The best bronzers in 2024 for a healthy summer glow, as reviewed by our experts

RRP: £19 | Formula: Powder

If you haven’t yet tried NARS Bronzing Powder, rectify that pronto. This award-winning formula is a makeup staple that’s adored by beauty editors and makeup artists alike. Totally foolproof, the finely milled powder blends in effortlessly for a subtle, sun-kissed glow. We recommend using one of the best makeup brushes to swirl it onto cheekbones, temples, and jawline.  

We love that this is offered in four shades, from the best bronzer for fair skin to deeper tones. A little goes a long way, so build your application. This matte option gave us that sun-baked warmth you’d expect after a week in St Tropez, while being delightfully shimmer-free - though it still has a subtle light-scattering quality that left skin with a soft golden hour sheen.

RRP: £37 | Formula: Cream

If you’re in the market for a luxurious cream formula, this is your guy. While it’s more expensive than others, we really do believe it’s worth it. The buttery, balmy texture melts into the skin for a natural bronze glow that’s super believable. It’s also a great pick for anyone keen to learn how to contour, as the blendable formula can easily sculpt and enhance your facial features without looking too much.

For the best results, use under your best foundation - a technique called 'underpainting' to give subtle definition and a soft glow that shines through. Our advice? Use a densely bristled brush to glide the cream along (not under) cheekbones, temples, and jawline before lightly buffing it in. Now available in three shades, there’s a perfect match for every skin tone.

RRP: £42 | Formula: Cream

This bronzer may look like a powder but don’t be fooled, it’s actually a cream. And not just any old cream – this particular cream bronzer boasts skincare benefits with its hydrating formula that contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin D3. Seriously impressed, we love how this smooth, moisture-packed formula looks and feels on the skin.

We found it ultra-blendable, and could easily build it up from a subtle glow to a beachy bronze. If it’s the latter that you’re after, use a big fluffy brush to apply it in a ‘3’ shape – along temples, cheekbones, and jawline. Or, for a pulled-together post-holiday glow, blend this along your eyelids too, as that smooth, perfectly meldable texture means this bronzer sits as nicely on the lids as it does on the cheeks.

RRP: £32.50 | Formula: Powder

Originally only available in one shade, Benefit's iconic Hoola bronzer now comes in four colours to suit a range of skin tones. It's soft, finely milled, and very easy to blend. Just sweep it across the high points of the face (where the sun would naturally hit) for a natural makeup look, or use it under the cheekbones for a seamless contouring effect.

Cult for a reason, this bronzer's pure matte pigment is grown-up and flattering, adding lots of warmth without any shimmer or sparkle. And with the right brush (we’d recommend a slim, angled bristled brush), it’s the perfect product to chisel in those cheekbones. As for shades, all four are natural-looking with olive tones that don’t veer on orange. It's a great everyday bronzer with a finish that's as pretty in colder weather as it is on sunny days.

RRP: £32 | Formula: Powder

Two years in the making, The Bronzer from Bobbi Brown’s brand Jones Road is a makeup must-try. With a featherweight feel and a luxurious texture, this velvety powder gives skin a soft, wash of color that’s beautiful all year round. “This is not like most bronzers,” explains makeup artist and brand founder, Bobbi Brown, “It works as a face powder and bronzer combined thanks to how it's blended.”

As well as adding warmth to the skin, the powder can be used “for colour correction if your skin is looking sallow – it’s minimal, quick, and easy to use,” adds Brown. So pop aside your best setting powder, and reach for this multi-tasker instead. We really enjoyed the soft texture and love the wide shade selection.

RRP: £21 | Formula: Liquid

If you specifically seek out skincare for dry skin, then this may be the bronzer for you. Unlike powder formulas, this liquid bronzer hydrates skin and delivers warmth without clinging to dry patches. Incredibly lightweight, it also goes on super sheer – meaning it’s really easy to build and very hard to overdo. That also means that if you like a whacking great dose of bronze in one go, this won't be the product for you. But we reckon it's safe to assume most of us are looking for natural rather than statement effects from our bronzer.

Obviously, even the best bronzer alone can't be relied upon to hydrate parched winter skin (you'll need your best face moisturiser for that), but this will certainly help things along. It can be blended in with fingertips or a brush, and we found that the formula plays well with other liquid and cream products, like the best cream foundations, so you can layer up your hydrating makeup for a beautiful, dewy look.

RRP: £22 | Formula: Cream

A handbag hero, this sculpting stick from Milk Makeup is just the ticket for on-the-go touch-ups. Available in four cool tones to suit a range of tones, it delivers a soft, golden tan and hydrated finish.

To use, simply swipe your chosen shade across the hallows of your cheeks and down the sides of your nose before blending in with fingertips (or a brush, if there’s one in your makeup kit). The results? A natural sculpted effect that’s not at all powdery or cakey. Oh, and while it’s very dinky in size – according to the brand, you get 1000+ swipes per stick! We’ll be packing this on our next trip.

RRP: £46 | Formula: Powder

If, in the past, you’ve found that powder bronzer products can be drying – turn your attention to this argan oil-rich formula from Guerlain. Moisturizing and lightweight, this gorgeous compact (in a chic tortoiseshell case) houses the perfect bronzer for dry skin types or anyone who's after a hit of moisture.

Once you've applied your foundation, swirl a fluffy brush into the powder and apply it to the high points of the face. Its silky and refined texture blends easily, diffuses nicely, and warms up the skin beautifully. Our only gripe is that it’s scented (albeit with a very nice scent) however it may irritate very sensitive or reactive skin types.

RRP: £56 | Formula: Powder

This is one of those products that looks so glamorous in the compact, you almost don't want to use it – but dig in you must, because it looks even better on the skin. Combining the powers of your highlighter with the benefits of a brilliant bronzer – the mixture of shades means you can bronze and brighten skin at the same time. Clever, huh? 

We tried the shade Diffused Bronze Light (pictured above), which is a cool tan with warm, yellow undertones that is especially flattering for olive and medium skin tones. To use, swirl a fluffy brush around the pan to pick up both shades before sweeping it along the cheekbones and over the centre of the nose. Our complexion was left with a radiant, luminous glow that had friends asking, “where have you been?”