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For maximum glow with minimal effort, look no further than the best cream bronzers. No hate to powder or liquid bronzers, but creams provide a beautifully buildable finish that delivers easy breezy control. These buttery formulas melt onto your skin and leave behind a natural-looking, dewy wash of warmth — no streakiness or orange hues necessary.
Another major bonus: They’re usually brimming with hydrating ingredients (think hyaluronic acid and glycerin) to leave your face feeling bouncy and smooth. There are so many cream bronzers to pick from, not to be mistaken with these contour products, so we went ahead and tested a bunch of the most beloved to make your shopping way easier. Read on for editor favourites and makeup artist insight about what makes these picks so divine.
Featured in this guide:
Best Cream Bronzer Overall: Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream
Why it's worth it: Makeup artists Tomy Rivero and Brielle Pollara say this cream bronzer holds a special place in their makeup kits for its glowing satin finish. "The Laguna Bronzing Cream adds warmth to your look while adding contour," says Rivero. "Don't be afraid of the shimmery look of the product — once it's applied, it has a satin finish and the shimmer dissipates.” It’s infused with monoï de Tahiti oil, which has a hydrating and firming effect, and offers a lightly floral scent.
Tester feedback from shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
"I've never met a Nars product I didn't like, but this bronzer? I love it. It's the perfect tone for my olive skin. It makes me look glowy, but never orange and greasy. No one’s perfect, but this bronzer is." — shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
More to know
- Key ingredients: monoï de Tahiti oil.
- Finish: satin.
- Available shades: 5.
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Best Radiant Finish: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
Why it’s worth it: Buttery, blendy, and all kinds of glowy, Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream has us swooning every time. With every swipe (use a fluffy contour brush), you’ll get a mix of mineral powders, waxes, and coconut oil for supreme creaminess, along with light-reflecting pigments that add a nice dose of radiance. Apply it to your forehead, chin, cheeks, and the bridge of your nose for a natural-looking, all-over warmth.
Tester feedback from shopping director Shanna Shipin
“I'm not kidding when I say I'm obsessed with this bronzer — I just keep coming back to it. The texture is unlike anything else — silky, lightweight, and it melts into my skin like a second layer, never patchy or streaky. I love how easy it is to blend, whether I’m using fingers, a bronzer brush, or a sponge, and it gives me the most natural-looking warmth, like I’ve just come back from a weekend in the sun.” — Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
- Key ingredients: coconut oil.
- Finish: radiant.
- Available shades: 3.
Use these Selfridges promo codes to save when you shop.
Best Shimmery Finish: Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
Why it's worth it: Tower 28's Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer is the Goldilocks of shimmer bronzers, blindingly sparkling territory. Whether you’re applying with your digits or a bronzing brush, this balmy, Best of Beauty Award-winning formula leaves a streak-free finish with exactly the perfect amount of glow. Its finish leans sheer, but it’s totally buildable, so go ahead and layer as desired. Skin-loving ingredients include mango butter, green tea extract, and castor seed oil for a formula as hydrating as it is warming.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
“I'm super picky about bronzers, but this one has been a favourite since it launched in 2020. It's sheer, which makes it difficult to overdo but easy to layer, and has just a touch of shimmer that gives me just the right amount of dewiness. I love the warm, slightly red bronze that is Best Coast; it looks great as an eye shadow, too." — Kara McGrath, content director
More to know
- Key ingredients: mango butter, green tea extract, castor seed oil.
- Finish: radiant.
- Available shades: 5.
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Best Buildable Finish: Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer
Why it's worth it: Naturally, Saie’s Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer is yet another Best of Beauty Award winner. I love that this lightly pigmented formula can be dabbed on with a dense brush for a subtle tint or layered for a more dramatic effect. Either way, expect radiant results. To give skin some TLC, this formula boasts a soothing, conditioning mix of colloidal oatmeal, grapeseed oil, and elderberry extracts. It's one of the best bronzers for dark skin.
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Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
"My approach to complexion makeup is to look like I'm not wearing it at all. One bronzer that makes that easy is the Saie Sun Melt in Medium Bronze. The creamy, buildable formula melts onto skin, seamlessly blending to create shadows (minus the streaks). The end result is a sculpted complexion with lots of warmth." — Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, grapeseed oil, elderberry extracts.
- Finish: demi-matte.
- Available shades: 6.
