The Best Drugstore Bronzers for Babes on a Budget Klaudia Tirico
Whether you’re naturally tan or practically see-through, the right bronzer can instantly make you look and feel prettier. Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something about having a sun-kissed glow that immediately puts me in a better mood. I may have given up on the tanning bed and stocked up on SPF (look ma, I’m an adult now!), but a powder bronzer remains a staple in my makeup bag. A gorgeous glow doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Click through the slideshow and I’ll prove to you that the best tan you can get costs under $20, no matter which formula you prefer.
Once the five, natural-looking hues are blended together on your face, you’re instantly awakened with a beautiful glow. This bronzer does it all: It leaves you with a gorgeous sheen that isn’t too glittery or cakey, and it treats your skin to antioxidant-rich oryzanol, aloe, chamomile and vitamins C and E. You barely feel it on your skin, even if you really build on the color. Bonus: it smells great!
If there's only one liquid bronzer you try, make it this one. Don’t be afraid of the lightweight, watery formula! It’s super easy to blend and leaves a sheer finish once buffed onto skin. When it dries, it’s like having nothing on except a natural, glowing tan. It’s even great for very fair skin, promise!
This is actually a bronzing BB cream that would be perfect for the summer (when your body has a tan, but your face doesn’t — hate that). A thin veil gives you a beautiful glow without having to layer on bronzing powder.
I love a bronzer that lets you build color slowly. This one has a velvety formula that glides on easily and leaves you with the prettiest sheen when the light hits your face. It’s neither too shimmery nor too matte. Plus, the bonus kabuki brush is super soft and blends the product surprisingly well considering how small it is.
This is another great, buildable bronzer. It has hints of shimmer in it, but won’t make you look like a disco ball. It even has an incognito mirror and brush at the base of compact!
Cream bronzers are awesome for contouring. This one from Sonia Kashuk has an extremely soft texture; I couldn’t stop swirling my fingers in it! The color payoff is awesome, so caking it on won’t be necessary.
I really love the hues in this bronzer/blush duo. The pink looks so pretty next to the bronze on skin, and all you need is a dab on your finger to get major color payoff. It’s going to last you forever!
Bronzers with shimmer don’t work well with my larger pores, so I tend to stay away from them. But I actually love the very subtle shimmer in this hypo-allergenic bronzer from Boots No. 7. This jar of multi-colored pearls offers a pretty, multi-dimensional glow that looks super natural.
Not only does this multi-colored bronzer look gorgeous in the compact, it looks even better on skin. It has a strong, shimmery finish that's flattering in the light.
No shimmer or sheen, just a natural-looking matte tan that’s perfect for oily skin and humid temperatures. As someone who only goes for matte finishes, this is one I would use all year round. Its silky texture blends in easily, looks great on my fair skin and feels weightless. Plus, it comes in multiple shades.
Honestly, I loved both of these matte bronzers equally — both feel amazing on skin. This one is a little lighter, though, which makes it perfect for building on color.
Dark skin requires a bronzer with serious color payoff, and this one reigns supreme. The color glides on so effortlessly and the slight shimmer looks amazing on tanned or darker skin.
This is a great option for someone with a deeper skin tone looking to build on color. It starts off very light, but you can really work your way up without looking cakey.
