The 11 Best Bronzers for Fair Skin, Tested and Reviewed

Every skin tone is beautiful, full stop. While embracing our natural beauty comes with personal growth, pale skin is still a sticking point for many people. Pale features can lack depth and dimension, and who of the pale-persuasion hasn't been described as sickly on more than one occasion. Plus, that aura that surrounds you after a vacation and a sun-kissed — faux — tan is undeniable. 

I want to look (and feel) like I just got back from vacation — everyday, no matter the season. While it’s true that many makeup products are extolled as The Most Important, it’s the gorgeous glow of a good bronzer that will give your fair complexion new life. Simply put, bronzers are a lifesaver — a reliable, speedy trick to elevate my sallow complexion into a refreshed, healthy, and wide awake person, as if an Instagram-level golden hour filter has washed all over me and my porcelain skin. Plus, the rich pigment also manages to hide my old acne scars and the lingering rosacea on my cheeks. 

To keep a fair complexion looking radiant — and realistic — the best bronzer needs to blend effortlessly, feel delightfully invisible on skin, and flatter your skin tone exactly. A tall order? Not with our picks below.

Best Overall

Saie Sun Melt Bronzer

What We Love: From the creamy, skincare-infused formula to the effortless application, we absolutely adored this bronzer

What We Don’t Love: The lid is extremely secure, to the point that opening this bronzer can be a real struggle. 

Through every swipe, swatch, and blend, no product created an effortless, natural sculpt quite like the Saie Sun Melt Bronzer. Extremely creamy and blendable, this buttery bronzer in fair bronze goes on sheer for a healthy-looking, soft finish that you can easily build up to completely customize your glow. 

“This is one of my all-time favorite bronzer formulas for fair skin,” says celebrity makeup artist, Ashley Rebecca. “The cream texture adheres beautifully to skin and the color looks natural. A little goes a long way — this bronzer will last you a while!”

Plus, it’s filled with nourishing ingredients, like organic colloidal oatmeal and grapeseed oil to hydrate skin, making it an especially great option for those with dry skin. For expert-level application, we like to warm up the product with our fingers to make it extra melty, but if you’re a brush loyalist, The Big Buffing Bronzer Brush is a hero for a totally seamless, non-streaky radiance.

Type: Cream | Finish: Natural | Shades: 6 | Key Ingredients: Organic colloidal oatmeal, grapeseed oil | Size: 1 oz

Best Budget

Undone Beauty Water Bronzer

What We Love: On top of providing the most natural glow, this bronzer feels cooling as it's swiped across skin. 

What We Don’t Love: The coverage is very light, so it’s not great to use for ultra-glam looks. 

At first glance, it may seem odd that this deep-toned chubby stick made a list of bronzers for fair skin, but don’t let the darker hue deter you — a single swipe reveals a subtle tan color that seamlessly melts into the fairest complexions. The Water Bronzer is unlike any bronzing formula I’ve tried: Water-based and infused with coconut water for an enhanced glow, this lightweight stick feels cool to the touch and takes minimal effort to blend. I find that using my fingers to gently tap it onto the high points of my face provides the most natural results. 

While we reach for this mini stick year round, it’s the only thing we use during the summer months as it feels soothing after days in the sun and is perfect for no makeup makeup looks. The intensity can be built up, but we wouldn’t recommend using this for very glam looks, as it looks best on clean, foundation-less skin. 

Type: Water-based stick | Finish: Natural | Shades: 4 | Key Ingredients: Coconut water | Size: 0.19 oz

Best Powder

Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Bronzer

What We Love: The illuminating bronzer provides a multi-dimensional finish that adds depth to your face and enhances your overall look. 

What We Don’t Love: This is best reserved for the fairest of skin — if you lean more towards fair-medium, you may need to layer for a wow-worthy effect. 

Ever wonder what celebrities use to achieve their ethereal, bronzed glow? More often than not, Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Bronzer is the answer. “This is what I call my red carpet bronzer, the formula never disappoints,” says Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist Aaron Berry. Part bronzer, part highlighter, Hourglass combined its award-winning Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder with light bronze pigments to create this multi-dimensional formula. 

