These Are the 6 Bronzers That Give Black and Brown Skin the Perfect Subtle Glow

I’m just going to say it: Finding the right bronzer for your skin tone can be tricky if you’re not white. I struggled for years to find a bronzer that would actually show up on my brown skin until recently. I gave a handful of bronzers from a few of my favorite brands a test drive, and I may have found the holy grail. I was particularly impressed with the pigment payoff of each, something that had been a huge issue for me in the past. A lot of darker bronzers end up being the same color as my skin, but not these!

I don’t like to gatekeep either. I’m sharing details on the six formulas that stood out below, along with a few bronzers makeup artists love for darker skin tones. Keep scrolling. There’s definitely a formula for you.

How to Apply Bronzer on Black and Brown Skin

Celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay says, “I find that brands don’t often have an extensive shade range of bronzers, but they do have an extensive range of powders. Personally, I always use face powders as bronzers in my kit. You can do the same thing as a consumer to get a better shade of bronzer for yourself.”

Gabbay loves MAC’s Studio Fix Powder ($44) and CoverFX powders for this because they have deeper red undertones that work well for Black and Brown skin. To create a skin-like finish over the powder, Gabbay will also use something like Hourglass’s Ambient Lighting Palette ($70) (volume three of the palette works for olive to cocoa-hued skin tones). Another favorite of Gabbay’s is Fenty because it has an incredible shade range for Black and Brown skin.

Her best application tips for bronzer include applying it where the sun would naturally hit your face. Typically, this would be the top of the forehead, tip of the nose, the chin, and under the cheekbones. Another great tip, she says, is to use the “rule of three.” To do this, you would apply the bronzer in a three shape down the left and right sides of the face (this can also be used for contouring too).

Best Overall Bronzer for Deep Skin Tones: Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer

LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer and Contour Stick

Above, I’m wearing the LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer and Contour Stick.

Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Cream Bronzer

Above, I’m wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Cream Bronzer.

Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer

Mented Cosmetics Sunkissed Bronzer

Pacifica Sun Dreams Bronzer

Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Palette

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Soft Matte Longwear Bronzer

Danessa Myricks Evolution Setting & Blurring Loose Powder

Hoola Matte Bronzer

SheGlam Silk Haze Cream Bronzer

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.