Best Bronzers for a Summer Glow

It’s finally warm in the northeast! YAY! Since I don’t lay out in the sun, I’ve gotta fake a summer glow, and that’s where these 6 amazing bronzers come in. They are easy to wear, and give off the perfect faux tan glow – so save your skin from wrinkles, and fake it with my top bronzers for summer!

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BEST BRONZERS FOR SUMMER

Before I jump into my picks, let’s first talk about my ideal shade. I prefer bronzers that are easy to work with, and not overly pigmented. I don’t want to dip my brush into a bronzer, and be left with a muddy streak on my face. Instead, I prefer bronzers that can be built easily for customizable intensity. As for the shades, anything with red or taupe undertones works great for summer. They make for a believable glow, and are flattering on the skin.

BENEFIT HOOLA

The OG of all summer bronzers! Benefit Hoola has been around for well over a decade, and for good reason. It’s the perfect mixture of red and taupe, and makes for a really beautiful tan like glow. However, it doesn’t quite meet all my check marks. It’s a tad bit pigmented, so you really have to use a light hand, and it can look streaky if you aren’t careful. However, with a tan this is just stunning. I’ve had a box in my collection since 2007, so of course I had to feature it on my list.

BENEFIT HOOLA LITE

Hoola’s softer toned little sister is another fabulous choice, especially for super pale ladies. It’s easy to work with, and can be built up without fuss. It’s not overly pigmented, but not dry and chalky, and the finish is perfect for everyday. Swatches do not do this bronzer justice, and actually makes it look way lighter than it appears on the face. I reach for this everyday, and just love the soft matte bronzy glow it gives! You can apply it all over, without any fear of looking orange or muddy.

TOO FACED MILK CHOCOLATE MATTE

Another easy to wear formula is the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Matte. This baby can be applied all over, without the fear of looking streaky. Like Hoola Lite, the shade is matte and super flattering on fair to light skin tones.  The formula is smooth, smells amazing (like actual chocolate), and it blends effortlessly without appearing muddy. If you’re after a soft bronzy look, this is a fabulous choice.

URBAN DECAY SUN-KISSED BEACH BRONZER

The beached bronzer is not only name appropriate for summer, but it’s peachy pink undertones wear great on fair to light skin tones. The formula is matte (can you see a trend here), and the texture is silky and super easy to blend. The shade is different than I usually reach for, but it’s easy to build and almost looks blush like on the cheeks. It’s more subtle than my taupe bronzers, but still just as beautiful!

MAKEUP GEEK TAWNY BRONZER

Tawny from Makeup Geek is darker than the last three bronzers mentioned, but it’s still just as wearable. It’s got great pigmentation, and it’s super easy to apply and build coverage. The finish has very slight shimmer, so it’s more of a satin, but there aren’t any obvious sparkles (just a hint of luminosity). It’s marketed as a bronzer for medium skin tones, but I think lighter babes can wear this too. It’s one of my favorite bronzers ever, and you can now get it at Target. YAY!

BOBBI BROWN MEDIUM 2 BRONZING POWDER

The reddest bronzer in my bunch is Medium 2 from Bobbi Brown. I received a sample of this in a Sephora 500 point perk, and I instantly fell in love. It’s so pretty, and really gives a natural looking tan to the face. The formula is soft, without being too creamy, and the pigmentation is buildable. I wouldn’t suggest this for super fair gals, but if you’re medium this is a great choice.

SWATCHES

SHOP 

That’s all for my favorite summer bronzers! If you’re new to bronzing, or are hesitant to give one a try, I highly suggest grabbing Hoola Lite or Too Faced Milk Chocolate. They are great for beginners, and still add great warmth to the complexion.  I’m always open trying new bronzers, so be sure to leave your favs in the comments!

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