9 Bronzers That Prove the Bronze Age Is Back

Water bronzers are the latest wave of skincare-meets-makeup hybrids aimed at delivering a sheer glow. Victoria Beckham’s innovative take on the water bronzer uses a roller ball pipette to dispense its tinted sea water-infused formula that soaks into skin like an essence or toner. It’s recommended to add drops directly to the face and blend with a brush or fingers, or to apply to the back of the hand to pick up with a brush and sweep on high points of the face. It took me a few tries to get the application down (I preferred the direct-to-face method), but I was fully obsessed once I did.

Another water-based bronzer hot off the presses, REFY's entry proves how much range a single category can hold. Served K-beauty-style in a cushion compact, it's designed to press out with a brush for a sheer, hydrating wash that builds as far as you want it to. The skincare-first formula features green tea water and a ceramide complex for a dewy, glass-skin finish that won’t veer into shiny territory. I went rogue and dotted it on with my fingers instead of the brush (old habits die hard), and was blown away by how good my bronze turned out.

Ciele founder Nikki DeRoest built her brand around the idea of layering SPF through your makeup, so every product in her line has a built-in SPF. Their newly launched bronzer follows suit with a talc-free powder that contains broad-spectrum SPF 45+, so warming up your complexion also tops up your sun protection. As someone who consistently struggles to balance adequate coverage with everything feeling too heavy on my face, I’m very thankful for the added protection. My cool undertones appreciate the neutral formula too — no orange on me, and no ashiness on warmer skin.

A baked bronzer (yes, actually baked, in Italy) named for its velvety, suede-like feel and the subtle glow it's designed to mimic in natural skin. It's the newest addition to Saie's bronzer lineup — joining a cream (Sun Melt) and a sheer liquid (Dew Bronze) — and made for powder lovers who still want hydrating ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid. I found that the lightweight formula is incredibly easy to layer, so you can build from a sheer wash of warmth to a more sculpted bronze. It also clocks a surprisingly long wear time. I didn't push it the full ~8 hours it reportedly lasts, but it held through a solid evening out.

Makeup artist Gucci Westman has an uncanny ability to always hit my personal trifecta of luxe packaging, foolproof application, and a chic natural finish. This cream-to-powder bronzer does just that with a buttery formula that uses two tones (one lighter and one deeper) designed to build a more realistic sun-kissed look. A little goes a long way, and the dual shade pairing allows you to adjust your warmth level year-round — which helps with the $75 splurge that is very much worth it. 

In case you need a quick 101, Beauty Pie operates as a membership service offering high-end formulas at near-manufacturing cost — which is a significant discount for products like Awesome Bronze that easily earn their keep. The Italian-made, cream-to-powder formula has a rich texture that blends out easily to add a veil of color. I was particularly impressed by how natural-looking the finish appeared on bare skin when buffed over my cheeks and forehead. And since bronzer and a few swipes of mascara is my summer beauty m.o., I suspect I’ll be reaching for this bronzer often.

The Miracle Balm has had a cult following since Bobbi Brown's new(ish) brand launched in 2020. So while it’s not a new launch, using it as a bronzer is new to me, so consider this a late convert's report. The Bronze shade is sheer, super creamy, and carries the teensiest bit of shimmer that gives my skin a lovely lit-from-within glow. Just break the seal on first use, then warm a pea-sized amount between fingers before dabbing onto skin. There’s no skimping on the product portion size either — and in the era of shrinkflation, that’s probably a good problem to have.

A mainstay rather than a new release, Bronzino remains the cream bronzer to beat for a glossy, wet-look bronze. The formula pairs mineral pigment with mango butter and green tea, and it's fragrance-free and formulated to National Eczema Association standards, making it an easy choice for sensitive and reactive skin types. Its reflective finish can double as a warm highlighter, but sheen itself means it may be better suited for those with dry-to-normal skin (oily types might find it too shiny) — but at $20, it's a lovely little budget option.

A true hybrid: an instant bronzing tint that develops into a real, medium self-tan over a few hours.. It's lightweight and silky, plays nicely under makeup or on its own, and (mercifully) won't leave evidence behind on your pillowcase. While the scent doesn’t carry the same intensity that usually accompanies self-tanners, I still found there to be a hint of it. Nothing crazy, but worth noting if you’re sensitive to fragrance. Apply it to high points of the face after your skincare routine, then sweep any leftover product on the brush across the backs of the hands so they match the face — a pro tip from makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes.