Getting bronzed, sun-kissed skin doesn't have to wait for the summer - nor does it require you to expose yourself to harmful UV rays. To warm up your complexion, all you need is a good bronzer. Like a good mascara or reliable concealer, a bronzer is a makeup-routine staple. It can help you sculpt, define, add color, and illuminate your complexion, depending on the product you get.
The market is filled to the brim with bronzers of all varieties. Popular finishes range from matte, which can look super natural, to satin and shimmer for that lit-from-within glow. They also come in cream, powder, and even gel textures, so you're sure to find the perfect match for your makeup style. If you're someone who prefers to apply products with your fingers, a cream product may be best for you; if you have oily skin, a powder bronzer is ideal for curbing shine.
You don't have to spend a ton of money to score a new bronzer. There are plenty of great drugstore options from brands like L'Oréal, Physicians Formula, and E.l.f. Cosmetics that cost less than $15. However, if you are in the mood to splurge on something - perhaps to display on your vanity or gift to a fellow makeup-lover for a birthday - we also rounded up some editor favorites from Chanel, Nars, and Charlotte Tilbury.
To shop for the best bronzers on the market, keep scrolling.
- Additional reporting by Sarah Siegel