First, I want to point out what a bronzer is and its purpose.
Bronzer’s are either powder, gel, liquid or cream products that are used to give the impression of a bronzed/golden color of a suntan. Powder bronzers are most effective for individuals with oily skin, whereas, liquids and creams are best for people with dry skin. Bronzer is usually applied to the face on the chin, cheeks, center of the nose, cheek bones, and if you’re wearing a low-cut shirt add bronzer to your décolletage to enhance it.
There are very few companies that have bronzers specifically for women of color who have darker skintones. Iman Cosmetics, Milani, Black Opal, and now Shea Moisture are brands for women of color that carry bronzers for women like us. Some high-end brands like Bobbi Brown and Guerlain have bronzers for brown skinned women, too!
Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powders:
“Capture the brilliant glow of the sun with naturally shimmering sheer powders that bring a touched by the tropics to every complexion.”
Available in three color selections: Afterglow, clay (medium-dark complexion) & sand (medium-light complexion).
Black Opal Color Fusion Mosaic:
“Highlight the natural beauty of your skin with this multi-toned mosaic bronzing powder. Formulated with Vitamins that work to condition and protect your skin as well as oil blotters to help control shine, this ultra-fine, jet milled powder also ensures smooth application and long lasting streak-free color. For all skin types.”
Available in five different shades: 1. Bronzer, 2. Shimmer Bronzer, 3. Pressed Powder, 4. Raspberry Bronzer Blush, 5. Golden Bronzer
Covergirl Queen Natural Hue Bronzer
Affordable drugstore brand bronzer that was made especially for us brown girls. Makeup Artist Sam Fine recommends this bronzer.
Available in three shades: Light Bronze, Brown Bronze, Ebony Bronze
Guerlain Terracota Bronzer
This is a splurge, at $52. If you like Covergirl Queen’s Natural Hue Bronzer in Ebony, you will probably like this one, and it has less shimmer, and is more wearable for people suffering with oily skin. Shades 05 and 07 work best for my skin tone; however, darker complexions can get away with 08. I’ll post swatches of this soon.
Available in seven shades: 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 07,08
NYX Matte Bronzer
(see my swatches and review here)
Deep Tan would be perfect for darker complexions, and at $9.00 it is a great price.
Available in five shades: Light, Deep, Medium, Dark Tan, Deep Tan
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder :
This soft matte, silky-smooth bronzer instantly gives skin the look of a natural tan.
Available in six shades: Golden Light, Medium, Natural, Rich Cocoa, Dark, Deep
NARS Casino Bronzer:
This has become a favorite of mine. It is the darkest shade of bronzer offered by NARS, and is the top selling bronzer, next to the famed Laguna Bronzer. It has shimmer. It is great to use as a blush or as a shadow.
Personally, I use the following:
1. MAC Format blush
2. MAC Raizin Blush
3. MAC Sweet As Cocoa Blush
4. MAC Weekend Bronzer
5. NARS Casino Bronzer
6. MAC Minieralize Skinfinish Deep Dark
7. NYX Matte Bronzer
Tips:
1. Oily skin should avoid bronzers with loads of shimmer.
2. Apply a little powder before the bronzer to prevent streaking.
3. Choose a bronzer two shades deeper than your complexion (too light and it’ll appear ashy; too dark and it’ll look muddy).
4. Mix Liquid bronzers like Inglot’s Liquid Illuminators with body oil/baby oil to create a bronzing oil for your body.
5. Mix your liquid bronzer with a tinted moisturizer to get an all-over face golden glow.
Do you currently use a bronzer? If so, which?
If not, why?
New York City makeup artist, beauty and mom blogger . I immensely enjoy helping myself and others feel beautiful inside and out, which is why I started this blog and my YouTube channel. If you have a beauty or makeup related question, contact me. Your question could be featured on the site! I also accept guest post submissions, check the guidelines.
***Brands and PR firms sometime provide press samples of products for review consideration. These brands are not guaranteed a review on Makeup by Kim Porter Blog, nor do we accept payment of any kind for our reviews. For more on our disclosure policies, please see my terms . 51 Comments on Bronzers for Brown Skinned Women
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i dont use bronzer. no real reason. i guess i always find some other make up item i'd rather spend my money on.
I have a few true bronzers that I use. I agree about other makeup products to spend money on.
I do use bronzers. I've been using Mac's Golden Bronze loose powder. I just bought some new bronzers from Elf that I can't wait to try.
i used the black opal bronzer in golden bronzer before but i used it as a blush lol
I like Bobbi Brown because it does not have any shimmer, or orange it is matte. i also use MAC every now and then …I am trying to cut back on shimmer.
