Nothing says summer like a sun-kissed glow. Thankfully, we don’t have to expose ourselves to the sun’s harmful rays to get one. There are lots of self-tanning products and bronzers that give us that quintessential beach babe look.
A bronzer is the best choice for a low-maintenance glow. It can be applied anywhere from cheekbones to noses to foreheads. Then it can be washed away at the end of the day. There’s no need for exfoliating, waiting for the product to dry and stressing about stained clothes like with fussy fake tan products.
The key to success for faking a summer glow is to make sure it looks convincing, not fake. It’s critical to select a shade that flatters your complexion. It can’t be too orange, too brown or too pink. It has to be just right. To ensure that you get the most flattering bronzer for your skin tone, follow the tips below.
If you have fair skin
The wrong bronzer shade can often read as too orange or muddy on fair skin. Therefore, it’s key not to go too dark. Look for peachy or rose hues with sheer formulas. Be careful with heavily pigmented products because they can end up looking stripy.
If you have medium skin
Sheer copper, bronze and earth tones are medium-skinned girls’ BFFs. Those with tan or olive skin already have gorgeous golden undertones in their complexions, so bronzer is the perfect way to punch them up. Choose a sheer, buildable formula for the most versatility.
If you have deep skin
Darker girls, don’t sleep on bronzer. Yes, you’ve got a lot built in, but if you haven’t been able to get that sunkissed brownish-red or golden undertone quite yet, look for a bronzer in these shades to add some beautiful dimension to your complexion. Watch out for rose-toned bronzers because they can sometimes wash out deep skin.
Now that we’ve figured out the best shades of bronzer for your skin tone, it’s time to get shopping. See our picks for the best bronzers in the slideshow above.
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Get Your Glow On: Bronzers to Suit Every Skin Tone
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Bronzer for Fair Skin
Think of this as the powdered version of the most flattering Instagram filter. The innovative product uses blurring technology to give complexions a warmed, soft-focus finish. The lightweight formula blends easily for a second-skin finish that looks natural on even the palest complexion.
NARS Sunwash Diffusing Bronzer in Laguna, $40 at Neiman Marcus
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Bronzer for Fair Skin
Looking for a honey glow? This is the product. The soft shade deposits a golden wash of color on cheeks, foreheads and noses without any orange cast. It's soft enough that it can be worn year-round. The matte finish makes it a great option for contouring.
NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer in Light, $9 at NYX Cosmetics
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Bronzer for Fair Skin
This bronzing powder will make anyone get over their fear of orange bronzers. It has an ultra flattering mix of pink and gold tones that does wonders for fair skin. Use a fluffy brush to apply the lightweight powder all over the face. It's difficult to overdo because of the sheer formula and the soft matte finish.
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Golden Light, $42 at Bobbi Brown
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Bronzer for Fair Skin
This may be dubbed a "sun powder," but it is still a bronzer. This honey shade has just the right amount of gold for fair skin tones. It complements the pinkish undertones in light skin without trying to change them. Furthermore, it contains sweet orange extract to combat pollution, protect from environmental stress factors and tone skin. Use the included mini kabuki brush to apply the sun-kissed shade on cheeks.
Dior Diorskin Nude Air Tan Healthy Glow Sun Powder in 001 Golden Honey, $56 at Dior
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Bronzer for Fair Skin
Light-skinned ladies should go for gold tones instead of brown to avoid that dreaded dirty face look. This mineral bronzer adds a pleasing golden gleam to skin without looking phony. The oil-free formula is also kind to complexions thanks to a blend of ingredients like vitamins A and E. Dust the bronzer on with a fluffy brush for a diffused finish.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess, $30 at Sephora
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Bronzer for Medium Skin
The best bronzer shades for medium skin tones are all about balance. They shouldn't be too light or too dark. This flattering shade has the right amount of warmth and the perfect blend of brown and pink. Dust on just a bit for a hint of radiance or keep layering the buildable formula for a proper beach babe look.
