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Including a budget hero that doubles as an eyeshadow

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who can sweat it out in the sun and catch a gorgeously glowing tan (wearing a good SPF, of course), or those who can’t think of anything worse. I’m the latter in this scenario: not even a major playlist, magazine or cold drink is enough to hold me down once the temperature tips 25.

But, even if I did enjoy soaking up the rays, too much sun exposure is just not worth it, which is why a bronzer is always a trustworthy member of my makeup bag. When my skin is lacking that golden glow that only a tan can provide, I always rely on a cream bronzer to inject a dose of healthy colour.

While I do love a soft powder bronzer (I often reach for the Westman Atelier Butter Powder Bronzer), I find creams just hit differently – and turns out Bobbi Brown make-up artist, Amalie Russell, seems to agree with me.

Okay, it may sound obvious what the difference is between a cream and powder, but Amalie says it’s not only in the formula, but the finish also. 'Cream bronzer has a whipped and satiny feel that glides onto the skin which makes it appear dewy, glow-y and hydrated, while powder bronzers tend to be denser in formula and give the skin a matte, shine-free finish'. If you have a drier skin type, cream bronzers are a great option as they won’t turn cakey during the day (especially great if you want to avoid touch-ups).

A top tip from Amalie: she recommends dusting a sheer coat of powder bronzer on top of a cream bronzer for a longer-lasting effect.

Where you apply your cream bronzer really depends on the kind of look you’re going for. Are you heading out for a dog walk in the park, or a dinner with friends? For a glam night-time look, Amalie suggests using a ‘blend upwards and outwards’ technique on the areas you want to contour, such as the chin, cheekbones and temples.

Alternatively, a cream bronzer can be used to achieve a diffused sun-kissed look with lighter application. 'Cream bronzers should look like you have spent the day out on the beach or outdoors,' says Amalie. She suggests placing your formula on the high points of your face where the sun would catch, like your forehead, cheeks, nose bridge, brow bone and chin.

Despite what you may believe, cream bronzers are actually very easy to apply (no, you don’t need some fancy brush to blend yours out). According to Amalie, using your fingers or a flat foundation brush will do the job. 'The best tools to blend cream products are synthetic-based because they don’t absorb oils or powders from the product, meaning they diffuse cream products beautifully.'

Annnnd, if you’re looking for a super-natural result, try Amalie’s clever hack: mix a pea-size amount of cream bronzer into your moisturiser for a soft-focus, bronzed from within kinda glow.

Now, onto the main event. From a luxurious cult classic to my budget hero for under a tenner, here are the 10 best cream bronzers that I’ve tried (and surely you’ll want to delve into too).

The Laguna Bronzer is probably one of the most famous NARS shades out there (maybe in second position to Orgasm). So, it was only natural that the cream formula would follow in its footsteps. The Laguna Bronzing Cream comes in a range of four warm shades that’re inspired by the original Laguna. With a silky cream formula, the product leaves a natural looking finish. It makes it a quick fix when you're wanting to add a healthy glow to your complexion, but don’t have the time to fuss over it.

REFY has quickly become a brand that is appearing in more and more makeup bags. Have a scroll through the Instagram of Jess Hunt (the co-founder behind the brand) and you’ll see why. The Cream Bronzer comes in three shades that work beautifully across all skin tones. The matte off-grey packaging houses a buttery formula that glides across the skin for a glow like you’ve never seen before. Honestly, please give me a pound for every compliment I’ve had wearing this bronzer.

And, if it’s not already in your basket, the REFY Duo Brush is a must: it's specifically designed for the Cream Bronzer and blends the product out perfectly.

We all fell in love with Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Bronzer – but now, we've moved on in favour of the new Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer.

Hybrid skincare-makeup is big business right now, and, yet again, we are blessed with the best from Tilbury. Not only is her cream bronzer so buttery that it glides on like a dream, it also comes with skincare benefits via hydrating hero hyaluronic acid, which locks in extra moisture for an even more radiant finish.

It seems as though every time I have a scroll on TikTok the Made By Mitchell Blursh Liquid Bronzer pops up on my For You page. Now I’ve put it to the test, I can totally see why. It’s a 2 in 1 bronzer and contour that adds both warmth and definition. The doe-foot applicator allows you to layer up the product to strategically contour your face, or you can blend all-over for a seamless finish.

I’ve also put this one to the test during a spin class, and I’m happy to report that once I dabbed the sweat beads off my red puffy face, it was still (somehow) intact.

I love a matte finish from time to time, but I still cringe at my powdery terracotta complexion of 2015. Thankfully, there are now some great cream bronzers out there that will give you a matte finish without veering into muddy territory.

The XX Revolution Bronze Skin Cream Bronzer is a staple which has long-time been a member of my kit. Even though the cream dries down as matte (which somehow connotes a dry sort of feeling), hydrating and brightening ingredients, like vitamin C and niacinamide, work in tandem to still bring a radiant boost to your complexion. Try using it as an eyeshadow too: the matte finish means it's less likely to crease.

The main benefit of a cream bronzer is the heightened versatility: unlike a powder formula, you have a little more leeway in how and where you choose to apply.

Glossier's Solar Paint is a great option if you’re wanting to build a glow on top of your bare skin, or (a personal fave) applying it under foundation. The light-reflecting pearls glam through your base which leaves a very natural, sunkissed finish. Don't be afraid to simply swipe and blend the gel-like formula with your fingers: sometimes, they’re the best tools you can literally get your hands on.

Well, the clue’s in the name with this one. The Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer has a balm-like texture which melts on skin, leaving a very natural, sun-kissed radiance. Available in four versatile shades, the silky texture is equally blendable and buildable to help you achieve your desired finish. If you’re wanting a subtle glow, simply apply with a light hand, building up the pigment for a deeper evening look.

Ok, so strictly speaking this isn’t a cream bronzer: but that doesn't mean it can’t be used as one (insider beauty hack right there). Besides the affordable price tag that costs me less than my weekly coffee order, the puff applicator on the Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser concealer makes a perfect tool for adding warmth to your complexion. The lightweight formula and radiant finish make blending a breeze: simply pick a shade that mirrors your usual cream bronzer shade and dab dab dab away.

Quite simply, the article wouldn’t be complete without the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream making its well deserved appearance. It’s always a risky move when a hall-of-fame product has a formula refurb, but Chanel quite honestly smashed it out the park with this one. Compared to the original bronzing cream, the new formula has more of a glow when worked into the skin (which is always welcomed in a bronzer). The extra-large pot allows you to swirl a hefty brush into the product and effortlessly apply with no streaks detected.

I’m ending on a high here with an editor favourite. Keeping up to its reputation for skin-boosting formulas, Milk Makeup's Bionic Bronzer is 90% natural with no parabens, silicones or fragrances what. so. ever. The liquid texture gives a diffused golden radiance which can be applied amply across your cheeks, nose and forehead. With the added skincare benefit of hyaluronic acid, it also helps to hydrate dry patches while giving you that Mediterranean tan (full permission to lie to your friends and say ‘yes, it’s real’).