Warm Up Your Skin With These V Natural Cream Bronzers (!!)

Soooo pro tip: You should never heavily apply, and then reapply super glittery, super muddy bronzer to fake a ~natural~ glow before a v important event. Like, as in your high school prom. Like, where you're going to get your photo taken a million times. Because subsequently, your family will *routinely* break out the album ages later only to compare you to Snooki circa the late aughts. Me, g'damnit, it's me, and it was hot then, k?!

But from that small (fine, huge) makeup fail, I have LEARNED and have since vowed never to repeat my past of extreme bronzer. So in honor of my new and improved makeup skills—and the equally new and improved bronzer formulas—I bring you the 19 best cream bronzers for every skin tone.

How do I choose the best bronzer for my skin tone?

Gone are the bronzers of yesteryear that looked orange on those with light skin and appeared ashy (that is if they showed up in the first place) on dark skin. Thanks to modern, improved formulations, and some incredible companies, there are now shades of bronzer for everyone that blend seamlessly into the skin, giving you a v natural finish. (S/O to some leading Black-owned beauty brands! 🙌)

It's important to keep in mind that "you're looking to add warmth with bronzer, not color," Hung Vanngo, celebrity makeup artist, has told Cosmo. That said, the key to finding the perfect bronzer is to purchase one that complements your skin tone. If you choose the wrong shade, you can end up adding too much color, which creates that obvious look we're trying to avoid. And if you go too dark, it can end up looking muddy and streaky. As a rule of thumb, stick to a bronzer only two to three shades darker than your skin tone. Oh, and it's just as important to know how to apply and use bronzer correctly in the first place, so check out our guide, we gotchu.

P.S. Warmth and definition can be added regardless of how deep your skin tone is. In fact, bronzers (when combined with highlighters) are a great way to enhance and re-define your features, especially after applying foundations and concealers.

Tips on finding the best bronzer for your skin tone:

• Deep skin tones: A bronzer with a golden or red undertone will suit your skin most. The addition of shimmer will complement deep skin and give a glow.
• Medium skin tones: Golden and coppery bronzers, or those with yellow undertones, will add warmth and glow to tan and medium-toned faces. Again, shimmer is definitely a go.
• Fair skin tones: Go for cool-toned bronzers and contours. However, because a lot of these shades can end up looking cakey or orange against fair skin, start with a light hand. Add some shimmery blush for extra warmth.

Aaaand if you really want to pull off a convincing faux glow, may I suggest a cream bronzer? A cream formulation blends into your skin, rather than sitting on top of it like a powder, so it'll look natural AF. Basically, you can keep faking it until, well, you stop faking it. Here are 19 of the best cream bronzers, but first, a sneak peek of what's ahead:

The best cream bronzers of 2022:

• Best shade range: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
• Best for deep skin: Danessa Myricks Beauty Power Bronzer Cream Bronzer
• Best for medium skin: Tarte Sea Breezy Cream Bronzer
• Best for light skin: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
• Most natural: Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer

Now continue on for the fun part: The best cream bronzers that are sure to become staples in your makeup routine.