Welcome to Internet Famous, a monthly series in which we ask our Instagram followers to vote on a viral beauty product that's taken social media by storm. Then the beauty team will take the winning pick for a spin and share their reviews—pictures included.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think bronzer is the backbone of any good makeup look. It adds color and dimension, it can sculpt and frame your face, and you can even use it on your eyelids. When it's done well, it's a reminder of just how nice the sunshine effect really is, and when it's applied poorly, well, it makes me think of my orange-tinted teen years. If only I had access to the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream ($50) during that time, I probably wouldn't be so desperate to erase those awkward memories.
But alas, now I know that as far as bronzers go, Les Beiges is the cream of the crop. (And I've tried hundreds of bronzers, so you shouldn't take that statement lightly.) The cream-gel formula uses light-reflecting pigments combined with mineral waxes that provide a healthy, sun-kissed glow unmatched by any other bronzer. I like using it all over, but it also works on areas where the sun would naturally hit, such as the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. You can also use it as a contour or even on your shoulders and décolleté. But no matter where you use it, it hits every single time. My co-workers also tested it, and they had lots to say—keep scrolling for their takes.
Aniyah Morinia, Editor
"I've never used bronzer because I've always kept my makeup looks to a five-product maximum, and it just never made the cut. But when I heard about this Chanel bronzer, I was open to trying it. I really liked the creamy formula and the sheer glow that it gave when I applied it to the high points of my cheeks, but it blended right into my skin, not really adding the warmth that I expected it to. I think this would've worked best if it was one or two shades darker instead of a direct match for my skin tone."
Katie Berohn, Beauty Editor
"This bronzer practically melts into your skin. The texture is so creamy, and it truly feels like a balm. I think 'healthy glow' is a really apt name for this—it's very subtle. This is not the kind of bronzer that's going to make you look orange or über tan. Instead, it gives your skin a sheer wash of warmth. It's a great product for a simple, everyday look. It'll give you a wink of color, which is perfect for low-key summer makeup."
Maya Thomas, Assistant Beauty Editor
"No matter how many steps my makeup routine has been over the years (I've gotten it down to about five for a quick and easy look), bronzer has never been incorporated into it. I'm glad a Chanel beauty product known for creating an effortlessly chic finish happened to be the first bronzer I tried. While I absolutely loved its creamy formula and sheer tint upon application, it ended up completely vanishing into my skin without adding any warmth or radiance. I definitely could have used this product in a shade two or three times darker than my skin tone to make it pop. At least it looks gorgeous on my vanity!"
Caitie Schlisserman, Sr. Beauty Director, Branded Content
"This feels like a mini vacation in a jar. The formula is creamy and melts into skin, giving it a boost of color without being overly bronze, which I very much appreciate at this age. It's subtle and natural, so I wouldn't recommend using it if you want a deeper tan. I love that it looks just as good on its own as it does layered over my tinted moisturizer because it means I can get away with wearing only bronzer and some brow gel on weekends."
Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor
"I really love how creamy and blendable this bronzer is. It gives your skin such a gorgeous, natural glow. I do have to say I got the darkest shade and it still only provided a subtle warmth, so it may not be the product for you if you're looking for something to give you a bit more of a dramatic look. However, it just melts into the skin and gives you that summer-ready warmth in a really organic way. This will definitely be my new everyday bronzer!"
Emma Walsh, Associate Beauty Editor
"I have a confession: I'm secretly intimidated by bronzer. Despite the fact that I love a sun-kissed, beachy glow, bronzer isn't a normal part of my makeup routine because I'm afraid of an obvious fake-tan situation. But all the reviews of this bronzer touted its flawless blending capabilities, so I decided to give it a go. I applied it where the sun naturally hits on my nose and cheeks and did the 'reverse three' contour. I love the natural radiance and warmth it gives my face, and after posting a picture on my Instagram, I received quite a few 'You're glowing!' DMs from my friends. Suffice to say this product will now be a regular in my lineup."
Up next: 1.3 Billion Views Later, We Tried the Mascara That Nearly Broke the Internet