Though it can be applied anywhere you would use a traditional bronzer, Berry especially  recommends sweeping it across cheekbones and over the bridge of the nose to add depth to your face and create a lit-from-within glow. Former Commerce Editor, Mary Honkus, tested the shade Nude Bronze Light (Berry’s go-to for fair skin) and adored how it diffuses across her complexion. “As I buff it in, my skin looks airbrushed and my features beautifully defined. I will say, though, that the end result is more subdued than anticipated. I build it up for special occasions, but overall this pick is ideal for the fairest of skin.” If you tan easily or are more fair-medium, this will be too light for you. 

Type: Powder | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 4 | Key Ingredients: Photoluminescent particles | Size: 0.39 oz

Best Cream

Chanel Glow Bronzing Cream

What We Love: This compact contains one full ounce of bronzer (the largest amount on our list) making the high price tag so much more worth it. 

What We Don’t Love: Though labeled as non-comedogenic, the formula contains coconut oil which can be pore clogging. 

Luxury beauty products tend to be hit or miss, but when it comes to Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who isn’t captivated by this bronzer. Honkus tried this formula after hearing rave reviews from multiple beauty editors on the InStyle team, and she audibly said ‘wow’ after the first application (something that she had never done in her five-plus years in the beauty industry). 

The beauty of this bronzer is in its simplicity: All it takes is a small sweep of the gel-cream formula to warm up fair complexions. “In seconds, I look like I stepped off a yacht in the sunny French Riviera — I have a gorgeous glow that lasts for hours and doesn’t oxidize throughout the day (no need to worry about patchiness or orange streaks here),” Honkus says.

The large compact also deserves boundless praise, especially considering the price. While $50 may seem like an exorbitant amount for a bronzing product, it contains more than double the amount of other comparable options, so this will last for years.  

Type: Cream | Finish: Velvet matte | Shades: 3 | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Kalanchoe pinnata leaf extract | Size: 1 oz

Best for a Healthy Glow

Make Beauty Skin Mimetic Microsuede Powder Bronzer

What We Love: The buildable powder can be used to create a variety of looks — from a subtle sun-kissed glow to a defined supermodel sculpt. 

What We Don’t Love: The matte finish inherently looks more harsh than bronzers with radiant or natural finishes.

Powder bronzers can get a bad rep — they don’t melt into skin like their cream and liquid counterparts, and it’s easy for them to become patchy as the day progresses. Make Beauty took all of those concerns into account when they created the Skin Mimetic Microsuede Bronzer, and the finished product produces even, streak-free results that Rebecca relies on regularly. “This is an excellent matte formula, it glides on the skin without looking ruddy,” she says.

We fully agree; beauty editors often favor cream formulas over powder as the latter can leave harsh, oftentimes orange lines. This smooth, neutral-yet-warm-toned formula made us believe in powder bronzers again because of the way it smoothed onto our skin. While it applies like a traditional powder, the end result is comparable to a cream. I attribute this to the hydrating ingredients, including squalane and hyaluronic acid, that leave my complexion looking velvety and warm. As a bonus, the lightweight bronzer is extremely buildable, making it easy to craft subtle glows and dramatic sculpts alike.

Type: Powder | Finish: Matte | Shades: 6 | Key Ingredients: Squalane, ceramides | Size: 0.26 oz

Best for Cool Undertones

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer

What We Love: This Hoola Light shade is ideal for bronzer beginners, plus, it’s multi-purpose — try using it as a definition-enhancing finishing powder. 

What We Don’t Love: This specific hue may wash out those with warm undertones. 

Benefit’s iconic Hoola Bronzer burst onto the beauty scene in 2001, and it’s been a favorite of makeup artists and fair-skinned shoppers ever since. Though the original shade (Hoola) works for light skin tones, Berry prefers Hoola Light. “This is a great first step into bronzer,” he says. “It has a very neutral undertone — not too yellow or orange. It’s also a great finishing powder to dust over your usual makeup routine.” 

“I wish this soft hue was around when I first started using bronzer years ago: Even though the formula is matte, it’s impossible to create harsh orange lines, no matter how much product I apply,” Honkus says. “Although it looks relatively light in the pan, it still adds a touch of color to my face and defines my features in an understated way, making it great for everyday use. That said, I reserve this for the winter months when my skin is nearly translucent — it’d be a touch too light when I have a tan, and overall, will wash out those with warm undertones.” If you have neutral or cool undertones like I do, this is a foolproof pick. 

