8 Best Bronzers and Highlighters, According to Bobbi Brown

Bronzer is a powder product that can adjust the shade of your all-over makeup, whether thats warming up the cooler undertones of your complexion or evening out your jawline or decolletage. While bronzer is traditionally thought to be a terracotta orange, bronzers also come in various shades, finishes, and textures.

Blush and bronzer are great products to warm up your face and help you look more awake and refreshed. You can use bronzer to give yourself a healthy glow, even out your skin tone, and warm up your neck and chest. Rather than using bronzer to contour or change the color of your face, you can instead use bronzer to enhance your natural skin tone by adding a glowy or touch of color to your skin.

Bronzers come in cream and powder formulas and as matte bronzers or with shimmery finishes. Matte products look most realistic and are more versatile, while shimmery products work great as a highlighter, applied sparingly on the high points of the face or just on the cheekbones.

Different mediums yield different results. Powder bronzer is most versatile, especially because it comes in different finishes. Cream bronzer is great for its ease of use—you can apply it with your fingers, pressing it into the skin and blending with your fingers for a fresh, glow-from-within finish. Whatever you do, don’t mix cream on top of powder or powder on top of cream—it won’t blend well and will likely look streaky.

The best bronzer for you will depend on your skin type and the rest of your makeup routine. The three basic types of bronzer are:

1. 1. Liquid bronzer: Liquid bronzer can be a little more difficult to apply, but one advantage of is that you can thin it out with moisturizer to thin it out, and then apply all over your face for an even glow. Good for dry skin.
2. 2. Powder bronzer: Pressed powders are the easiest to apply and work great for oily skin.
3. 3. Cream bronzer: If your cream bronzer comes in a stick, you may not want to apply it directly to your face. Warm it up on your fingers first or use a foundation brush to apply.

From the best powder to the best liquid bronzers, see Bobbi’s picks below.

1. 1. Soleil Tan De Chanel by Chanel: A lightweight and sheer cream gel bronzer good for an even touch of color all over.
2. 2. Buriti Bronzer by RMS Beauty: An ultra-hydrating, vegan, and cruelty-free option that adds a natural radiance to cheeks.
3. 3. Quantum Bronzer Matte by Beauty Pie: A matte bronzing powder with a long-lasting finish.

Multi-use and versatile, find Bobbi’s favorite highlighters here.

1. 1. Ambient Lighting Palette by Hourglass: A multiuse palette for fair skin tones to deep skin tones.
2. 2. Sublime Skin Highlighting Trio by Pat McGrath: Gel-powder radiance, perfect for overlooked areas like the chin, temples, and forehead.
3. 3. Lumière Caramel Shimmer Oil by French Girl: A luxurious oil that adds a hint of sparkle to skin.
4. 4. Hydra Highlighter Pot by noto: A smooth formula that adds a natural glow.
5. 5. Shimmer Bar by Beauty Pie: Formulated with high quality ingredients, a luxe option for that sunkissed, vacation glow.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Bobbi Brown, RuPaul, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, and more.