best of the best. These bronzers have the best reviews, are wildly popular, and often make an appearance on the best bronzers list on various beauty websites.

Some bronzers are more popular than others for a reason, and we have compiled the list so you can be on your way to rocking the best sun-kissed glow ever. We've considered how easily they apply, their buildability, their long-lasting power, and how amazing they look on real people. Depending on your skin type, whether you are a powder, cream, or stick bronzer fan, we can help you find the right bronzer that you can wear all year round to immaculately show off your sun-kissed skin that people will be asking where you went on vacation.

It's impossible to think about bronzers without mentioning Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Powder Bronzer. This silky-soft powder bronzer has a matte finish and is now available in four shades (Hoola, Hoola Lite, Hoola Toasted, and Hoola Caramel) to complement every skin tone. This cult classic is a winner of Allure's Best of Beauty Awards and is perfect for a natural sun-kissed glow without the extra sparkle. It can instantly give you a little warmth like you were born with it. It's super lightweight with customizable buildability. Not ready to invest in a full-size? It's also available in a mini, and we guarantee you'll fall in love with it.

Purchase the Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Powder Bronzer at Ulta for $32.00

You don't have to spend a million bucks to look like one and e.l.f. cosmetics has a reputation for making affordable dupes for many high-end products that work equally well. If you want a wallet-friendly bronzer that lasts all day, this 2-in-1 powder primer-bronzer is for you. Did we mention it's under $10? Byrdie loves this "inexpensive" bronzer as it lasts all day, is buildable, and is also cruelty-free. It boasts an impressive 4.4 out of 5 stars on Ulta, with a reviewer saying, "I have tried many bronzers. Most are too dark, too sheer or shimmery This bronzer, without using a lot, seem to actually give me the right pop and glow that others just don't seem to give."

Purchase the e.l.f. Primer-Infused Bronzer at Ulta for $7.00

We are all envious of Jennifer Lopez's timeless glow. Now, however, it looks like you can get it too. JLo revealed the secret to her go-to bronzer, saying, "There's a Serge Lutens bronzer that I love. I don't know if you guys know Serge ... it's just a brand of makeup, you know, nothing fancy," to an audience at the launch of her perfume in 2019 (via InStyle). According to Serge Lutens' website, this magical bronzer can "redefine the complexion and accentuate the contours of your face, for that all-important finishing touch." Unfortunately, this sells out often, but you can pre-order or set up an alert for when it becomes available. One swipe and you're on your way to perfection.

Purchase the Serge Lutens Blusher Compact on Serge Lutens for $170.

Maybelline's mascara might be all the rage on TikTok, but their bronzer game is not lagging behind. This 2-in-1 bronzer is perfect for creating a sun-kissed look along with adding a little contour to your gorgeous face. Infused with whipped cocoa butter, it provides hydration and zero oiliness. For the price, it gives you the glowiest skin with a nice definition. It leaves your skin super smooth with the velvety matte finish. Available in three shades, it can give you the radiance you deserve. So ethereal!

Purchase the Maybelline City Bronze Bronzer at Amazon for $7.43

Just because it's a drugstore brand doesn't mean it's not as good as prestigious brands, and that's why we love Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru Butter Bronzer. The hybrid powder-cream formula is famous for giving you a "lit from within tropical glow," per Physicians Formula. Infused with hydrating murumuru butter, it gives you a goddess glow with long-lasting hydration without the oily feel. The New York Post rates it as one of the best bronzers on the market because it has a creamy texture that "seamlessly blends, creating a gorgeous goddess glow." And you can take your pick from eight color options to find your perfect match.

Purchase the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru Butter Bronzer on Ulta for $16.00

You have to be extra careful when choosing makeup when you have sensitive skin because you want makeup to make your skin look better, not get worse. Those with sensitive skin will love Lawless Summer Skin Velvet Matte Bronzer because it uses mica instead of talc, which is traditionally used in bronzers that can irritate the skin. It's also fragrance and paraben-free. This soft matte bronzer is richly pigmented and blends beautifully to give you healthy-looking skin without leaving your skin feeling dry. Take your pick from two gorgeous shades.

Purchase the Lawless Summer Skin Velvet Matte Bronzer at Lawless Beauty for $38.00

Hello, dewy-looking skin! Most bronzers are matte but if you like a little shimmer with yours, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer could be your perfect match. It provides an instant glow with a soft-focus finish so it's not so in your face. Despite being subtle, it can create incredible depth and dimension while still looking natural. Made with Photoluminescent Technology, it can transform your skin and has over 137.3 thousand likes on Sephora. It's available in four beautiful shades of bronze that work on the fairest and deepest skin tones. This bronzer is so pretty to even just look at.

Purchase the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer at Sephora for $56.00

NARS is known for its cult-favorite Orgasm blush but wait till you try their bronzer. This press-powdered formula gives you a radiant finish and lasts for hours. If you're looking for an effortless sun-kissed glow that can accentuate your best feature, you need this bronzer in your vanity. This vegan formula is available in four radiant finishes, and you will want them all. No one will know if you just came back from the coast of Italy. 

Purchase the NARS Bronzer Powder on Sephora for $38.00

Even if you aren't able to get your hands on a Chanel purse, you can get yourself a luxury bronzer at its finest with Chanel Les Beige Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream. For fans of a gel-cream bronzer to get the ultimate sun-kissed glow, this bronzer gives you a velvet-matte finish that sinks into your skin to provide a natural-looking radiance. Infused with silica and soft-focus powders, it has a magical smoothing effect to diminish fine lines. It is non-comedogenic, so you won't have to worry about breakouts or clogged pores. Also, it's available in three shades so you can look like a bronze goddess, regardless of your skin tone. Plus, it is a winner of the Glamour Beauty Awards.

