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Best Bronzers 2024 For A Natural-looking Glow
Is there anything better than a sun-kissed glow? Well, with the best bronzers of 2024 delivering flawless post-holiday radiance minus the sun damage - that would be a yes. Dishing out warm complexions in just a few swipes, these powders are more than a summer essential, they’re your year round ticket for a healthy glow-up.
How we choose the best bronzers
Rounding up the top bronzers for a warm, healthy glow, we looked for long-lasting, easy-to-use formulas with a shade range for every skin tone - the price tags were taken into account, too, so pay day or not, you’re covered.
Our beauty experts then picked out the top mattes, shimmers and natural-looking finishes so there’s a bronzer for every whim. Whether you’re enhancing your olive tone, adding a natural-looking beach flush to fair skin, or layering up to define and contour your high points, rest assured these will deliver the goods. The final line-up of best bronzers were selected for their rave reviews.
By Sephora UK Makeup Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 12 January 2024
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CHARLOTTE TILBURY
Airbrush Bronzer
Best for a hydrated glow
Harnessing the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush collection DNA, this bronzer features pore-refining pigments and a light-as-air texture that grants a smooth, natural-looking finish. Buff this over your face, neck and body, and the formula will seamlessly blend over skin to define your features or it’ll lend an olivey, sun-kissed tan if you’re fair. Supercharged with Hyaluronic Acid, your complexion is packed with moisture and plumped throughout the day.
Tried and tested: “This bronzer has a generous payoff, after dusting on the Tan shade my face was enveloped in a warm summer glow that doesn't look flat on my combination skin - thank you Hyaluronic Acid. With this bronzer in my arsenal, I'm starting to feel like summer is already here.” - Refinery29
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HOURGLASS
Ambient Lighting Bronzer
Best for a healthy dose of colour
Pairing light diffusing, photoluminescent technology and marbled bronze hues, this formula is not a mask for your skin but lends a lit-from-within glow. The transparent particles literally bounce light off of your complexion and the soft-focussing benefits help to smooth the appearance of uneven skin. Choose from four shades of golden-hour glow and use the bronzer for an all-over warmth to add subtle definition or light up those eyes with a dusting on your lids.
Tried and tested: “I’ve been looking for a bronzer that was glowy but without the added glitter and this is it. Leaves a beautiful glow, it’s buildable and looks very natural. I love it.” - Charlotte, Customer Review
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Huda Beauty
Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream
Best for deeper skin tones
For a natural-looking bronze or dramatic contour, this creamy number works wonders. The intensely pigmented, matte formula grants an instant warm glow and easily builds. If you’re after a deeper tan, it also comes in five shades so every skin tone is covered. Using the small side of Huda’s dual-ended Contour and Bronze Brush, dab product onto the contours of your face - cheekbones, forehead and jawline - then use the fluffy side in upward, circular motions to blur the bronzer and achieve that all-over healthy radiance.
Tried and tested: “Would I recommend this product? 100%! The Tantour was super easy to work with and blended beautifully into my skin. It also gave me a slight tan and lasted throughout the whole day (yes, even in these torrid temps!)” - Harper’s Bazaar
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ICONIC
London Sheer Bronze
Best for a dreamy, dewy finish
The clue is in the name with the bronzer – the Sheer Bronze does exactly that and delivers and ultra-sheer wash of colour to your complexion which is perfect for those no-makeup makeup days. We love that it’s easily blendable and buildable for days you want a bit more warmth and depth, but sill imparts a natural glow. Infused plant-extracts known for their anti-pollution benefits, this vegan formula gives you a natural sun-kissed glow all year round while safeguarding skin from everyday pollutants. It’s a win, win from one handy tube.
Tried and tested: “This is a very sheer colour, not massively pigmented, but I like the glowy finish this gives and how it blends out. As someone with very fair skin, I also really like the lighter shades available and this doesn't leave me orange like many bronzers I’ve tried." – Gemma, Customer Review
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MILK MAKEUP
Matte Bronzer
Best for a multi-tasking must-have
We’re huge fans of Milk Makeup, especially for its clean, vegan-friendly and cruelty formulas that deliver natural, complexion-enhancing results that lets your natural beauty shine through rather than masking it. This creamy, matte bronzing contour stick doesn’t disappoint. Doubling up as a bronzer for the face and body including collarbones, arms, and legs to create a natural, all-over post-holiday glow. Infused with nourishing mango butter, coconut oil and avocado oil, this bronzer delivers ultimate radiance while helping to care for your skin.
