Julia Marzovilla
I'll be honest: I love nothing more than the look of a fresh tan after a long day lying under the sun (don't worry, I use the best sunscreens!). While the real deal is only within my reach during the summer months, I’m constantly trying to emulate that sun-kissed summer glow all year long with some help from the best drugstore bronzers.
But finding the best bronzer, well, it's a journey. Some bronzers are so sheer that I might as well have put nothing on; others can veer so orange or gray that the finished result looks like you applied bronzer, rather than just stepped off the beaches of Saint-Tropez. Fortunately, some hidden gems are available at the drugstore—no tropical vacation or a pricey trip to Sephora is needed.
From cream and liquids to powders and even putties, countless affordable picks give high-end bronzers a run for their money. So whether you’re a fair-skinned girl looking for a bronzer that won't make you look muddy, or you’re on a mission to find a great bronzer for dark skin that isn't going to look ashy, I’ve got you covered with this list. The best part? You won’t have to spend more than $25 on them.
Marie Claire editors and I have tested and reviewed our top picks to ensure that each of the bronzers below deserves a spot in your makeup kit. Additionally, I’ve tapped four celebrity makeup artists, who shared their holy grail products and a few application tips. Read below for a full breakdown of the best drugstore bronzers on the market right now.
The Best Drugstore Bronzers
- Best Overall Drugstore Bronzer: e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour
- Best Drugstore Bronzer Serum: Well People Bio Bronzing Priming Serum
- Best Long-Lasting Drugstore Bronzer: L'Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer
- Best Drugstore Bronzer Stick: ColourPop Bronze Stix
"My go-to is the e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour," says celebrity makeup artist Lipstick Nick. "I love that it’s a bronzer and contour hybrid, giving you two products in one for under $10." The silky formula is lightweight but packed with pigment, offering a long-lasting bronze you can build as you like.
Texture: Liquid
Shades: 10
What I Love: Lightweight; Multi-purpose; Long-lasting
What I Don't: Some reviewers find the product too pigmented
Review for MC: "This product really is as good as it sounds. It's a liquid bronzer that feels incredibly lightweight on the skin and blends out seamlessly in just a few seconds. Plus, it never clings to my dry patches and rarely fades throughout the day. With a cooler undertone, it works great at adding a tan to the face and sculpting my cheekbones and nose to look snatched. I apply a few dots around the perimeter of my face and viola! I'm blessed with a bronzed contour that looks as if I just got off the beach." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker uses e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour
I'm a sucker for a bronzing serum, and Well People's is one of my all-time favorites. It provides a beautiful all-over bronze and holds the perfect amount of pearlescent pigment. It's also packed with skin-loving ingredients, including aloe juice and quinoa-derived peptides. Not to mention, it also doubles as a grippy primer for long-lasting, under-makeup wear.
Texture: Liquid
Shades: 1
What I Love: All-over glow; Skin-loving ingredients; Works as gripping primer
What I Don't: Only one shade
Review for MC: "Well People's Bio Bronzing Priming Serum is a dupe for a very viral product that shall remain unnamed. The skincare-forward bronzer leaves a barely-there shimmer reminiscent of the glow you get after a day in the sun. Not only does it make my skin look smooth and tan, but it also doubles as a gripping primer to ensure any makeup I lay over top lasts all day. Although, my favorite way to wear it is on my no-makeup days for an all-over warmth and sheen." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker uses Well People Bio Bronzing Priming Serum
Need a bronzer that’s going to last? This powder product from L’Oreal should be your go-to. It promises a whopping 24-hour wear, which means that it won’t move or fade on your longest days (please don’t keep your makeup on for 24 hours straight!) You can shop it in eight colors, and it promises a soft-matte finish — think: your skin but smoother. Reviewers say the colors aren’t orange-leaning, either and has a buildable color payoff.
Texture: Powder
Shades: 8
What I Love: Long-lasting color; Blendable formula; Won't make you look orange; Silky texture.