Type: Powder | Finish: Matte | Shades: 4 | Key Ingredients: Silicone-based polymers | Size: 0.21 oz

Best for Sensitive Skin

Kosas The Sun Show Glowy Warmth Baked Bronzer

What We Love: Forget golden hour, this luminous bronzer gives skin a comparable glow that lasts all day.  

What We Don’t Love: If you apply too much it can be difficult to blend out. 

You don’t have to wait for golden hour (or go on vacation) to get an impeccable, photo-ready glow. In fact, just a quick dusting of The Sun Show Baked Bronzer from Kosas will do the trick. A cross between a bronzer and a highlighter, this shimmery baked powder knocks out two steps in one swipe, adding a dewy warmth and subtle sheen to my complexion. Unlike many powders, this one appears to melt into skin because it’s made with fatty acids, ultimately hydrating and softening skin with wear. Start slow with this formula — you only need a small amount to enliven your complexion. 

Type: Powder | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 5 | Key Ingredients: Concentrated fatty acids, meadowfoam seed oil, shea butter | Size: 0.21 oz

Best Stick

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick

What We Love: A conditioning blend of cocoa seed, mango seed, and cupuacu butters ensures the rich, creamy texture blends and buffs out like a dream for a natural glow. 

What We Don’t Love: There are only three shades.

Senior Beauty Commerce Editor Kaitlin Clark has been a loyalist to this silky bronzer since it debuted five years ago. Founded by the renowned celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman, who became famous for her “second skin” approach to makeup, creating impossibly dewy and naturally glowy looks for clients, including Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, the line is both clean and luxurious.

This soft, buildable formula comes in three shimmer-free shades that melt into skin without ever looking overdone — a nightmare for anyone with light skin. Plant seed oils and fruit extracts moisturize skin, leaving behind a supernatural radiance, while the addition of China clay absorbs excess oil so your complexion is the perfect level of dewy (and never shiny). 

“Biscuit is a delightfully neutral shade that still has enough oomph that it just looks like I’m standing in my best light all day long,” says Clark. “I had never really used a bronzer regularly before this one, mostly because I had been scarred from past experiences that left me orange, but the stick is totally foolproof to use and build or layer when I want to kick up the intensity.”

Type: Cream | Finish: Natural | Shades: 3 | Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, kaolin clay, berryflux vita | Size: 0.21 oz

Best for Body

MAC Cosmetics Radiant Bronzer

What We Love: It’s an incredibly long wearing formula that is also waterproof and sweat- and humidity-resistant up to 24 hours, so you can keep glowing throughout the dog days of summer. 

What We Don’t Love: Proceed with caution if you choose to wear a white top.

For many of us, a light dusting of bronzer is a quick fix to camoflauge our weary-looking skin and what’s better than a gorgeous bronzer that perfectly compliments your visage? One that compliments your face and your body.

“The biggest mistake I see people making when they are fair skinned is they don’t bronze the neck,” says Berry. “I think it’s so important to make the makeup look cohesive and connect the neck and face.”

In other words, to achieve a natural and healthy-looking sun-kissed color, it shouldn’t stop at your face — or even your neck. “Just take that same bronzer you just used on your face, grab a large, fluffy brush, and blend the bronzer all over the neck, collarbone and the tops of your shoulders,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist, Maria Vargas. “I save the shimmer and the iridescent textures for the body,” says Vargas, who adds that flashes of glitter or shine can highlight any uneven texture on the skin, especially if you have tech neck.”

And if you’re game to get a little playful, a body bronzer is the way. “It may sound weird, but I love a slim, elegant collarbone, and in the summer, I like to highlight mine to really enhance the look,” says Clark. “However, I’m also a sweaty mess in the summer and the cream bronzer that I use on my face doesn’t work at all for my decollete — it rubs off at the slightest touch. A powder is the only way for me to get the look I want.” 

Yet after MAC discontinued Clark’s beloved powder bronzer, she thought all hope was lost for her collarbone — until they replaced it with this one, which she says she likes even better. “Radiant Medium Golden looks phenomenal on my skin, and the radiant finish has the magical effect of a soft, sunset glow,” she says. “I also appreciate that it’s dermatologist-tested because my temperamental skin needs no excuse to break out.”

Specs of shimmer not your thing? Fear not, there’s also a matte option for each glorious shade (Medium Matte Golden is the matte twin to the one Clark loves), plus four more, designed to flatter every undertone. 