Tried and tested: “This travel-friendly bronzer stick is basically the sun in small packaging. It’s creamy and blendable with long-lasting staying power, and the best part is that it’s also enriched with a cocktail of hydrating ingredients such as Mango Butter, Peach Nectar and Avocado Oils." - Glamour Magazine Review
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CHARLOTTE TILBURY
Beautiful Skin Sun Kissed Glow Bronzer
Best for a healthy, sun-kissed glow
Taking inspiration from the success of the Beautiful Skin Foundation, this Sun Kissed Glow Bronzer gives you beachy bronzed days every day. The lightweight, creamy formula is infused with bronzing pigments and light-reflective properties that deliver a natural, satiny and dewy finish, while skin-loving ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid and provitamin D3 cares for the condition of your complexion. We love that there’s one to suit every skin type.
Tried and tested: “It’s the most beautiful bronzer I have ever used. The texture and colour payoff allows you to create the effect you want from a light touch or an amped-up look. Everything about this product is stunning. You won’t be disappointed. Well done Charlotte.. Perfect." – Roberta, Customer Review
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TOO FACED
Soleil Bronzer
Best for long-lasting wear
If you’re looking for a bronzer with a difference, then we’ve got you. Infused with 100% cocoa powders, this delectable bronzer boasts an incredible eight hours of wear while indulging the senses with the heavenly smell of your favourite sweet treat. The matte formula is great for adding warmth to your complexion with just one sweep and is also easily buildable for days when you want more definition.
Tried and tested: “I LOVE my chocolate soleil bronzer! It gives me beautiful coverage that makes my skin look sun kissed! I don't use any other foundations or blushes, this is all I need! And when the powder gets in your mouth, it actually tastes like chocolate! Gives me a nice even skin tone as well. Best bronzer EVER!” – Bujie, Customer Review
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ESTÉE LAUDER
Bronze Goddess Highlighting Gelée
Best for all-over radiance
After that post-holiday glow and then some? This bronzing highlighter grants all-over warmth with a major dewy finish. Think gentle tan and radiance from every angle. It comes as a compact powder with a built-in mirror and the second you flip it open and see the soft sheen formula and pearlised hues, you know you’ve struck gold. Pick up a light-layering brush, sweep this over your complexion and go all-out luminous.
Tried and tested: “This is the best highlighter I've ever found - it is shimmery with a beautiful golden glow but isn't full of glitter like most highlighters. You only need to apply a tiny bit as it is highly pigmented. A little pricey but definitely worth it!” - Nadia, Customer Review
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e.l.f.
Putty Bronzer
Best for a natural, sun-kissed glow
Cream bronzers are having a moment - and we can see why! This unique putty-to-powder formula dries with a semi-matte and super natural finish. Perfect for when you want a long-lasting contour that still allows your skin to breathe. Add some sunshine to your makeup bag with this buttery soft bronzer.
Tried and tested: “I bought this and find it to be an amazing cream bronzer that applies and blends nicely, especially paired with the putty bronzer brush.” - Di, Customer Review
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Fenty Beauty
Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
Best for a light-as-air finish
Whether you’re looking to sculpt, define, or contour your complexion, this cream bronzer is incredibly easy to use. Vacay really is one swipe away with this sweat and water-resistant compact. The best part is the blendable formula that you can build (and build and build) to achieve your straight-off-the-beach bronze.
Tried and tested: “My go to cream bronzer, looks so natural, blends easily without losing pigment, doesn't dry my skin out, works perfectly with other Fenty products.” - Pamela, Customer Review
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REFY
Cream Bronzer
Best for buildable bronze
Beloved by makeup artists and TikTokers alike, this brand doesn't miss when it comes to cream bronzers. With warm undertones to suit every skin type, the moisturising formula leaves you with a VERY natural, sun-kissed look. One of the best bronzers we've tried, don't blame us if you also become obsessed.
Tried and tested: “So creamy and buttery it glides on the skin so beautifully, I will definitely be repurchasing!” - Olivia, Customer Review