What I Don't: Has a scent
Review for MC: "A bronzer that lasts all day long? Sign me up. This powder is definitely much more pigmented than I anticipated, so I suggest starting small. But with a light hand (and a big fluffy makeup brush), my skin looks perfectly smooth and bronzed up after a few quick swipes. It's like a filter in a pan! Even when I use a cream or liquid bronzer, I like to set my previously bronzed areas with a powder version of the product, and the L'Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer has become a go-to for just that." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker uses L'Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer
While I'll never not love a powder bronzer, my favorite way to add a tan to my face is with a bronzer stick. The application is so easy. Glide on the product to add warmth and dimension, and blend it with a brush or sponge. ColourPop's Bronze Stix blends out seamlessly for a sun-sculpted look that's never orange and provides a matte yet hydrated finish.
Texture: Cream
Shades: 4
What I Love: Glides on so smoothly; Blends out in seconds; Natural matte finish
What I Don't: Some reviewers have issues with the packaging.
Review for MC: "I'm a huge fan of bronzer sticks — Colourpop's recently released Bronze Stix included. It glides on incredibly smoothly and blends out easily with a few pats of a brush (my preferred blending method). I also love the unique finish. It's fairly matte for a cream product but still leaves a hydrated dew. The applicator makes it extra easy to sculpt my face, as well. It's without a doubt one of the best (if not the best) bronzer stick I've found at the drugstore." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer.
Emma Aerin Becker uses ColourPop Bronze Stix
The more bronzer the better, right? This bronzing duo from Juvia's place is a great option for anyone looking to both bronze and sculpt their face with one quick and easy product. The powder is perfectly pigmented, easy to blend, and super buildable — making it ideal for any level of warmth. Plus, it boasts an impressive shade range with two hues in each mini palette.
Texture: Powder
Shades: 10
What I Love: 2-for-1; Blendable; Buildable
What I Don't: Some reviewers complain the undertones pull more orange
Review for MC: "I can always count on Juvia's place to make affordable products that rival high-end versions. The brand's Bronzed Duo, for example, is an incredible powder bronzer that I would never be able to guess comes from the drugstore. While I didn't notice any of the orange undertones a few reviewers complained of, I did find that it isn't super pigmented upon initial application. However, this only makes the product more beginner-friendly, and it was super easy to build coverage up to my desired level of tan. I mixed together both of the medium shades for a gorgeous bronzed look." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Emma Aerin Becker uses Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo
Other Drugstore Bronzers I Love
The Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is a cult favorite for a reason. Its fine powder texture is incredibly soft and blends into the skin like butter. Available in eight shades, it includes ingredients like murumuru butter for a hydrating, smooth feel despite its powder nature. Some shades even include a shimmer to emulate that fresh tan glow.
Texture: Powder
Shades: 8
What I Love: Editor-approved; Top-rated; Finely-milled powder; Long-lasting
What I Don't: Some shoppers found the smell too strong.
Review for MC: “I’ve been using this bronzer on and off for years, and it never fails me when I’m in a pinch. The texture is, as the name suggests, super buttery and blendable. It’s so soft, I nearly thought it was a cream bronzer when I first bought it. Plus, I can now say that I have the same bronzer as Sofia Richie Grainge, who wore the iconic drugstore bronzer over the course of her wedding weekend.” — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
The Milani Silky Matte Bronzing Powder provides a beautiful sun-kissed look with a few quick swipes of ultra-fine milled powder. The bronzer is incredibly smooth and buildable but never streaky. It feels super lightweight on the skin while hydrating and anti-aging argan Oil provides long wear.
