Whether you prefer a swipe-and-go stick applicator for convenience or a softly iridescent sheen, we've selected the best shades and textures to suit your needs
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One product is ubiquitous for elevating a summer tan, or indeed faking one: bronzer. Its tawny pigments add warmth to the high points of the face (cheekbones, forehead, jawline, bridge of the nose) where the sun would normally hit for a beachy glow personified.
Cream bronzers deliver the most natural-looking results by meshing with the skin, and the recommendation from makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is to use circular motions to buff it onto the skin. Think a subtle approach to sculpting, rather than trying to change the shape of the face with contouring powder. The other rule of thumb from the professionals: always start on the outside of the face and gradually build up the depth of colour.
Ahead our edit of the best bronzers for summer 2022.
Best bronzer for pale skin: Glossier Solar Paint in Flare
Lily-white skin lacks yellow undertones so a bronzer that is too golden will cast an orange hue. This bronzer has beige undertones to add just a hint of warm colour.
Best natural bronzer: Kjaer Weis Power Bronzer in Faint
Certified organic and infused with antioxidant Chinese Yam to protect against environmental stressors, this powder bronzer coats the skin with featherlight pigments.
Best bronzer for medium skin tones: Lumene Natural Glow Bronzer in Arctic Summer
A warm, rosy-hued bronzer like this one from Lumene will accentuate your tan and counteract any sallowness.
Best matte bronzer: Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer Coup de Soleil in Tan
A true matte terracotta, makeup artist Gucci Westman has hit the sweet spot between a shine-free easy-to-blend formula and one that still has hydration-boosting skincare benefits.
Best bronzer for a softly iridescent finish: Chanel Les beiges Oversize Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powder
Housed in a lust-worthy XXL compact and embossed with Chanel's iconic rounded square, this cream-powder hybrid is almost too pretty to use. Almost – as the texture is so believable on the skin, you'll want to apply it to both the face and body.
Best bronzer for black skin tones: Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer in Mocha Mami
The beauty of this bronzer for dark skin is the red and cinnamon undertones, which really make your features pop.
Best cream bronzer: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer
If you're looking for ‘just back from the beach colour’, this is the bronzer for you. Available in three shades, a film-forming resin seals in the skincare benefits and creates a humidity-resistant glow.
Best stick bronzer: Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
Bronzed skin is just a swipe away with this vegan stick. Designed with busy commuters in mind, simply sweep under your cheekbones, jawline and collar bones for immediate definition when on the go.
Best liquid bronzer: Dolce & Gabbana Solar Glow Universal Bronzing Drops
If you like the idea of a bronzer that feels like a serum on your skin and even comes with similar skincare benefits, then look no further than this Glow Complex. Inspired by Mediterranean light, the water-based formula hydrates, offers buildable coverage and even contains vitamin E to help protect against damaging free radicals.
Best high street bronzer: Gosh Copenhagen Precious Powder Pearls
These multi-tonal pearls gives skin a soft-focus glow whether you're layering on top of foundation or going bare.
