The Best Bronzers for Dark Skin That Are Actually Worth Your Money

By Hannah Cassidy

Published on Dec 6, 2024 • 4 min read

Finding the perfect bronzer can be a constant pursuit for any skin tone, but dark skin tones have historically had to play the bronzer game on hard mode. The plain truth is that the beauty industry’s lack of inclusivity and misconceptions on whether bronzers were even meant for deep skin (they are!) have led to an array of confusion for customers seeking warm, glowy skin. Thankfully, there’s been a bronzer evolution. Old school, orange-tinted bronzers—which were primarily created to "tan" fair and medium skin tones—have been replaced with a more inclusive array of shades that focus less on tanning and more on adding warmth and glow to all different shades of skin.

So with an influx of brown skin-inclusive bronzing options on the market, we’re back to the good problem: How do you choose? From matte bronzers to cream bronzers (and a few skincare-packed bronzers, too), we’ve put together a list of the best bronzers for darker skin tones.

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Pascale Poma is a Belgian makeup artist who works in fashion, beauty, and advertising. She has worked with celebrities like Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones, and Anna Wintour.

How to Find the Perfect Bronzer

When looking for a bronzer to complement your dark skin tone, makeup artist Pascale Poma says to take both your skin tone and skin undertone into account. Most skin has either a warm (yellow, peach, honey), cool (blue, red, pink), or neutral undertone (no apparent tint). For the most natural results, make sure the bronzer you use has the same undertones as your skin.

In terms of the best finish to look for, Poma says, "I definitely steer away from super matte powders that could easily dull the skin or turn it ashy, which deflects the whole purpose of using a bronzer. I prefer opting for a silky semi-matte finish to keep a very natural-looking skin."

1. Best All-Over Bronzer: CHARLOTTE TILBURY Airbrush Bronzer in Deep

Looking for a bronzer that checks all the right boxes? This innovative powder formula uses finely milled pigments to blur the pores, creating an insanely smooth, airbrushed effect. The super-smooth finish makes it an ideal pick for adding skin-like warmth, contouring, subtle sculpting, and blurring. It even features hyaluronic acid to keep skin happy and hydrated.

2. Best Blurring Bronzer: CONTEXT SKIN Matte Bronzer

This buttery-soft bronzing powder features a deep mocha shade that’s designed for an easy blending experience. The matte powder formula contains kaolin clay to help absorb excess oil without drying out the skin. We especially love the gentle blurring effect it had on our skin, which helped to conceal fine lines and uneven skin texture. It’s like a lightweight veil of warmth that can easily be built up for extra glow.

3. Best Matte Bronzer: ICONIC LONDON Ultimate Bronzing Powder

The lightweight powder features a versatile matte finish and a unique blend of pigments that are specially formulated to closely resemble a real summer tan. It makes that sun-kissed glow so much easier (and healthier) to achieve. The ultra-silky powder feels buttery to the touch and is best applied with a fluffy bronzer brush to add warmth to cheekbones, temples, and the hairline—it’s the everyday matte bronzer staple we’ve been dreaming about.

4. Best Longwear Bronzer: FENTY BEAUTY Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer in Mocha Mami

Instantly add warmth to deep skin tones with this buildable, lightweight bronzer from Rihanna's iconic beauty brand—known for their expansive shade range. The cult-favorite and ultra-longwear formula is not only transfer-resistant but also hydrating. It’s backed by mango and papaya fruit extracts to create glowing skin that's also supremely hydrated.

5. Best Illuminating Bronzer: PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Divine Powder Bronzer

This sunkissed bronzer from PAT McGRATH LABS has gained a reputation for making deep skin look like a million bucks (in Dame Pat McGrath we trust!). The velvety soft, semi-matte formula features micro-refined pearls that give skin that naturally lit-from-within effect we’re all after, without too much shimmer or glitter. But this Ipster’s rave review says it best: “The powder picks up nicely with a brush and it blends easily. The embossing on the powder is regal and quite impressive. Easily one of the top bronzers in my collection.”

6. Best Natural Finish Bronzer: KVOSSNYC Bronze Beauty Powder Bronzer

Now that we live in the skinification of pretty much every beauty product, it’s only natural that bronzers now contain skin-friendly ingredients. KVOSSNYC’s easy-to-blend powder bronzer is formulated with evening primrose oil and artichoke leaf extract to help boost hydration and improve skin elasticity. And thanks to these ingredients, we found that the formula easily bends and flexes with skin for a second-skin feeling. So you look like you, just beautifully bronzed.

7. Best Cream Bronzer: ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Cream Bronzer in Cool Brown

This cream bronzer is a great option for anyone prone to dry skin. While powders can emphasize dryness, cream formulas like this option from ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS seamlessly blend into skin without accentuating any flakiness or dry patches. By adding gentle warmth and dimensional glow, this can be used for any bronzing tasks—be it sculpting, contouring, or a subtle touch of warmth.

8. Best Contour Bronzer: LYS BEAUTY No Limits Cream Bronzer Stick

This fan-favorite creamy bronzer blends like a dream. The contour stick application means you can sculpt, chisel, and define your facial contours with just a few strokes—using a brush or fingers to easily blend. It glides on like silk with a second-skin finish that looks so natural. Ipsters also back up our verdict on this bronzer’s supreme blendability. As one Ipster reports, “The formula is very pigmented, lightweight, and blends seamlessly.”

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