Bronzers
A good bronzer is all you need to add some warmth and richness to your skin and give it a sun-kissed holiday glow. A sweep of it across your forehead and cheekbones can make a world of difference by enhancing your features at any time of the year (sans the actual sunburn). Want to achieve this glow without burning a hole in your pocket? We’ve rounded up the best drugstore bronzers on the market that both makeup artists and celebrities swear by. Read on to find out more!
15 Best Drugstore Bronzers
1. NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer

Review
If you’re not a big fan of shimmer, this bronzer from NYX is made for you. Though it is a matte formula, it won’t make your skin look chalky or cakey. Instead, it adds a ton of natural-looking warmth and helps you achieve a healthy complexion. This bronzer is available in five shades and is perfect for normal to oily and acne-prone skin. It is undoubtedly one of the best wallet-friendly bronzers out there.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Free of shimmer
- Long-wearing
- Adds a healthy glow
- Good for beginners
2. Milani Baked Bronzer

Review
If you love a slightly shimmery finish, there’s nothing like the Milani Baked Bronzer in your local drugstore. This formula is a blend of micro-fine pigments, and it helps you create a streak-free glow with ease. This bronzer comes in three different shades, ranging from a soft gold to a tantalizing tan. For a drugstore product, it looks and feels very high-end on your skin. It’s almost too good to be true!
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to blend
- Subtle shimmer
- Long-wearing
- Looks natural
3. L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Bronze It

Review
Want a lit-from-within glow? This bronzer from L’Oreal can be used to create an all-over bronzed complexion or as a contour for a sculpted, radiant look. With its minimal sheen, this bronzer gives you a healthy-looking, bronzed complexion. It comes in three shades that are designed to flatter light, medium, and deep skin tones.
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Easy to blend
- Applies smoothly and evenly
- Versatile shades
- Lightweight
4. Rimmel London Natural Bronzer

Review
Rimmel’s Natural Bronzer is easily one of the best drugstore bronzers on the market. It is richly pigmented and can be layered to create a subtle glow or a more dramatic effect. This is a great formula for beginners and blends effortlessly. It comes in four shades to give your skin the perfect honey glow. Want to know the best part? It costs less than $5! Unbelievable, right?
Pros
- Blends like a dream
- Incredibly lightweight
- Great for daily wear
- Long-wearing
- Inexpensive
5. e.l.f. Studio Baked Bronzer

Review
This lightweight, baked bronzer from e.l.f. is infused with the goodness of hydrating oils like jojoba, rose, grape, and sunflower. If you prefer subtle shimmer, you will love this product. It adds life to lighter skin tones and sculpts your face for more definition. It is inexpensive and comes in three shades.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great for all skin types
- Long-wearing
- Blends easily
- Non-comedogenic
6. Covergirl Trublend Bronzer

Review
Covergirl’s marble-baked bronzer blends instantly and makes sure you don’t end up with unsightly streaks or lines. It comes in a single bronze shade, and its pigment looks gorgeous on lighter skin tones. However, it doesn’t show much on deeper complexions. If you’re on a tight budget and need a formula that works for sensitive skin, you can rely on this one.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Long-wearing
- Blends beautifully
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Only one shade
7. Wet N’ Wild Color Icon Bronzer

Review
The Wet N’ Wild Color Icon Bronzer is the cheapest of this lot. This formula not only gives you a sultry sunset tan but also protects you from harmful UVB rays. It has also won the Oprah Magazine Spring Makeup O-Ward! If you have normal to combination or oily skin, we highly recommend you to try this bronzer. It comes in three shades.
Pros
- Subtle shimmer
- Blends well
- Long-wearing
- Oil-free
- Value for money
Cons
- Limited shade options for deeper skin tones
8. W3ll People Bio Bronzer Stick

Review
This bronzer stick from W3ll People is the best drugstore cream bronzer for anyone with sensitive skin. Its cream stick formula allows you to achieve that golden glow on-the-go. It blends like a dream and leaves you with an extremely natural finish. Here’s the exciting part – its universal color adapts to your skin tone to create your ideal shade.
Pros
- Organic, nourishing ingredients
- Absorbs excess oil
- Chemical-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Long-wearing
9. Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

Review
The nourishing butters in this bronzer make it super easy to apply and blend. It delivers a radiant glow, unlike any other drugstore bronzer. Its rich formula is packed with pro-vitamins that soften and condition your skin. It comes in four shades and is perfect for normal to dry skin.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Blends effortlessly
- Hydrates skin
- Long-wearing
- Suitable for sensitive skin
10. Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Bronzer

Review
Looking for a more natural-looking tan? The Vivid Baked Bronzer from Makeup Revolution gives you the perfect beachy glow even on a cold, winter day. Its formula is easy to blend and can be applied with a wet sponge or brush for a more dramatic effect. It comes in three shades that flatter light, medium, and deep skin tones.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Versatile
- Great shades
- Long-wearing
- Blends well
11. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends

Review
If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, you can always depend on Neutrogena to give you a gentle product. This bronzer is lightweight, and it blends seamlessly into your natural skin tone to give you the most subtle tan during the winter. It does not cause breakouts and has SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Gentle
- SPF 30
- Tested by dermatologists
Cons
- Limited shades
- Expensive
12. Pixi By Petra Beauty Bronzer

Review
This bronzer from Pixi is perfect for adding a subtle splash of color to your complexion. Its formula is free of parabens and chemicals, making it the perfect product for sensitive skin. You also get a Pixi Kabuki brush along with the bronzer. Isn’t that awesome? It comes in three shades that perk up your skin tone.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Easy to blend
- Long-lasting
13. Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder

Review
Looking for the best drugstore matte bronzer? This one from Essence conjures up the most natural-looking tan ever. It is a holy grail formula for those of you with combination to oily skin type as it absorbs excess oil and mattifies your skin. It comes in two shades and smells incredible.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Matte
- Lightweight
- Long-wearing
Cons
- Limited shades
14. Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer

Review
The Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer is perfect for both your face and body. Its luminous formula delivers that red carpet radiance instantly. It comes in compact packaging with a bronzer in the top compartment and a mirror and brush in the lower one. It comes in three shades and works well on all skin types.
Pros
- Luminizing formula
- Subtle
- Easy to blend
- Long-wearing
15. NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder

Review
This bronzing powder from NYC is matte, blends like a dream, and is a must-try formula for beginners. Its color is buildable and pigmented. It goes on smoothly and evenly and does not break you out. It also contains natural mineral powders, kaolin, and silica to minimize pores and fine lines.
Pros
- Great for daily wear
- Lightweight
- Long-wearing
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Limited shade options
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