It’s hard for me to leave the house without my bronzer because I love that look of sun-kissed, dewy skin with a hint of dazzling sparkle on my cheeks to bring a whole flirty, summer-inspired style to life. And the best part is that the best drugstore bronzers can save the day in a pinch without breaking the bank.
A great bronzer is the perfect way to make a long-lasting impression hours after sunset. And you wouldn’t necessarily think finding a great bronzer would be all that difficult. But, it is important to find the right formula that doesn’t catapult your beauty routine into a recipe for disaster.
Finding a formula that doesn’t leave your skin looking cakey, overly shimmery, or worse, streaked with orange hues, can be intimidating, to say the least. To put your nerves at ease, we have compiled a list of brands that are guaranteed to increase your natural glow without giving you the dreaded buyers’ remorse.
Whether you are hitting the beach or sashaying into the evening on a local rooftop, these drugstore bronzers will keep you shining all day long. And if you have any Ulta ‘Ultamate’ Rewards points ready to use, that’s a great way to get some savings.
For a fuller coverage skin makeup look, pair these bronzers with one of our top picks for drugstore foundations!
Top 10 Picks for Drugstore Bronzer
Bronzers are a key summer staple. In fact, some of the best brands we’ve tried for a 24/7 golden hour opportunity, are at the tip of our hands. For less than the average avocado toast at your local trendy coffee shop, you can find stellar bronzers that can be added to your daily beauty routine.
A quick caress of the apples of your cheeks, brushing of your eyelids, and dusting of your collar bone with one of these creamy glow sticks to powder highlighters will really have you sizzling this summer. Ample bloggers and beauty trendsetters can attest to these formulas that will keep you wanting more, while also spending less.
#1 Flower Beauty Heatwave Luminous Bronzer
Enhance your glow with Heatwave Bronzer! The marbleized formula blends effortlessly for a warm, matte look. The swirled shimmery powders blend beautifully together for an effortless glow. The lightweight formula is able to provide the illusion of a more sculpted cheek.
The bronzer is very pigmented and a little goes a long way. We encourage tapping off the excess powder before applying.
As an extra tip, I love pairing this shade with an amazing nude lipliner for that perfect pout!
#2 Revlon Skinlights Face Glow Illuminator
This little bottle of magic helps you skip steps in your routine while looking fabulous doing so. The illuminator is a 3-in-1 liquid highlighter that does it all. Use it as a primer, highlighter, or glow booster. Love it.
#3 e.l.f. Cosmetics Bronzer Palette
This 4-pan bronzer palette allows you to enjoy a custom-blended glow. The pigmented colors are great for contouring, shading, sculpting, and highlighting.
This palette is ideal for the person who wants to mix and match to build out the perfect combination of a matte and shimmery look. Similar to the best eyeshadow palettes, this product gives you a variety of shades at an affordable price, and who doesn’t love that?
#4 Maybelline New York Bronzer and Contour Powder
Even if you are not making your presence known in the Big Apple, this bronzer will definitely have you thinking you are ready for the catwalk.
This is Maybelline’s first bronzing and contouring powder that delivers a golden and sculpted makeup look in a small, but mighty package. Not to mention, the micro-milled powder contains whipped cocoa butter for a velvety matte finish.
It is important to note that for the best natural effect, follow a two-step method. First, use a brush and apply bronzer all over or sweep under the cheekbones to contour. Next, blend for a naturally sun-kissed look and be ready to make heads turn.
#5 Milani Baked Bronzer
The formula offers a streak-free glow with a smart shimmer finish. Choose from diverse color options like a hypnotic soft gold or a tantalizing electric tan. All three shades seal the perfect deal on a glamorous, yet fresh look for any complexion.
Apply the baked powder with a large brush and dust it on after foundation. This will ensure you shine bright like a diamond for hours on end.
#6 Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer
The bronzer is infused with Murumuru Butter delivering a guaranteed luxurious and glowing experience for all users.
The bronzer packs a mighty dose of hydration leaving the skin conditioned. The formula is loaded with pro-vitamins that soften and moisturize the skin for a silky smooth look.
Not to mention, it doesn’t hurt that the coconut smell of the formula immediately forces you to visualize yourself on a tropical beach getaway.
#7 RIMMEL Natural Bronzer
Who doesn’t appreciate a little hint of shimmer? This powder provides a subtle glow and allows your natural beauty to shine. An added bonus is It’s waterproof and promises 10 hours of budge-proof wear.
#8 Undone Beauty Water Bronzer
The water-based, blendable formula is great for a natural bronzed look without the worries of streaks, lines, or mistakes.
Choose from four different shades that immediately brighten up your face with a wondrous glow. You can use it to contour, bronze, or add a bit of color.
#9 BURT’S BEES 100% Natural All Aglow Bronzer Stick
Looking to glide into glow season? Look no further, Burt’s Bees’ 100% Natural All Aglow Bronzer Stick is sure to help you embrace your inner glowing royalty. The bronze stick is perfect for executing the perfect amount of bronze or contour without the mess and frill of powders and brushes.
Available in two shades, Bronze Splash and Golden Shimmer, to add natural-looking highlights and help your facial features stand out.
#10 e.l.f. Primer Infused Bronzer
The long-wear matte bronzer is infused with primer powder, solidifying your bronzed, sun-kissed glow for a full day.
Best Drugstore Cream Bronzer
Revlon Skinlights Face Glow Illuminator
Feel free to mix your foundation or tinted moisturizer with this illuminator or blend it over your foundation for an all-over glow. If you apply a little more, it’s just enough for creating a nighttime or elegant look.
Best Drugstore Bronzer Stick
Undone Beauty Water Bronzer
A bronzer goes a long way. Swipe a small amount to the places you want an extra pop of color. We recommend starting with your forehead, temples, and right below your cheekbones. You can use your fingers or your beauty sponge to blend out for a dewy look.
Best Drugstore Bronzer for Various Skin Tones
Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer
This bronzer is not only a match made in heaven for people with varying shades and undertones like warm, cool, neutral, and even olive, the creamy formula takes no time to blend and layer for the ideal level of radiance. It’s also a fan favorite from our list of the best cheap makeup brands!
Best Drugstore Bronzer for Oily Skin
e.l.f. Primer Infused Bronzer
The compact provides a silky matte finish with a neutral warm undertone. It’s best suited for light to medium skin tones due to the cool, neutral tone. It also blends well for sensitive and oily skin.
What Are The Best Drugstores For Bronzer
A drugstore is not only a one-stop-shop for your daily household items, it is also the perfect place to cop the sun in the bottle of dreams without depleting your pockets.
The literal and figurative beauty of drugstores, are they provide products and brands that serve to meet the beauty needs and desires of people across all walks of life. From local neighborhood go-to’s such as CVS Pharmacy and Target to more high-end chains such as Ulta Beauty, we assure you that drugstores have and will continue to consistently provide high-quality items that stand up to the test of time for any occasion and budget.
Jasmine Banks is a full-time educator who moonlights as a creative in the world of written language. Jasmine’s passion for makeup and beauty products is only rivaled by her love of poetry. She also enjoys editing, blogging, and giving readers a balance of useful information and a dose of inspiration to live a life of authenticity and joy.