Texture: Powder
Shades: 3
What I Love: Available in three shades; Finely-milled; Editor-approved; Can be used as a bronzer or contour
What I Don't: Might not be suitable for super fair skin
Review for MC: “I live and die by this bronzer. It works wonders on my skin in any climate. I love to apply it all over to shade and contour, or I'll follow the angle of my jawline for a more dramatic look. Whatever I decide—I can't go wrong.” You can shop the ultra-fine powder bronzer now in three different shades. It has buildable coverage but is pigmented enough to wear with just a few swipes in the morning." — Deena Campbell, Former Beauty Director
Celebrity makeup artist Nicole Bueno loves this bronzer from Pacifica because it has a "gorgeous texture and wide shade range," she says. Available in five shades ranging from a light sandy color to a rich mahogany option, this lightweight cream bronzer does it all. Reviewers love it because it has buildable yet undetectable coverage and feels light and airy on the skin. Reviewers with dryer skin types say that it doesn't stick to dry patches, while others say that it doesn't break them out.
Texture: Cream
Shades: 5
What I Love: Makeup artist-approved; Good shade range; Creamy texture; Good for dry skin; Won't break you out
What I Don't: Pot is larger, so it's not great for travel
Customer Review: "I’m not typically a bronzer girl because I am super pasty and generally they look very unnatural on me, but this Pacifica bronzer is awesome! Not too heavy and not too dark. I use it in place of blush and it creates a really pretty sun kissed look. I will totally be keeping this in my rotation of much loved Pacifica cosmetics." — Target
“I prefer my bronzers to not have shimmer," says makeup artist Jenna Kristina. "This is a powder bronzer that is so finely milled it actually goes on looking like cream." This under-$10 option from Maybelline is available in three shades and has over two thousand five-star reviews on Amazon, proving just how popular it is across the internet. As one glowing reviewer put it: “I have trouble finding a bronzer that is light enough for my fair skin. This is perfect. It goes on like silk and though it's a soft scent it smells so good.”
Texture: Powder
Shades: 3
What I Love: Makeup artist-approved; Finely-milled design; Good for fair skin
What I Don't: Some reviewers said the payoff wasn't very strong
Customer Review: "I love the application from this bronzer. It glides on smooth. It's pigmented and easy to work with. The 300 shade is beautiful. The scent from the powder is nice but not overpowering. Good value and affordable especially around these times when make up isn't a priority in anyone's budget." — Amazon
This best-selling liquid bronzer is already adored by more than 16,000 five-star Amazon reviewers, and has received hundreds of glowing reviews on TikTok. Whether applied on its own or mixed in with your go-to moisturizer, L'Oreal's Lumi Glotion gives the sickest glow and all-over tan that seriously rivals the real thing. I'll even occasionally throw it on under a full beat to ensure a perfectly dewy base.
Texture: Liquid
Shades: 4
What I Love: Top-rated; Editor-approved; Has a lightweight texture; Has a multi-use formula; Good for application all over the face
What I Don't: Some reviewers found the payoff to be too sheer; Not moisturizing
Review for MC: "I've been a longtime fan of this bronzer. I use it under makeup when my skin is feeling extra dull or in the place of foundation on my work-from-home days. The pearlescent finish doesn't look glittery on the skin. Instead, your skin tone is left looking even all-over and naturally enhanced with a lit-from-within glow. I've also found that it's great to keep in my makeup bag at the office. I just apply a thin layer on my fingers and press it into my end-of-day makeup look for an instant boost." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
As the name suggests, this bronzer is definitely iconic. Packed with pearl pigments, the gel-infused powder formula leaves a long-lasting, second skin glow. The unique texture applies like a cream and sets like a powder, adding a natural tan flush and shimmering dimension that melts into the skin.
Texture: Powder
Shades: 2
What I Love: Editor-approved; Has a subtle shimmer; Doesn't skew orange; Comes in two shades; Long-lasting
What I Don't: Some reviewers said the color payoff was uneven across shades.
