Our Reviews Will Reveal Which One Is The Best (2025)

If there's one thing that provides an instant filter, it's bronzer. One stroke of the brush and your face looks like you've just stepped off a plane in Tuscany. Fresh, rested, and lightly tanned. And no, it's not that orange smudge from 2009. Today's bronzers can be subtle, sophisticated, and very, very addictive. We tested and discovered the best bronzer, that will give you a healthy look even after three days of nonstop calls and two cups of coffee on an empty stomach.

Bronzer. One of those products that looks inconspicuous but has the ability to change your entire look. A little colour, a little light, and suddenly you have cheekbones you've never seen before. It's magic. Or rather, an optical illusion. But it's definitely worth it.

Personally, I can't function without bronzer. It's my "facecoffee“. It gets me going, adds colour, and makes people think I live a healthy lifestyle. My top bronzersare something I would take with me to a desert island. That is, assuming I had a mirror and a civilisation that would appreciate it.

Bronzer isn't just about tanning. Used correctly, it gives your face shape, warmth, and a look that says "I've got my life under control" . And if you use it wrong? Then you look like a parody of yourself from the year when smokey eyes all the way to your temples were popular. But don't worry, that's not going to happen to you. I'll explain everything.

How to Choose a Bronzer That Works

Bronzer can be your best friend. But only if you know how to choose the right one. Here, the rules "less is more" and "the right shade is everything" apply. Do you have fair skin? Go for light shades, ideally without glitter. Golden tones with a slightly satin finish look beautiful on olive and medium-dark skin. And darker skin types? They can even go for deeper bronze or slightly reddish tones. That's where the real dance of light begins.

In terms of texture, cream bronzer looks more natural, especially on hydrated skin or when combined with light makeup. Powder bronzer is great when you want to set your make-up, add contours, or if your skin tends to ruin anything that isn't matte.

Where to Use It (and where definitely not to)

Bronzer belongs where you would normally get sunburned. Imagine you spent the morning on the terrace drinking coffee, and apply it where you would expect to get sunburned.

• Cheekbones – slightly above, not below. We are not in the contouring era of 2015. A light dusting just below the temples works wonders.
• The upper part of the forehead – around the perimeter, close to the hairline. Not in the middle. The centre of the forehead and bronzer simply don't go well together. Most photos from summer weddings are proof of this.
• Nose – slightly over the bridge, or possibly the tip. Just a touch of sun. Not a nose like something out of a bad soap opera.
• Chin and jawline – when you want to define your face a little more. But be careful with sharp lines. The goal is not to look like an ancient statue.
• And where definitely not? Under the eyes. Between the eyebrows. In the middle of the cheeks. Bronzer is not a concealer, it is not a highlighter, and it is definitely not foundation. It wants its place, its space, and a little respect. Otherwise, it will take revenge with an orange stain all over your face.

Bronzer Test: Which One Will Take You All the Way to the Maldives?

Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Bronzer

What I liked most:At first glance? The packaging. A luxurious brown-gold box that I will happily display on my shelf, even when there is not a grain left. But luckily, there's something even better inside – a velvety soft powder that glides over your skin like silk and gives it exactly the kind of tan that looks expensive, healthy, and above all, natural. And how long does it last? Even if I dunked my face in a sink full of water, this bronzer wouldn't budge.

Advantages: Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Bronzer has a beautiful natural shade without any red or orange tones (hurray!), blends perfectly, and works well for both subtle facial tanning and light contouring. What's more, it really lasts all day long—it's not calledAll Hoursfor nothing. It is also suitable for sensitive skin, and what I love about it is that it doesn't emphasize skin texture, even when I really layer it on with a brush.

Disadvantages: Well, yes, the price. It's YSL, so it will shake up your weekly lunch budget a bit. And the pigmentation is really intense, so use a light hand.

NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder

What I liked most: This is simply a classic that never disappoints. It's like the little black dress of bronzers. NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder Is the first bronzer that showed me that a tan from a box can look natural and subtle, even on lighter skin. I love its soft satin finish. It's neither completely matte nor shimmery, but more like a healthy glow from a weekend in Barcelona.

Advantages: The bronzer is easy to work with and does not leave streaks, even if you are not very skilled. You can use it to give your face a natural tan and create light contours. It suits almost all skin tones (it's no coincidence that it's been a bestseller for years) and, thanks to its subtle shimmer, it gives your skin a healthy glow without feeling greasy. And let's face it, its reputation means you're no "beauty B-lister".

Disadvantages: If you have extremely oily skin, the subtle shine of bronzer can sometimes be a little "too much." And the packaging, while iconic, tends to attract and retain fingerprints and powder residue. So no Insta aesthetics without a handkerchief at hand.

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess

What I liked most: The name alone won me over. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess. Who wouldn't want to be a bronze goddess? But beware. This bronzer isn't just a marketing gimmick. It's a truly luxurious product that looks soft, elegant, and... expensive on your skin. Even on days when I definitely didn't look expensive. It has a beautiful, velvety smooth texture that almost applies itself, and most importantly, it looks really natural.

Advantages: The selection of shades is relatively wide, so both fair-skinned and darker-skinned individuals can find the right one for them. The bronzer is finely ground, does not create dust, is easy to work with, and does not emphasize skin texture or pores. It has a subtle shine (a beautiful healthy glow) and is ideal for overall facial tanning. It comes in a large package with a mirror – perfect for your purse and for travel.

Disadvantages: If you are expecting bold contours or super pigment, you will need to layer it a bit. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on your mood and how much time you have in the morning.

Clinique True Bronze™ Pressed Powder Bronzer

What I liked most:This bronzer is like the quiet type that subtly wins you over. No fuss, no glittery drama, just pure, natural colour that makes you look like a tanned version of yourself, even if you last saw the sun in July 2019. I love how easy it is to work with. It's perfect for everyday no makeup makeup.

Advantages:Clinique True Bronze™ Pressed Powder Bronzer is ultra-fine and lightly pigmented, which means no unwanted spots or orange tones on the horizon. It blends well and is great for sensitive skin. Plus, its compact and sturdy packaging won't be damaged even if it falls into a chaotic handbag.

Disadvantages: The shade selection is not particularly extensive, so some skin tones may have difficulty finding the "right match".

MAC Cosmetics Skinfinish Sunstruck Radiant Bronzer

What I liked most: This bronzer is like a holiday in a box. Seriously. As soon as I applied it for the first time, I felt like someone had dusted my face with light during golden hour. It's the kind of glow that screams, "Yes, I can brighten your face without making you look like a pancake." My trick? Gently sweep a large brush across your cheeks, as if you just want a hint of a tan.

Advantages: MAC Cosmetics Skinfinish Sunstruck Radiant Bronzer has a delicate texture that spreads smoothly and blends beautifully with your skin, no spots, no streaks. The effect is glowing, but sophisticated, just an elegant brightening. The shade range is perfectly designed for different skin tones, and the pigmentation can be layered, making it suitable for both a "little bit of colour" or an evening tan. Plus, it comes in classic MAC packaging that can survive even a minor apocalypse in your handbag.

Disadvantages: If you have oily skin or shine even after a trip to the refrigerator, you will need to experiment a bit with foundation and powder, so that the glow does not turn into "sweaty elegance."

Bronzer is no longer just a summer thing that you take out on holiday and then forget about somewhere in a drawer next to your lost lipstick. A good bronzer can contour, add a healthy colour, visually lift your cheekbones, and convince your colleagues at the office that you spent the weekend sunbathing by the sea.

Whether you're looking for the best matte bronzer, the best liquid bronzer, or an everyday powder partner, our review will help you find the right one. So go for it! And may your tan last until Christmas (or at least until your next coffee break).