Makeup Artists Say These Are the Best Bronzers for Fair Skin, so I Tried Them
Take it from me, someone so pale I could give the vampires in Twilight a run for their money: The wrong bronzer can look downright weird on fair skin. I'm extremely pale, and bronzer has always been tricky for me. Some formulas read too orange, while others make me look like I rubbed dirt on my face.
The trick to finding a good bronzer is finding one that genuinely makes you look like you just got back from a sun-drenched vacation. It should also be easily blendable, so you can diffuse it on your face as if you were naturally sun-kissed.
After a lot of trial and error, I've found bronzers that I like on my own skin, but I decided to reach out to celebrity makeup artists Katey Denno and Fiona Stiles to find out which ones they recommend the most for people with fair skin. See below for makeup artists' favorite bronzers for fair skin (and how a few of them look on!), plus some of my favorites.
1. Han Skincare Cosmetics Bronzer in Malibu
Wearing Han Skincare Cosmetics' Bronzer in shade Malibu.
2. Mineral Fusion Bronzer Palette in Pool Party
"A bronzer quad that is great for glowy, sun-kissed skin in the summer," says Stiles. "I also love the versatility of the palette. You can use the pretty shimmery colors to catch the light on your cheekbones or use them on the eyes for a bit of shimmer there. I also appreciate the different tones, so you can use them in spring, summer, or fall."
3. Ilia Nightlite Bronzing Powder in Drawn In
"I use this on pretty much everyone in the light category," Denno says. "It's a great balanced shade (meaning it works on most warm, cool, and olive undertones), blends easily with any fluffy brush, and you can layer it on top of itself under the cheekbones for a more solid payoff that looks like a natural contour." This may be my new favorite bronzer—it goes on so easily, blends seamlessly, and looks natural.
Wearing Ilia's Nightlight Bronzing Powder in shade Drawn In.
4. E.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Bronzer in Tan Lines
"These putty bronzers come in a wide range of shades, including ones that work beautifully on fair skin, which is hard to find," says Stiles. "The texture of the formula is easy to use with your fingers or a brush, and it blends easily and seamlessly into the skin."
5. Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Matte Powder Bronzer in Coup de Soleil
"I like a soft, matte bronzer, but I also like to strategically add shimmer and glow after I've bronzed a face," says Denno. "The powder bronzer looks beautiful and has a lovely sheer (and buildable) finish, the packaging is gorgeous, and the little embossed hearts on the pressed powder itself make it all the more special." I just tried the bronzer and found it gave my face the most dreamy subtle warmth.
Wearing Westman Atelier's Beauty Butter Powder in Coup de Soleil.
6. Guerlain Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder in Light Warm
7. Milk Makeup Bionic Sunkissed Liquid Bronzer in Time Travel
Our editor in Milk Makeup's Bionic Liquid Bronzer in Time Travel.
8. Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer in Light Bronze
Wearing Saie's Melt Natural Cream Bronzer in Light Bronze.
9. Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer in Sun Coast
10. Dibs Desert Island Duo in You Do You
Our editor wearing Dibs' Desert Island Duo in shade You Do You.
11. Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer in Inda Sun
12. Kosas The Sun Show Glowy Warmth Bronzer in Waves
13. Nars Bronzing Powder in San Juan
14. SheGlam Sun Sculpt Liquit Contour
15. RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer
16. Iconic London Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Prior to her time atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Katie Berohn worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles.
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