We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
'I’m a bronzing obsessive – and these are the cream formulas I really rate'
Including the insider tips on how to apply them
Trust me when I say that cream bronzers are not to be feared. Once you get to know them, they're the easiest and quickest way to give your skin a flattering bronze with minimal time and effort required. And right now, they're taking extra pride in my makeup bag to warm up my sun-starved complexion in a way that looks entirely natural.
But with the shelves overflowing with options, it can be hard to know which one to pick. So, as the bronzing obsessive that I am, this is where I come in.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
If you’re after a sun-kissed sheen, you’re going to need a great cream bronzer on your side. These formulas will deliver a skin-like finish and elevate your complexion with a subtle bronze – rather than a terracotta tan.
And, thanks to their hydrating and buttery formulas, they won’t creep into rough areas, but will leave a result that looks like your complexion has been naturally touched by the sun.
What is a cream bronzer?
While I do love a soft powder bronzer (I often reach for the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Divine Bronzer), I find that creams just hit differently compared to their matte counterparts – and, as it turns out, Bobbi Brown make-up artist, Amalie Russell, seems to agree with me.
The difference between a cream and powder is not just in the formula, but in the finish also. 'Cream bronzer has a whipped and satiny feel that glides onto the skin which makes it appear dewy, glow-y and hydrated, while powder bronzers tend to be denser in formula and give the skin a matte, shine-free finish'.
If you have a drier skin type, cream bronzers are a great option as they won’t turn cakey during the day (especially great if you want to avoid touch-ups).
A top tip from Amalie: she recommends dusting a sheer coat of powder bronzer on top of a cream bronzer for a longer-lasting effect.
How should you apply cream bronzer?
Where you apply your cream bronzer really depends on the kind of look you’re going for. Are you heading out for a dog walk in the park, or a dinner with friends? For a glam night-time look, Amalie suggests using a ‘blend upwards and outwards’ technique on the areas you want to contour.
Alternatively, a cream bronzer can be used to achieve a diffused sun-kissed look with lighter application. 'Cream bronzers should look like you have spent the day out on the beach or outdoors', says Amalie.
She suggests placing your formula on the high points of your face where the sun would catch, like your forehead, cheeks, nose bridge, brow bone and chin.
And despite what you may believe, cream bronzers are actually very easy to apply (no, you don’t need some fancy brush to blend yours out).
According to Amalie, using your fingers or a flat foundation brush will do the job. 'The best tools to blend cream products are synthetic-based because they don’t absorb oils or powders from the product, meaning they diffuse cream products beautifully.'
If you’re looking for a super-natural result, try Amalie’s clever hack: mix a pea-size amount of cream bronzer into your moisturiser for a soft-focus, bronzed from within kinda glow.
The best cream bronzers to try now
Now, onto the main event. From a luxurious cult classic to my Holy Grail I always bring on-the-go, here are the best cream bronzers that I’ve tried (and surely you’ll want to delve into too).
Merit's Bronze Balm makes warming up your complexion a breeze. The chubby-style stick allows you to sweep the formula over your cheeks, only requiring your fingers to finish the job (a.k.a blend).
The balm flatters skin with a delicate glisten; it’s not designed to give you chiselled cheekbones but instead to impart all-over radiance.
Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer
The clue is in the name with this one; Saie's Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer has a balm-like texture which melts into the skin, leaving a natural, sun-kissed radiance. Available in four versatile shades, the silky texture is equally as blendable as it is buildable to help you achieve your desired finish.
For a subtle glow, apply with a light hand, or build up the pigment for a deeper evening look.
Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick
Rare Beauty's Warm Wishes bronzer takes all the faff out of bronzing; simply scribble the stick onto your cheekbones, nose and forehead, then pat with your finger to work the product in.
Because Rare Beauty's ethos is all about embracing natural beauty, the dewy cream won't give you a noticeable tan, but more of a glossy bronze to subtly perk up the skin. It's a Holy Grail of mine for a minimalist glow.
Stila Blush & Bronze Hydro-Blur cheek duo stick
The practicality stakes are high for Stila's new blush and bronzer sticks. On one side, there's a bronzer to sculpt and define facial contours and on the other, there's a highly-pigmented blush to give the cheeks a flush of colour.
