Although I love a bronzer to warm up my complexion year around, now is when it’s time to get your sunkissed game on point. Every year, there are a ton of new bronzers to pick from; I’ve done the work for you and curated the best!
The Best Bronzers of 2017 include:
BECCA Cosmetics Sunlit Bronzer [review] – This formula is whisper-light, available in five shades and has a slight iridescence. I love Capri Coast, but for a bit more depth, choose Bronzed Bondi. The new BECCA X Chrissy Teigen Glow Palette is a great all-in-one option, too (review)!
CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Colour – This year’s formula incorporates bronzing and luminizing pigments for a subtle glow. There is a slight iridescent finish. There are five shades available; I bought the Medium Light shade and really could have gone to Medium for a more pronounced effect.
Clarins Bronzing & Blush Compact [review] -is one of the prettiest bronzers of the season, and a great choice for mature skins, as the formula contains White Tea extract to fight free radicals. I love the touch of blush for a natural, healthy flush of color.
Guerlain Terracotta Sun Trio gives you the option to sculpt your glow with a highlight/bronzing/contouring palette. The powder offers a matte finish and Guerlain is known for having one of the most finely milled powder formulas available. Nice addition to the Terracotta lineup! Available in Light, Medium or Dark shades.
IT Cosmetics hits a home run with Confidence In Your Glow; an anti-aging healthy flush bronzer. Three Shade choices: Nude Glow, Natural Glow and Warm Glow give a natural glow with a hint of blush. The bronzers are laid out in an ombre pattern in the compact. The formula is blendable and talc-free, making this a great pick for sensitive skins. I use the Heavenly Skin Wonder Brush No. 705 to pick up just the right amount of product.
Lancôme Belle de Teint Bronzer & Blush Harmony offers application flexibility in the way the palette is designed. The bronzer shades (a light/dark) are on the outside circle, while the inside circle holds two blush shades. Swirl the outside ring first to apply the bronzer, then go back for a bit of blush. Available in two harmonies: 01 Patio Mediterraneen (Light/Medium) or 02 Patio D’Une Nuit D’Ete (Medium/Dark).
Laura Mercier J’Adore le Soleil Sunset Bronzing Crayon offers the precision and ease of a crayon, with a pearlized finish. The effect is beautiful, natural and subtle. You can use this crayon to bronze and contour; use the Sunrise Highlighter Crayon to highlight. These crayons are a great option for travel!
Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan is the largest of the bronzers I tried. Sheer, easy to build formula with a matte finish, this bronzer comes in one universally flattering shade. The minute you open the compact, you smell the coconut scent. Definitely my favorite tropical-vibe bronzer! The Bronze-Bronzer Brush No. 12 is a splurge, but it’s worth it! It’s the perfect application tool for this bronzer.
The instant I saw Milani’s Color Harmony in Bronze Burst, I ordered it. This pigment-rich palette features four shades of blush in summer-friendly hues, the finish is luminous and glowing. One swirl around the palette gives a beautiful result. The only place I’ve found these online is Milani.com.
I couldn’t wait to try NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzer and it doesn’t disappoint. This bronzer has a soft-focus luminous finish, in four shades. The effect is subtle and natural looking. I found the color to stay true and not get ashy or streaky by day’s end. It’s recommended to use the Yachiyo Brush, which is a bit stiffer than a fan or fluffier bronzing brush, and I agree. Using that brush definitely made a difference.
And one more mention…technically the Smashbox X Casey Holmes Spotlight Palette [review] isn’t a bronzing palette; it’s a highlighting palette. But the shades in the Gold Palette could definitely be used for a sunkissed glow.
This year, there are more single-shade bronzers than in past years, because there are so many great highlighters out now. Applying the highlighter separately gives you more control over your glow. Bronzers are a summertime beauty essential; do you have a favorite? If you need more bronzing ideas, check out last season’s Best Bronzer post!