I have a great bronzer from elizabeth arden. I like to use it in the winter more so than in the summer. In the summer my skin already seems to have a glow and bronze look, so adding bronzer on it just makes me look weird, I dont really like it on my tan. In the winter it looks a lot better on my skin because i l've lost all my summer color and it brings it back : )
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No I just bought the milani all over glow #01 today for the first time ever and i dont know it just doesn't look right………………some help please
What about it doesn't look right?
I just bought Milani baked bronzer 06. It looks a bit shimmery on the skin, however its my first time trying it. I am not a "makeup" person, but the loss of my summer tan had made me look dry and worn out. Any suggestions for a cheap, good bronzer.
Covergirl queen collection has god ones
Anybody know which of the two milani is a little darker I am trying to find one that fits my skin I am about a little lighter then caramel right now and I used to use milani dark bronzer but it is no longer sold and is hard to find. Is the fake tan or bronze glow darker or better for my complexion anyone got any ideas?
Bronze Glow is the darker shade… If you are NC/NW45 & up it will look chalky on you.
Try one of the NYX bronzer
That's a great roundup, I'm glad that companies finally start making products to cover all complexions!
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My eyes have definitely been opened to the dearth of cosmetics for darker-skinned women! After reading the comments, too, I'm interested to see how different these different bronzers look on you. I rarely use bronzer, even as a fair-skinned woman, so I'm curious as to the effect on darker skin.
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I love Nars Laguna!! I also have a Milani and Inglot one with shimmer in it I use a lot.
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I've never been able to crack the code on bronzer for my pale skin. It always looks too much on me, but I'm probably not applying it correctly. Very informative post!
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Great post. My skin has been getting lighter as I've grown older and I finally purchased my first bronzer. I wish I read this post first.
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OMG thank you for this post. I literally am looking for a new bronzer aside from my NARS and Bobbi Brown and I find that on tan skin they are all too orange or muddly. I am so checking out a few on this list. Perfect timing for this post.
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Thank you! I'm happy you found it helpful
Great post Kim, especially the range from budget to high end. And also, the shimmer thing is also important to note. Really enjoyed the suggestions and thoughts, thanks!
This is a great list of colors – I love the NYX bronzers.
Great post! I don't often wear bronzers myself.
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Nice picks! I don´t use bronzer every day, but sometimes when I am wearing more makeup then it is a must have for me 🙂
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I am fair skinned but I always choose deep toned bronzers. I find that bronzers for light skin tend to make me look orange, not tan. Deep bronzers, applied with a great, soft brush and a light hand work really well for me.
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Awesome picks!
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Awesome post! I need to stay on the hunt for that Covergirl one – I can never find it. I ordered the NYX matte and can't wait for it to arrive.
The Covergirl one is hard to find in stores, but it's readily available online.
I actually like a lot of these deep tones for contouring
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A lot of people think bronzers are good for contouring, but even the deeper shades aren't good for it because of the undertones. Contour should be grayish to mimic shadow.
I am glad you posted this. I brown-skinned friend of mine asked me before what a good highlighter for her would be and I honestly couldnt answer her because I had no idea! I will forward her this post!
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It wouldn't work as a highlighter. I love the inglot illuminators, MAC Golden Bronze iridescent powder as highlighters.
I love that you actually pointed out the purpose of a bronzer. Some of my friends are guilty of using it as war paint.
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I just literally laughed out loud… LOL you should tell them they are using it incorrectly.
I love wearing bronzers to perk up my pale face.
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The Covergirl Queen Bronzers are the bomb. About 50% of my clientele were women of color an that was my go to bronzer. Actually, the entire line is very goo. Much better than their mainstream line.
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Sam Fine recommends them, too! You know they are legit.
I'm pretty fair, but I think the NYX or the Nars might still work on me!
Right now I'm loving NYC bronzer!
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I wish the NYC ones came in darker tones for me to try out. I've seen them around though.
I agree w/ your tips when it comes to choosing the right bronzer shade, etc!
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Thank you. a lot of people don't know how to use them.
This is a great post! I love NARS Bronzers
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They're the bomb! Casino works well on lighter brown skin
I have a lot of bronzers but barely use them!
i've also heard good things about guerlain's teracotta bronzer from my brown bff, Anisha
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Loving the NYX Matte one for summer!
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I used to always use Mac Sweet As Cocoa. It got pushed aside as I found other things. Thank you for reminding me to pull it back out. it's the only blush I've bought more than once.
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Those are great picks!
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Great post! MAC Sweet As Cocoa was one of my favorites from back in the day. Just this past Friday I went into MAC for something else and thought about buying it because I've missed it so much.
Mine has a hole in it because I use it so much. What did you pick up?