Gone are the days of the heavy-handed, often orange-hued bronzers of the past. Today, the best bronzers have had something of a facelift, with more nuanced undertones, easily blendable textures, and finishes designed to mimic a natural sun-kissed glow. Not to mention, many now incorporate skin-care ingredients as an added benefit, resulting in lightweight formulas that can be worn on bare skin or layered seamlessly over other color cosmetics.
Vogue’s Favorite Bronzers
Take, for example, Rhode’s buzzy summer launch, centered entirely around bronzed, sun-kissed skin. The collection introduced what would quickly become a bestseller for the brand: a peptide-infused bronzing stick in a format identical to its Pocket Blush. It was a reminder that bronzer is no relegated to full glam—it can be the missing puzzle piece in an everyday, pared-down makeup routine too (that’s right, minimalists! There’s no need to be afraid.) At times when sunshine is difficult to come by, bronzers can be a speedy way to make skin look healthy with little effort. Even as we bask in sunny days through the end of summer, it amps up the warmth with ease.
Plus, a good bronzer does more than just deposit a luminous sheen—with proper placement, it can enhance cheekbones, define the jawline, and add dimension to collarbones. Playing with light and shade allows you to create depth for a lit-from-with-radiance that looks deceivingly natural.
Whether you’re searching for a shimmering golden hue that doubles up as a great highlighter, or a matte brown ideal for contouring, find Vogue’s pick of the best bronzers below.
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Best Stick: Rhode Pocket Bronze
Vogue’s Kiana Murden uses Rhode’s Pocket Bronze.