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MECCA Loves

The best bronzers at MECCA right now

February 13 | 5 minute read

Best Bronzers Hero 16x9

Words by Sherine Youssef

Originally published on May 21

Glowing skin is a year-round endeavour, which is what makes bronzer a staple for every makeup kit.

Brown hued formulas work hard to make skin look sunkissed (without having to actually go in the sun) and can brighten up a dull or lacklustre complexion by imparting energy and glow to the face.

There’s a bronzer to suit everyone. From a matte powder that emulates what a real tan looks like (sans UV damage!), to a shimmering cream that adds radiance, there's a bronzer ready to give you the finish of your dreams. Got oily skin? Try a powder bronzer that will absorb oil and shine throughout the day. Dry skin? Opt for a hydrating cream formula that melts into a thirsty complexion. For those with combination skin, a liquid bronzer or bronzing drops is the way to go. They also double as a contouring product to carve out the appearance of cheekbones or define a jawline, and, in a pinch, works as a neutral eyeshadow, too.

And, don’t forget to consider your skin's undertone. Most bronzers come in light, medium and dark shades, but as a general guide, warm skin undertones are flattered by golden bronzers, and cool skin undertones can be complemented with rosy gold and copper bronzers. Whichever way you go, stick to a bronzer that’s one, or maximum two, shades darker than your natural skin tone.

Now, ready to meet your best bronzer match?

This illuminating bronzer effortlessly adds depth and dimension for a natural glow. Available in four shades to cater to a variety of skin tones, the airy formula features finely-milled mica (hello, glow!) and diamond powder (to give a blurring and brightening effect), and sweeps on for a healthy-looking finish that never looks flat – just radiant, sunkissed glow.
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This bronzing powder has more than earned its global icon status. The finely-milled, buttery and buildable formula delivers a diffused and seamless finish and is a true multitasker (use it as a bronzer, contouring product or eyeshadow). Featuring tiny gold flecks for extra warmth and definition, the ‘Laguna’ shade suits a variety of skin tones, but especially those with golden undertones. Get your Laguna fix in the original shimmer or stash the mini in your bag for on-the-go glow.
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It's the added cocoa powder that makes this matte bronzer smell so good. But cocoa isn’t just there for a good time: the ingredient is rich in antioxidants, meaning it can act as a welcome addition for your skin, too. There are three delicious shades – Milk Chocolate (light), Chocolate (medium), and Dark Chocolate (deep tan) – to suit a wide range of skin tones.
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A radiance-boosting shimmering bronzer, this will have you looking like you've just come back from holiday. In three suits-most-skin-tones shades, the powder lays down evenly and adds instant warmth and sunkissed glow to the complexion.
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This melts into skin like a dream, and imparts a gorgeous glow. Available in two matte terracotta shades, the silky and vegan-friendly formula is infused with cupuacu butter which may help to support and encourage skin's natural collagen production, while cocoa seed is known to invigorate the skin with its circulation-boosting properties. Think of it like an island getaway in a compact!
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This hybrid formula combines skincare ingredients (hello, hydrating hyaluronic acid) with makeup benefits that include illuminating (thank you, finely-milled pearls) and blurring (take a bow, soft-focus silica and silky polymers), for a beautifully bronzed and sunkissed complexion. There are four shades to choose from, so you're sure to find your perfect match. Our tip? Sweep this on your shoulders and décolletage, too.
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Like all RMS Beauty products, this has a kind-to-skin ingredient list that includes wildcrafted buriti oil (rich in vitamins), shea butter (intensely hydrating) and cocoa seed butter (high in antioxidants) to deliver hydration, nourishment and bronzed glow. The milk chocolate shade can be built up for a deeper bronze, or used as an illuminator on darker skin tones. Feel free to sweep it on your eyes and lips, too.
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This is technically a contouring product, but we like using this as a bronzer, too, because it really doesn't get any easier: just scribble the jumbo crayon anywhere you want a sunkissed glow, then blend in the creamy, oil-free formula. The result? Seamless, matte-but-radiant colour that wears all day. The singular shade is best suited to medium skin tones.
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There's a lot to love about these innovative drops: they leave skin looking dewy and juicy, the formula is powered by skincare ingredients (including vitamin F, cocoa powder and macula seed oil) and it can be added to just about any product (serum, moisturiser, oil) to add a beautiful and believable wash of bronze or glow to any complexion.
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Made for the face and body, this quick-drying, transfer-proof formula is loaded with beneficial ingredients, including antioxidant-rich red and black tea extracts, and cold pressed cherry extract. It’s a breeze to apply (no streaks!) and offers two finishes: shake the bottle before application for a shimmery finish, or don’t shake so the micro-prisms stay at the bottom of the bottle for a more matte finish. Clever!
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