Finding the right bronzer for your skin tone and type sometimes feels like an uphill battle, especially when you’re a woman of color. There are so many drugstore beauty products that claim to compliment every shade but end up looking disastrous once you actually apply them.

Bronzer can be one of the trickiest products to buy if you don’t know what to look for. The first step to finding the best bronzer for your skin tone is to avoid any bronzers that are super orange or grey. Those will completely drain the color from your face, regardless of your skin tone.

Now that we’re all on the same page about what bronzer not to buy, here’s our definitive list of the perfect bronzer for every skin tone.

If your skin tone is fair…

Good news! Just because your skin is super light doesn’t mean that you have to shy away from bronzer. It is possible for you to avoid that orange, unnatural look that comes with using the wrong shade of bronzer.  Go for a bronzer that is one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone, apply it gently, and build from there.

The Hoola Bronzer by Benefit Cosmetics will give your skin a natural glow without the caked on look or feel. This bronzer comes in a matte or shimmer finish.

If your skin tone is light or medium…

If your skin tone is light or medium, then the one to two shades darker rule applies to you too! Stay away from bronzers that have super warm (if you look great in gold) or cool (if you look great in silver) tones. Going too far on either side of the spectrum will give your skin a harsh, unflattering contrast.

Opt for a more neutral shade bronzer instead. This is the guarantee to give you that fresh off the beach look all year round. Too Faced’s Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer is 100% free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates and also contains real cocoa powder. It doesn’t get any better than that!

If your skin tone is olive or tan…

If your skin tone is olive or tan, then you’re in luck and can pull off both warm and cool shades! Try going for a dark brown bronzer to add more color to your face and accentuate your cheekbones.

The best part about the NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo is that it also works as a blush. It’ll give your skin a gorgeous, peachy look. I’m all about a 2 for 1 deal.

When it comes to bronzer for dark skin tones, the beauty industry tries to push that one label fits all, but this couldn’t be further from the truth!

If your skin tone is light or medium brown…

If your skin tone is light or medium brown, Guerlain Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder will really bring out your features and make your melanin pop! If you’re ever unsure of what bronzer to pick up because of it’s misleading “dark skin tone” label, try mixing a lighter and darker shade for the perfect medium.

With 6 versatile and transfer-resistant shades of bronzer, Guerlain is sure to have the shade for you. I don’t think there’s a makeup company that I trust more to take care of my skin.

If your skin tone is dark brown…


If you’re like me and your skin is mainly dark brown with a few lighter shades mixed in, pick a warmer bronzer that will even out your skin tone. A warmer bronzer will also help sculpt and highlight the angles of your face without leaving your skin looking dry or patchy.

Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Bronzer in Mahogany is perfect for the ladies who love a bronzer that gives their face color without the added sparkle.

If your skin tone is deep…

If you have a deeper complexion, yes, you can wear bronzer too! One with a terracotta shade would highlight the angles and shape of your face. It’s important to know whether you have cool or warm undertones so you don’t get a bronzer that is too red or orange.

Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer has four different shades, all designed with the purpose of highlighting and contouring your best features. This cream bronzer is free of silicones and parabens so it will seamlessly blend into your skin leaving a natural velvet finish without clogging your pores.

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