-
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.
Photo by: Taylor Cox -
Best Mosaic Bronzer Klaudia Tirico
Winner: Palladio Herbal Mosaic Powder in Sun Kissed, $6.99Once 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!Runner up: Maybelline Face Studio Master Hi-Light in Deep Bronze, $9.99It may look dark, but this bronzer/highlighter looked natural on my very fair skin. It blends effortlessly and leaves you looking radiant.Photo by: Taylor Cox -
Best Liquid Bronzer Klaudia Tirico
Winner: Revlon Rio Rush PhotoReady Skinlights Face Illuminator, $12.99If 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!Runner up: Physician’s Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting BB Cream, $14.95This 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.Photo by: Taylor Cox -
Best Single Shade Bronzer Klaudia Tirico
Winner: Pixi Beauty Bronzer + Kabuki, $18I 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.Runner up: Almay Smart Shade Bronzer, $10.99This 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!Photo by: Taylor Cox -
Best Cream Bronzer Klaudia Tirico
Winner: Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer, $10.99Cream 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.Runner up: e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream, $3I 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!Photo by: Taylor Cox -
Best Shimmer Bronzer Klaudia Tirico
Winner: Boots No. 7 Perfectly Bronzed, $11.99Bronzers 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.Runner up: Jane Cosmetics Multi-Colored Bronzing Powder, $12.99Not 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.Photo by: Taylor Cox -
Best Matte Bronzer Klaudia Tirico
Winner: NYX Matte Bronzer, $9.99No 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.Runner up: Topshop Bronzer in Mohawke, $18Honestly, 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.
Photo by: Taylor Cox -
Best Bronzer for Dark Skin Klaudia Tirico
Winner: IMAN Cosmetics Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder, $16Dark 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.Runner up: CoverGirl Queen Natural Hue Bronzer, $7.46This 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.Photo by: Taylor Cox
