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The 7 best bronzers for a year-round summer glow

Beach babe vibes 24/7

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / June 07 2022

We don’t care what the season is – we want to look like bronzed babes all year round.

So forget spending hours tanning *cough* damaging *cough* your skin, and haul ass to your favourite beauty retailers for some of the best bronzing formulas money can buy.

We’re talking iconic cult favourite cream bronzers that melt into skin like literal butter and powder bronzers that illuminate the complexion with an otherworldly bronzed glow.

As far as we’re concerned, every single inclusion in the list below is a necessity for any makeup kit, so choose one or choose a few, and bulk up your kit with bronzers that defy seasonal trends.

CHANEL LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW BRONZING CREAM in 'Golden Beige'

We can’t talk about bronzer without mentioning this cult favourite. Lightweight, blendable and perfect for those no-makeup makeup days, this gel-cream bronzer leaves skin with a naturally sun-kissed look and a velvet, airbrushed finish. If you have to invest in a makeup product this summer – let this be it.

$91 at Myer

GUCCI Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in 'Shade 5'

Take advantage of the fact that GUCCI Beauty just launched at Sephora and get your hands on their top-rated bronzing powder formula. Beloved for it’s luminous, complexion-perfecting finish and natural-looking glow, this beautiful compact is set to be a welcome addition to any makeup kit (or even as a gift if you’re feeling generous).

$120 at Sephora

MAKEUP BY MARIO Soft Sculpt™ Bronzer in 'Medium'

Yep, we’re still screaming over the fact that Makeup By Mario is available downunder. And why wouldn’t we be stoked? We finally have the opportunity to get our greasy mitts on the makeup artist’s top-rated soft sculpt™ bronzer. Formulated to warm the appearance of sallow-looking skin and add a subtle sculpting effect to a variety of undertones, this no-fallout formula promises smooth, buildable colour with every application.

$43 at Sephora

Kosas The Sun Show Moisturizing Baked Bronzer in 'Light'

Love a dewy, radiant sheen? This baked bronzer imparts an illuminated glow, while delivering a healthy swathe of terracotta bronze colour to the complexion. Formulated with shea butter and meadowfoam oil, this moisturising pick blends like a dream and refuses to cake regardless of how much you build it up – say goodbye to dry, chalky bronzer formulas of the past kids.

$51 at MECCA

HUDA BEAUTY Glowish Soft Radiance Bronzing Powder in '04 Deep Tan'

Amp up the glow factor with this bronzer and contour duo powder that delivers startling radiance and a face-sculpting tan to boot. The skin care-inspired ingredients list includes skin moisturisers and nourishers such as plant-derived squalane, vitamin E, shea butter, red bell pepper extract and damascus rose oil, ensuring a smooth application and velvet finish that lasts up to 12-hours post-application.

$48 at Sephora

Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Bronzer in 'Soleil Riche'

Nothing says indulgence quite like this buttery-soft blend of a bronzer that melts into skin to deliver an airbrush tan to any complexion. Formulated with ingredients that support collagen production, reduce premature ageing caused by pollution, plus calm redness and existing blemishes, this is our top pick for particularly troubled skin.

$110 at MECCA

NUDESTIX Nudies Matte All Over Face Color Blush & Bronze in 'Bondi Bae'

When it comes to bronzer, there’s nothing we love more than a multipurpose formula that can be smeared literally all over the face without a second thought. This all-over face colour stick makes applying makeup in the throes of summer an absolute breeze. Simply swipe the bronzer on cheeks, temples, across the nose and even eyelids for an all over summer glow that can just as easily take you from the beach to a night out with friends.

$49 at Sephora

Another must-have makeup item? Translucent powder. These are seven of the best translucent powders for banishing unwanted shine.

Main image credit: @makeupbymario

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).