The best bronzers for a luminous complexion and the products to serve up shimmering features.
There’s nothing like a sun-kissed look to put a spring in your step, and there are ways to achieve this long after summer has ended (and without exposing your skin to harmful rays). Whether it’s a brightening makeup palette or customisable tanning drops, these classic and new bronzing buys will make it look like you’ve just stepped off a plane from St Tropez.
Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel
This easy-to-blend bronzer is ideal if you’re after a dewy look, with a cream base that glides onto the face and delivers a flawless finish.
£40, available at chanel.com
Kjaer Weis bronzer
This glow-inducing product from certified organic and sustainable beauty brand Kjaer Weis is packed with natural ingredients and can be used as either a bronzer or contouring tool.
£41, available at net-a-porter.com
Dr Sebagh Self-Tanning Drops
These genius self-tanning drops make skin radiance that much easier to achieve – simply mix it into your night cream and you’ll wake up the following morning looking luminous. As if that wasn’t clever enough, HEV Melanin is added to protect against the ageing effects of blue light.
£35, available at drsebagh.com
Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Glow Bronzer
This buildable bronzer contours and brightens at the same time, with a mix of plant-derived butters nourishing skin and specialised pigments adding serious luminosity.
£54, available at tomford.co.uk
Dior 5 Couleurs Wild Earth limited edition palette
Rich in colour and strong in pigment, a sweep of hues from this palette gives a sultry, shimmering finish to complement summer skin.
£49, available at selfridges.com
Dior Bronze Self Tanning Jelly Gradual Sublime Glow
This silky jelly creates a natural, even tan that gradually intensifies each day. With a translucent texture it’s easy to apply – just make sure you exfoliate and moisturise before your first application.
£39, available at dior.com
NARS Hot Nights face palette
This palette was made for recreating steamy summer nights, with four smouldering eyeshadows in matte and glimmering finishes, a highlighter for brightening and a bronzer to deliver natural-looking, sun-kissed skin.
£56, available at narscosmetics.com
RMS Beauty Buriti bronzer
This ultra-sheer, oil-based cream from organic beauty brand RMS provides a subtle glow with no shimmer, orange tones or nasty ingredients. Made with buriti oil, which contains the highest concentrate of beta carotene, it’s packed with vitamin A to keep skin healthy.
£26, available at net-a-porter.com
Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
This tailor-made serum works with your skin tone to create a shade that’s totally unique to you. Simply add a few drops (there’s a guide to how many to use, from two for gently radiant skin to 12 for all-out bronze) to your favourite oil, moisturiser or lotion and watch it work its magic.
£42, available at lookfantastic.com
Tom Ford Boys and Girls lipstick in Natalia
Your skin might be doing the talking, but a sheer slick of this lipstick gives a lips an illuminating quality. Infused with vitamin C, E and shea butter, it’s also ultra hydrating.
£29, available at net-a-porter.com
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise cream eyeshadow in Oyster Gold
Creamy in texture and containing vitamin E, the water-infused formula cools and revives tired eyes, while at the same time opening and brightening for a dazzling finish.
£22, available at charlottetilbury.com
La Mer The Bronzing Powder
Formulated with the brand’s famous, nutrient-rich Miracle Broth, this velvety powder glides on effortlessly and sits on the skin beautifully to create the perfect summer glimmer.
£70, available at harrods.com
Main image: Dior SS19 Wild Earth Collection.