Why choose a cream bronzer over a powder bronzer?
There is no right or wrong answer here, and it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. If you like a more matte look, then a powder might suit you best. If you like a second-skin, natural-looking, glow-bestowing finish, then a cream bronzer will be right up your street.
“While powder formulas are just that, a cream bronzer tends to be more of a whipped-liquid formula that leaves a slightly dewier finish on the skin,” says Jesse Walker. They are also more hydrating, making cream bronzers “a great choice for more mature or drier skin types that find powder products often leave their skin looking dull.”
With cream bronzers, you’ll get a much more natural, lived-in look, adds Bobbi Brown, education and artistry manager Sabena Collier. “This is perfect for the ‘no-makeup’ makeup look. A cream bronzer works perfectly with skincare to give a lit-from-within glow. If my client is worried about texture or dryness in their skin, I always reach for a cream bronzer.”
Similarly, Rose Gallagher says powders are a bit more “savage” and will create more of a sculpted, pigmented look. Creams, on the other hand, will add a little sun-kissed glow. It’s also worth considering your skill level. Gallagher adds, “Cream bronzers are so easy to blend, whereas powder formulas are more intense and less forgiving. Cream bronzers give this lovely, diffused finish and they’re more malleable. So if you make a mistake or you’re not super confident with makeup application, you have more control to soften and play with the look.”
Regardless of which formula you use, both have the same purpose: to add warmth to your complexion. “Whether you’re using a powder bronzer or a cream bronzer, both add dimension back into the skin after foundation,” Collier says. “Also, to give the skin a beautiful year-round summer tan.”
How to apply cream bronzer:
Cream bronzers are usually applied after foundation or concealer and before powder products, but they can also be layered before foundation to create a really natural flush of warmth that peeks through your base.
Jesse recommends using a medium-sized synthetic buffing brush to apply cream bronzers. “That’s the easiest way to seamlessly blend it into skin,” she notes. “I like to add a small amount of product onto the brush – you can take some off on the back of your hand if necessary – and then slowly build the colour up, making sure you’re blending it as you go to ensure a smooth, even finish.”
As far as placement goes, it’s best applied where the sun would naturally hit your face. “That’s on your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin,” explains Jesse. “But if you’re looking to warm up your whole face (for example, if your neck and chest are darker due to wearing fake tan) then you can apply it as a fine veil all over the face before going in with foundation.”
And for the most natural-looking finish, opt for a shade that’s one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone.
Do cream bronzers work on all skin types?
According to Gallagher, everyone can use a cream bronzer; it’s just that some might find it lasts better than others. “If you have dry to normal skin, a cream bronzer is going to blend really easily and last relatively well. If you’re working with more of an oily skin type, you’re going to find that your cream-based products move a bit more quickly because they’re really malleable.”
This is nothing to be worried about, she adds, “It’s the nature of makeup! I think people forget that. People often ask me what they’re doing wrong, but makeup separates or disappears and that’s normal. There are things you can do to prolong how long it lasts but it won’t last forever with the warmth of your skin.”
So, if your skin is naturally oily, you might find that the oils in your skin will dissolve a creamy formula more quickly. If you’re after the look of a cream bronzer but you also have oily skin, try pairing it with a long-wearing primer and setting it with a translucent powder or setting spray.
After something else? Shop the best bronzing drops, the best bronzer for dark skin and the best contour brushes.
