The 15 Best Drugstore Bronzers Of 2024 For Different Skin Tones
Looking for a flawless sun-kissed tan without wanting to go out into the sun? Say no more!
Nyssa Green is an Emmy award winning makeup artist and a trusted beauty and lifestyle expert with over 20 years of experience. Her diverse portfolio of clients includes celebrities from all walks of life, like Alicia Keys, Bono, Jane Fonda, Vickie Winans, Jermaine Dupri, several US Presidents, authors, and politicians.
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Experience: 3 yearsEsha Saxena is a writer and journalist with over 3 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in media and mass communication from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and firmly believes that makeup is nothing less than art.
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Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
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Experience: 3 yearsAsmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.
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There is nothing like using the best drugstore bronzers when it comes to adding a warm and rich color to your skin tone. Bronzers give you the perfect shade of holiday tan that makes you look absolutely gorgeous in your photos. Just a sweet swipe on your forehead can do the trick of a sun-kissed look. While other treatments to get this shade can be expensive, investing in drugstore bronzers can help you flaunt it without any stress. Here are the highest-rated bronzers to choose from.
In This Article
15 Best Drugstore Bronzers
1. Best For Beginners:NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer
Review
If you’re not a big fan of shimmer, this bronzer from NYX is made for you. Though it is a matte formula, it won’t make your skin look chalky or cakey. Instead, it adds a ton of natural-looking warmth and helps you achieve a healthy complexion. This bronzer is available in five shades and does not cause breakouts hence it is perfect for normal to to oily and acne-prone skin. It is undoubtedly one of the best wallet-friendly bronzers out there, especially for your summer makeup look. Professional makeup artist, Nyssa Green, says, “It’s great because of the vast shade range, and also because it’s matte!” Multiple reviews on several online forums state how beautifully the product offers a radiant glow and looks natural on your skin.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Free of shimmer
- Long-wearing
- Adds a healthy glow
- Good for beginners
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 1,397 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
2. Best Shimmer Finish:Milani Baked Bronzer
Review
If you love a slightly shimmery finish, there’s nothing like the Milani Baked Bronzer in your local drugstore. This illuminating formula is a blend of micro-fine pigments, and it helps you create a streak-free glow with ease. This bronzer comes in three different shades, ranging from a soft gold to a tantalizing tan. For a drugstore product, it looks and feels very high-end on your skin. It’s almost too good to be true! This video review will help you learn more about the reviewer’s experience with the product.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to blend
- Subtle shimmer
- Long-wearing
- Looks natural
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 6,455 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
3. Best Shade Range:L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Bronze It
Review
Want a lit-from-within glow? This bronzer for medium skin from L’Oreal can be used to create an all-over bronzed complexion or as a contour for a sculpted, radiant look. With its minimal sheen, this bronzer gives you a healthy-looking, bronzed complexion. It comes in three shades that are designed to flatter light, medium, and deep skin tones. This video will help you make an informed decision about the product and get deeper insights from the tester’s experience.
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Easy to blend
- Applies smoothly and evenly
- Versatile shades
- Lightweight
Cons
- None
Quick Tip| NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer Best For Beginners | Milani Baked Bronzer Best Shimmer Finish | L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Bronze It Best Shade Range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Medium | Glow | Light |
| Dimensions | 1.23 x 2.93 x 2.91 inches | 3 x 1 x 3 inches | 3.67 x 3.67 x 0.64 inches |
| Weight | 0.34 Ounces | 0.26 Ounces | 2.89 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,397 | 6,455 | 314 |
| Price | $6.91 | $9.97 | $11.52 |
4. Best For Daily Wear:Rimmel London Natural Bronzer
Review
Rimmel’s Natural Bronzer is easily one of the best drugstore bronzers on the market. It is richly pigmented and can be layered to create a subtle glow or a more dramatic effect. This is a great formula for beginners and blends effortlessly. It comes in four shades to give your skin the perfect honey glow. Also, it comes with SPF 15 to protect your skin from the sun. Want to know the best part? It costs less than $5! Unbelievable, right? Watch this video to get a detailed review of the product.
Pros
- Blends like a dream
- Offers a rich color payoff
- Incredibly lightweight
- Great for daily wear
- Long-wearing
- Inexpensive
Cons
- None
5. Best For All Skin Types:e.l.f. Studio Baked Bronzer
Review
This lightweight, baked bronzer from e.l.f. is infused with the goodness of hydrating oils like jojoba, rose, grape, and sunflower. If you prefer subtle shimmer, you will love this product. It adds life to lighter skin tones and sculpts your face for more definition. It is inexpensive and comes in three shades.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great for all skin types
- Suitable for pale complexion
- Long-wearing
- Blends easily
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- None
"This ELF highlighter/bronzer is perfect for quick makeup routines. It is quite long-lasting and works well on all skin types. It is perfect to travel with and for touch-ups on the go."
