It’s officially summer - hurrah! And if there’s one thing that makes us feel like the warm weather has finally arrived, it’s incorporating one of the best bronzers into our make-up routine. Picking up one of the best bronzers is a summertime essential. Why? Because they provide a sun-kissed complexion without any sun exposure required - bonus.
Unlike self tan or face tanning drops, the best bronzers won’t provide a lasting sun-kissed effect. Instead: a temporary flush, making your face look like you’ve spent a day in the sun without having to worry about any biscuit-y smells or potential patchiness.
Bronzers are so versatile - you can get ones with shimmer to add to your glow, matte bronzers for more of a natural look, cool-toned bronzers for contouring, bronzers for pale skin, not to mention cream, powder and liquid formulas (lightweight bronzing drops are a particular favourite of ours for summer). So it goes without saying that there’s a bronzer out there for everyone.
Team MC has done all the hard work for you and rounded up the very best bronzers for different budgets, skin tones and personal preferences. You are very welcome.
Best bronzers of 2024 at a glance:
Charlotte Tilbury AirBrush Flawless bronzer | £45 at Cult Beauty
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream | £46 at Sephora
Drunk Elephant D Bronzi Anti-Pollution Drops | £34 at Space NK
NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder | £33 at Lookfantastic
L'Oréal Infallible 24H Longwear Bronzer | £12.99 at Lookfantastic
How did we test the best bronzers?
We have a very thorough testing process here at MC UK. So you can rest assured that anything we recommend will have been thoroughly tried and tested by one of our editors. Why have we singled out the bronzers below as a cut above the rest? Quite simply, they fulfilled our must-have criteria below:
- They look natural (without caking up over make-up or oxidising on the skin)
- They blend like a dream
- They’re easy to use (with convenient packaging and applicators)
- For bonus points: they look chic on our dressing tables
So whether you’re buying your first ever bronzer or are looking for something new to add to your make-up bag, here are the best bronzers to shop now.
The best bronzers: tried and tested by team Marie Claire
1. Charlotte Tilbury AirBrush Flawless bronzer
Among the top of our best bronzers list is the Charlotte Tilbury AirBrush Flawless bronzer. We spoke to Tilbury herself about the iconic product: “I really wanted it to behave like the sun does on the skin” she told us, “this bronzer doesn’t sit on top of the skin like a powder. The hyaluronic acid moisturises, amino acids make it silky and smoothing polymers create an airbrushed finish.”
"If you looked inside my make-up bag, you'd see that the majority of products are Charlotte Tilbury - the famed MUA just knows what we as consumers want. I like to use this giant matte bronzing palette as my final make-up step - I grab a big, fluffy brush and dust it over my complexion." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor
2. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
"This is hands down my favourite bronzer on the planet. It's creamy and mimics the look of skin beautifully. The matte finish makes it the ideal everyday product and the warmth that it adds to my skin is addictive. Yes, it's a wee bit expensive, but one tub can last months and months." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor
3. Drunk Elephant D Bronzi Anti-Pollution Drops
“There’s a reason these chic little bronzing drops have reached cult status. I like to mix them with my moisturiser on make-up-free days to give my skin a radiant finish, and a few drops give my holiday skin a more even finish and help to perk up my tan. My favourite way to wear these drops though, is as a bronzer, using a beauty blender for a more targeted application. They sit somewhere between a shimmer and a matte finish, which makes them incredibly versatile, they can then be built up to get your desired finish.” - Jazzria Harris, Beauty Contributor
4. Glossier Cloud Paint bronzer
"I'd hazard a guess that when the Glossier announced that they would be adding bronzing shades to its iconic Cloud Paint roster, the world over applauded. I can't believe it took them so long. If you're after a subtle (but buildable) bronzer, you're onto a winner here. The gel texture is unusual, but don't be put off, it melts into skin to create a really natural looking colour." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor
5. NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder
"If you've not tried Laguna, I urge you to rectify that immediately. This was the first bronzer I ever used and I go back to it every single summer. It started out as a single rich, golden shade with the slightest shimmer to it, but there are now nine iterations to suit all skin tones. It has the softest texture that looks like velvet on the skin. Summer skin done well." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor
6. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle cream bronzer
“With 7 sheer shades designed to serve all skin tones, this cream bronzer scores extra points for naturally defining your features. The texture creates a buildable finish that I find addictive.” - Fiona Embleton, Beauty Contributor
7. Vieve Modern Radiance Cream bronzer
“I’m naturally quite fair, so I find most bronzers tend to look orange on my skin. Not so with this bronzer, which comes in a range of lovely neutral shades that are neither too warm nor too cool. The cream formula blends in like a dream and it adds a sun kissed sheen to my skin without looking too noticeable. I prefer more of a natural finish, but you can also build it up easily to achieve the finish you’re after.” - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor
8. L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Longwear Soft Matte Bronzer
"If you’re after an affordable-yet-efficacious bronzer, look no further than L’Oreal’s offering. As with the brand’s entire Infallible range, it’s super long-lasting but still somehow manages to remain very lightweight. I use the Light shade, which works brilliantly on my pale skin” - Lucy Abbersteen, Beauty Contributor
9. Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless bronzer
"There are bronzers that add healthy glows and then there are sculpting sticks that add definition to the face. I would say that Rare Beauty's Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick is somewhere in the middle. The creamy stick allows for precise application, but the matte colour has a warmth not normally seen with contour shades. A useful multi-tasker." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor
10. Victoria Beckham Beauty Contour Stylus
“I thought I wasn’t a contour girlie - that was, until I tried this sculpting stick from Victoria Beckham Beauty. Contour sticks I’d used in the past would often be far too thick in shape, packing on too much product and making my pale skin look somewhat grey. This sculpting stylus has a surprisingly thin nib - almost the shape and size of an eyeshadow stick - so it’s very difficult to overdo it with this product. I sweep a couple of lines under each cheekbone, blend it in with literally any fluffy brush and I’m good to go. It comes in a range of neutral colours (which are great for deeper skin tones too), doesn’t move my make-up underneath and leaves a matte but not flat finish. I’m obsessed.” - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor
11. Saie Dew Bronze Soft-Focus Effortless Liquid bronzer
“Another bronzer that’s great for different skin tones, this new option from Saie is infused with super nourishing products like evening primrose and glycerine for a hydrating effect. A small amount goes a long way, so be sure to apply a small amount and build up to your desired finish. If you’re as much a fan of a dewy finish as I am, this is the bronzer for you.” - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor
