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If you're like me and love the look of a bronzy glow but spend all your outside time under an umbrella wearing sunscreen with SPF 50, you're a very smart person (unprotected sun exposure is the enemy of good skin everywhere), and you're also in the right place. Today we're talking bronzer sticks, one of my absolute favorite makeup products for giving skin a luminous, just-back-from-vacay look. Not only are bronzer sticks easy to use, they can be used a million different ways—like as a contour, cream eyeshadow, and in some cases a highlighter too.
So to get you started on your bronzer sticks journey, I tested and reviewed a ton of different formulas and reached out to two makeup experts (shout out to celebrity makeup artist Carly Fisher and CEO of Elcie Cosmetics Lilit Caradanian) to create this list of the 13 best bronzer sticks for every skin type and tone. Here's a sneak peek:
Our top picks for the best bronzer sticks of 2024:
Keep reading for full list of the 13 best bronzer sticks of 2023 along with expert info for choosing a bronzer stick and tips for using a bronzer stick like a makeup pro.
1
Best Bronzer Stick for Beginners
Nudestix Nudies Matte Cream Bronzer
Pros
- Built-in buffing brush makes blending easy, especially for makeup newbs
- Depending on the shade you choose, it can be used as a bronzer, warm blush, or contour
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the shades were too warm
- Some testers say the colors fade quickly
Fisher and celebs like Sophia Richie are major fans of this easy-to-use bronzer stick from Nudestix. "There are tons of different shades to choose from and the versatility is unmatched," says Fisher. My favorite part is the removable, built-in makeup brush that actually works. Usually, dual-ended prods fall flat with the applicator, but this one is superior and blends out pigments without any streaks or patchiness.
THE REVIEW: "I love the rosy-toned color of this bronzer. It's perfect for my fair skin and keeps me looking sunkissed and not orange. Definitely the best for a realistic glow," reads one tester review.
Pros
- Dual-ended formula contains a cream bronzer and highlighter
- The smooth texture makes it a dream to apply
Cons
- Not all shades are available on all shopping sites
- Only available in three shades
Fisher loves the duality of this bronzer and highlighter stick, saying that “it’s great for my makeup bag and saves room in my kit.” In addition, Fisher says that it’s “just a great formula overall" and "loves how the creamy consistency melts into skin for a believable bronze and glow."
THE REVIEWS: “The highlighter is gorgeous—not too shiny, but adds a nice subtle glow. The bronzer is really great too and blends super well. I will definitely purchase again," reads a tester review.
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Pros
- Great quality for the affordable price
- Made with all-natural, plant-based ingredients
Cons
- Limited shade range; may not be deep enough for some skin tones
- Not the best option for oily skin types
I love a bronzer with a little bit of shimmer in it, and this one from Burt's Bees has just the right amount, IMHO. And the radiant light-reflecting sheen isn’t all you get; hydrating oils impart a natural dewy glow, too. In the center of the stick, there’s a moisturizing combo of coconut oil, jojoba oil, and cupuacu butter that leaves skin ultra smooth. I like using it on my decollete and down my shins for a head-to-toe glowy vibe.
THE REVIEWS: “The Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer is a great product. It’s extremely moisturizing and stays on all day. It blends very easily and sits on my skin beautifully," one reviewer writes,
4
Best Longwearing Bronzer Stick
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick
Pros
- Wide shade range makes it easy to find your perfect match
- Longwear formula won't disappear from skin
Cons
- Some reviewers found it difficult to blend on drier skin types
- Matte finish can settle into pores and fine lines
For the longest time, bronzer was available in only one or maybe two shades. Wild, I know. But, then Rihanna and Fenty launched these sticks with nine shades, totally changing the game. They’re categorized as contour sticks because they have cooler undertones, but you can easily find a shade that’ll work to use as a bronzer among these cream-to-powder stick formulas.
“The color formulation is on-point for shadowing and the texture is a dry cream that's almost powder-like, making it perfect for that effortless blend and doesn’t add layers of product to your skin,” explains Caradanian. And the longevity is unmatched—I find that the pigments last longer on my skin than any other bronzer/contour stick I've tried
THE REVIEWS: “This is just lovely and blends out nicely with my other cream make up for a natural makeup look," writes a reviewer, adding that "the formula wears well even though I don’t set with powders.”
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Pros
- Shine-free formula is ideal for sculpting your favorite features
- Experts and testers say the liquid formula is super easy to blend
Cons
- It can get messy if you don’t twist the dispenser “off” when you’re done
- Only two shades to choose from (fair/light and medium/dark)
Ok, maybe it’s not technically a cream stick, it’s more of a liquid-dispensing wand, but for application purposes, you do hold it like a stick, so I’m going with it. Caradanian likes this bronzer/contour wand from Charlotte Tilbury because "the liquid formula is easy to blend and build and you can do so with a brush, your fingers, or a makeup sponge."
THE REVIEWS: “I have fair skin with neutral undertones and this matches me so perfectly. It blends with no effort. I really, really think this looks better on my skin than any other.”
6
Best Bronzer Stick for Fair Skin
Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick
Pros
- Comes in eight verstaile shades
- Lightweight formula creates a natural, skin-like finish
Cons
- Reviewers with oily skin had trouble with the formula lasting
- Some testers said it was harder than expected to blend with just their fingers
Another one of Cardanian’s picks, these bronzer sticks are easy to use and won’t call attention to the fact that you’re wearing much makeup. “It’s key to have your bronzing/contour sticks be thin in formulation so that it doesn’t cake up the face over or under foundation,” says Caradanian. And this one is the perfect consistency for warming up the skin in an almost undetectable way—even on the fairest of skin tones.
THE REVIEWS: According to one reviewer, “I’ve never used cream bronzer before so I was nervous to try this, but this product is foolproof! Blends out seamlessly and is such a great neutral color on my fair skin!”
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Pros
- Wide range of shades, especially for deeper skin tones
- Velvety pigments are long-wearing and full coverage
Cons
- You really have to buff in the formula for it to seamlessly blend into skin
- Some testers say the colors online don't accurately reflect the product shades
Lemme let you in on a little makeup hack. Cream foundation sticks double as fab bronzing sticks. Choose one that’s a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone and voila, you've got yourself a bronzer. This makeup trick works especially well when you’re using the same foundation formula, too, because the two will blend together perfectly. And I’m not the only one who loves this hack, Caradanian recommends it, too.
THE REVIEWS: “I've been purchasing Black Opal for years because it's the only brand for women of color that I've found to be non-greasy as well as it doesn't make my skin look ashy. Perfect match!”
8
Best Bronzer Stick for Sculpting
LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer and Contour Stick
Pros
- Triangle tip makes sculpting and contouring fast and easy
- Made with moisturizing and brightening ingredients to improve skin quality with continued use
Cons
- Some reviewers felt that the shades were too warm
- Some testers said they wish the formula was more pigmented
The shape of this bronzer stick is unique in that it’s a triangle shape rather than the typical rounded version. This makes it easy to hug the contours of your face so that you can score a sculpted, snatched look in a few quick swipes. Also great? All the skin-loving ingredients—including smoothing rosehip oil, plumping hyaluronic acid, and antioxidant-rich green tea extract—in the formula.
THE REVIEWS: “This bronzer stick glides onto skin so beautifully, allowing me to add color and warmth to my cheeks with ease," writes a tester. "I love that it’s made with skincare ingredients that actually help to hydrate my skin and fade dark spots, all the while keeping me looking nice and bronzed," reads another review.
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9
Best Splurge Bronzer Stick
Westman Atelier Face Trace Cream Contour Stick Ganache
Pros
- Made without silicones, parabens, mineral oil, or synthetic fragrances
- Testers say it layers nicely with other skincare and makeup products
Cons
- Some reviewers found that it didn’t last as long as they would like
- Most expensive option on the list
At $48 this bronzer stick is absolutely splurge, but the price is totally worth it if you ask me—and Caradanian agrees. The packaging super chic, and the clean formula inside is just as luxe. The ultra-creamy formula is infused with jojoba oil to improve skin hydration, but it's also got kaolin clay to absorb excess oil so the pigments don't slide off your face during the day. I like to use it under my cheekbones, along my jawline, and down the bridge of my nose for a sculpted, sunkissed look.
THE REVIEWS: “I finally bought this product. Some negative reviews delayed my purchase but what a surprise. Amazing product, easy to use, a staple in my makeup routine. The HOLY GRAIL of contour product for medium olive skin. Love it.”
Pros
- Most affordable option on the list
- Large, rounded tip makes it easy to bronze your face and body
Cons
- Some reviewers had issues with the stick breaking
- Some testers say the shades are darker IRL than they appear in the online photos
The price can’t be beat and the high-performance formula doesn’t come to play. Wet n Wild's MegaGlo sticks are available in concealer, highlight, blush, and contour so you can get a full look with these wallet-friendly sticks. Because the rounded stick is larger than some others, it takes only a few swipes to achieve your faux glow.
THE REVIEWS: “Such an underrated product!! I love that it’s creamy and consistent, no smudges or drying out and it STAYS ON ALL DAY! I put the product on with a brush and then on my face but I love how pigmented it is, a little goes a long way. I love it and will be buying more!!”
