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Bronzers are universally flattering. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, a good bronzer brings warmth into the complexion just like that. But not all bronzers are created equal. There’s a thin line between “I’ve been under the sun for a minute” and “I’ve been rolling in the mud”. And the best cream bronzers offer nothing less than the former.
Unlike powder bronzers, cream bronzers look natural as they melt into the skin. They complement your makeup by blending in seamlessly. They flatter your bare skin by giving it a warm, natural, sun-kissed look.
Thanks to their creamy texture, they’re usually moisturizing and are actually good for the skin. The thing is, the blurry definition of a cream bronzer opens up endless possibilities.
You can use those dark shade foundations from last summer to warm up your cheeks. You can also use the light shades of your contour palette to bring up summer vibes on your skin. But if you’re looking for the real deal, read on!
The Best Cream Bronzers
From deep browns for contouring to light browns for shading, below are the best cream bronzers you can use to jazz up your complexion.
1. Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
This is a must-have for anyone and for any season! The stick bronzer is mess-free and brings spring into your skin with one swipe. The emollient texture of the bronzer is all thanks to nourishing avocado oil, mango butter, and sunflower oil.
The stick bronzer glides on the skin and is perfect for both contouring and bronzing. The matte finish makes it all the more convenient for oily skin types. And the best part is that it looks so amazing on bare skin! This will be your new favorite multi-tasker for no-makeup makeup days.
Shades: 5
Finish: Matte
Size: 0.19 oz
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free
2. Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer
This cream bronzer makes it super easy to create amazingly flattering and natural looks. You can choose from a variety of shades. The lighter shades give more of a bronzy-highlighter vibe whereas the darker shades are deeper and more pigmented, making it perfect for glowy makeup.
You can also use it to bring shimmer to the eyes and add some gloss to your lips. The clean formula is made with mango butter to glide on the skin. And it gives the skin the ultimate sun-kissed glow that’s radiant and luminous.
Shades: 5
Finish: Radiant
Size: 0.158 oz
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free
3. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
Pale skin, fair skin, dark skin; there’s a shade for any skin tone and they all look amazing! The natural-finish cream bronzer is lightweight and applies easily. You can just use your fingers to melt the cream and dab it onto your cheeks.
You can also use a brush to create more precise looks for contouring. Swipe over your eyelids to create some depth in the most natural way possible or just warm up your base makeup and fake a tan. Either way, you get a subtle, buildable, and natural formula.
Shades: 7
Finish: Natural
Size: 0.22 oz
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free
4. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand
The two shades of this cream bronzer give your skin a beautiful tan that looks elegant and flattering, not like you’ve been rubbing dirt on your face. The sponge tip makes the application easy to define the jawline and cheekbones. It’s even easy to use on the nose for contouring.
The bronzer has a soft matte finish that blends with the foundation seamlessly. The rich cool-toned pigments transform flat skin into a fresh one instantly. The bronzer is the absolute best one for easy contouring and definition.
Shades: 2
Finish: Natural matte
Size: 0.40 oz
5. Tarte Sea Breezy Cream Bronzer
For those of you who prefer the most natural-looking matte finish, this one is the perfect cream bronzer! The unique formula blends into the skin and turns into a powdery form as you blend it.
It doesn’t have a shimmer or a dewy finish but a subtle reflection all because of the cream formula. Apply your favorite glow moisturizer and dab this cream bronzer onto the cheeks for a no-makeup makeup look.
Shades: 3
Finish: Natural
Size: 0.56 oz
Good To Know: Waterproof, vegan, cruelty-free
6. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
And speaking of looking natural, this iconic cream bronzer is a well-deserving splurge. Its cream-to-gel texture warms up your complexion without the actual creamy, emollient feel. It actually kind of feels like whipped powder and has a matte, skin-like finish.
The added light silicones have a skin-blurring effect, which is why this is an amazing cream bronzer for mature skin or people with wrinkles and textured skin. And you get a good amount of product here because the bronzer lasts forever!
Shades: 3
Finish: Matte
Size: 1 oz
Good To Know: Non-comedogenic
7. Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream
This cream bronzer comes in 5 shades and gives you a fully sculpted face. The shades are incredibly rich and are perfect for full glams. It’s Huda, so you know it’s going to be heavy and poppin’ in terms of color.
If you’re new to contouring, there’s a good chance you’ll create a muddy-looking face with these ones. In that sense, this isn’t beginner-friendly as the colors may be too heavy to play around with. But if you’re a pro, have at it using your favorite brush to define your face.
Shades: 5
Finish: Natural
Size: 0.42 oz
8. RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer
Okay, this is the bronzer you should reach for when what you’re looking for is very soft and luminous skin that has the most natural summer glow. The rich formula has nourishing ingredients like coconut and jojoba oil, making it glide on the skin.
The bronzer blends seamlessly and looks like a bronze highlighter. The shade is not too pigmented and stands between a bronzer and a blush. That’s why it looks so natural and flattering. The bronzer is hypoallergenic and is a summer must-have for quick touch-ups that freshen up your skin instantly.
Shades: 1
Finish: Radiant
Size: 0.20 oz
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free
Related: The Most Flattering Peachy Blushes
9. Nudestix Nudies Matte Cream Bronzer Stick
These sticks are convenient when you’re on the go or traveling or just aren’t a big fan of carrying around a full makeup bag. You can do your whole face with this multi-tasking stick. It has a stick on one end and a blending brush on the other end. And it can be used all over the face!
Bronze up your cheeks, color up your eyes, and tint your lips. It’s literally a makeup stick on its own to create a uniform look with one single shade. The matte finish is not a heavy one that leaves streaks of dirt on the skin, but more of a natural tint. Pick a darker shade and a second shade that’s lighter to create your own bronzer & blush combo to mix and match throughout the summer.
Shades: 8
Finish: Matte
Size: 0.25 oz
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic
10. Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate
Speaking of combos, this cheek palette combines the essentials for summer skin. The cream bronzer is accompanied by a cream highlighter to complete your dewy look. The bronzer has a soft semi-matte finish and disappears into the skin, making it look naturally tan.
Use a brush to create more precise looks. Or use your fingers to heat up the cream bronzer and dab it onto the skin for a more effortless and sun-kissed look. The highlighter has a subtle dewy finish that illuminates the skin. The duo works very well to enhance your natural beauty.
Shades: 4
Finish: Natural
Size: 0.5 oz
11. Nyx Professional Makeup Conceal, Correct, Contour Palette
This one is an affordable contour palette that is easy to play around with. The palette has 6 shades you can use to color-correct, conceal, and contour. You can use the darker shades to create sharper and more defined looks.
And you can use lighter shades for a more natural bronzing and a bit of blushing action on the cheeks. The drugstore palette contains a variety of cream bronzers to create different looks and is also perfect for touch-ups to conceal imperfections without a foundation.
Shades: 3
Finish: Natural
Size: 6×0.05 oz
So these are some of the best cream bronzers out there. Remember, you can always get creative with products you already own. If you have a foundation you’re not using because it’s too dark for your skin, utilize it! And if you’ve found your favorite but are not sure how to use it, check out our guide on how to apply bronzer for the ultimate sun-kissed glow!
Read Next: The Best Shimmer Bronzers
