Bronzer is my ultimate shortcut to a holiday-esque radiant glow, no matter the season. However, if you have cool or even neutral undertones like me, you've probably also been faced with the harsh reality that not every bronzer flatters you in the same way. What looks golden and sun-kissed on my fellow editors can often look too red, orange or even muddy on my own complexion. For this reason, I've spent the last few months searching for the best bronzers for those of us with cooler undertones, so we can achieve that bronzy glow year-round.
Why Do Some Bronzers Look Muddy on Cool-Toned Skin?
Created to mimic a sun tan (or your go-to fake tan for those who are sun-safe), most traditional bronzers are made with warm undertones in mind, featuring golden, red or terracotta bases. Because of this, these bronzers are more likely to contrast harshly against the cool undertones of the skin and create an orange or even muddy-looking finish on the skin.
How Do I Work Out My Undertone?
Figuring out your undertone is key to understanding which bronzer is the best for you. According to makeup artists, the easiest way to work out your undertone is by looking at the veins on the inside of your wrist under natural light.
Undertone Chart:
1. Veins appear blue or purple: You likely have a cool undertone
2. Veins appear green: You likely have a warm undertone
3. Veins appear green, blue and purple: You likely have a neutral undertone
4. Veins appear green and blue: You likely have an olive undertone
What Bronzers Are Best for Cool Tones?
Brittany wears the Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream in the shade 05 (deep bronze with neutral undertones).
To make sure that your bronzer blends in seamlessly with your cool-toned skin, you should look for cool, neutral or rosy-based bronzers that won't clash harshly against your undertone. It's also preferable to avoid any bronzer shades described as "warm", "golden" or "terracotta" for this reason. Although cream bronzers and liquid formulas are easier to blend in, traditional powder formulas can work as well.
Below, I've rounded up the best bronzers for cool-toned skin, catering to every budget, skin tone and formula preference. Keep scrolling to see and shop my edit.
Best Bronzers for Cool-Toned Skin
1. Best Overall Cool-Toned Bronzer: Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream, £38
2. Best Powder Cool-Toned Bronzer: Haus Labs Power Sculpt Bronzer, £35
3. Best Cream Cool-Toned Bronzer: Refy Cream Bronzer, £18
4. Best Liquid Cool-Toned Bronzer: Saie Dew Bronze, £22
5. Best Shade Range: Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer, £32
1. Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream
Number of Shades: 5
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: 01, 02, 05
Formula: Cream
Having a permanent home in my makeup bag for the past two years, I couldn't start this list without mentioning Nars' Laguna Bronzing Cream (I'm also wearing it in the picture above). Available in five versatile shades, three of which are suitable for cool undertones, there’s an option to suit most people. Not to mention the creamy formula blends so seamlessly into the skin. In fact, as someone who is often a little too heavy-handed with her makeup, it's virtually impossible to overdo this bronzer.
2. Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer
Number of Shades: 8
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: Bronzed Umber Light, Amber Horizon Medium, Acacia Ember Medium Deep, Jatoba Sun Deep, Khaya Spice Deep
Formula: Powder
If you prefer a powder formula but often find them too muddy on your skin, Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer is a must-know. Not only do five out of the eight shades have a neutral, peach or rosy undertone that's well suited to cool-toned skin, but I also found that this bronzing gel powder did not dry out or look patchy on my face—a huge win for someone who suffers with both eczema and extremely dry skin.
3. Refy Cream Bronzer
Number of Shades: 6
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: Dune, Oak, Cedar
Formula: Cream
A good cream bronzer has the ability to give the cheeks a bronze glow without additional shimmer, and Refy's radiant formula fits the bill perfectly. It's a smooth, sheer product that will allow you to build it up to your preferred intensity. I use the shade Cedar, which is described as a deep shade with a neutral-cool undertone, but there are five other shades to choose from.
4. Saie Dew Bronze
Number of Shades: 6
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: Salt, Spritz, Sail
Formula: Liquid
On those 'no makeup' makeup days, I usually opt for a liquid formula for a more natural look. Saie’s Dew Bronze is one of my favourites, offering a sheer wash of pigment on the cheeks. Only three out of the six shades are technically catered to cool-toned skin, but the lightweight consistency means that you can also give the other shades a try without them looking too orange on the skin. Simply start with a small amount before building the product up to your liking.
5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer
Number of Shades: 10
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: Sunkissed, Warm Tan, Amber, Deep Tan, Cool Brown
Formula: Cream
It's a common misconception that deep skin tones are always warm-toned. This often makes it very difficult to find cool-tone bronzers in richer shades. Anastasia Beverly Hills' cream bronzer comes in 10 versatile shades, featuring a range of cool-tone-approved hues. It's very easy to blend, but it's also extremely pigmented, so I'd recommend starting lightly.
6. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
Number of Shades: 7
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: Amber, Butta Biscuit, Teddy, Toffee Tease
Formula: Cream
Although we all love a bargain buy, there are a few luxury products that are genuinely worth investing in. Fenty's Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer is certainly one that's worth splashing out on. This creamy, buildable formula settles into the skin to give you an airbrushed flush of warmth. At £30, it's certainly not the cheapest bronzer on the market, but its seamless payoff and the fact that it lasts so long make it worth the cost, in my opinion.
7. E.L.F Camo Liquid Bronzer
Number of Shades: 10
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10
Formula: Liquid
There are plenty of affordable bronzers on the market right now, but they often come with a very limited shade range that doesn't cater to all skin tones. At £7, E.L.F's Camo Liquid Bronzer has gained rave reviews for its expensive-looking finish. I picked up the shades 9 and 10 and loved the fact that its bronzer/contour hybrid formula automatically prevented the product from looking too red on my skin.
8. Merit Beauty Bronze Balm
Number of Shades: 5
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: Quince, Seine, Monarch
Formula: Cream
On those hot summer days, when I want a dewy, radiant base, Merit's Bronze Balm creates the perfect glowy bronze on my cheeks without feeling too heavy on my skin in the heat. I love how easy it is to use, blending out with my fingers or a beauty blender after swiping it on my cheekbones. The shade 'Monarch' leaves me with a healthy and hydrated glow that's perfect for those warmer days.
9. Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer
Number of Shades: 8
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: Power Boost, Happy Sol, Always Sunny, Bright Side, Good Energy, On the Horizon
Formula: Cream
This easy-to-use, on-the-go bronzer is a cream formula that blends out into a natural finish. It's weightless and non-greasy, meaning it can work for dry, oily and combination skin types. I also love that out of the eight available shades, six are well-suited to cool undertones, meaning that there's something for both paler and deeper skin tones.
10. Huda Beauty Tantour
Number of Shades: 5
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: Fair, Medium, Rich
Formula: Cream
If you have oily skin or simply prefer a matte makeup base, Huda Beauty's Tantour is a great option. Not only is it the perfect balance of cool and slightly warmer tones, but this long-lasting cream bronzer is water and sweat-resistant, making it ideal for those with oily or combination skin. It's also very pigmented, meaning that a little goes a long way, which makes it well worth the investment.
11. Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo
Number of Shades: 5
Shades in the Range for Cool Tones: She's Statuesque, She's Sculpted, She's Chiseled
Formula: Powder/Cream Duo
Can't decide between a cream or a powder? Patrick Ta's got you with the Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo. With the ability to use both the powder bronzer to add warmth to the cheeks and the cream contour to cancel out any redness from the blush, this duo is ideal for those with cool or neutral undertones. It also manages to give the face a velvety finish without the shimmer that you often find in bronzing products.
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of makeup products, including bronzers, foundations, concealers and blushes, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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