In the last year, I have gone completely mad for cream makeup formulations. Whether I’m sweeping a cream eyeshadow stick along my lash line or dabbing a cream blusher on the apples of my cheeks, I’ve realised they’re the quickest and most effective way to look ‘done up’ with very minimal effort. Plus, they’re super easy to blend with your fingers, and I am someone who generally prefers getting hands-on with makeup over using an army of tools and brushes. Anyone else with me?
At this time of year, I love using one of the best bronzers, but I don't like to wear too much heavy makeup or a really matte bronzing product. I am a fan of bronzing drops, but a product I really love is a cream bronzer, as it can give me a quick, reliable and natural glow. According to celebrity make-up artist Neil Young, this is all because creams are amazing at reflecting light away from the skin, giving you that natural-looking finish.
"Creams are also malleable and sit with the complexion rather than on top,” Young explains. "It’s perfect for creating a gorgeous glow without looking too made up."
How to Apply Cream Bronzer
When it comes to application, Young says it depends on the finish you’re after. "Cream bronzers can add dimension to the face by using them like a powder bronzer on the temples, forehead and cheekbones or as a fine veil all over the face.”
If you’re looking to softly contour the face, you can apply [the bronzer] directly to bare skin and then add a touch of foundation and concealer around it as and where needed. If your face needs a little powder to maintain your makeup, dust with a little translucent powder at the end of your makeup routine.” According to Young, if you’re going to use tools to blend, make sure they’re synthetic-based so they don’t absorb the product.
For a super natural finish, world-renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown says: "Smile and pat onto the apples of your cheeks using an upward motion, then use your fingertips to soften the edges.”
With all that in mind, here are 18 glow-giving cream bronzers that beauty editors really rate.
We've tested some of the best cream bronzers on the market.
Shop the Best Cream Bronzers
- Best cream bronzer overall: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
- Best affordable cream bronzer: e.l.f Putty Bronzer
- Best cream bronzing stick: Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
- Best illuminating cream bronzer: Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
- Best natural-looking cream bronzer: Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer
1. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Natural
The bronzer, the myth, the legend. I’m pretty sure many of you are already well acquainted with Chanel’s cult classic, and for good reason. Everything about this bronzer is decadent, from the packaging to the whipped cream-gel formula. I’d challenge anyone not to slightly hesitate when breaking into a new one. I find that you get the best finish when you apply an all-over wash of colour with a large brush.
Pros
- Chic packcing
- Natural-looking finish
- Cream-gel formula is easy to blend
Cons
- More expensive
- Pot can be bulky to travel with
2. Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer
Number of shades: 6
Finish: Natural
"Warm in all of the right places, this bronzer seamlessly melts into my skin, leaving a sun-kissed halo that adds dimension and warmth," says Vogue Business beauty editor Nateisha Scott. "A bronzer and contour all-in-one, it makes it in every make-up edit and beauty look."
Pros
- Melts into the skin
- Natural-looking finish
- Can also work for contouring
Cons
- Pot can be bulky to travel with
3. Glossier Cloud Paint Bronzer
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Radiant-matte
Glossier's much-adored Cloud Paint blushers now come in bronzer form to impart a sunny bronze hue to your complexion. The paint tubes house a creamy formula that effortlessly blends into the skin with zero sparkle or shimmer, just a radiant-matte finish that gives your skin a realistic flush of colour. Everyone will ask if you've been away on holiday.
Pros
- Easy to travel with
- Beautiful finish
- Buildable hue
Cons
- Can be a little messier to apply
4. Nars Bronzing Cream
Best hydrating cream bronzer
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Second-skin
A firm favourite in my make-up bag, this bronzer harnesses the benefits of Monoï de Tahiti (a cosmetic oil), which adds additional moisture to the skin. This bronzer works best when buffed all over the face with a brush in circular motions, or applied slightly above the hollows of the cheeks to softly sculpt.
Pros
- Second-skin finish
- Moisturising formula
Cons
- Not everyone will love that it's fragranced
- Might not be the best for oily skin types
- Quite expensive
5. Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Matte
Milk's product is an easy-to-use stick that can be used to contour the face and also serves as an all-over bronzer. The coconut-scented formula contains mango butter to help nourish the skin and apricot oil to provide a hydrated yet matte finish. It blends perfectly with fingertips, a makeup sponge or a brush and I also love using it as a cream eyeshadow.
Pros
- Small size is great for travelling
- Stick format is good for contouring
Cons
- Not everyone will love the matte finish
6. e.l.f Putty Bronzer
Number of shades: 8
Finish: Semi-matte
A brand that proves brilliant beauty products can be yours for a tenner or less. The formula is lightweight, non-greasy, and highly pigmented and turns from putty to powder once you’ve buffed it into the skin. Plus, it’s infused with Argan Oil and Vitamin E and comes in eight different shades.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Semi-matte, natural finish
Cons
- Some may prefer a traditional cream formula
7. Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
Number of shades: 7
Finish: Natural
With seven sheer, buildable shades designed for all skin types and tones, there’s something for everyone in Fenty’s cream bronzer lineup. It makes light work of softly defining and sculpting the skin as well as achieving a natural, fresh-faced, bronzed glow. All hail Queen RiRi.
