LETS TALK BRONZER
Bronzer vs Contour
I love bronzers, but I didn’t always. Before I went to makeup school, I had no idea how to use them. I was also confused about the difference between a bronzer and a contour shade. How can they both be used? Aren’t they the same thing? NO. They are not the same thing. A contour powder is typically a cool tone powder, used to give contour or depth to the face. You see, once you apply foundation to the entire face, you’re taking away its dimension. Our faces naturally have dimension to them and they appear quite flat after a layer of full coverage foundation. Contour powders are used to bring the depth back into the face. That’s their purpose.
Bronzers explained
A bronzer is used to add bronze or warmth to the face. It’s warm-toned color. You apply it after the contour and foundation. Some people like to stop with bronzer, not adding blush after. I love blush way too much not to add it. So, I apply my foundation and contour and then my bronzer. Then, I always apply blush! So there you have it, there IS a difference between the two! Here’s my top picks for bronzer!
BRONZER REVIEW BREAKDOWN
Before we start, I need you to know that some of the links below are affiliate links, which means, at no additional cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Okay, let’s begin!
CREAMS
NAME
REVIEW
SHOP
Okay so I love using this when  I want a glowy or dewy look. It’s great for summer. I will use it before or after my foundation. You can find a more in-depth review of it here.
Benefit Hoola Cream to Powder Quickie Contour Stick
The name says contour but I will use it as a bronzer more than a contour. This is another really great option and the reason why is because it makes things very easy for you when you’re in a hurry. Cream sticks are heaven sent when you need to get out the door fast. This color is the same as Hoola but in a cream stick form. Hoola is a tried and true bronzer loved by many. This product has really worked for me and would definitely repurchase it. My only dislike for this product is benefits shade range is too limited. This is the only shade available(to my knowledge).
LIQUIDS & GELS
NAME
REVIEW
SHOP
TOM FORD Bronzing Gel
I discovered this on instagram from an IG model. She said it was one her modeling agency’s secrets. I was intrigued. So, I purchased it and I have to say that this is one of the most natural looking bronzers out there. Its a gel and it can be rubbed in with your hands or a brush. It’s another great product for those days when you are going for the “no makeup” makeup look. I love it for the beach or when I already have a light tan.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-pollution Sunshine Drops
I first got these as a sample from Sephora. I mix them in with my foundation sometimes. Other times I just put them on under my makeup and I like the luminous quality it offers to my skin. A common theme you’ll see regarding my feedback on creams, gels, and liquids is that I go for them when I was a dewy look. This product is no exception. One great thing about this and all the creams, liquids and gels is that they last a long time.
POWDERS
NAME
REVIEW
SHOP
I love this bronzer. I did a review of it in this blog post here. I think its beautiful, has light but buildable coverage and a fun luxurious product to own. There does not have shimmer, so if you don’t like shimmer you won’t have to worry about that with this product.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Colour
Like the above product, I did a review on this bronzer too. You can find that review here. It’s a gorgeous product that is very similar to the above mentioned product, BUT if you do not like shimmer(even the faintest bit of it), then I’d recommend using the above product. This product has a very faint shimmer to it.Â
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer OR Benefit Hoola Lite Matte Bronzer
I love this bronzer because of the color and multiple uses of it! It’s easily one of my favorites. I use it on my face and my eyes. It looks stunning on the eyes, especially brown eyes. It’s perfect for getting that warm natural look on the face and eyes. I like it so much, I make it the star when I wear it. I don’t even bother with liner or mascara sometimes.
NARS Laguna Bronzer
Another classic, NARS Laguna bronzer is an excellent tried and true bronzer choice. NARS has two super stars, Orgasm Blush and Laguna Bronzer. They package them together in a single compact or you can buy them separately. I love that you can get the blush with the bronzer though. I highly recommend this product.
Marc Jacobs Coconut Perfect Tan Bronzer
This one hasn’t been around for as long as some of the others, but its a great product. I love how big it is. The pan is very big. You can get a big bronzer brush in it, unlike the hole box bronzers. The packaging is great so long as you don’t wish to take it with you in your purse or makeup bag. Oh! and an added bonus is that it smells like coconut!
Too Faced Chocolate Matte Bronzer
First off, these smell like chocolate. I love it and don’t mind it, but I know some people won’t like it so I needed to mention that right off the bat. They are smooth and buttery. I like this formula a lot. The packaging is also beautiful. Like so many of the bronzers on this list, these are tried and true favorites, loved by many. You can’t go wrong with this product. I also use this one my lids when I use it. You can bring a nice balance to the face by using your bronzer on your eyes and face.
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow
This goes with me in my makeup bag….when I used to go places (pre COVID). It’s excellent. They don’t make it in a single compact. You have to purchase it in the dual compact with the highlighter. I think this is one of the best bronzers for me because I like to use both the bronzer and the highlighter. Both are very subtle. This has perfect buildable coverage. If you dont want the bronzer and the highlight, know that Charlotte Tilbury (CT) just came out with a bronzer line, The Airbrush Matte Bronzer. I will update this post once I’ve purchased and tried it.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzers
One of the best brands for complexion products hands down is Hourglass. All their powders have this magic blurring effect, I am here for it 100%. As I’ve gotten older, my pores have become a growing concern. Some products, especially powders, can make pores appear larger and more obvious. This product makes them appear smaller and not as visible. Hourglass will always be one of my favorite brands of all time. Everything they do, they do well. They’re in no hurry to push product out either. I think that’s because they want everything they make to be excellent. I haven’t tried a complexion product I don’t like from them yet.
This is another bronzing product for those who love shimmer, highlighter, and multi-use products. I love using this as a final touch bronze and glow product on top of what I have already added(so long as I have not already added a shimmery product). The bronzer in here is a highlight bronzer duo. It’s gorgeous on the eyes. In fact, the whole product is gorgeous on the eyes. I use the two upper shades for the inner corner highlight or cheek highlight and then I’ll use the two bottom shades for the eyelid or cheeks.
THE QUICK BRONZER LIST
POWDERS
CREAMS
GELS & LIQUIDS
BRONZER APPLICATION TOOLS
Thank you for reading the post and I hope you were able to find a bronzer you want to try this summer! I’m always on the lookout for new and amazing bronzers. If you have any suggestions please leave them below in the comments! Stay bronzed! =)
xo,
City & Chic
