17 best bronzers for dark skin tones, according to veteran makeup artists
There’s nothing quite like finding your perfect match when it comes to makeup. Whether it’s a heavy-duty concealer that covers, dark under-eyes and hyperpigmentation, a nude lip that perfectly compliments your skin tone, or in our case, bronzers that adds just enough depth and warmth to mimic a sun-kissed glow. Especially pertinent at this time of the year, when everything and everyone is at their most golden looking selves.
For many black women, however, seeking out complexion products to match their skin tones has long been an expensive game of trial and error. This is largely due to the fact that historically, many of the more accessible beauty brands on the market seemingly haven't been developing, manufacturing or stocking shades of brown – past tan.
Given the uptick in brands drastically revising their approach to complexion beauty products since the game-changing launch of Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line back in 2017, it’s interesting to note that while foundations and concealers in varying shades are becoming more accessible, a lot of brands are still lagging in their development of powder and cream products for deep-dark skin tones – and bronzers in particular appear to have fallen completely by the wayside. But there are a few long-lasting options for darker complexions that serve up a natural glow. Keep reading.
What's the difference between contour and bronzer | Why the lack of choice when it comes to bronzers for dark skin? | How to apply bronzer on dark skin | The best bronzers for dark skin, reviewed.
What's the difference between contour and bronzer?
With so many contour makeup products on the market, it might seem redundant to bemoan the lack of bronzing powders, but contrary to popular belief the bronzers and contouring or sculpting products aren’t interchangeable.
Veteran makeup artists Denise Rabnor explains, “traditionally a bronzer is not the same as a contour product, bronzers are designed to give the skin a healthy, radiant glow as if you’ve been on vacation somewhere hot and sunny, whatever skin tone you are, that’s what you want your bronzer to do.” So, while a contour boldly sculpts, a bronzer gives a warm glow, lending the dimensions of your face a more natural definition.
Why are there so little options of bronzers for dark skin?
One of the most common explanations brands give for limited shade ranges is that the process of development is more complex the deeper the shade is. According to Farah Naz, the biochemist and founder of EX1 Cosmetics, this isn’t necessarily true, saying, “bronzers aren’t technically complex but there is a lack of understanding when it comes to the blend of pigments needed in bronzers for deeper skin tones, [so] colours can start to look muddy.”
Unlike cream complexion products which tend to be more temperamental, bronzers in powder form “are just a blend of powders and pigments.” She notes that the culture in cosmetic labs can have an effect on the exclusion of darker shades, explaining that, “most of the world’s biggest brands come from labs in Europe who honestly just don’t know enough about dark skin. It’s a cultural obstacle.”.
How to apply bronzer on dark skin?
Picking out a bronzer isn’t as painstaking as finding a foundation shade, but Denise Rabnor suggests that you keep undertones in mind, saying, “it’s important to consider your skin’s undertones, so if you have dark skin with cool undertones, you’ll want to avoid orangey bronzers. If you don’t like shimmer then opt for a matte effect and try the formula out before you buy to make sure it’s not too shimmery, or too matte and orange in tone.”
After you’ve found the perfect bronzer, the makeup artist has one rule for achieving perfect application, using a fluffy brush to diffuse the pigment, “apply it to key areas of your face that get colour when you wear your sunglasses – cheekbones, bridge of the nose, temples, chin.”
If nothing currently on the market goes deep enough to complement your complexion, according to Denise you can still emulate the look of a bronzer by “using a pressed powder or contour product in a couple of shades darker than your skin tone.” To give the contour product the warming effect of a bronzer, “top it off with a bronze highlighter to provide the glow.”
Despite statistics showing that black women spend on average 80% more on cosmetics than any other consumer group, it’s disappointing that the beauty industry’s offering of complexion products is still exclusionary enough to warrant a DIY approach to something as simple as a bronzer. Makeup is a limitless form of self-expression, and it’s unacceptable that we’re still waiting for complexion products to reflect the beautiful scope of human complexions.
Here are the best bronzers perfect for dark skin to shop now:
MAC Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer, £28, Look Fantastic
MAC press powders > other brands. These bronzers are everything and more. Although they're formulated as soft matte, there is a wide range of dark hues to choose from for a rich, illuminating, pearlescent yet naturally bronzed goddess finishes.