Purchase the Chanel Les Beige Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream at Saks Fifth Avenue for $50.00

There is more to bronzer than just powder and cream, and skin tints are so in nowadays. If you're someone who likes a hint of bronzer all over without extra emphasis, Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint is ideal for you, as you can also mix it with your moisturizer for a little inner glow. It gives you a little color while looking natural — like you just spent a day at the beach. It's safe to use for all skin types, flatters all skin tones, and blends beautifully with your skin to give you a more even skin tone.

Purchase the Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint at Lovely Skin for $29.00

We love Selena Gomez because she is a strong advocate for mental health, and what makes us love her even more is that she donates a percentage of the sales from Rare Beauty to help people. And, we must say, Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks is totally the best. If you want a bronzer to give you a sculpted look and aren't a pro, this bronzer stick can make your dreams come true. It has a satin finish, so it's perfect for those looking for something that's not too matte or too dewy. It is dermatologist tested, so it won't give you zits, and it is very resistant to water. It literally melts onto your skin like you just got kissed by the sun.

Purchase the Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks at Rare Beauty for $23.00

If you have dry skin and powder bronzer feels extra drying, your best bet is Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer. It is formulated with colloidal oatmeal to moisturize the skin and grapeseed oil to provide antioxidants. This bronzer has a velvety finish for a summertime glow and is available in four shades, one perfect for every skin tone. The balmy texture makes it super easy to apply for a glowy finish. In fact, a beauty writer at Byrdie said it is "so dewy I skipped highlighter."

Purchase the Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer at Sephora for $30.00

Spice up your life with this Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick with two soft-matte colors so you can personalize your level of bronze-ness for a gorgeous summer glow. It has an airbrushed finish, and you can use the darker shade in the palette to contour as you please. Bonus, it comes in a refillable compact, which is so eco-friendly. This hypoallergenic bronzer comes in five lovely shades to perfectly compliment your skin tone. Elle voted for this as the best contouring bronzer.

Purchase the Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick at Victoria Beckham Beauty for $58.00

If you are a beginner at bronzer and don't know where to start, the Editorialist recommends a powder. Celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo told the outlet, "In my opinion, powder bronzer is the best universal option" because creams and liquids can get messy and "powder is particularly forgiving." Try Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit because it is super easy to sculpt and contour your face for a sun-kissed glow because it comes with a built-in mirror and a powder brush. Though it only comes in one shade, it works for almost all skin tones. A reviewer posted on Sephora saying, "I really like this kit-the middle terra-cotta color is the best on WOC (women of color) for a warm contour look."

Purchase the Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit at Sephora for $35.00

Regarding makeup, Rihanna knows precisely what was up, which is why Fenty Beauty is so popular. Not to mention, her cream bronzer is chef's kiss. This super color inclusive range of bronzers is non-greasy and water-resistant while feeling super airy and light. They are highly pigmented and last for hours, so no worries about it streaking or running down your face because they are also transfer-resistant. You can use your fingers or a brush to blend the gorgeous colors onto your cheeks and forehead, and they work incredibly well to give you a sculpted look too. You can glow like Rihanna herself.

Purchase the Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer at Sephora for $34.00

Tower 28 is a relatively new brand but quickly gained immense success due to its principles and high-quality products that deliver what they promise. Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer is a winner of the Glamour Beauty Award and Allure Best of Beauty Award. It is an easily blendable and illuminating bronzer to give you an effortless summer glow without any shimmer or sparkle. It is available in five multi-dimensional shades, and you can also use it on your eyes and lips for a little hint of color. Talk about being multipurpose, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Purchase the Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer at Tower 28 for $20.00

We love Urban Decay for giving us richly pigmented makeup in a multitude of colors for years and what makes the brand even better is that they don't test on animals. Byrdie loves Urban Decay Beached Bronzer because the gorgeous bronzer is great for "easy blending, a streak-free texture, and natural-looking sheer coverage." Plus, you don't have to limit it to your face, as you can use it all over your body for a summer glow. It also comes in super-cute packaging with a mirror for easy application.

Purchase the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer at Ulta for $32.00

If you are pro-vegan makeup, you don't have to compromise on quality with Jouer Sunswept Bronzer because the possibilities are endless, with two shades in one convenient compact. Each one comes with a lighter and darker shade, so you can use it all year round without buying a different shade for a different season or mixing them both to create the perfect sun-kissed color for you. The finely-milled pigments add a glow like you spent a little time outdoors without going too hard. This long-lasting formula is dermatologist-tested and also infused with vitamin E.

Purchase the Jouer Sunswept Bronzer at Dermstore for $32.00

Charlotte Tilbury creates the most iconic and drool-worthy makeup, which is why her brand is a favorite of many celebrities. If you want to create an iridescent glow with high cheekbones, look no further than Charlotte Tilbury Bronze & Glow Contour Duo. It's available in two shades that work for pretty much every skin tone. This powder bronzer-highlighter combo is infused with pearly pigments that add a little color and glow to every skin tone like you were born with it. The packaging itself is fancy, too. It's the perfect investment for a lit-from-within look.

Purchase the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze & Glow Contour Duo at Violet Grey for $68.00

While some of us love individual makeup products, others prefer to have them all together for convenience, which makes them easy to travel with, too. For those looking for a highlighter, blush, and bronzer in one, you must get the Anastasia Beverly Hills Face Palette. This trio blends beautifully to work together to give you a rosy glow, sculpted cheekbones, and summery radiance. The colors are easy to build and give you a long-lasting radiant finish. The Zoe Report shared that it's the only thing you need to create "a natural tan or create a convincing faux glow."

Purchase the Anastasia Beverly Hills Face Palette at Amazon for $58.00