The best cream bronzers for a natural sunkissed glow this summer

Metro

14-07-2025

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The sun is out, which means our bronze game is on – and we don't just mean how strong are the tan lines, but how much bronzer we can wear to look naturally sunkissed, and then some.
You may have heard the term 'blusher blindness', which is when people apply lashings of rouge to their cheeks it's obvious they are wearing make-up. Well, we have that but with bronzer. We can't get enough of it.
When I first started dabbling into the world of beauty as a teenager, my first go-to was bronzer, which was described to me as 'the JLo glow', and the phrase has stuck with me ever since.
From matte to shimmer, powder, stick to liquid and cream bronzers, we have tried (and loved) them all. However, there is one standout formula that has recently topped the charts. According to John Lewis, searches for 'cream bronzer' are up by 114% in the last week alone, which speaks volumes.
Now we know what you're probably thinking. Cream bronzer can smudge, melt off, drip, and is not the most longlasting, or you may be thinking it will leave you with dark streaks on your cheeks and a glaring contrast to your natural skin. But you'd be wrong. Cream bronzer has come a long way since the hey days of Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse. More Trending
But a cream bronzer is not to be confused with a liquid bronzer or stick bronzer, though they all have their place and purpose in our make-up arsenal. A cream bronzer is slightly more dense than a lightweight liquid bronzer, such as Glossier's Cloud Paint. We would say a cream bronzer is a hybrid of a stick, liquid and powder bronzer in one.
As bronzer aficionados we have tried and tested a whole host of cream bronzers and whittled down our absolute ride or die cream bronzers.
Whether you apply with your finger tips, buff into the skin with a brush or beauty blender is entirely up to you.
If you're a fan of Benefit's iconic Hoola powder bronzer then you will equally love the cream version, which delivers the same sun-drenched bronze to the cheeks. With over 1,000 glowing reviews it really is a key staple. Available in five shades, from light to deep. BUY NOW FOR £33
Arguably the most iconic cream bronzer out of all the cream bronzers. With its lightweight formula it is easy to blend on the skin, offers a velvet-soft finish and natural complexion. BUY NOW FOR £50
We love a NARS bronzer because it is warm and offers a naturally sunkissed finish without any shimmer or iridescent finish. This cream bronzer has been formulated with Monoï de Tahiti oil, which is nourishing and makes this easy to blend into the skin without feeling oily. It comes in five shades to suit all skin tones and make-up looks. BUY NOW FOR £38
We can always rely on Fenty Beauty to help us achieve a radiant complexion, all the way down to its bronzer. This multifunctional blusher is lightweight in texture, but holds a strong pigment that will last for hours on end. It blends beautifully into the skin, and can be combined with other cream or powder products. Available in seven shades, which you can use as a bronzer or contour. BUY NOW FOR £24 (WAS £30)
Beauty enthusiasts have been raving about Makeup By Mario's blusher and bronzers of late, which offer a sponge-like texture and velvet finish to your skin. The Skin Enhancer has been described as a 3-in-1 product on the website because it functions as a cream bronzer to inject warmth into the skin and define your cheek bones, while also blurring and evening the skin tone. Sold! BUY NOW FOR £32
If you know Charlotte Tilbury, and her products, then you will know this bronzer will leave your skin glowing, radiant and effortlessly dewy. This cream bronzer is a skincare and make-up hybrid because it has been formulated with hyaluronic acid and provitamin D3, which hydrate and nourish the skin. The bronzer itself is ultra lightweight and soft on the skin, it promises to be longlasting (up to 16 hours of wear), plus it's sweat and humidity proof. BUY NOW FOR £45
This easy-to-use buttery-soft bronzer is just the chef's kiss. Enriched with skin-loving ingredients, including soothing colloidal oatmeal, antioxidant elderberry extract and grapeseed oil to hydrate your skin. While the matte finish sweeps across effortlessly for a natural bronzed skin. Available in six bronze shades. BUY NOW FOR £28
Refy's Cream Bronzer has garnered high praise from numerous customers, including its celebrity clientele – we're looking at you Molly-Mae. The cream bronzer glides onto the skin, and leaves an airbrush finish. It has been formulated with vitamin E and sunflower seed oil to nourish the skin, plus it is also non-comedogenic, as well as free from parabens and fragrance for a bronzer suitable for all skin types. Available in six shades, all of which come in a sleek compact. However, it is pigmented, so a little goes a long way. BUY NOW FOR £18
Do you have a favourite out of the ones we've chosen? Let us know, or if we've missed on out – which!
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