Pros
- Compact packaging
- Lightweight formula
- Natural, buildable colour
Cons
- Quite expensive
8. Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer
Number of shades: 8
Finish: Second-skin
"This has fast become a staple in my makeup routine," says freelance beauty journalist Vanese Maddix. "I wasn’t much of a bronzer person, however, a year ago I discovered that the right bronzer has the power to warm up the face for a sun-kissed glow. I love this cream formula from Rare Beauty as it glides effortlessly onto the skin and blends like a total dream. I’m all for a cream stick, too, as it makes it easier to apply on the go, directly on the skin and onto a brush. This is the perfect bronzer for those just starting to warm up to bronzers as well as the pros."
Pros
- Stick format is easy to use
- Eight shades available
- Second-skin finish
Cons
- Stick can get a little messy over time
9. Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Illuminating
It’s always good to have a variety of the same type of product so you can switch things up depending on the mood and occasion. If I’m going out-out, I’m reaching for Tower 28’s multidimensional and illuminating sheen that makes it a perfect bronze and highlight at the same time. Snatched cheekbones incoming.
Pros
- Doubles up as a bronzer and highlighter
Cons
- Not everyone will love an illuminated finish
10. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer
Number of shades: 4
Finish: Natural
Since I was sent this to try, I have been completely hooked. I apply it over my face and décolletage for an instant week-in-the-Mediterranean glow and the fact that it contains hyaluronic acid means it feels nourishing and comfortable to wear.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Natural, sun-kissed finish
Cons
- More expensive
12. Merit Bronze Balm
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Natural
A go-to pick for British Vogue beauty and wellness editor Morgan Fargo is Merit Beauty's cream bronzer. "It's buttery soft and requires little blending—a great choice if you favour using your fingers or hands to apply make-up."
Pros
- Buttery soft formula
- Good shape for contouring
Cons
- Might be too sheer for some
13. Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer
Number of shades: 3
Finish: Natural
You know the one product in your makeup bag that you use every single day, yet feel like it's been in there forever? For me, it’s this one. The highly pigmented cream-to-powder bronzer stays perfectly in place, from application to removal, and a little product on the brush goes a really long way. Winner.
Pros
- Cream to powder formula looks natural on the skin
- Pigmented colour
Cons
- Only three shades available
14. Jones Road Miracle Balm
Number of shades: 13
Finish: Soft-focus
Me and Jones Road have a thing going on. The majority of my makeup bag currently features the brand. This is the perfect combination of moisture and tint, and can be used as a bronzer, blusher and highlighter depending on the shade you go for. "It can also be used literally anywhere,” says Brown. "Cheeks, eyes, lips, neck, legs and body.” So, in short, worth every penny.
Pros
- Multi-use product
- Natural, soft-focus finish
Cons
- Some may prefer a classic cream bronzer
15. Refy Cream Bronzer
Number of shades: 6
Finish: Natural
If you want a lightweight cream bronzer that blends like a dream, look no further than Refy's take. The silky formula melts into the skin to deliver a sheer veil of warmth wherever you require it, and it is easily buildable if you want more intensity.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Buildable
- Natural finish
Cons
- Struggling to think of any
16. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Blonzer
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Luminous
"Typically, I'm not a huge bronzer girl, but this product from BareMinerals is a really unique blush-bronzer hybrid that delivers a sun-kissed glow like no other," says freelance beauty editor and Who What Wear contributor Mica Ricketts. "I'm specifically obsessed with the shade Kiss of Copper, which gives you the kind of bronzed, rosy glow that you could expect after spending the afternoon relaxing with friends on a breezy British beach. The gel-cream texture means that it has a beautiful sheen on the skin too, so skin looks dewy as well as golden."
Pros
- Gives a natural, sun-kissed glow
- Luminous finish
Cons
- Might be too dewy for oily skin types
17. Vieve Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer
Number of shades: 5
Finish: Natural glow
Junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay swears by this cream bronzer from Vieve. "I've tried many cream bronzers over the years, but I always come back to this buttery formula from Jamie Genevieve's makeup brand, Vieve. It adds subtle, natural-looking warmth to the skin and is perfect for those no-makeup makeup days when you just want to look a little sun-kissed. It melts into the skin thanks to a nourishing formula of squalane and avocado oil."
Pros
- Buttery formula
- Easy to apply
- Buildable colour
Cons
- The lighter shades are super subtle so might not be to everyone's taste
18. Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze Gorgeous Sunkissed Bronzing Cream
Number of shades: 4
Finish: Soft-matte
Beauty Pie's cream bronzer sold out last year, and for good reason. The soft-matte formula is perfect if you like a natural finish that's not too dewy or luminous. Similar to the product above, this bronzer has a creamy, buttery texture that blends like a dream and adds beautiful warmth to the skin.
Pros
- Creamy formula
- Adds a sun-kissed effect to the skin
Cons
- Some may prefer a dewy finish
How We Tested
As beauty editors, it's our job to test a wide range of products to ensure that we are recommending the best of the best to our readers. As a team, we've tried hundreds of cream bronzers over the years, and only included our top picks within this edit. We've taken into account everything from ingredients, price, application and finish, and have made sure to include our honest thoughts on each product, including any stand-out pros and cons.
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.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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