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- Best Bronzers for Summer
The Best Bronzers for Summer
By Carly Cochrane
-
4 years ago | Updated
Ahh, the humble bronzer. It’s a beauty product that boasts many talents but is often overlooked.
Living in the UK, we rarely experience sunshine and are quite unfamiliar with the concept of a ‘summer glow’. With that being said, the bronzer is a nifty little makeup asset that can help us fake it 'til we make it. Whether we need to wave bye-bye to a dull, wintry complexion, maintain our post-holiday colour for as long as possible or catfish our way to chiseled cheekbones, bronzer is undoubtedly perfect for the job.
To help you discover your golden match in time for the summer season, here's a roundup of the best bronzers.
What Is The Best Bronzer for a Natural, Everyday Glow?
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer
£32.40 £45.00 (28% off)You'll easily be able to see why this makeup marvel from Estee Lauder is one of the best bronzers for summer. It's lightweight, natural and super-glowy, plus it comes with its own handy brush so you can top up on your tan as you go about your day.
What Is The Best Luxury Bronzer for a Fresh-Off-the-Beach Finish?
GUERLAIN Terracotta Bronzing Powder
£31.20 £38.00 (18% off)GUERLAIN does it best when it comes to giving the right amount of pigment for those who want to look like they've stepped fresh off the plane from Barbados. Lightweight enough to make it near impossible to get that muddy look you want to avoid when it comes to bronzers, but pigmented enough to give you that touch of (faux) sun.
What Is The Best Affordable Bronzer Under £10?
Rimmel Natural Bronzer
£5.24 £6.99 (26% off)This bargain of a bronzer will only set you back a couple of quid but delivers a sun-kissed finish that could fool anyone twice. The dreamy, velvety texture glides across skin and instantly warms up your complexion with a natural, matte glow.
What Is The Best Customisable Glow Palette?
Sunkissed Rich Bronze Bronzing Trio
£5.37Home to three stunning bronzer shades , this palette is perfect if you want to customise a glow that’s individual to you. Mix and match the sheer powders or use them individually for a more chiselled effect.
What Is The Best Liquid Bronzer for Dewy Radiance?
Bellamianta Illuminating Bronzing Drops
£18.61 £24.95 (26% off)A few of these bronzing drops is enough to give you that post-holiday glow. It's creamy, it's buildable and it boasts just the right amount of sun-kissed colour, making it the perfect addition to any summer makeup collection. You can warm up your complexion or create a more contoured look. We particularly love this bronzer as it can be thrown in any handbag and used on-the-go.
What Is The Best Multi-Finish Bronzer for Dimension?
Kevyn Aucoin The Neo-Bronzer
£29.81 £39.95 (26% off)Bluffing your way to a natural glow is made easy with this powder bronzer. A favourite amongst beauty experts in the Cosmetify office, this formula combines satin, pearl and matte finishes in a subtle gradient of shades to help you achieve a soft shimmer and multi-dimensional bronze hue.
What Is The Best Bronzer for a Filter-Like Finish?
Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Bronzer
£19.03 £30.00 (37% off)This uber-blendable powder from Anastasia Beverly Hills offers a lightweight, buildable bronze coverage for an array of skin tones and undertones. You'll never have to Facetune an Insta pic again as this bronzer not only warms up your complexion, it airbrushes it. That's right, a pore-blurring effect is delivered with every sweep, thanks to a finely milled powder formula that's free from clumps and lumps.
What Is The Best Matte Bronzer for Sculpting?
Sigma Beauty Matte Bronzer
£22.94 £35.00 (35% off)No matter what your shade, Sigma has a bronzer to match. Whether you like a soft summer glow or a more chiselled and defined finish, each bronzer within this collection has been designed to look natural - never orange - and offer buildable coverage.
What Is The Best Mineral Bronzer for Sensitive Skin?
SOSU by SJ Got To Glow Self-Tan Mineral Powder
£8.97 £12.95 (31% off)If you're looking for a bronzer that's kind to skin, animals and the environment, this is the winning choice. The fine and featherweight mineral powder sweeps effortlessly over skin before settling into a warm sun-kissed finish. Whether you wear it alone or over foundation, you can guarantee your natural radiance is visibly enhanced.
FAQs
How do I choose the right bronzer shade for my skin tone?
Pick a bronzer one to two shades darker than your skin. Cooler undertones suit taupe or neutral tones, while warmer undertones look best with golden or peach shades. Many brands now offer wide ranges, making shade-matching easier.
What type of bronzer is best for a natural, sun-kissed look?
Matte powder bronzers usually give the most natural result. Buildable formulas like Rimmel Natural Bronzer or GUERLAIN Terracotta offer soft, seamless warmth, while subtle hybrid formulas add gentle radiance without shimmer.
Is cream or powder bronzer better for summer?
Powder bronzers tend to last longer in heat, while creams or bronzing drops give a dewy finish ideal for normal or dry skin. Many people layer both—cream for glow, powder for staying power.
Where should I apply bronzer for the most natural effect?
Apply bronzer where the sun naturally hits: temples, cheekbones, jawline and lightly across the nose. A fluffy brush helps diffuse colour softly and avoid streaks or patchiness.
Can bronzer be used for contouring?
Yes—just choose a matte, slightly deeper shade. Apply beneath cheekbones and along the jawline for subtle definition. Cooler or neutral-toned bronzers work best for sculpting.
What’s the best bronzer for beginners?
Sheer, lightweight powders are the easiest to blend. Rimmel Natural Bronzer and Sigma Matte Bronzer offer smooth, buildable colour, and multi-shade palettes help beginners adjust depth without guesswork.
Can bronzer replace fake tan in summer?
Bronzer won’t tint the skin, but it’s great for adding instant warmth when fake tan feels unnecessary. Lightweight powders like SOSU by SJ’s Self-Tan Mineral Powder give a natural, sunlit finish you can wash off easily.
Is bronzer suitable for all skin types?
Yes. Powders suit normal, combination and oily skin, while gels or liquid bronzing drops flatter dry or mature complexions. Finely milled powders—like those from Anastasia Beverly Hills—give a smooth, blurred look.
What’s the difference between a bronzer and a contour powder?
Bronzer adds warmth; contour adds definition. Bronzers are usually warmer, while contour shades are cooler or more neutral. You can use both, but a good bronzer alone can lift the complexion beautifully.
How do I stop bronzer looking orange or muddy?
Choose the right depth, apply in light layers and use a fluffy brush. Natural-finish formulas like GUERLAIN Terracotta or Anastasia Beverly Hills prevent heaviness—just tap off excess before blending.
Now that you've picked up your haul of the best bronzers for summer, why not check out our list of the best fake tans for your face? Don't let British weather stop you from getting your glow on this season.
Written by Carly Cochrane
As the Senior Content Editor for Cosmetify, Carly is the go-to for all the latest (and greatest) beauty tips, tricks and trends. With over six years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins-and-outs when it comes to health, beauty and wellbeing.
