If you’ve lost that summer glow and want to boost dull lacklustre skin, it’s never been easier to cheat well into the winter months.
Gone are the days that bronzers came in one shade and very few formulas – usually a big pot of cakey powder or those small beads that made a mess of your makeup bag – but right now there are plenty of clever products available and a range of shades to suit all skin tones.
From gels that melt into your skin to easy-to-use sticks and illuminating drops, scroll on for 21 of the best.
The gel formula of Chantecaille’s iconic gel bronzer is ideal for warm weather days when a traditional powder feels too much. Just a drop will give your face the perfect golden glow and last up to 12 hours. And the buttery texture is lovely for applying straight to the skin when you want to go without foundation.
Shop now at cultbeauty.co.uk
Makeup artist to the A-list, Charlotte Tilbury knows a thing or two about getting a film star glow and this dreamy palette allows you to slim, sculpt and highlight your features with two clever shading and highlighting tones. Essentially, it’s a contour palette with softness, thanks to a mix of pearl and pigment that will help you achieve a sun kissed glow rather than a face that looks, well, a little bit grubby.
Shop now at John Lewis
There isn’t a makeup artist worth their salt who doesn’t have this in their kit. Chanel’s creamy bronzer buffs into skin seamlessly, turning from a gel-like consistency to a gorgeous allover glow. At £43 it’s not cheap, but the tub lasts for ages and it’s Chanel after all.
Shop now at John Lewis
If you’re not that confident with doing your own makeup, Milk’s wonder stick makes bronzer application easy. Simply swipe under your cheekbones, jawline and hairline and blend out with a brush – fingers will do for ultimate fuss-free makeup. The NYC-based brand is dedicated to cruelty-free and paraben-free principles, plus it’s all 100% vegan, all whilst giving epic payoff in terms of pigment.
Shop now at cultbeauty.com
Bobbi Brown’s Bronzing Powder slims down your makeup bag and gives your skin the warmth it needs in the frigid winter months. Use the Bronzing Powder to contour below the cheekbone, on the forehead, nose and under the chin for a ‘two weeks in the South of France’ look in two minutes. The Bronzing Powder is available in six different shades.
Shop now at John Lewis
e.l.f’s beautiful palette offers up four shades to mix together throughout the year for a custom-made glow, plus it comes in at just £9. Apply to cheeks, hairline, forehead, jawline and double it up as an eyeshadow palette to really get your cost per wear.
Shop now at feelunique.com
An oldie but a goldie, Benefit’s Hoola has been part of our beauty arsenal since our teenage years. It’s matte formula makes it easy to use as a deep bronzer or to contour for a sun kissed but sculpted look. Plus, it now comes in lighter and darker shades to work for multiple skin tones.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
Clinique’s long-wearing, creamy, foolproof stick makes applying bronzer easy. The oil-free formula makes it perfect for adding a faux glow to summer skin without worrying about it slipping down your face as the temperature rises. Despite containing no oil, it has a seriously creamy formula that will add warmth and depth to the face.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
Rihanna’s beauty range is fast becoming any makeup guru’s staple, and there’s a reason her products are so often sold out. This cream bronzer is light and buildable, so it’s perfect to swipe on for a quick glow.
Shop now at boots.com
This light serum is perfect for layering under your SPF and makeup, with hyaluronic acid for an added hit of hydration. Biotherm’s hero ingredient, Life Plankton™, a pure thermal plankton extract containing 35 nutrients, proteins and vitamins help revive the skin’s vital functions and give that natural healthy glow at any time of the year.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
If you fancy a little bit more shimmer to your glow, then try Nars’ Bronzing Powder. Dust over the high points of the face to lift your complexion and add some colour to lack lustre skin.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
Iconic have developed the easiest way to get that holiday glow, right from the bottle. The formula applies an ultra-sheer wash of subtle warmth to your base, so you can gradually build to the colour you want. Apply to bare skin for a subtle glow, or mix with your favourite foundation for a deeper warmth.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
If an all-over glowing complexion is what you’re after, then look no further than Bali Body’s latest addition, their Bronzing Serum. The skincare infused serum hydrates your skin while giving that lit from within glow. anti-ageing ingredients and nourishing oils all work with your skin to keep it looking healthy and bronzed.
Wear alone to add instant colour, or mix with your daily moisturiser for a more subtle radiance.
Shop now at balibodyco.com
Golden hour might now be at 3pm, but with this gorgeous palette you can fake that Insta lighting any time of the day. Boasting four, long-wearing shades, the palette offers dewy cream and smooth powder formulations in metallic brown and champagne hues to define and enhance your features. The multi-use formulas can be used on the eyes, cheeks and lips for an all-over glow.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
One of the first high-impact products out there, Iconic London’s Illuminator has become a favourite amongst celebrities and makeup artists. Add a touch of product to your cheekbones and along your nose for that glass-skin effect.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
Fuss-free and compact, these self tan drops are the perfect way to boost your glow without heading abroad. Simply add a few drops to your moisturiser at night time and wake up to a sun-kissed glow worthy of the Maldives. Enriched with skin-boosting and hydrating Raspberry Seed Oil, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera, these self-tan drops help to minimise skin imperfections and unify uneven skin tone.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
If you prefer to build up your glow gradually, then Skinny Tan’s Gradual Tanner is the best fit. Combining anti-aging and hydrating skincare ingredients to improve elasticity, firm & smooth the skin, the light serum melts onto skin and develops as the day goes on. No need to wash off- just let it glow!
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
Westman Atelier does it again! Their Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer delivers by giving the skin what it truly needs for a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow. Regardless of whatever age you are, this bronzer gives a seamless, matte finish without draining the skin of hydration.
Shop now at libertylondon.com
A tried and true favourite, Guerlain’s Terracotta Bronzing Powder stays consistently good. Once applied, this bronzing powder blesses you with a natural, sun-kissed glow that doesn’t leave patchy, muddy streaks.
Shop now at johnlewis.com
If achieving a healthy glow is your top priority, then Tower 28’s Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer is your gal! Not only is it quite affordable, but it is chock full of skin-loving ingredients such as mango butter to nourish and hydrate the skin, while giving you that ‘glow-from-within’ look.
Shop now at cultbeauty.co.uk
Shiseido is certainly on the higher end of the J-Beauty spectrum, but it’s totally worth it! Their Synchro Skin Cushion Compact Bronzer gives you a seamless, natural, radiant look without the cakey feel and finish.
Shop now at lookfantastic.com
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some of the products purchased through affiliate links.
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