Type: Cream to powder | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 5 | Key Ingredients: MAC’s proprietary Marshmallow Cushion Blend | Size: 0.26 oz

Best for Mature Skin

Tom Ford Soleil Glow Bronzer

What We Love: The oil-free bronzer won’t clog pores or irritate sensitive complexions, and instead uses natural ingredients like cocoa extract to supply the skin with a natural radiance. 

What We Don’t Love: It might take some time to build up to a more defined look.

We were initially skeptical about this bronzer — how could a powder really moisturize the skin without caking to dry patches or sinking into fine lines? In this case, the answer is by using a surplus of natural, plant-based ingredients like mango, cupuaçu, and cocoa butters. This trio conditions the skin and allows the bronzer glides across complexions without skipping, leaving an illuminating brilliance in its wake, and making it an especially great pick for anyone with mature skin who wants to combat dullness. Plus, the brand thoughtfully left out potentially irritating ingredients such as mineral oil and parabens so that sensitive skin can reap these dazzling benefits as well.

And, trust us, no one will want to be left out of the conversation here since both shades, Terra and Gold Dust, look like they were touched by Midas himself as they boast just a hint of shimmer, imparting a sophisticated amount of color onto the skin. If you are looking for a more snatched beat it’ll take a few more minutes to build up the subtle bronzers; however, we promise the payoff is worth it. 

Type: Powder | Finish: Matte | Shades: 2 | Key Ingredients: Mango, cupuaçu, and cocoa butters | Size: 0.3 oz

Best for Neutral Undertones

Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Shaping Stick

What We Love: The dual-ended applicator includes a cream bronzer on one end and a soft brush on the other to make contouring easier than ever.

What We Don’t Love: It can be a little difficult to twist the product out of the packaging.

As Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist, there’s no one we trust more to create a stellar product for contouring than Mario Dedivanovic, and he delivers with this bronzing shaping stick. Since we’re always looking for any opportunity to take shortcuts while applying our makeup, we’re thrilled how this applicator provides us with the clearest path to contouring by including a bronzer on one end and a brush on the other. 

“This is one of the easiest bronzer sticks I’ve tried to swipe, blend with the included brush, and move on,” says Senior Commerce Editor, Shannon Bauer. “The cool-toned light colors never looks muddy or oompa loompa-like on my Casper complexion.”

The stick makes it a breeze to directly target the areas we want more definition, like the high points of our cheekbones and underneath our jawlines, before flipping it over and using the densely-packed, soft bristle brush to blend the bronzer out for a gorgeous, second-skin finish. Additionally, the light and light medium hues won’t pull orange, adding to our natural lit-from-within look, and they dry down matte which is a boon for anyone with oily skin.

Our only pain point is how the bronzer seems to occasionally get stuck when twisting it out of the tube, so hopefully, the brand will consider redesigning the packaging soon. 

Type: Cream | Finish: Matte | Shades: 6 | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil and glycerin derivatives | Size: 0.37 oz

Our Testing Process

We began our search for the best bronzers for fair skin by tapping InStyle editors to ask for their tried and true formulas. Our commerce editor also requested several formulas from PR to do some additional testing. We considered the shades and undertones, blendability, and application methods. We then rounded out our list by asking celebrity makeup artists for their favorite formulas. That left us with 14 formulas that received the editor and expert stamp of approval for pale skin. 

What to Keep in Mind

Shade

It’s happened to the best of us, and we’re a shame-free space, but an orange, nearly radioactive wash of color is a friend to no one, and especially not those with fair skin. 

“Bronzers definitely tend to add warmth to the skin, meaning that many options have more orange tones to begin with,” explains Vargas, while Berry adds that it’s exactly these orangey hues that make it harder for people with lighter skin tones to find a color that mimics the skin’s natural reaction to the sun (because as our fair-skinned friends are well aware, we land more in the sunburn crowd, not the toasty tanners). “This is why the incorrect bronzer could look orange or unnatural,” says Berry.  

Orange hues happen to good people, but here’s how to avoid it: Try to find a color that best resembles what a tan looks like on your skin and never go more than two shades darker than your skin tone, recommends Berry. Cooler undertones are also usually a safe bet for fair skin, like Westman Atelier’s Face Trace stick, as they’re mostly devoid of orange pigments.

