I've Been Professionally Testing Bronzers for 11 Years—This One Wins Every Single Time

Every beauty lover has their kryptonite. Some hoard eye shadow palettes, some can recite skincare INCI lists from memory, and others have a serious thing for haircare. Me? I get my kick out of bronzers. And as a beauty journalist, it’s safe to say that I’ve tried a fair few in my time.

In fact, every single bronzer that comes my way gets tested, and that’s saying something. Considering I receive anywhere between five and 10 parcels a day containing the new beauty product launches, it’s needless to say I probably only get a chance to give around 10% of them a proper test drive. And when it comes to makeup, that percentage is even less. You see, I’m a low-maintenance-makeup kind of gal. I like swipe-it-on-and-go products, and I like to keep my edit tight. But when it comes to bronzers, I just can’t help myself.

So when I first tried the Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick (£68), I got giddy with excitement. I’m already a huge fan of Victoria Beckham Beauty. Big. Huge. And let’s face it—VB herself always has an immaculately bronzed complexion, and I wanted in on it. I spent the past couple of weeks testing it in different lights and using it in different ways. After using it in every single way that one can feasibly use a bronzer, I am proud to conclude that if I could marry this bronzing beauty, I would.

First of all, let’s just talk about the packaging. It’s weighty, it’s chic, it’s a work of art. Since having it in my possession, I’ve insisted on keeping it out on display, showcasing it like the masterpiece ornament that it is. And as for the formula? It’s even better than I could have hoped. The fact that it has two shades, one lighter and one darker, means you’re free to customise the finish to your heart’s content, which I am very much a fan of.

Shannon wears Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick in shade 02.

I favour a matte bronzer over cream bronzers, which this is. I like to swipe it over my face and look like I’ve just stepped off the desert, looking slightly dishevelled but unmistakably sun-kissed. For all I care, my hair can be greasy, my brows can be a mess, but as long as I have a matte, powdery bronzer that makes my skin radiate health, I’m feeling like my best self.

This stuff is seriously pigmented but not difficult to blend. It’s not one of those wishy-washy products that need building up. You get immediate pay-off. It’s holiday skin in bronzer form. The best bit is it comes in an impressive five shades, catering to a whole bunch of different skin tones. Whether it’s swiped over the nose, dusted into the hairline, blended onto collarbones or brushed onto lids, it’s always strikingly beautiful. And if you don’t believe me, ask any one of the 10 people who commented on my sun-baked radiance this week.

For beauty editor Eleanor Vousden, the Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick is also a mainstay in her makeup bag. "It's been a while since I've been enamoured with a powder bronzer, but VB has rekindled it with her Matte Bronzing Brick," she says. "Presented in the same chic casing as the eyeshadow palettes, this bronzer contains two complementing bronze shades: a lighter one for dusting the skin with warmth, and a second shade for adding depth and definition for a dimensional effect. The powders are very silky, and you only need a touch on your brush to achieve a healthy-looking glow all over. While the formula is matte, it has a soft-focused effect on the skin that makes your skin look subtly radiant rather than flat. The addition of two shades makes it ideal if you would rather have the option of going lighter or deeper, depending on the season, too."

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