If you ache for the subtle summer glow, shimmer bronzer is always here to the rescue. Choosing the right bronzer could be tricky, but we have a complete guide for you. Read on to know more.

How To Apply A Shimmer Bronzer

Pick the right shade. Always choose a shimmer bronzer one shade darker than your original skin tone, as it will deliver a natural glow. Pick the desired formula. Bronzers are available in cream, liquid, and powder formulas. Using a liquid shimmer bronzer will help it blend with your liquid foundation and create a flushed and seamless appearance. However, you can also layer different formulas of bronzers to get the desired finish. Use the right brush. If you are applying a powder bronzer, use the wide powder brush. You can finish the look using a damp beauty sponge for a more blended and natural look. Apply shimmer on the bridges of your nose and apples of the cheeks. You can also apply the shimmer around the jawline area to create the chiseled jawline look. However, use bronzer sparingly and build them as you go along during the application process.

Shimmer Vs Matte Bronzer

Shimmer and Matte bronzers are the most common types of bronzers used. Shimmer bronzers mimic reflecting light, providing the skin with a natural sun-kissed glow. In contrast, matte bronzers build the depth of your skin and add natural warmth to your skin color. Matte bronzers usually sculpt the skin and warm it up, while shimmer creates the exact look of how the sun hits the face and reflects light. However, if you have blemishes and skin imperfections, use a matte bronzer instead of a shimmer bronzer.

9 Best Shimmer Bronzers For A Sun-Kissed Glow

1. Best Streak-Free Glow: Best Streak-Free Glow:Milani Baked Bronzer

If you aim for a streak-free glow with a subtle shimmery finish, Milani Baked Bronzer is a must-have. Available in 3 glowing shades, this bronzer gives your face a soft gold to tan look that lasts all day. The natural sun-kissed look offered by Milani is worth trying. Pros

Cruelty-free Natural sun-kissed glow Long-lasting Glides smoothy

Cons

Not very shimmery

2. Best Lightweight Formula: Best Lightweight Formula:Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow Boosting Pressed Bronzer

The Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow Boosting Pressed Bronzer has a lightweight, buildable formula that gives a long-lasting tan with a healthy glow. It is made with vitamins, moisturizers, antioxidants, and glow activators that provide triple-action bronze boosting. Made without any harsh ingredients, it is safe for sensitive skin types. Pros

Hypoallergenic Dermatologist tested Cruelty-free Buildable formula Lightweight

Cons

Shade delivery differs from skin tone to skin tone

3. Best Natural Formula: Firstfly Just Glow Body Luminizer 

The Firstfly Just Glow Body Luminizer is infused with natural oils, botanicals, and marine extract to give you velvety smooth skin. It enhances the kin elasticity and texture and tightens the skin by filling in wrinkles. In addition, it treats skin discoloration, blurs stretch marks and pigmentation, and leaves your skin with a glowing natural tone. It highlights the skin and delivers a dewy glow. Pros

Natural ingredients Dewy natural finish Can be used for body Little goes a long way Keeps the skin moisturized

Cons None

4. Best Multi-Tonal Shimmer: Best Multi-Tonal Shimmer:Rimmel London Radiance Brick

The Rimmel London Radiance Brick offers soft, shimmery tones that give the skin a natural-looking tan. The ultra-fine texture of this multi-tonal bronzer works great on cheekbones, temples, and the bridge of the nose. Available in two shades, it gives the skin glow-boosting shimmer instantly. Pros

Finely milled Available in 2 classic shades Long-lasting Goes on smoothly

Cons

Some people might find the shimmer dark

5. Best Dermatologist-Tested Formula: Best Dermatologist-Tested Formula:Burts Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick

The Burts Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick brightens, contours, and illuminates your skin and leaves it with a natural sun-kissed glow. It is made with 100% natural ingredients that nourish and hydrate the skin. The bronzer blends in effortlessly and do not look cakey or patchy even after many hours. In addition, the lightweight formula comes in a stick packaging, making it travel-friendly and easy to use. Pros

