I never used to be a bronzer fan back in the day because they always seemed to be too dark/too muddy/too orange for my super pale skin. Bronzers for pale skin were few and far between with horrible undertones that either skewed too muddy or too orange. Over the years, I have still continued to look for the perfect bronzer for fair skin and surprisingly I have quite a few that I really love. Formulas are so much better now, colors are more flattering and there are a ton of shades that work for paler skin tones. I’m updating this post because my favorites have changed and evolved especially now that my skin type is much more dry. I hardly ever use powder bronzers anymore but still stand by my previous picks because the formulas and particular shades are great for fair skin. I usually only wear cream or liquid bronzers because they work best on my mature skin that is more on the dry side these days. Here’s a look at all my personal favorite fair skin approved bronzers!
Fair Skin Approved Bronzers
CREAM BRONZERS
I used to only be a powder bronzer fan, but as I have gotten older my skin has become drier so I have been buying more cream bronzer formulas. And to be honest, I find them to be much better for me than powder bronzers.
1. Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer in Shade Light
Absolutely flawless. This cream bronzer is so smooth, creamy and easy to blend. The name “Skin Enhancer” can be a bit confusing at first and even had me pausing a second to figure out exactly what the product was supposed to do. In short, it is a form of a cream bronzer but is very sheer and can be used on specific parts of the face or all over to give a subtle sun kissed radiant glow. There is no shimmer to the product but it does give the skin a healthy glow. It’s a complexion balm that adds warmth to the complexion and can be used to even out the skin tone.
2. Saie Sun Melt Bronzer in Light Bronze
I have really enjoyed this and find it blends easily. The formula is a drier formula which I prefer so while it is emollient, it dries down nicely and doesn’t get greasy. Light Bronze used to be their palest shade but they did come out with one even lighter and more neutral which would be an even better option for those with fair skin!
3. Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo in She’s Statuesque
For those that want both a powder and cream formula, this is a great option. The top one is cream and the bottom is powder. However I rarely use them together which I guess sort of defeats the purpose. LOL Many people use the cream first and set it with the powder. Though I recently saw a TikTok where Patrick Ta himself used the powder first and then dabbed on the cream formula with a sponge and I think I may try that. The cream formula is nice and really cool toned with a slight gray undertone which I absolutely love. The powder bronzer is much warmer so blending the two together is a nice combo. While I do enjoy this and use it regularly, I don’t think it would be a repurchase for me.
4. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream in Soleil Tan Bronze
The Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream is a gel-cream bronzer that gives a sun-kissed glow to the skin with a soft matte finish. It’s designed to apply effortlessly and give a smoothing effect to the skin. Though it has a matte finish, there are light reflecting pigments that still give the skin a subtle radiance without being too dewy or glowy. What makes it stand out to me above other cream bronzers is the balance of a soft matte finish that still makes my skin look luminous and sun-kissed.
5. Sarah Creal Just Like Paradise Cream Bronzer in 1.0 Light Golden Bronze
Sarah Creal Beauty is a brand designed for women over 40 and her products reflect this so much. The formulations are so creamy and perform beautifully. This bronzer is her newest launch and I immediately ordered it in the lightest shade. The texture is smooth, hydrating and literally melts into the skin. There are only three shades currently in the range so hopefully they expand it more in the future but I chose Light Golden Bronze for my fair skin. It’s a tad warm in tone while shade 2.0 is more neutral so I may end up picking that shade up as well because I love this formula so much.
6. Pixi On-the-Glow Bronze Tinted Moisture Stick in Rich Glow
This is a great bronzer for those who was just a subtle wash of color. It’s super sheer but gives the cheeks a natural flush of color and has skincare benefits to moisturize. Easy to apply and blend, this product is foolproof. If you are someone who loves a no makeup makeup look, these bronzer sticks are a must have, especially for fair skin. You don’t have to worry about applying too much and they don’t stay tacky on the cheeks. The only downside to these is that they aren’t as long lasting as other formulas on this list.