Review for MC: "I’m all about a glow, so it shouldn’t come as a shocker that shimmery bronzers are my personal favorite. This powder bronzer from Wet n Wild has the perfect amount of subtle shimmer running through it. It gives me a subtle shine without feeling too overboard. The shade Sunset Striptease is my personal favorite shade because it has a bronze undertone as opposed to copper, which is ideal for my fair, cool-toned skin.” — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
I'm a huge fan of Pixi's On-The-Glow collection, and their Bronze Tinted Moisture Stick is no exception. It's super sheer—labeled a "hint-of-a-tint stick"—making it super easy to blend out and great for a subtle bronze on no-makeup-makeup days. As per the name, the stick packaging makes this product perfect for on-the-go application and quick touch-ups throughout the day.
Texture: Cream
Shades: 3
What I Love: Sheer, buildable formula; Travel-friendly packaging; Skincare ingredients
What I Don't: Not long-lasting
Customer Review: "It's the second time that I purchase the Bronzer, and it's one of my favorite make up items. It gives a natural shade, hydrates the skin and gives you a non make up make up look. I love it!!" — Ulta
Any "blonzing" fans? While technically a blush, this product from Black Radiance doubles as a great (extra-warm) bronzer. The powder is silky-smooth and highly pigmented, granting a formula that blends easily and evenly for a natural glow. Plus, the gorgeous matte satin finish lasts for hours.
Texture: Powder
Shades: 4
What I Love: Good for deep and dark skintones; Doubles as a blush; Comes in four shades
What I Don't: Some reviewers said the formula hardened after the first use, lowering the color payoff
Review for MC: “Years ago, a makeup artist at New York Fashion Week turned me on to this bronzer and I never looked back. It was an instant hit. It comes in four super-saturated shades (my favorite shade is Gingersnap) that are guaranteed to work beautifully on all complexions, but especially darker tones.” — Deena Campbell, Former Beauty Director
What To Look For in Drugstore Bronzers
- Finish: “I always want my bronzers to not have shimmer,” says Kristina, who is known for giving clients like Megan Fox and Zoey Deutch their glow. "I like to be able to control where shimmer is applied. Personally, I like shimmer in a highlighter and not all over the face.”
- Undertone: The bronzer vs. contour debate continues to rage on, but here’s the bottom line: contours generally have a cooler undertone to create the look of shadows, whereas bronzers will have some warmth to them—but not too much so that it looks too orange or red. “Lighter [skin] tones tend to need cooler undertones where darker skin tones tend to need more warmth, otherwise it can look a bit green and not mimic a natural tone depth,” says Kristina. Her favorite pick? “Hands down Maybelline City Bronzer."
- Texture: Three bronzer formulas are most common: cream bronzers, powder bronzers, and liquid bronzers. Each will give you a different finish and look. Liquid bronzers, for instance, are generally more sheer than other options. This brings us to...
What's the Difference Between Cream, Liquid, and Powder Bronzers?
Ahead, celebrity makeup artists break down the key differences between three of the most commonly-found bronzer formulas on the market: cream, liquid, and powder.
- Powder: Powder bronzers are the most beginner-friendly option, as they’re often a bit more sheer than cream bronzers. “It’s really easy to just load up a big fluffy brush and dust that bronzer on the face, without overdoing it as powder tends to be more buildable in terms of pigment,” says Nicole Bueno, a makeup artist who has worked with Sophia Roe, Jonelle Monae, and Law Roach. Powder bronzers are also great to keep in your makeup bag because they can be used all over the face, including on your eyelids in lieu of eyeshadow. “I just apply it on the perimeters of my face, temples, my ears, eyelids, and nose,” Bueno says.
- Cream: Cream bronzers are great if you want a truly seamless finish to your makeup. “Cream bronzers tend to have more coverage, and are more opaque, with a satin-like finish,” says Amber Amos, a makeup artist who has worked with Bebe Rexha and Skai Jackson. Cream bronzers are also great if you’re looking for a contouring product to chisel out your cheekbones, nose, or jawline. (If you're interested in contouring instead, you can read our guide on how to contour your face.)