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Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-kissed Glow Bronzer, £44, Charlotte Tilbury
Talk about a dreamy bronzer. This thing is so pretty you will want to use sparingly. The formula is creamy and leaves you with a dewy warm finish as if it was sunshine derived. Choose between 3Tan or Deep for the best hues to try for dark skin.
Save when you shop for the best bronzers for dark skin with these Sephora promo codes.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer, WAS £32, NOW £19.15, Beauty Bay
Anastasia Beverly Hills did not play when it came to these weightless and matte finish shades. There is plenty to choose from wether you're more brown toned or have a glowing deep complexion. All the shades are warm and compliment dark skin undertones perfectly.
Save when you shop for the best bronzers for dark skin with these LookFantastic promo codes.
NARS Bronzing Cream, £31, Cult Beauty
Nars is one of those brands that really understands undertones. This Laguna 5 bronzer meets expectations as it's designed in a luxuriously rich creamy formula that imparts an out of this world glow that rivalling the sun itself. No ash in sight.
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Rose Inc Solar Infusion Soft-Focus Cream Bronzer, £28, Space NK
There are two dark to deep shades in this cream-to-powder Rose Inc Bronzer collection that are versatile and nutrient-rich specifically designed to revive your skin's natural luminosity.
Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer, £21, Cult Beauty
There's nothing a shimmery bronzer boost to your finished beat. This illuminating cream bronzer is infused with skin-loving ingredients such as mango butter and green tea extract, ensuring a warm, nourishing and radiant finish.
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By Beauty Bay Powder Bronzer, £8, Beauty Bay
You can three shades to choose from when it comes to these epic By Beauty Bay pressed powder bronzers. They're all designed with a fine milled formula to deliver a natural, sun-kissed glow that lasts all day.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Evolution Powder, £22, Cult Beauty
Formulated with dark skin tones in mind, this powder bronzer work hard to ensures a seamless application whether you're seeking for a setting powder, a solution for controlling oily T-zones or simply want to add a colour and dimension to your dark skin.
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Saie Sun Melt Natural Crea, Bronzer 30ml, £26, Cult Beauty
Out of the four shades, two of the shades in this Saie bronzer are deep enough for dark skin tones. Its creamy and blendable formula means that the product effortlessly glides onto the skin, leaving behind a dewy, natural and velvety finish.
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Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo Bronzer Deep Dark, £14, Superdrug
This power duo bronzer palette features to deep bronzing browns that work harmoniously to warm up your complexion, providing a seamless blend of depth and radiance, with no ashy or grey casting left behind.
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Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze, £28, Cult Beauty
This matte-finish balm is easy to use, buildable and has a built in brush making it perfect for guys and girls on the go.
Pat Mcgrath Labs Skin Fetish Divine Bronzer, £40, Cult Beauty
The Bronze Mahogany shade of this velvety powder bronzer is the ultimate solution for achieving a radiant complexion without harmful UV exposure. It's infused with refined golden pearls that harmoniously balances red, golden, and neutral tones, imparting a dimensional warmth to dark skin tones.
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Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer, £25, Space NK
With their weightless and non-greasy formula, these cream bronzers are strongly pigmented in one swipe and feel like a second skin. They come in a wide range of dark hues to compliment all undertones, from warm undertones to neutral undertones, and the natural finish suits a plethora of skin types.
Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream, £22, Selfridges
Can’t quite let go of your contour, but still want a more bronzed, natural look? Huda Beauty’s Tantour is the perfect marriage of the two.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer, £24, LookFantastic
‘Toasted’ may only be a recent addition to Benefit’s popular Hoola bronzers, but it’s making up for lost time with rave reviews for it’s pure-matte, no-shine finish.
Save when you shop for the best bronzers for dark skin with these LookFantastic promo codes.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Contour Stylus, £32, Victoria Beckham
Although these are contour stylus, they work perfectly as a bronzer as they still carry that warmth and dewy finish you would get from a cream bronzer. Bonus points for precision and the formula blends seamlessly.