Quick Tip6. Best For Sensitive Skin:Covergirl Trublend Bronzer
Review
Covergirl’s marble-baked bronzer blends instantly and makes sure you don’t end up with unsightly streaks or lines. This dermatologically-tested, gentle product comes in a single bronze shade and the pigment looks gorgeous on lighter skin tones. However, it doesn’t show much on deeper complexions. If you’re on a tight budget and need a formula that works for sensitive skin, you can rely on this one.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Long-wearing
- Blends beautifully
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Suitable for fair skin tone
Cons
- Only one shade
"This bronzer is quite a versatile product. It is a beautiful a golden brown shade that works well for all skin tones. I love the shimmery finish that can double as eyeshadow."
7. Best For A Natural Glow:Elizabeth Mott Whatup Beaches Matte Bronzer
Get the glamorous beach tan with just a single sweep of Elizabeth Mott Whatup Beaches Matte Bronzer. The ultra-fine powder applies smoothly on the skin and blends well for a natural sun-kissed look. The minerals absorb excess sebum, offering you a shine-free, buildable, matte coverage that lasts all day. This powder bronzer is great for contouring and sculpting your features and getting the perfect sun-kissed glow instantly with its silky application. Also, this premium product is not tested on animals, making it a suitable option for people looking for cruelty-free formulas.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Smooth formula
- Subtle shimmer
- Natural glow
- Controls oil
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Might be difficult to blend
8. Best Hypoallergenic:W3ll People Bio Bronzer Stick
Review
This bronzer stick from W3ll People is the best drugstore cream bronzer for anyone with sensitive skin. Its cream stick formula allows you to achieve that golden radiance on-the-go. It blends like a dream and leaves you with an extremely natural finish. Here’s the exciting part – its universal color adapts to your skin tone to create your ideal shade.
Pros
- Organic, skin-nourishing ingredients
- Absorbs excess oil
- Chemical-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Long-wearing
- Suits all skin tones and undertones
Cons
- None
9. Best Long-Wearing:Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
Review
The nourishing butters in this bronzer make it super easy to apply and blend. It delivers a radiant glow, unlike any other drugstore bronzer. Its rich formula is packed with pro-vitamins that soften and condition your skin. This natural makeup formula comes in four shades and is perfect for normal to dry skin.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Blends effortlessly
- Hydrates skin
- Long-wearing
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- None
"This bronzer has a smooth, buttery texture. It offers a subtle sheen and blends easily. It adds a lovely warmth to the face without causing any irritation."
10. Best Blendable:Palladio Baked Bronzer
Do your makeup choices keep changing like your Monday moods? Grab onto Palladio Baked Bronzer that can be used both dry and wet to achieve a natural-looking, all-day glow or a gorgeously radiant appearance. The highly pigmented shade offers a shimmery finish that polishes your overall makeup look. Available in luminescent shades, it gives your skin an enriching, natural-looking tan like never before.
Pros
- Easy to blend
- Beautiful shades
- Radiant finish
- Long-wearing
- Does not test on animals
Cons
- None
"This bronzer is very pigmented. I use a light hand for that natural glow. It blends like a dream and can even double as an eyeshadow."
11. Best Anti-Aging:VASANTI Mineral Bronzer
Review
Want to give your skin a healthy, sun-kissed glow? This VASANTI Mineral Bronzer is perfect to give your skin that natural-looking sun-kissed glow! It is enriched with natural ingredients like lotus flower extract, pea extract, and algae extract, which are rich in antioxidants and minerals that have anti-aging benefits. These ingredients nourish and moisturize skin improving its elasticity. This formula also contains light-reflecting properties that give a healthy shine to your skin and hides all dark spots, blemishes, and fine lines. The multi-purpose bronzer is available in two natural-looking shades and is never tested on animals.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Natural-looking finish
- Non-greasy
- Non-shiny
- Suitable for mature skin
Cons
- None
12. Best Non-Comedogenic:Pixi By Petra Beauty Bronzer
Review
This bronzer from Pixi is perfect for adding a subtle tan with a splash of natural-looking color to your complexion. Its formula is free of parabens and chemicals, making it the perfect product for sensitive skin. You also get a Pixi Kabuki brush along with the bronzer. Isn’t that awesome? It comes in three shades that perk up your skin tone and blend seamlessly to give you the most subtle tan during the winter.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Easy to blend
- Long-lasting wear
Cons
- None
13. Best Matte Finish:Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder
Review
Looking for the best drugstore matte bronzer? This one from Essence conjures up the most natural-looking tan ever. It is a holy grail formula for those of you with combination and oily skin types as it absorbs excess oil and mattifies your skin. It comes in two flattering shades and smells incredible.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Matte
- Oil-free
- Lightweight
- Long-wearing
Cons
- Limited shades
14. Best Luminizing Effect:Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer
Review
The Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer is perfect for both your face and body. Its luminous formula delivers that red carpet radiance instantly. This celebrity-favorite product comes in compact packaging with a bronzer in the top compartment and a mirror and brush in the lower one. It comes in three shades and works well on all skin types. “This is great to layer over blush, or alone,” says Nyssa Green.