Many people tend to make a big fuss about skin undertones, and yes, it’s a good thing to know, but Rebecca has a far more approachable (and realistic) method of shade matching. “If you have fair skin, I will advise applying three tones of bronzer that you're drawn to on the inside of your arm. Compare the shades and see which one looks the most natural on your skin and is the most believable,” she says. “When you compare three different shades, it's easy to spot which one is too orange.” 

Formula + Finish

“I think some of the biggest struggles are knowing and deciding what formula will work best for you,” says Berry, who took the words right out of our mouth. Ultimately, the right formula comes down to personal preference, and any skin concerns you’re trying to mask, like fine lines, dry patches, or uneven skin tone.

“I think cream formulas are very forgiving and work great on most skin types,” he says, adding that it’s also easy to wipe off with a makeup wipe if you’ve been a tad heavy handed (another no no for fair skin types). A blend with a foundation brush with no additional product can also help melt in harsh lines. 

However, if your skin leans oily, the dewy finish of a cream bronzer may exacerbate the issue, and a powder option may be a better fit. If fine lines on your face and neck are a familiar foe, steer way clear of shimmer or glitter, says Vargas, because it will just call more attention to the area.

Liquid formulations are typically richly pigmented and come in both matte and radiant finishes, but they’re also a devil to get just right. “If you don't know where to begin, a brush helps immensely with this and you'll get into the rhythm,” reassures Rebecca.

Blendability

The entire allure of bronzer is that it’s easy, effortless, and undoubtedly flattering, but if you have a formula that won’t budge, it will do just the opposite.

“A great bronzer should be easily blendable, so you can buff it across your face for a naturally glamorous look,” says Vargas. “If it’s not blending, it just sits on top of the skin and looks unnatural and muddy — literally, it looks like red mud on your face.”

Exactly no one wants this outcome, so no matter the formula or shade you choose, “it should blend seamlessly,” says Berry. To prevent a bronzer overdose, he uses a precise, strategic technique. “I like to have the most impact on the outer perimeter of the face and blend inward on the specific areas you want to bronze.”

Your Questions, Answered

Which bronzer shade is best for fair skin?

“When working with fair skin types, I always encourage people to have an idea of the bronzer look they are going for before picking out a product,” says Rebecca. For instance, if someone wants a light glow that gives off a slightly sun-kissed color, the bronzer they’ll need to use will be different than if they wanted to look like they just returned from St Tropez.

“The rule of thumb is to go one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone for bronzers,” says Vargas. “For fair skin tones, I suggest just doing one shade darker to begin with, starting with the safest color, and go from there.” 

For days when you want a total beach bum vibe, bump up to the next darker shade. Trust us (and learn from our mistakes), you probably won’t regret getting a product that’s too light or subtle, but you’ll definitely regret getting one that’s too dark.

Does bronzer work on fair skin?

We believe in honesty, so we’ll give it to you straight: Finding the best bronzer for your light skin tone isn’t as simple as those with olive, deep, or medium skin tones, but with a little knowledge and a discerning eye, you’ll find your match. 

The biggest challenge? Orange streaks, instead of a soft, warm golden glow. “Bronzer can quickly turn on fair skin, from being orange, ruddy, and sometimes far too brown,” says Rebecca. “It’s tricky in the beginning to sort out which tones complement fair skin, because fair skin shows everything.”

Each of the three makeup artists interviewed for this story stressed the importance of swatching several different bronzer shades on your wrist before making a purchase, so you can see precisely how the formula looks against your tone. It takes a moment of honest effort, but it’s worth it.

Where do you put bronzer on fair skin?

There are two main rules when using bronzer on fair skin: Don’t apply bronzer all over your face, and use a light hand.

“Start on the forehead, come down to contour the cheekbone area, and then lightly swipe along the jawline so as to not leave a line. Think of applying the product in the shape of a "3,” says Rebecca. “Once you've mapped out where you're applying bronzer, you can continue to build in these areas for more color.” 

When using powder bronzer, be sure to first lightly tap the brush into the compact to release any excess powder. “I also advise applying some bronzer on the lids, and at times under the eyes as a soft finishing touch, for the look of a rested complexion,” says Rebecca. 

Why Shop With Us

Irene Richardson is a producer and writer for InStyle, covering fashion and beauty trends. Mary Honkus is the former commerce editor for InStyle. To write this story, they tested dozens of bronzers on their own fair skin and consulted three sought-after makeup artists, Maria Vargas, Ashley Rebecca, and Aaron Berry. 

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