My Current Favorite Bronzers

I am a fair skinned girl, and like women everywhere, I want what I can’t have.  In this case, I want tanned, bronzed, glowing skin like a girl out of an old Coppertone commercial (minus the sun damage and risk of cancer).  In my case, the only way I glow is when I reflect the light off of my pale, white skin.  Luckily, I CAN fake it with the help of a bronzer (or six).  You can see my favorites in action in accompanying video on my YouTube channel, or take a look at the rundown here.  Let’s take a look at my current bronzer favorites, listed from least expensive to most expensive:

 $6

This is a glowy, slightly shimmering, incredibly inexpensive “drugstore” option that is probably my most reached for bronzer when I want a bit of glow.  It comes in other shades, but I find this one most flattering for my skin tone.

$8

If you’re a fan of the Guerlain Meteorites Powder Pearls but the price tag is a bit steep, these pearls from e.l.f. are a great option.  This product gives a nice all over glow to the face, but it’s not going to give you that “just back from vacation look”.

$8.49

This was last summer’s favorite, and I’m sure I’ll be using it again once I get a little more fake tanned.  This has a reddish-gold undertone with a shimmery finish (no glitter) that’s great applied all over the perimeter of the face with a big fluffy brush.  It’s a also a great dupe for a well-known very expensive bronzer, so read to the end to find out which one it is!

$17

This was the first matte bronzer I ever bought, and I still love it (this is my third one).  It’s a great entry-level product into the high-end world.  There are other shade options, but I believe this is the only matte choice.

$29

This is a cult classic bronzer for a reason.  It has a red undertone, which gives the most natural-looking fake tan to the face.  It can be used to contour if you use a light hand, and it never streaks.  It’s also a great contour color for the eyes in the crease.

$30

Out of all my matte bronzers, this one is my favorite, especially in the winter months.  It’s a very light shaded bronzer, it’s not orange at all on my skin, and it smells (and tastes, don’t ask) like chocolate.  It also comes in deeper shades if you need them!

$32

I’m admittedly only including this one because I received in the mail this week and it’s incredibly pretty.  The packaging is pretty, the product in the pan is pretty…but I don’t know how it applies.  I was sent the medium/deep shade and I really need the light/medium option.  I’m intrigued enough to get over to Sephora and pick up the right shade-the description says it’s guaranteed never to look too orange!  That’s a bold claim, Estee Lauder!

$50

Of course, it turns out the most expensive option is tied for my favorite bronzer.  I don’t know what it is about this bronzer.  It’s not matte, it adds glow but not shimmer or glitter, and it blends seamlessly into the skin.  It’s almost perfect, other than the steep price tag and the fact that even the lightest shade is just a wee bit too dark for me in the winter.  However, I have found an almost perfect dupe for it…the Milani Baked Bronzer!! Seriously, they might not look like when held up to each other, but applied to the face it’s near impossible to tell the difference.  And at $8.49 instead of $50, it’s a great savings as well!

So there you have it-my current favorite bronzers, all in regular rotation in my makeup drawer.  Do you have a favorite bronzer that’s not on my list?  What’s your favorite bronzer from the drugstore?  What about high-end? Let me know in the comments below what your top picks are and what you’d like me to review next!

SHOP MY FAVORITE BRONZERS