Who doesn't love a healthy, sun-kissed glow? If you're looking to achieve that radiant, just-off-the-beach look without exposing your skin to the sun's harsh rays, cream bronzers are your new best friends (and ours, too). Whether you're a makeup novice or a seasoned beauty guru, understanding the ins and outs of cream bronzers can elevate your makeup look to a whole new level. With over 348.6 million views for ‘cream bronzer’ on TikTok, we’re here to reveal all the secrets, from choosing the best cream bronzers to mastering application techniques for a seamless finish.
Best cream bronzer overall: Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream, £48
Best cream bronzer for fair skin: REFY Cream Bronzer, £18
Best cream bronzer for medium skin: Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer, £22
Best long-lasting cream bronzer: NARS Bronzing Cream, £36
Best cream bronzer for dark skin tones: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer, £30
A: Cream bronzers are designed to provide a natural, sun-kissed finish that blends seamlessly into the skin. Creating a dewy, radiant look, they’re perfect for all skin types, particularly dry skin. Unlike some powder bronzers, cream formulas are less likely to emphasise dry patches, making them an ideal choice for anyone looking to maintain a glow-giving complexion.
One of the standout features of good cream bronzers? Their buildable formula. This allows you to customise your coverage, ensuring that you can go from a subtle hint of colour to a brilliant bronzed look with just a few swipes. Not to mention, their creamy texture often includes nourishing ingredients, meaning you won’t just look good; your skin will be healthier, too.
A: Applying cream bronzer can be tricky if you don't know the right techniques. For a natural, sun-kissed look, start by dabbing the bronzer directly onto the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, temples, bridge of your nose, and jawline. Use your fingers, a buffing brush, or a damp beauty sponge to blend seamlessly into your skin, ensuring there are no harsh lines.
Applying in light layers allows you to control the intensity of the product. This buildable approach ensures that you can easily go from a subtle hint of warmth to a more dramatic bronzed effect. Want a multi-dimensional look? Blend with your fave highlighter to add extra depth to your complexion. The end result? A sun-kissed complexion that looks completely effortless - your one-way ticket to post-holiday radiance.
By Sephora UK Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 02 July 2024
Cream Bronzer
Keep your skin glowing like a dream with REFY Bronzer. Ideal for fair skin, shade Onyx provides a deep bronze with red undertones and a dewy finish. The hydrating formula works wonders for those with dry skin, while its lightweight consistency feels barely there. The best part? It’s vegan and cruelty-free, making for an ethical addition to your beauty routine. We love.
Tried and tested: “An everyday fave! A lot goes a long way!!! Super creamy! And blends like a dream! Will last you a long time!” - Customer Review
Matte Bronzer
One thing we know for sure? Milk Bronzers bring out the best in you. Promising long-lasting, sun-kissed makeup looks that don’t compromise on comfort, this bronzer provides a matte finish that doesn’t fade. Vegan and cruelty-free, its non-drying formula is enriched with hydrating ingredients in a compact stick format - ideal for on-the-go. For those of you with medium skin tones, shade Baked won’t let you down; it’s your perfect match.
Tried and tested: “My go-to bronzer stick! Absolutely love this product and I will continue to re-buy! It goes on smoothly and blends so nicely with my makeup!” - Customer Review
Bronzing Cream
Our go-to for an everyday makeup look that lasts hours on end, NARS Cream Bronzer is a staple standout. Formulated with hydrating ingredients, this cream bronzer is buildable and blendable for colour or contour. Swipe onto your forehead, cheekbones, and chin for a sun-kissed look, blending with fingertips, a brush, or sponge. And for all-over bronze and cream? Sweep onto your collarbone, arms, and legs. Giving us a head-to-toe holiday glow.
Tried and tested: “This is my staple cream bronzer and I have tried so many ‘dupes’ but NOTHING compares to it! It blends in so easily with every foundation I've tried it on (silicone and water-based) and I even use it to deepen my crease if I just want a quick look. I'm on my second jar after the first one lasted me over a year while using it almost every day.” - Customer Review
Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
Let your confidence shine from day to night with our cult-fave Fenty Cream Bronzer. Coming in several no-fuss shades, this light-as-air, non-greasy bronzer melts effortlessly into skin. Looking natural on every skin tone, this instantly warms up and softly defines your face with a smooth texture. Pair with your fave cream blush for a total fresh-faced feeling.
Tried and tested: “This cream bronzer is just PERFECTION. I use it for every day and for nights out, it is natural looking and buildable if needed. Butta Biscuit 02 is literally the perfect shade for light skin! It has the slightest satin effect to it (not glittery but not flat matte either) and makes my skin glow from within. Like wow!! I am obsessed.” - Customer Review
Cream Bronzer
If you’re looking for the best investment, this brings the most radiant returns. Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer warms up skin for sun-kissed colour. Ideal for fair, olive skin, shade Caramel is a beautiful tan colour with warm undertones. Weightless and buildable, we love layering multiple shades of the creamy formula for a multi-dimensional look. Tried and tested: “An absolute must-have cream bronzer. If you’re looking for a perfect cream bronzer then this one's for you. I’m absolutely in love with how easy this bronzer blends on my face. I got the shade Amber and it perfectly matches my light to medium skin tone.” - Customer ReviewBest cream bronzer for olive skin
Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream
Love nothing more than a luxurious tan? Introducing Huda Beauty Bronzer - Tantour. A cream-to-powder contour and bronzer in one, this allows for a soft and natural bronzed look. Why not dial up the drama as you layer and build? Deeply pigmented and long-lasting, the formula combines a balance of shadow and warmth for a luminous, matte glow. All you need now are your fingertips for a beautiful blend.
Tried and tested: “The formula for Tantour is magic; it’s very easy to blend and doesn't disrupt my foundation base. When it sets, it dries to powder, so you don't need to set it - I sometimes apply a setting powder anyway and it doesn't disrupt or cake around Tantour. When it's set (within a minute), that's it; it wears all day without budging. I've been caught out in the rain several times and haven't had any issues with it smudging or fading.” - Customer Review
Cloud Paint Gel Cream Bronzer
Create a healthy-looking glow any time of year with our fan-fave Glossier Cream Bronzer. With blurring pigments for a seamless finish, this gives skin a natural wash of warmth, dimension, or sculpting colour. Our top tips? Gently squeeze a tiny dot of bronzer onto fingers and dab onto cheekbones, forehead, bridge of your nose - anywhere you want extra definition. Mix multiple Cloud Paint colours together to create a custom shade - as unique as you are.
Tried and tested: “New favourite bronzer. I got the shade Sail and it’s perfect for my fair skin. Doesn’t turn orange on me and blends so easily. Feels really smooth on the skin. Colour can be built up easily as well. Looking forward to using it this summer.” - Customer Review
Make It Bronze
Add all-over warmth to your complexion using our very own Sephora Collection Bronzer Stick. Whether you’re after a natural or defined look, this formula allows you to build product up as much as you’d like. Suitable for all skin tones, it blends into skin perfectly without leaving a trace. An undetectable finish and natural tan effect? We’ll take two, please.
Tried and tested: “Super seamless contour. This is now my go-to contour stick. It's so precise, enhances your cheekbones giving you a gorgeous sculpted finish. I really love the Sephora Collection products, they give you high-end results for such affordable prices. I will definitely purchase it once it's finished.” - Customer Review