Have you steered clear of bronzers, assuming your darker skin tone had no need for them? Think again. A bronzer does more than just give lighter skin tones the appearance of a tan. It also serves to even out your complexion and add a natural, warm glow to every shade. Opposite of cool-toned contour shades, your bronzer should have warm undertones. And although they might be harder to hunt down, there are some stellar bronzers suited for darker skin tones, too.
When going to pick out the shade for you, be careful not to go too dark or too light. A happy medium is just a couple shades deeper than your natural skin color because it will add warmth without being overpowering or appearing ashy. The best bronzers will add a sort of shadow to your skin rather than just sitting on top. They should melt into the skin as an enhancer, rather than a mask. Test out the formulas you're considering to make sure they are sheer and wearable in that way.
NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzer in Falaises, $40
Photo: NARS
This sheer, buildable bronzer won't look overdone no matter how heavy your hand because of its unique formulation. The warm, rosy glow it provides is unmatched.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Bronze Fusion Bronzer in Soft Iridescent Caramel, $36
Photo: Make Up For Ever
This caramel-toned iridescent bronzer is the perfect topper to deliver an all-over, natural glow.
BECCA Lowlight Sculpting Perfector, $38
Photo: BECCA Cosmetics
This powder is creamy and blendable, leaving a believably-natural finish after application.
IMAN COSMETICS Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in Afterglow, $16
Photo: IMAN
Multi-toned bronzers like this one from Iman allow you to use the colors individually or in one multi-dimensional swipe. Here's to variety!
BOBBI BROWN Bronzer in Deep, $44
Photo: Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown makes a classic bronzer, and the brand's deep shade is a textbook example of a go-to warm brown shade. If you're looking to invest in a high-quality, high-end product that will give you lots of bang for your buck, look no further.
NYX Matte Bronzer in Deep, $9
Photo: NYX
NYX is great at bringing high quality to affordable price points, and this straightforward matte bronzer is no exception. Their shade range is impressive for the less-than-$10 price tag.
MAKEUP REVOLUTION Vivid Baked Bronzer, $6
Photo: Makeup Revolution
This multi-tonal baked bronzer will add an overall glow that everyone will envy — and the $6 price tag isn't so bad either.