I would happily use this every day, although I find it most useful for travel. The ergonomic design means a blush and bronzer can be thrown into my makeup bag while taking up as little space as possible.
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
Rihanna is a lot of things – singer, songwriter, style icon and living legend included – but when it comes to her makeup line, Fenty Beauty, she has truly outdone herself.
If you're yet to try the range, please start with this cushiony cream. The undertone of each of the seven shades is spot on; they offer a natural-looking bronze as opposed to an artificial tan.
As for the finish, the bronzer gives a soft-focus effect which is ideal for elevated makeup looks. I also find the wear impressive too – after all, if it can last Rihanna's Super Bowl performance, it can withstand me running for the bus.
Milk Makeup's Bionic Bronzer is an editor favourite for giving a believable, golden radiance. With the added skincare benefit of hyaluronic acid, it also helps to hydrate dry patches without compromising on that Mediterranean-esque tan (full permission to lie to your friends and say ‘yes, it’s real’).
If you’ve ever looked into cream bronzers before, you’ve probably come across this contour wand. As a rather obvious lookalike to a well-known luxury player, the E.l.f Halo Glow Beauty Wand delivers a similar result, for a third of the price.
The cushion tip allows you to place the product onto the areas you’d like to define; however, it also blends easily for an all-over bronze. The fine shimmers offer a glint of radiance, giving your cheeks a sculpted yet warm glow.
Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream
Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream is quite possibly my hall-of-fame icon when it comes to cream bronzers. The radiant, gel-like formula is perfect for fluffing over your cheekbones, nose and forehead to deliver a sun-kissed warmth.
What's more, the extra-large pot allows you to swirl a hefty brush into the product and effortlessly apply with no streaks detected.
It’s no surprise that Jamie Genevieve, MUA-slash-Youtuber-slash-entrepreneur, has nailed this creamy formula. Perfectly named, it lends a flattering radiance to your complexion that looks like the sun has delicately touched your cheeks.
The whipped cream is infused with squalane and avocado oil, so it easily glides over your skin without gripping onto dry zones. There’s no orange undertone or tell-tale streaks, just a natural, glow.
Have a scroll through the Instagram of Jess Hunt (the co-founder of REFY) and you'll see that her bronzed, sun-kissed complexion is one to drool over - all thanks to this buttery formula. Available in three shades, the cream glides across skin for a glow like you’ve never seen before.
And, if it’s not already in your basket, the REFY Duo Brush is a must: it's specifically designed for the Cream Bronzer and blends the product out perfectly.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Bronzer
If you've got a mid-autumn getaway planned, this lotion-like formula is perfect for sunny locations as it sinks into your complexion for a wash of glowing bronze.
Infused with delicate, light-reflecting pearls, it can be used sparingly to add a subtle tint to bare skin or dialled up for a soft-focus effect.
Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
If you’re after that ‘my-face-has-actually-been-kissed-by-the-sun-and-I’m-not-faking-it’ kind of bronze, you can’t get much better than this radiant formula from Tower 28 (after all, it was inspired by a glistening sunset).
The buttery formula sinks into skin for a flattering glow, as opposed to a chiselled contour, and leaves a gloss-like shine that dubs as a natural highlighter too.
Clare Stephenson is a Beauty Ecommerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Red and Good Housekeeping, covering all things makeup, skincare and hair care, as well as deals events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
Clare has been an ecommerce writer since 2022, writing matter-of-fact such as deep dives into and filled with her favourite products for every budget and need.
Before working at Hearst UK, she received a BA degree in Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on the world of magazines and editorial. From there, she worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events like Fashion Week and interviewing reputable brand founders, including Rea Ann Silva creator of Beautyblender.
When she’s not testing the latest and greatest products, you can find Clare sifting through vintage clothing stores in the city or horseback riding in the countryside.
Watch Next
This fragrance hack will save you some serious £££
Foncealers are the ultimate base product
This is how often you should wash your hair
Demi with short hair is a majorrrr transformation