LORAC TANtalizer Buildable Bronzing Powder in Beach Betty, $32 at Ulta
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Bronzer for Medium Skin
The best bronzer adds warmth to skin, but still looks natural. Just like the name implies, this one subtly enhances skin for a just-got-back-from-vacation glow. It also has an oil-control complex to keep greasy skin at bay. Bonus: The wide brush is included with the bronzer for easy application.
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer in 02 Medium, $37 at Sephora
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Bronzer for Medium Skin
Make it look like you spent the day at the beach even if reality was very different. This matte bronzer delivers a flattering brown tint that is stunning on medium and olive skin tones. The absence of sparkles and shimmer results in a healthy glow. What's more, it's subtle enough that it can be worn all year long. The bronzing powder is also available in a convenient travel size that's perfect for beach trips or weekends away.
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer, $29 at Sephora
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Bronzer for Medium Skin
It's tan time! Instead of using self-tanner, use this bronzer. The easy-to-wear shade is from Lottie London, an affordable under-the-radar makeup brand. The bronzer has been designed for medium to dark skin for a flattering finish. Use in place of a contouring stick or dust it on for an all-over bronzed look. Use just a bit for a hint of radiance or continue to layer it for a proper beach babe glow.
Lottie London Tan Time Powder Bronzer in Medium/Dark, $6.99 at Ulta
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Bronzer for Medium Skin
This isn't your typical bronzing powder. Mix a few drops into any liquid product, such as serums, foundation or concealer. Then apply the mixture to cheekbones and noses for a soft tan. For an Instagram-worthy glow, apply the drops straight out of the bottle. The formula builds up with each application, so keep adding more for a strobed-out look. The golden finish will bring out caramel tones in medium and olive skin.
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Candlelight, $42 at Ulta
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Bronzer for Deep Skin
This gold-toned bronzer is as beautiful on skin as it is in the package. The rich tones enliven dark skin and the satin finish produces a subtle strobed glow. (Read: No chunks of sparkle here.) The intensity can be dialed up or down thanks to the buildable formula. And once it's applied, there's no need to be concerned about fading. The color will stay put for up to 12 hours. It also offers comfortable wear thanks to the nourishing formula.
Sonia Kashuk Chic Luminosity Bronzer in Goddess 40, $12.99 at Target
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Bronzer for Deep Skin
Formulated for women of color, this bronzer will enhance the natural pigment in deep skin. It's versatile enough that it can be applied over the entire face for a soft glow, but looks just as pretty when applied only to cheekbones or down the bridge of the nose. Extra points for the embossed sun design.
IMAN Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in Sand, $16.99 at Walgreens
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Bronzer for Deep Skin
Too-light bronzers do nothing for bringing out the rich tones in dark skin. This is not one of those shades. It's specially formulated for those with deeper complexions thanks to its pigmented formula. The bronzer also doubles as a mattifying product, so there's no need to carry around that stack of blotting sheets. It's also one of the most affordable bronzers around.
Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder in Brunettes/Darker Skin 02, $4.99 at Ulta
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Bronzer for Deep Skin
This bronzing powder has earned cult classic status for a reason. It was actually the world's first bronzer when it launched in 1984. Since then, it has gotten better and better. The lightweight powder feels weightless on skin and it deposits a natural glow that works far beyond summer. It even has an evocative fragrance with notes of mandarin, bergamot, gardenia, vanilla and wood.
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder in 7, $53 at Sephora
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Bronzer for Deep Skin
This bronzing duo gives a glow that's as pretty as the compact it comes in. The pink-toned bronzer has a flattering finish and none of the orange cast that some fake tanners create. The lighter gold shade can be used as a highlighter. And unlike some ivory-toned highlighters, the gold is actually flattering on deeper skin tones. Mix it with the bronzer for cheeks that slay.
Too Faced Sun Bunny Natural Bronzer, $30 at Sephora
