15 Bronzers That Serve a Sun-Kissed Glow All Year Round

Out of all the makeup you apply to your face, nothing can transform your look like the right bronzer. You don't have to go all the way to the beach and risk sun damage to achieve a glowy, sunkissed look. Some of the best bronzers on the market can help you accomplish the bronzed babe vibe all year round.

A bronzer's ultimate goal is to "warm up the skin and to also contour your skin," says Hailey Hoff, the makeup artist behind the icon-ique looks of mega-viral TikTokers like Charli D'Amelio, Tinx, and Remi Badar. But that description is somewhat selling the multi-purpose product short. Bronzer can do much more for your face, like give the illusion that you've nailed the perfect skincare routine, rockin' a radiant complexion.

Despite bronzer's almost magical ability to convince everyone that you just got back from a tropical paradise, many formulas can lean too orange-toned, too ashy, too fake looking, or too sparkly. But once you know which products work for your skin tone, and how to properly apply them, you'll be on your way to a faux glow and lifted look in no time. So consider us your bronzer gurus as we brush you up on the basics of bronzer, and help you find the perfect match.

How to pick your perfect bronze shade

When looking for the best bronzer for your skin tone the objective is to choose a shade that looks like your natural complexion when it is tanned. "Bronzer should be a couple of shades darker than your skin tone so that you can see the contrast between your skin color and the bronzer tone," says makeup artist Tobi Henney, who has painted the faces of Megan Fox and Kiernan Shipka.

The safest place to start when picking a bronzer shade is a color that appears two to four shades deeper than your natural skin tone Hailey says. Then, if you would like a contrast that seems more intense and bold, you can choose an even darker shade after experimentation.

The experts say that those with fair skin tones look best in a bronzer with neutral undertones, so grab shades that aren't too cool or warm like taupe, beige, and light brown. For tan and olive skin, browns with a reddish undertone will complement your complexion best. As for deep skin, look for a bronzer with gold and mahogany undertones. If you aren't sure just what undertones you have, you can use our handy quiz or stick with a neutral shade, as Tobi recommends.

NYC makeup artist Judi Gabay adds that you should consider what you will use the bronzer for before adding to cart. "Warmer shades bronze skin, while more grey-toned, cooler shades work well as contour," she says.

How to choose the right bronzer formula for your skin type

As with most makeup products, you should consider your skin type before selecting a bronzer brand or formula. For normal to dry skin types, Tobi recommends using cream bronzer as the product's moisture will help you maintain a dewy look all day. Cream bronzer also works best for beginners since the formula blends easily and goes on lighter. According to Judi and Hailey, pairing powder and cream bronzer is the right move for oily skin types.

"I recommend that oily skin beauties use a combination of a cream bronzer layered with a powder bronzer to keep it in place," says Tobi. Dusting a similar colored powder bronzer over top of cream acts in the same way as setting powder does for the foundation, locking in the product you've already applied.

How to apply bronzer

Start with a small amount of bronzer on a large, fluffy makeup brush. Hailey says to then sweep the bronzer in a number three shape over the perimeter of your face, "from the edge of