7 of the Best Bronzers for a (Safe) Sun-Kissed Glow

I’ve never been much of a bronzer girl. Because I’m super fair, I thought it would look silly, like I’d only tanned my face. But Plutino Group makeup artist Kim Creton convinced me that I, too, can look like a beachy b*tch.

Creton says the key to achieving a natural look is to remember that bronzer isn’t a spray tan. “You’re not trying to change the colour of your skin, you just want to look like you’ve been having a cocktail outside with a friend and got sun-kissed,” she explains.

The easiest way to get that look, says Creton, is by applying bronzer to only the “high” points of your face, like your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and a bit on your forehead. Basically, you want to apply it anywhere you would get a sunburn if you went in the sun without an SPF—which you would never do!

Picking a shade that’s right for you is key. The general rule of thumb, according to Creton, is to choose one that’s about two shades darker than your natural skin tone and also complements your skin’s undertones—warm, cool or neutral. A quick way to figure this out is to think about whether silver or gold jewellery looks best on you. If you gravitate towards silver, chances are you have a bluey-pink undertone and should choose a shade that has a touch of pink in it. If you’re more of a gold girl, you likely have a warmer undertone, so a golden bronzer is a good bet. If you look equally cute in both gold and silver, you’re neutral and can go either way.

Next, you have to choose a formula—cream or powder—based on your personal preference. A cream bronzer can easily be applied with your fingertips (tap lightly, don’t wipe), and a powder one should be applied with a brush. Creton says a bronzer brush should be about the size of a toonie or a bit larger and have a feathery feel. “A fluffier brush will give you a nice, sheer wash of colour. A dense brush will pack it on too heavily.” To apply it, she suggests treating it like “a tiny broom that you’re doing little baby sweeps with.”

Here are some of our favourite bronzers to help you become the toast of the town (see what I did there?).

(Related: 8 Drugstore Beauty Products That’ll Make You Want to Play With Makeup Again)