These Cream Bronzers Are The Secret To Sun-Kissed Skin

Best Cream Bronzers

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Bronzers are universally flattering. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, a good bronzer brings warmth into your complexion just like that. But not all bronzers are created equal. While some give you the perfect sun-kissed glow, others can look muddy. The best cream bronzers offer nothing less than the former.

If you’ve never used one before, here’s the gist. A cream bronzer is a type of bronzer that has a cream consistency. Unlike powder bronzers, cream bronzers blend in with your skin thanks to their emollient texture. They melt as you blend into the skin, giving you a more natural look.

That’s why cream bronzers are easier to blend and apply. They can come in different finishes like matte or dewy but most cream bronzers have a natural-looking subtle radiance to them, giving your skin the most flattering luminous finish no matter your skin type.

So if you’re on the lookout for a cream bronzer for light contour, sun-kissed cheeks, or warm complexion, you’re in the right place. Below are the best cream bronzers to get started.

Best Cream Bronzers

1. Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer

Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer - Best Cream Bronzers

This is a must-have for anyone and any season! The stick bronzer is mess-free and brings spring to 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

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

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

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

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

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

Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream - Best Cream Bronzer

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

RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer - Best Cream 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: Best Peach Blushes

9. Nudestix Nudies Matte Cream Bronzer Stick

Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze - Best Cream Bronzers

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

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

So these are some of the best cream bronzers out there. 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! If not, keep reading to learn what to look for in a cream bronzer.

How To Choose Cream Bronzers

Shade

Choosing the right bronzer shade is one of the most important things to keep in mind. Your bronzer should be a few shades darker than your skin tone but it should also match your skin’s undertone. If you have cool undertones, go for soft browns. If you have warm undertones, go for golden browns. And if you need more help with choosing your bronzer shade, check out our guide on how to find the right bronzer shade for your skin tone.

Finish

Cream bronzers have different finishes such as natural, matte, semi-matte, dewy, and shimmery. You can choose depending on your preference. But as a general rule of thumb, natural finish cream bronzers are the most versatile. If you have oily skin, go for matte bronzers to ensure your skin doesn’t look extra greasy or oily. If you have dry skin or mature skin, radiant finish cream bronzers can make your makeup look more dewy, fresh, and youthful.

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