Best Bronzing Balm: Merit Bronze Balm
Why it's worth it: Merit's Bronze Balm has a smooth glide and subtle tint that makes it perfect for makeup minimalists. Each chubby stick features microfine pigments for a sheerer, natural-finish tint that you can layer for more intensity as desired. Add this bronzing stick to your makeup routine if you prefer an option that leans sheer. For an overall warming effect, swipe on the stick using the wider side, and for a more sculpted look, use the narrow side. Read our full Merit review, here.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
"Merit's Bronze Balm is the perfect formula for the bronzer-phobic, a.k.a. me. It's super sheer (read: super forgiving), so there's a lot of wiggle room to apply as little or as much as you want. I prefer to wear it with a bare face and apply it across my cheeks and the bridge of my nose so it looks like I got some sun in all the right places.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
- Key ingredients: fatty acids.
- Finish: natural.
- Available shades: 5.
Best For Beginners: Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer
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Why it's worth it: This is an OG makeup-bag favourite for a reason. Its buildable formula makes it perfect for everything from a soft wash of warmth to more defined sculpting and contour. And with the range now expanded to include multiple shades, it’s designed to complement a much wider range of skin tones.
Tester feedback from digital director Ali Pantony
“I’ve had the Hoola Bronzer in my makeup bag for years, and it’s one of those products I always go back to. The formula is so easy to build, so I can keep it really soft for everyday wear or add a bit more when I want extra definition." — Ali Pantony, Digital Director.
More to know
- Key ingredients: maracuja oil.
- Finish: matte.
- Available shades: 5.
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Best For Contouring: Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder
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Why it's worth it: If you like your bronzer subtle but sculpting, Bobbi Brown’s iteration delivers a soft, natural warmth without ever looking heavy. Its lightweight, velvety formula glides seamlessly onto the skin, with ingredients like nourishing coconut oil giving a silky, easy-to-blend finish.
Tester feedback from senior commerce writer Georgia Trodd
“If you want a cream bronzer that sculpts and stays put all day, this is it. A tiny amount can be blended across the skin for a healthy dose of warmth, or you can focus it on the high points of the face for extra definition and coverage. However you use it, the formula is incredibly easy to work with and leaves skin looking smooth, sculpted and almost airbrushed.” — Georgia Trodd, Senior Commerce Writer.
More to know
- Key ingredients: fatty acids.
- Finish: matte.
- Available shades: 7.
Use these LookFantastic promo codes to save when you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between cream bronzers, liquid bronzers, and powder bronzers?
They have different consistencies, which leads to variations in their coverage, buildability, and finish. Cream bronzers stand out for their ability to blend on the skin more seamlessly, resulting in a more natural-looking finish, Rivero says. "Since the creams usually contain emollients and humectants, this type of bronzer will sit on the skin seamlessly as long as you're blending it in," he explains.
Meanwhile, “powder bronzers can sometimes sit on the surface of the skin or even accentuate fine lines," he says. He suggests using a powder bronzer if your skin is on the oily side for their mattifying properties — and if you’re all about the drama, he also recommends layering both for a more intense sculpt.
As for liquid bronzers, more fluid options are great for highlighting specific areas of your face while bringing some warmth to areas, says Greenberg. They’re ideal for your cheekbones, forehead, and nose due to their shimmery finishes.
How do I apply a cream bronzer?
As with any bronzer, Pollara says you should apply your cream formulas to the areas of the face where the sun would hit your face, including the top of your cheeks, along your hairline, nose, middle of the chin, and forehead. "Using a brush, apply onto the skin using light strokes. Make sure to blend well into the skin for a natural finish," she says.
For her part, Greenberg likes to start by placing the product on the top of her hand and using a dense, angled brush to place the product on the skin. "I like to first place the product here because it allows the formula to warm up and it’ll lay better on the face," she says. "Then I always set cream bronzers with a powder formula."
For ultra-dewy results, make sure your skin is properly hydrated before you apply it, says Rivero. "Use your setting spray or hydrating mist and spray right before your cream bronzer application," he says. "Not only does it help the bronzer go on smoother and more evenly, but once the moisture dries down, it naturally sets the cream bronzers for a more skin-like finish."
Meet the experts
- Tomy Rivero, a makeup artist based in New York City.
- Brielle Pollara, a New York City-based makeup artist.
- Jamie Greenberg, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and founder of Jamie Makeup.
- Neil Scibelli, a New York City-based makeup artist.
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best cream bronzers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, we want to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
After something else? Shop the best bronzing drops. This story first appeared on Allure, and has been adapted by Glamour UK.
