{"id":1544728,"date":"2018-05-16T04:01:00","date_gmt":"2018-05-16T01:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1544728"},"modified":"2018-05-16T04:01:00","modified_gmt":"2018-05-16T01:01:00","slug":"the-9-best-drugstore-bronzers-we-tested-for-every-skin-tone-and-type","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1544728","title":{"rendered":"The 9 Best Drugstore Bronzers We Tested for Every Skin Tone and Type"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.\n<\/p>\n

The 9 Best Drugstore Bronzers We Tested for Every Skin Tone and Type <\/h1>\n

We found the best cream and powder bronzers that are readily available and budget-friendly at the drugstore.<\/p>\n

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By<\/span><\/p>\n
Melanie Rud<\/p>\n
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\"person\"person<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nMelanie Rud\n<\/div>\n
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    \nMelanie Rud is a beauty writer with over 15 years of editorial experience, known for her expertise in skincare and product research. At Byrdie, she covers a range of beauty and lifestyle topics\u2014especially gift guides\u2014and personally tests the products she features.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \nByrdie’s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Updated on January 22, 2026 12:41PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Leave a Comment<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    In This Article<\/h2>\n
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    In This Article<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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      Top Picks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Reviews<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      What to Look For<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      How We Tested<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Meet Our Experts<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Why Trust Byrdie<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      Byrdie<\/p>\n

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      TL;DR<\/p>\n

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      The L\u2019Or\u00e9al Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer is our favorite drugstore bronzer after testing 45 formulas, thanks to its lightweight powder texture with a flexible shade range. We’re big fans of cream bronzers, too, and picked the Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer as our top drugstore cream bronzer due to its silky texture and easy blendability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      Want to liven up your complexion and create a subtle sun-kissed look (without sun damage)? You need a top-rated bronzer in your makeup bag\u2014specifically one that works for your skin tone, as a suitable bronzer for fair skin won’t perform the same on those with dark skin, and vice versa. Whether your go-to makeup look leans more full-glam or minimalist, you don’t need to spend a lot for an exceptional bronzer formula, as “great products are available at every price point,” notes celebrity makeup artist\u00a0Andrew Sotomayor. Drugstore bronzers not only rival most high-end formulas in performance and shade range, but Sotomayor also mentions how “drugstore options are always less expensive to replace”\u2014a bonus if bronzer is part of your everyday routine.\n<\/p>\n

      Given the number of drugstore bronzers available, we set out to find the absolute best options that work for a range of skin tones, skin types, and formula preferences. We tested 45 formulas over two weeks, using them three to four times a week, noting each one\u2019s texture, pigment, blendability, and how they looked with the rest of our makeup. Based on our findings and makeup artist insights, we compiled this list of the absolute best drugstore bronzers.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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      Top Picks<\/h2>\n
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      Best Overall:<\/div>\n
      SALE<\/div>\n

      L’Oreal Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer at Amazon<\/span>$16<\/s>$13<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Natural Finish :<\/div>\n
      SALE<\/div>\n

      Physician\u2019s Formula Butter Bronzer at Amazon<\/span>$17<\/s>$13<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Shade Range:<\/div>\n

      e.l.f Cosmetics Luminous Putty Bronzer at Amazon<\/span>$8<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Cream:<\/div>\n

      Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer at Amazon<\/span>$12<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Cream & Powder Duo:<\/div>\n

      Juvia’s Place Bronzed Duo at Amazon<\/span>$20<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Blendability:<\/div>\n

      Makeup Revolution Cream Bronzer at Amazon<\/span>$8<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Powder:<\/div>\n
      SALE<\/div>\n

      Maybelline New York City Bronzer Powder Makeup at Amazon<\/span>$12<\/s>$10<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Stick:<\/div>\n

      Pixi On-the-Glow Bronze at Amazon<\/span>$18<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Shimmery:<\/div>\n
      SALE<\/div>\n

      Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer at Amazon<\/span>$6<\/s>$5<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      \nBest Overall
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      L’Oreal Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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      \"L'Oreal\"L'Oreal<\/div>
      Credit: Ulta<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      $16<\/span><\/div>\n

      $13 at Amazon<\/span><\/span>$16 at Ulta<\/span><\/span>View on CVS<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      What We Like<\/span><\/div>\n
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        Shades match skin well<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Texture is lightweight and creamy, especially for a powder<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Easily buildable<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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        What to Consider<\/span><\/div>\n
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          Takes longer to blend with other products<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

          Finish:<\/strong> Matte | Shades:<\/strong> 7 | Size<\/strong>: 0.31 oz | Cruelty-Free<\/strong>: No\n<\/p>\n

          There is no shortage of standout attributes with this winner. We were impressed with how well the colors worked on the skin and how buildable the pigment was, easily adaptable based on the type of look desired. Despite being a powder, this felt lightweight and almost creamy on the skin; no need to worry about caking or creasing here.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

          While the finish is matte, it never looked flat\u2014another major win. The only minor thing to note is that this formula required a bit more blending to score a more seamless end result. But once we did, it was more than worth it.\n<\/p>\n

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          \"Photos\"Photos<\/div>\n<\/div>
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          Byrdie<\/p>\n

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          Christina, tester with cool undertones:<\/strong> \u201cI would definitely recommend this product to most of my friends. A little goes a long way; the finish was subtle, the product can easily improve contouring, all while appearing natural and having minimal makeup on the face.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \nBest Natural Finish
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          Physician\u2019s Formula Butter Bronzer<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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          \"Physicianâ\u0080\u0099s\"Physicianâ\u0080\u0099s<\/div>
          Credit: Amazon<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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          $17<\/span><\/div>\n

          $13 at Amazon<\/span><\/span>$16 at Ulta<\/span><\/span>$14 at Target<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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          What We Like<\/span><\/div>\n
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            Silky texture<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Doesn’t sink in to pores<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Lightweight on skin<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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            What to Consider<\/span><\/div>\n
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              Included sponge isn\u2019t the best option for application<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

              Finish:<\/strong> Natural | Shades:<\/strong> 8 | Size<\/strong>: 0.38 oz | Cruelty-Free<\/strong>: Yes\n<\/p>\n

              This one looks like a powder but feels (and acts) more like a cream, making the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer an editor favorite as well as a favorite of Sofia Richie Grainge. You can totally feel the namesake ingredient in the formula (murumuru butter), which makes for a silky smooth texture that looks and feels amazing once applied. It never accentuated prominent pores or other texture irregularities. We even liked the tropical scent (though we recognize it may not be for everyone). We just wished that the included sponge applicator worked better; we had far better application success when using one of our own brushes.\n<\/p>\n

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