The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (2024)

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (1)

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Ask anyone you know: there’s no better feeling than coming home from a sunny, tropical vacation with a toasted tan that reminds you of sandy toes, sunscreen, and pina coladas. Then, reality sets in days later when your warm tan reverses back to your normal skin tone and you have to wait until your next vacation for that warm, bronzed look again. Luckily, you don’t have to wait that long, thanks to a staple in every beauty obsessive’s collection: bronzer.

As the name suggests, bronzer imparts a brownish-reddish glow to whatever part of your body it’s applied to. “Bronzer can be used for so many different things: giving a subtle, sun-kissed glow to the skin, adding dimension to the face, and waking up your makeup routine without looking like you did too much,” Charlie Riddle, Stila’s global beauty director, tells ELLE.com. Bronzers come in various formulas—from liquid to powder to cream—but the one for you ultimately comes down to your skin type. According to celebrity makeup artist Matthew Allen, powder bronzers are better for oily skin. “After setting the makeup with a loose powder or setting spray, use a big, fluffy brush to warm up your neck, and ears with a little bit of powdered bronzer. This will connect the face to the body flawlessly,” he explains. Liquid or cream bronzers provide a luminous glow for dry or normal skin.

Scroll down for the 20 best expert-approved bronzers tailored to every skin type and skin concern.

Best Splurge

Gucci Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (8)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (9)Buttery smooth formula
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (10)Can look muddy

Gucci’s bronzer is a bit pricey, celebrity makeup artist Eric Jones says it’s “Assolutamente bella because it’s “lightweight and great for a natural and youthful glow.”

Best Texture

FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (11)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (12)Creamy, blendable texture
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (13)Not best for oily skin

Although it comes in powder form, Jones prefers the texture of its creamy sister. Fenty Beauty describes the bronzer as “no fuss” and Jones says they’e right and “feels as though you have a piece of the sun in your pocket,” he adds.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best For Versatility

Haus Laboratories Heat Spell Bronzer/Highlighter Duo

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (14)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (15)Comes with a highlighter
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (16)Needs deeper shades

You can bronze without highlighting and vice versa, but everyone knows these two look flawless when paired together. “Powders are generally better if you desire all-day wear,” Sarah Tanno, artistic director at Haus Labs, explains. Naturally, her pick is the Heat Spell duo, which comes with a powder and a highlighter “so you still get that soft sun-kissed glow. They also look great on the eyes,” she adds.

Best Sunkissed Finish

Kosas The Sun Show Moisturizing Baked Bronzer in Gold Bronze at Nordstrom

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (17)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (18)Gives a fake vacation glow
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (19)Can harden over time

Kosas is beloved for its clean formulas and bestselling gems like the Sun Show Bronzer. Geoffrey Rodriguez—who has worked with Gigi Hadid, Padma Lakshmi, Emma Watson, and more—says its baked powder formula “gives a beautiful, ethereal glow.” Suppose you're looking for a dewier alternative. In that case, Rodriguez also recommends Kosas' other bestseller, the Color & Light Cream Palette in Tropic Equinox since it “has a rich sculpting shade and a complementary highlighter for a beautiful, sculpted, sultry glow.”

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best For Double-Duty

Stila Convertible Color

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (20)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (21)Can be used as a blush
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (22)Needs deeper shades

Charlie Riddle, Stila's global beauty director, recommends the Stila Convertible Color for its double-duty powers. Serving as a blush and a bronzer, Stila created five supple shades that range from soft pink to brown.

Best For Blur

Victoria Beckham Matte Bronzing Brick

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (23)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (24)Comes with contrasting shades
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (25)Pricey

Riddle says to reach for the Victoria Beckham Bronzing Brick if a blurring effect is what you're after. “I’m obsessed with the Victoria Beckham Beauty Bronzers. They are dual shades one lighter and dark and highly pigmented and they are so smooth and blurring on the skin,” he says.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Liquid Formula

KVD Beauty ModCon Liquid-Gel Contour

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (26)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (27)Great applicator
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (28)Can be patchy

“An easy tip for adding more warmth to hands, chest, legs, and overall body is mixing a warmer shade of the KVD Beauty ModCon Liquid Gel Contour to body lotion,” KVD Beauty global artistry ambassador Sandra Saenz explains. The brush tip helps to control the product placement and “and the gel formula makes it super easy to blend with other products.”

Best All-in-One

CODE8 Bronze Summer Glow Powder - Tulum

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (29)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (30)Blendable formula
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (31)Needs deeper shades

“Nothing screams summer like radiant skin, but sometimes the use of highlighter when bronzing the skin can detract from that bronzed look. Code 8 Beauty cracked the code with this natural-looking powder bronzer, which has the perfect amount of shimmer, so no highlight is needed,” celebrity makeup artist Aaron Barry says.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best For Summer Shades

Smashbox Cali Contour Blush, Highlighter & Bronzer Face Palette

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (32)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (33)Multi-use product
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (34)Needs more shade options

“I love this palette, so much so I think it cured my seasonal depression,” Barry says. The palette is summer packaged in each square—blush, highlighter, and bronzer. “To create a daytime bronzed look with the Cali Contour Palette, I use the bronzer as a stand-alone or cocktail in some blush to give me that true sun-kissed look,” he adds.

Best For All Over Glow

Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint, 0.6 Fl Oz

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (35)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (36)Can we used a multitude of ways
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (37)Thin formula

Nicolette Brycki finds several ways to use Dr. Hauszka Translucent Bronzing Tint, thanks to its lightweight formula and skin-loving ingredients. “You can mix it with moisturizer, or sometimes, I even use it under foundation to contour under the cheekbones,” she says.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best For Natural Ingredients

Guerlain Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (38)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (39)Contains argan oil
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (40)Pricey

According to Rodriguez, Guerlain's Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder's versatility has proved its staying power in his kit. “It's available in a formula derived from 96 percent natural ingredients and is an extremely versatile formula because it wears equally well with full makeup or on its own,” he explains.

Best For Subtle Shimmer

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (41)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (42)Shimmer without looking kiddish
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (43)Can be a bit red

Jami Svay says Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer has the kind of glow that keeps people wondering, Did she go to Bali for a week? What's great about this bronzer is the glow it provides. “It doesn’t have that kid-like glitter; It glides on, subtly warming up the skin. I apply using a big powder brush so it’s not streaky,” she explains.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best For Pigment

Thrive Causemetics - Sun Chaser Blur + Sculpt Bronzing Powder - Shade: Rhea (Matte)

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (44)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (45)Pigmented
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (46)Can look muddy

“Enriched with hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the skin, this formula is also highly pigmented. The bronzer has a velvety texture that blends to a smooth, rich, long-wearing matte finish, with a blur effect that softens pores and fine lines,” states Rodriguez.

Best Budget-Friendly Option

Jason Wu Beauty Sunlight Bronzer

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (47)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (48)Super affordable
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (49)Needs deeper shades

Celebrity makeup artist Sang Jeon—who works with CL from 2NE1, Ryan Destiny, and more—uses this affordable option because it works for all his clients. “It's pigmented and works well as an essential palette,” he says.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best For Definition

Il Makiage Mineral Baked Bronzer

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (50)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (51)Soft, blendable texture
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (52)Needs deeper shades

For a defined bronzed look, Jeon loves Il Makiage's Baked Bronzer. “This is a baked type bronzer so you can really control the pigment,” he adds.

Best For Dark Skin

Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (53)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (54)Great pigment
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (55)Needs lighter shade options

Another must-have of Jeon, rest assured that your Huda Beauty Tantour Bronzer will last you a long time. The insanely pigmented formula glides on smoothly without picking up any of your foundation.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best for Warmth

Crunchi Solarise Bronzer

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (56)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (57)Buttery smooth
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (58)Needs more shade options

“The Solarise bronzer is a great multi-use product that can be used to warm up the skin while adding depth and dimension to your makeup look. This bronzer not only warms up the skin but adds a subtle contour that looks great on all skin tones,” Kristen Fortier, makeup artist & product innovation lead for Crunchi Cosmetics, says.

Best For Moisture

Ciaté Brazilian Glow Bronzing Serum

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (59)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (60)Contains hyaluronic acid
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (61)Needs more shade options

“What I love about this bronzer is it applies quickly for an all-over glow, smells like a vacation in a bottle, and has moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid and brightening vitamin c,” Barry says. Barry reaches for this bronzing serum on sets to create the perfect “no-makeup makeup” look.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Wallet-Friendly Option

e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Bronzer

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (62)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (63)Costs as much as a latte
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (64)Not long-lasting

Fake a fresh-off-vacation glow with this $6 bronzer from E.L.F Cosmetics. The cult-favorite bronzer comes in an array of shades, is formulated with vitamin e and argan oil, and dries down to a soft matte finish—for $6 might I add again.

Best For Airbrushed Finish

Morphe X Avani Gregg Baecation Luminous Bronzer

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (65)

Pros
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (66)Super affordable
Cons
  • The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (67)Can appear very warm

If you're missing the sunkissed radiance of your recent baecation, the Morphe x Avani Gregg bronzer can help you replicate it. The shade is warm enough to be used as a bronzer but can work as a contour as well.

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (68)

Nerisha Penrose

Beauty Commerce Editor

Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.

The 20 Best Expert-Approved Bronzers for a Post-Vacation Glow (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Velia Krajcik

Last Updated:

Views: 5853

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Velia Krajcik

Birthday: 1996-07-27

Address: 520 Balistreri Mount, South Armand, OR 60528

Phone: +466880739437

Job: Future Retail Associate

Hobby: Polo, Scouting, Worldbuilding, Cosplaying, Photography, Rowing, Nordic skating

Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.