Key Ingredients: Murumuru butter, cupuaçu butter, tucuma butter, synthetic ester | Finish: Natural | Available Shades: 8
Best for Fair Skin Tones: Maybelline New York City Bronzer
Why It’s Worth It: Maybelline New York’s City Bronzer in its lightest shade, 100, barely looks like a bronzer—but that can be precisely what fair skin needs for a hint of warmth and dimension. Made with cocoa butter, it blends in beautifully and looks delightfully natural. Keep in mind that this drugstore bronzer trends light, so those who have deeper than light-to-medium skin tone may want to opt for another pick on this list.
Key Ingredients: Perlite, cocoa seed butter, magnesium stearate | Finish: Matte | Available Shades: 3
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I choose a bronzer?
Like foundation and concealer, bronzer can go catastrophically wrong if you use the wrong shade for your skin tone. As a general rule, you want to steer clear of any bronzers that look too orange or too gray, as these hues can make you look unnaturally tan or washed out. It’s a good idea to check out how the color looks on your skin in natural light to ensure it’s a spot-on match.
If you have fair skin, New York City-based makeup artist Elisa Flowers recommends looking for a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone and always using a light hand when applying. Those with light-to-medium complexions can also benefit from choosing shades one or two hues darker than their natural skin color. However, when it comes to undertones, neutral options will always look the most organic. “Be sure to avoid bronzers that appear overly orange or red-toned in the pan, as it will only become more intense when you apply it to the skin,” says Flowers.
People with tan, olive-toned skin can get away with wearing most bronzer shades as long as they don’t stray too far from their natural skin color, says Flowers. However, she also says to choose terracotta hues with a hint of red, as they look beautiful on tan complexions.
Finding a suitable bronzer can be especially tricky for those with dark and deep complexions, as fewer options on the market cater to melanated skin. Still, brands like LYS and Fenty Beauty are getting it right with a more comprehensive, inclusive range of shades.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?