If you’re looking to add some natural warmth to your complexion, using one of the best cream bronzers is your best bet. Unlike powder bronzers, cream formulas have a way of melting into skin for a dewy, glowy finish that looks as natural as it does striking. Better yet, you can also use these formulas to contour, color, and layer. So, how do you choose one? According to makeup artist Natalie Dresher, a good rule of thumb is to select a shade three to four shades darker than your skin tone “so it looks like you’re sun-kissed.”
To find the right bronzer for your, we consulted makeup artists and had Glamour editors put a wide range of products to the test. From affordable brands like Milani, to a luxury splurge from Chanel, to our top pick, Rare Beauty’s Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer, shop the best ones below.
The best cream bronzers, at a glance
Featured in this articleBest Overall
Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks
Jump to reviewBest for Oily Skin
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun Kissing Glow Cream Bronzers
Jump to reviewBest Matte Finish
Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer Stick Spaced
Jump to review
To compile our list of the best cream bronzers, we chatted with editors who’ve swatched, blended, and tested hundreds of bronzers, checked in with makeup artists known for their high standards, and zeroed in on exactly why these picks are so beloved. We prioritized formulas with inclusive pigment ranges, effortless application, all-day staying power, and results that matched—or even exceeded—their price tags.
Best Overall: Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer
Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer
Easy to use, universally flattering, and so blendable, Dresher and Glamour associate beauty editor Danielle Sinay are both huge fans of this Rare Beauty cream bronzer stick. “I love a warm bronzer stick and the shade Always Sunny is definitely that—in fact, they’re all warm,” Dresher says. “Anytime I stray from this bronzer stick, I tend to always come back because of its beautiful shades.” It’s water-resistant, non-comedogenic, and infused with a nourishing botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and white water lily.
Best Drugstore: Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer
Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer
This drugstore pick holds up against pricier options. “They leave an airbrushed, blurred finish to the skin and are really easy to work with,” says makeup artist Neil Scibelli. “These cream bronzers melt right into the skin with fruit and flower oils, as well as vitamin E, and can also be used as contours as well.” The bronzers come in four buildable shades that earn rave reviews from customers too.
Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle loves this cream bronzer because of it’s value and long-lasting color payoff. “I’ve tried a ton of cream bronzers but and this $11 one compares to ones close to $100. The creamy texture glides on easily but doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on my face. I pair it with my Rhode blush and I instantly look tan and glowy.”
Best for Oily Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun Kissing Glow Cream Bronzer
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun Kissing Glow Cream Bronzers
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun Kissing Glow Cream Bronzer
A cream finish might sound like a hard pass if you’ve got oily skin, but this option from Charlotte Tilbury is makeup artist-tested and approved. “I’ve been using these bronzers for years now, and keep going back,” says Scibelli. “They’re great for oily skin because they have a velvety-matte texture, which gives an airbrushed-like effect to the skin while also being long-wear and sweat-proof.”
Glamour’s Calle who has oily, combination skin agrees. “My mom who’s in her 50’s loves this bronzer as well because of it’s lightweight and buildable texture, so I recommend it for mature skin too,” she says. If you want to add a bit of oomph to your spray tan, you can brush this stuff onto your collarbones and decolletage to tie your whole look together.
Most Hydrating: Saie Sun Melt
Original video from Annie Blackman testing Saie Sun Melt
The lightweight balm formula is sheer and buildable—perfect for no-makeup looks—and leaves a dewy finish. If you’re looking for a bronzer for fair skin, Glamour contributor Annie Blackman likes to use it by gently tapping it on the apple of her cheeks.
Glamour senior West Coast editor Jessica Radloff also loves Saie’s Sun Melt, which has skin-loving ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and grapeseed oil to hydrate skin. Use a big, fluffy brush or buffing brush to apply, focusing on areas of the face that naturally catch light, like your cheekbones, bridge of the nose, temples, and forehead
Best Matte Finish: Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer Stick Spaced
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
If you’re a fan of contouring, you’ll want to add Milk’s stick bronzer to your beauty arsenal. “This formula blends so beautifully onto the skin, giving a natural bronze,” says Collier. “It’s opaque, so a little goes a long way. It’s great for contouring and sculpting and works perfectly on all skin types.”
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is also a fan. “Me and this matte bronzer go way back,” she says. “It’s probably one of the first products that got me excited about contouring. While I don’t use it every day, it’s a must for when I’m looking for extra definition in a long-wearing makeup routine. As an oily-skinned girlie, it also manages to keep my skin totally matte and shine-free.”
Best for Mature Skin: Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer
Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer
Original vide from Jenifer Calle testing Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer
Every shade of this stick has neutral undertones, so no need to worry about icky orange vibes—a victory for fair skin types. Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco swears by this option for the most natural, sun-kissed glow. “I apply it on the high points of my face—where the sun would naturally hit—then literally use my fingers to blend everything out,” she says. “It takes two seconds and gives me a healthy glow before running out the door.” While doling out a dose of warmth, fatty acids come into play to condition skin and help secure moisture, making it as pretty as it is practical for mature skin types that lean more dry.
Best Glowy Finish: Tower28 Bronzino
Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Tower28 Bronzino
Tower28’s cream bronzer is a cult-favorite for a reason. “This bronzer is a little intimidating in the pan, but gently buffed onto your skin—I highly recommend a stippling brush for the best effect—it’s truly stunning,” says Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore. “It has a balm-like texture that leaves a glossy glow and hint of shimmer. Although it’s incredibly dewy, it’s not sticky or greasy, and it makes you look alive in 2.5 seconds. You can use just a little for a sheer kiss of sun, or build it up for a really bronzy look that never looks fake, even on my fair skin. Since it’s so glowy, I usually skip highlighter as well.” What’s not to love?
Best for Sculpting: Hourglass Foundation Stick
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Hourglass Foundation Stick
For a bit more coverage, Dresher recommends using a foundation stick like this one from Hourglass to sculpt and add warmth. “This is what I use for my personal makeup whenever I am looking for a full glam moment,” she says. “This is a foundation stick, and I love the added coverage I get when I add this to my temples and cheekbones.” The angled tip makes it incredibly easy to achieve precise lines wherever you want a glowy boost. Plus, there are so, so many shades to pick from. Wins all around.
Best Luxury Cream Bronzer: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
Original photo from Ariana Yaptangco testing Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
Hear us out on this one, because we swear it’s worth the price tag. Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco says you’ll want to stock up for summer. “This Chanel bronzer is like a vacation in a jar—it warms up my face without overpowering it and blends like a dream,” she says. “The formula is very buildable, so if I want to use it for contouring, I just apply a little extra. I take my makeup brush, swirl it around, and dab it into the hollows of my cheeks, jaw, and temples of my forehead.”