- Liquid: “If you are looking for an ultra-glowing bronzer, go for a liquid,” Bueno says. “They usually have shimmer particles that look way more natural than cream or powder counterparts,” she says. To make them look their best, Bueno recommends applying your liquid bronzer with either a brush or a sponge to the high points of the face. If your bronzer is on the glowier side, they can work equally well as a liquid highlighter or illuminator. “They also can be perfect for mixing into your foundations that maybe are now too light as our skin darkens in the spring and summer season or if you spray tan,” she says.
What Type of Bronzer is Best for a Natural Look?
"Selecting a buildable bronzer that compliments your skin's undertones is the best way to achieve a natural look," explains Lipstick Nick. Depending on the definition and level of bronze you’re looking for, she recommends selecting a bronzer that is one to three shades deeper than your natural complexion. "Creating the perfect bronze will be different for every skin type and tone, but a key to making it look natural is properly blending out your product."
How to Apply Bronzer
After choosing your bronzer, apply a small amount of the product to the parts of your face the sun naturally hits, "like the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, your jawline, and your forehead," notes Lipstick Nick, who adds that "blending is the most crucial step in the application."
To ensure a seamless blend with no streaks or muddy marks, it's important to start small and really work the product into your skin. "Remember, you can always layer more product for an extra boost of bronze, or you can keep it light for a more subtle effect," she adds.
Meet the Experts
LA-based makeup artists, Jenna Kristina is known for amplifying her clients’ natural beauty with a fresh-faced glow and effortless cool. Jenna has been credited with several of Hollywood’s most viral looks over her career. Her celebrity clientele includes It girls, such as Megan Fox, Zoey Deutch, Christian Serratos, Eiza Gonzalez, Lucy Hale, Lily James and more. She has worked with photographers Mathieu Cesar, We are from LA, Adam Franzino, Thomas Prior, Steven Klein, Elias Tahan, Vijat M, Jora Frantzis, Magdalena Wosinska, and many more, while her work has appeared in publications such as Glamour, W Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Vogue Paris, V Magazine, Numero, W, GQ UK, Marie Claire, Madame Figaro, and InStyle.
Jenna is a Brand Ambassador for Maybelline New York, and often collaborates with brands such as ULTA Beauty, Chanel Beauty, Lashify, Buxom, True Botanicals, Dior Beauty and more, for red carpet sponsorships, shoots, branded content and beyond.
Nicole Bueno is a New York-based makeup artist. Influenced by fashion, art, and culture- she has honed her craft by mastering color theory, shade, and light. Bueno’s natural ability to see the beauty in people is the secret to the magic of her work. She also knows details are crucial, therefore she makes sure clients look immaculate from virtually any angle. Her artistry always celebrates everyone who sits in her chair – letting the muse’s facial features and aura guide every stroke of her brush.
Celebrity makeup artist Amber Amos began her career assisting on editorial photoshoots for top publications such as Seventeen, Redbook, Essence, Self, and Shape magazine. While assisting top artists in the fashion and beauty industry, Amber developed a love and appreciation for flawless skin and effortless beauty.
Since embarking on her journey as freelance makeup artist, Amber’s work has been featured by countless online publications including Vogue, Teen Vogue, V Magazine, WWD, and GQ, as well as contributing to articles for Allure, Forbes, Bustle, Ebony, and Elite Daily. Amber has worked with the likes of Lil Nas X, Slick Woods, Travis Scott, Law Roach, Daniel Kaluuya, Ryan Jamaal Swain, and Richard Ellis to name a few.
Nicole, also known as "Lipsticknick," is an Emmy award-winning Makeup Artist and the Senior Director of Artistry at Elf Cosmetics. In 2019, she co-founded a Los Angeles based hair and makeup bar, "Pout by Lipsticknick," with her friend and manager, Esther Koop. Nicole has toured as a national makeup teacher and has taught at MUD, one of L.A.'s most renowned makeup schools.
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