Dermatologist tested Cruelty-free Paraben-free SLS free Silicone-free

Cons

Might feel greasy

6. Best Creamy Powder: Best Creamy Powder:Movo Natural Beauty Highlighter

The Movo Natural Beauty Highlighter comes with 5 shades in one compact, perfect for baking, bronzing, highlighting, and adding a shimmery glow. The creamy powder glides onto the skin smoothly, and the super-pigmented texture adds a natural-looking flawless finish to the skin. You can easily play around with these five shades to create the desired makeup look for any occasion. Pros

Multipurpose Natural looking shimmer Lightweight Long-lasting Cruelty-free

Cons None

7. Best For A Sparkling Glow: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact – Bronze

The Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick doubles up as a bronzer and highlighter. It is available in two variants, and each box comes with 5 gorgeous shades to apply to your cheekbones, temples, and jawlines. Each color has fine shimmer that glides on smoothly, blends well, and delivers a natural-looking finish. Pros

Lightweight Easy to use Has a color for every skin tone Buildable

Cons Less quantity for the price

8. Best Long-Lasting Formula: Best Long-Lasting Formula:Spdoo 3 in 1 Makeup Powder Palette

The Spdoo 3-in-1 Makeup Powder Palette has a bronzer, blush, and a highlighter in one box. The shades have a smooth and creamy texture that blends in perfectly, delivering a subtle shine to the skin. The space-saving design makes the palette multi-purpose and travel-friendly at the same time. In addition, the shades deliver a pearly finish that looks naturally radiant. Pros

Lightweight Blendable Multi-purpose Natural finish

Cons None

9. Best Buildable Coverage: The Revolution Bronzer Reloaded

Who needs the sun for a gorgeous tan when you have The Revolution Bronzer Reloaded? The ultra-fine pearlized powder of this formula delivers a stunning shimmer and leaves with a beautiful and flawless skin. The buildable bronzer accentuates your jaws and cheeks, and forehead and adds a dewy glow to the skin. The Long Weekend shade is tailor-made for enhancing dark skin. You can also use to bronzer to create a dramatic eye makeup look. Pros

Multipurpose Easy to use Cruelty-free Buildable

Cons

May not last long

Selecting the right kind of bronzer does require a buying guide. To know which one is the best for you, read on!

How To Select Best Shimmer Bronzer? – Buying Guide

Know what kind of look you want. Finely milled shimmer powders offer a subtle, natural glow to the skin, whereas large shimmer particles can look more like glitter. Know your skin tone. Always pick a shimmer bronzer that is one to two shades darker than your original skin tone to get the natural tanned look. Choose the correct texture. Pick a creamy shimmer bronzer if you have dry skin, but if you have acne-prone skin or oily skin, choose a powder bronzer.

Shimmer bronzers can give you a subtle or a sparkling. They accentuate your facial features and add a sun-kissed glow to make your skin look flawless. Always consider your skin tone and texture while picking a shimmery bronzer. However, there may be a few bronzers that make your skin greasy. Steer clear of such formulas and go for the one that enhances your complexion.

Why Trust Stylecraze?

The author, Shalini Roy, is a makeup enthusiast and loves to review products as they hit the shelves. She went through hundreds of product specifications and ingredient lists and spend hours reading user reviews before curating this comprehensive list of best shimmer bronzers for her readers. Her recommended formulas offer buildable coverage, lasting wear, and lightweight formulas to ensure a flawless sun-kissed look. What do you use shimmer bronzer for? Using a shimmer bronzer will give you a sun-kissed glow while also defining your features. Should bronzer be glittery? Bronzers are not glittery; they are shiny. They give your face the natural glow of warmth. Is shimmer bronzer good for tanning? Your bronzer is not a replacement for a tan. It is just a makeup item that gives a sun-kissed glow for a few hours. Can you use shimmer bronzer to contour? No, a shimmer bronzer will not give you the same effect as a contour. Instead, you can use matte bronzer as a replacement for contour. Can I use shimmer bronzer every day? Yes, if you wear makeup daily, you can use shimmer bronzer every day. However, make sure to get a gentle, non-comedogenic formula.