Long time readers will know that I’m something of a cream bronzer connoisseur. I’ve tried countless formulas over the years. And I’ve quickly come to learn what my preferences are when it comes to them. So, for today’s entry to my Save, Spend, Splurge, Skip series, I’m going to share my picks and skips in thw world of cream bronzer. Let’s go!
SAVE (Budget: $0.01 – $24.99)
Ok, so my sole issue with the more affordable end of the cream bronzer spectrum is that you’re usually sacrificing shade range for low cost. Which is why a lot of my favourite cream bronzers are on the higher end of the pricing scale. I’ll admit that it’s getting better. But there is still room for improvement. I do have a few faves that are low cost. Those being the AUSTRALIS DEWY & DARING CREAM BRONZER – $14.95 (shade featured – Summer Fling) and the MECCA MAX OFF DUTY CONTOUR STICK – $19.00 (shade featured – Medium).
Both of these are stick cream bronzers. And I tend to apply them the same way. I apply to the back of my hand to warm the product up and then stipple with a dense blending brush. Colourwise, the Australis is warmer and the Mecca Max is cooler in tone. But both wear gorgeously and add a lovely warmth to the skin.
SPEND (BUDGET: $25.00 – $49.99)
I’m not gonna lie. The price of makeup has gone up so much over the last few months that I was genuinely surprised that I had any for this category. Fortunately, I had a few to talk about. Firstly, the EM COSMETICS SO SOFT MULTI FACEPLAY BRONZER + CONTOUR – $45.00 (shade featured – Summer). This is probably the most underrated cream bronzer on the market. The formula has an almost mousse like consistency. And it applies to the skin like air, it’s so lightweight.
The other is the HUDA BEAUTY TANTOUR CONTOUR & BRONZER CREAM – $43.00 (shade featured – Light). And this might be one of my more controversial makeup opinions. As I do have friends who don’t like this one. But I do genuinely love it. The thing with the Tantour is that it’s a cream bronzer with a learning curve. Firstly, the shades run deep (it’s easily the deepest ‘light’ shade that I own). Secondly, a little bit goes a long way. The mistake that I often see people make with the Tantour is that they use way too much product. Only to end up with a muddy mess. My favourite way to apply it is with a dense eyeshadow packing brush to dot the product on the face. And then a sponge to blend it out. It’s definitely a more defined finish. But once it’s on, it doesn’t move.
Splurge (Budget: $50.00+)
Ok, now we are cooking with gas! Narrowing this section down to two was darn near impossible! But, I ended up settling on the two cream bronzers that I would say are the GOAT’s of my collection. Firstly, the iconic WESTMAN ATELIER FACE TRACE CONTOUR STICK – $77.00 (shade featured – Biscuit). As far as stick creams go, it’s got such a unique formula. I would describe it as a gel/cream hybrid. But once blended, it looks so natural on the skin. I also do apply this directly to the face and I’ve never once had it lift or disrupt my makeup.
Secondly, the incredible CHARLOTTE TILBURY BEAUTIFUL SKIN GLOW BRONZER – $75.00 (shade featured – Medium). This is truly unlike any cream bronzer that I own. The formula feels stiff and almost powder life. But it applies and blends like a dream! This was in my 2022 end of year favourites for a reason.
SKIP (No Budget)
This was actually the hard one. Because there aren’t a lot of cream bronzers that I don’t like. I tend to not be that picky when it comes to formula. My issues tend to be with shade and overall wear. The Tan De Chanel did immediately spring to mind. As I really don’t like the shade or how it looks on me. But I did mention that one recently. The new one from Rose Inc was another option. As I find that formula to be very dry and stiff. But I also want to play with it a bit more (I might pop it into my next stash so I can make up my mind on it).
And then I remembered the FENTY BEAUTY CHEEKS OUT FREESTYLE CREAM BRONZER – $52.00 (shade featured – Butta Biscuit). This one was unfortunately a trifecta of not good for me. Firstly, the shade itself looks very yellow. And I tend to prefer more neutral shades in bronzer. Second, this feels so slippery and emollient whenever I apply it. And I do notice it lifting my foundation. Finally, it’s very patchy and difficult to blend. It always looks muddy on me. The weird thing is that the powder version is still one of my favourite powder bronzers. But this is a skip for me.
And those are my picks for cream bronzer! Like last time, I have all of my picks swatched down below In order of them being mentioned.
What are some of your favourite cream bronzers? And what were some that were a bit meh? Let me know in the comments.
Cheers and love
Emily xo