Pros
- Luminizing formula
- Subtle
- Easy to blend
- Long-wearing
- Travel-friendly packaging
Cons
- None
"This bronzer gives the skin a natural, healthy glow without any overwhelming shimmer. It works well for both fair and darker skin tones. It is quite versatile and can even double as a highlighter and contour."
15. Best Lightweight:NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder
Review
This bronzing powder from NYC is matte, blends like a dream to offer velvet smoothness, and is a must-try formula for beginners. Its color is buildable and pigmented. It goes on smoothly and evenly and does not break you out. It also contains natural mineral powders, kaolin, and silica to minimize pores and fine lines.
Pros
- Great for daily wear
- Dermatologist-tested
- Lightweight
- Long-wearing
- Silky texture
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Limited shade options
Now that you have a fair idea of the best drugstore bronzers out there, here are some tips to help you choose a formula that works well for your skin tone.
Tips: How To Choose The Right Bronzer And Apply It Like A Pro
- Whether you have a pale complexion or medium or darker skin tone, the rule is to choose a bronzer one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. If you use one that’s too dark, it will make your complexion look dirty and muddy.
- If you have normal, oily, or combination skin, a powder-based bronzer is your safest best. If you have normal to dry skin, use a cream or liquid formula.
- Shimmer makes oily skin look oilier. Consider an oil-free formula or one that has less shimmer if you are someone with oily or acne-prone skin.
- Apply your powder-based bronzer with a medium-sized fluffy brush. Tap off any excess product before applying for the best results.
- Use your fingers, a sponge, or a foundation brush with synthetic hair if you’re using a cream formula.
Infographic: What Kind Of Bronzer Do You Need?
Bronzers are tiny boxes of magic in your makeup kit. They enhance your facial features by imparting a sun-kissed glow and adding a hint of warmth on your cheeks. But with an overwhelming array of choices available on the market, how does one decide which bronzer is the perfect match? The infographic below covers the three common types of bronzers and their benefits. Scroll down to figure out which one will suit your needs the most.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Now you can get a perfect bronze shade or sun-kissed glow on your skin without spending long hours under the sun’s harmful rays. The best drugstore bronzers offer the right color for the face. It helps to mimic the sun-kissed glow, as if you have spent a whole day in the sun. For a smooth matte finish, you may choose the NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer, and the L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Bronze It improves your complexion by giving you a bright, lit-from-within radiance. Because of its baked formula, the e.l.f Studio Baked Bronzer delivers a natural sun-kissed effect and warms up your cosmetic look. The long-wearing bronzers listed above blend smoothly, hydrate the skin, and offer a radiant look. However, you may want to avoid products that are difficult to blend.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
Esha Saxena is our in-house makeup connoisseur with a knack for following and researching interesting makeup trends and products. Since no perfect look is complete without a bronzer, she enlists some best drugstore bronzers in this article. She has curated this list after extensive research on multiple websites. A detailed explanation about the available shades, suitable skin types, and more about these bronzers will help you make the right purchase to suit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a bronzer?
Bronzers deliver warmth and color to the face. The face looks flat after applying foundation and concealer, and the bronzers add dimension to the face.
What brush should you use for bronzer?
An angled contour brush is essential for adding dimension to your face with a bronzer. Opt for a super plush, extra large brush to apply just the right amount of bronzer to your face.
Do you put bronzer on after foundation?
Yes. Apply the bronzer after the foundation to add a warm glow to your face.
What is the best budget bronzer?
The Rimmel London Natural Bronzer is the best budget-friendly bronzer. This high-quality bronzer is priced approximately at $3 online and delivers subtle yet alluring warmth to your face.
Does bronzer go on or under cheekbones?
Apply the bronzer below the cheekbones in small circular motions and extend the brush to your temples in a ‘C’ shape. This will make your cheekbones appear lifted and well-defined.
Should bronzers be matte or shimmer?
Matte bronzers are a better option if you want a natural look. If you have oily skin, matte formula is ideal. However, use a shimmery bronzer if you need a radiant glow and a dramatic chiseled look.
Should you put bronzer all over your face?
No. The purpose of a bronzer is to impart a subtle hint of glow to the high points of your face, not to make you look tan. Therefore, do not apply bronzers all over your face.
Is it better to use a bronzer or a blush?
Bronzers add warmth to your face, and blushes add color to the cheeks. So if you want a sun-kissed look, apply a bronzer, whereas using a blush to achieve a natural glowy look.
Should you put powder on before the bronzer?
Yes. Apply a thin layer of powder to your base makeup before applying the bronzer to achieve a more natural glow.
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