Cream Bronzer Swatches
Swatches from left to right: Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer in Light, Pixi Beauty On-the-Glow Bronze Moisture Stick in Rich Glow, Sarah Creal Beauty Just Like Paradise Cream Bronzer in 1.0 Light Golden Bronze, Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream in Soleil Tan Bronze, Saie Sun Melt Bronzer in Light Bronze and Patrick Ta Cream and Powder Bronzer Duo in She’s Statuesque
POWDER BRONZERS
Even though I have fallen in love with cream bronzer formulas, there are still some great powder bronzers out there that don’t dry the skin out and look great on the skin. Product formulations have come a long way and the dusty, powdery, cakey look of powder face products is a thing of the past (for the most part).
7. Jones Road Beauty The Bronzer in Light Tan
This is one of the best powder bronzers I have ever tried even for dry or mature skin. The formula is so finely milled, it glides on effortlessly, blends beautifully and the color is perfection. There is also a bronzer brush that launched with this bronzer and it is a MUST HAVE! So good and applies powder bronzer so easily. (Check out my Jones Road Beauty Review.)
8. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Matte Bronzer in Fair
This is a very sheer and easy to apply formula without worrying you put too much on. As someone who is very fair, using bronzers can be daunting because if I initially apply too much I will then spend the rest of the time trying to blend/sheer out what is there. That is not the case with this bronzer and it is very manageable but can be built up easily.
9. Physician’s Formula MuruMuru Butter Bronzer in Light Bronzer
This bronzer is a great affordable option and the formula is super easy to blend. This particular color is quite warm so I only apply a tiny amount or it can get too orange. There is also a strong scent to this so be aware of that if purchasing. However, this one always gets rave reviews and for good reason!
10. Hermes H Trio Healthy Glow Mineral Powder in 01
This is a major splurge but the formula is quite beautiful. The texture is very smooth and the powder is finely milled. However when I apply the color, the product tends to disperse everywhere so I have to use a smaller brush to pick up product in order to get a more precise application. The color is very subtle so it would be perfect for those with very fair skin who want just a slight sun kissed glow all over the skin.
11. Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Divine Powder Bronzer in Naked Desire
An absolute exceptional formula that applies beautifully, lasts all day and delivers just the right amount of color. The powder is finely milled and almost gives a blurring effect to the cheeks which I love. It’s richly pigmented so I use a light hand to apply and build up if I want more color. There is just a hint of shimmer but nothing too substantial – it’s enough to give a luminous glow to the cheeks without any glitter.
12. RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Bronzer in Beachwalk Betty (discount code: Maree-15)
The ReDimension Hydra Bronzer is a gel to powder formula that is buildable and gives a skin-like finish when applied. The colors all have a shimmer finish to them but it’s a soft radiance, not a glittery finish. This blends seamlessly into the skin and is the best powder option for mature skin types. There is no powdery finish that leaves your cheeks looking dry or textured. This also contain skin-nourishing ingredients which help to smooth the skin and leave it looking healthy and radiant.
Powder Bronzer Swatches
Swatches from left to right: Charlotte Tilbury Bronzer in 1, Jones Road Beauty Bronzer in Light Tan, Pat McGrath Bronzer in Naked Desire, Hermes Mineral Glow Powder in 01, Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronzer and RMS Beauty Hydra Bronzer in Beachwalk Betty
LIQUID BRONZERS
Liquid bronzers are not as popular as cream or powder, but there is one that has stood out as an absolute 10/10! I have used other liquid bronzers before but nothing as good as this.
13. Makeup by Mario Bronzing Serum in Fair and Light
This is a definitely a product that is super user friendly and almost foolproof to apply. There is a pump so you can choose to mix product in with your foundation/skin tint or you can choose to use the doe foot applicator to place the product where you want it on the face. You can use it as a bronzer or as a sculpting/contour product to define certain parts of the face. Before I purchased it, I saw a ton of videos on social media of people using the product and it looks so great that I had to try it for myself.
It doesn’t have a shimmer finish but it looks healthy and radiant when on the skin. This bronzing serum is the most user friendly product ever! You don’t have to worry about using too much or blending it out quickly before it dries down. It’s creamy, smooth and melts into the skin with minimal effort.
Liquid Bronzer Swatches
If I had to narrow down my top two favorites from the entire bunch at the moment, it would definitely be the Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer and the Makeup by Mario Bronzing Serum. I still wear every other bronzer and enjoy them but those are definite repurchases for me!
Comments