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Pros
- Shade range is ideal for deep skin tones
- Formula is ultra-pigmented for max color payoff
Cons
- Some reviewers felt that it was greasy on skin
- There are only three shades
Finding a bronzer for dark skin is hard, but finding a highlighter can be even harder. So many turn up ashy or gray on deeper skin tones, but this duo from Uoma Beauty offers the best of both. Upon application, both formulas melt seamlessly into the skin and have a richly- pigmented, longwear finish.
THE REVIEWS: “Beautiful coverage for brown skin gals with neutral to warm undertones! A small amount goes a long way and it allows you to achieve a beautiful natural bronze or contour...would recommend for sure!”
12
Best Bronzer Stick for Oily Skin
Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer Stick
Pros
- Longwearing, matte formula is ideal for oily skin types
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Some reviewers felt that that stick was too small for the price
- Not the best option for dry, flaky skin
Got greasy skin? The struggle of makeup melting off and disappearing is real, I know. That’s where matte formulas like this one come in. After you swipe on this bronzer stick and blend it in, the creamy formula dries down to a matte, skin-like finish that won’t ghost you midday.
THE REVIEWS: “I get the hype!! It quickly became my go-to bronzer. It blends easily with a sponge and looks super natural. You can build it up and it never looks patchy. My fave part is that it doesn’t lift any of the makeup underneath so you can really get a nice finish overall. Love it!!”
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Pros
- Ultra-creamy formula is great for drier skin types
- Made with moisturizing vitamin E and squalane
Cons
- On the pricey side for a bronzer
- Only available in four shades
Fisher says that she regularly uses these sticks on her clients because they “have a buttery and really easy-to-blend formula” that she uses for bronzing and contouring. Because they’re infused with hydrating squalane and nourishing vitamin E, the creamy texture is a breeze to apply. It glides instead of dragging, leaving behind a gorg natural glow.
THE REVIEWS: One tester raved, “I'm a cream bronzer lover, and I was so eager to find one in a stick format that also had a formula I'd like. This is IT, people! Summer is the perfect warm shade without being orange. It blends like a dream and has the hydration of a cream, but the anti-budging, non-sticky quality of a powder. EM aced this one.”
Is a bronzer stick the same as a contour stick?
Although they’re often used and named interchangeably, bronzer sticks and contour sticks are technically different. “A contour stick should be more cool-toned since you are using it to shape and sculpt your face,” explains Fisher.“When using a bronzer stick, you want to use a warm tone to look sunkissed.” This isn’t to say that you can’t use a contour to bronze or vice versa—it’s just that contours and bronzers have different purposes.
Contour is meant to enhance the look of shadows to create a more sculpted appearance while a bronzer is designed to warm up the complexion. Hence, the difference in placement. Some people may choose to use both products in their routine while others prefer to use only one. In terms of formulation, both products are the same except for their undertones aka a bronzer is warm-toned and a contour stick is cool-toned, says Caradanian.
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How do you use a bronzer stick?
Caradanian says you use the stick to draw directly on your skin and then blend it out or you can use a brush to pick up product before applying. Fisher prefers the brush method as it helps control the placement of the product and doesn't muddy-up your face.
Simply take your bronzer stick and rub it on the back of your hand. Then, “tap the product on the natural points on the face where the sun would hit,” says Fisher. This includes the cheeks, top of the forehead, nose bridge, and a little on the chin.
How to choose the best bronzer stick
Color is key.
If your skin is on the lighter side, Caradanian says to look for shades with less orange pigment and more golden and warm tones. But for those with darker skin, more of an orange or red undertone will mimic an actual sun tan.
Find the right texture.
For the most part, bronzer sticks are going to be creamy, but it can help to swatch a few to see which consistency feels best on your skin. If you have oily skin, a matte formula would be best, but if you’re on the drier side, opt for something with moisturizing ingredients, like jojoba oil or squalane.
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Meet the experts:
- Carly Fisher is a celebrity makeup artist in Los Angeles, CA who has worked with Bella Hadid and Claudia Schiffer. Fisher’s bronzer stick go-tos are Jouer, Nudestix and EM Cosmetics.
- Lilit Caradanian is a makeup artist and is the founder and CEO of Elcie Cosmetics and Elcientials Skincare. Her favorite bronzer sticks include Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood, Rare Beauty, and Westman Atelier.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lisa DeSantis is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan who has been in the beauty industry for nearly 10 years, including writing stories like the best lip liners and Latinx-owned makeup brands. She has tested thousands of products and considers herself a professional guinea pig who’s always on the search for the next big trends in beauty, wellness, and beyond.
Lisa DeSantis
Lisa DeSantis is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly ten years. She began her career in beauty and fashion at QVC and has since written for and contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Health, Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, Byrdie and more. She has tested thousands of products and considers herself a professional guinea pig who’s always on the search for the next big trends in beauty, wellness and beyond.