21 of the Best Drugstore Bronzers.

 

There are just so many bronzers on the market, that sometimes I don't even know where to begin. The easiest place to start is perhaps right at your local drugstore. Last weekend I went bronzer browsing at my nearest CVS. 

I quickly noticed the display of bronzers from Lumene. These were almost in front of the door, at the end cap of the beauty section - great placement! The offerings include an Air-Light Bronzing Powder ($12.99), in a golden bronze shade, which is probably best for everyday light bronzing; Skin Couture Pearly Bronzer ($12.99) in Bronze Glow, which is more of a deep bronze to look a bit more naturally bronzed; and a large bronzer which is also an Air-Light Powder ($12.99), but this is in Dark Glow, and it best for a really bronzed goddess look.

Next, I noticed a section of bronzers from Milani Cosmetics. They offer a Powder Bronzer ($4.49) in three shades, which is oil-free, and perfect for any skin type; Tiger Bronzer ($6.49), which is a swirled gel-like soufflé that is swirled in two shades of gleamed gold; beautiful Powder Mosiacs ($7.99), which come in six color palettes; and my favorite, Glimmer Stripes ($6.99) which features a subtle range of five colors striped over one compact, which are fantastic to use on both the cheeks and eyes.

As I continued to browse, I think I found the largest selection of bronzers ever in one single line - Physicians Formula.They offer 40 unique bronzers for any bronzing need. And what I loved about these, is that most of them contained a bit of pink, for a more natural glow. First, there is Bronze Gems ($12.95) Matte & Bright Bronzer, Highlighter, and Eye Shadow Powder on one, and this one comes in four shades; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Bronzing Veil ($11.95), which comes in a flow-through brush dispenser and is available in Light Bronzer, Medium Bronzer, and Bronzer; Shimmer Strips ($11.95) Custom Bronzer, Blush & Eye Shadow, which is similar to Milani's Glimmer Stripes, and is so silky smooth with really fine pearl particles for the most beautiful glimmer, and this palette comes in seven multiple shades; Powder Palette Multi-Colored Bronzer ($12.95), offers the right combo of colors in a pressed powder formula and comes in three shades; Pearls of Perfection Multi-Colored Bronzer ($11.95), which are beads of different bronzed colors that you brush over to get the perfect mix, and this comes in Bronzer and Light Bronzer; Magic Mosaic Multi-Colored Custom Bronzer ($12.95), another one of the most popular bronzer compacts from so many different companies, this comes in two shade combinations; Jungle Fever Bronzer in Leopared & Tiger ($11.95), which are bi-colored bronzers in a cute safari print pattern; Retro-Glow Mosiac Bronzer ($12.95) which is a multi-colored bronzer in a really unique mosaic design with a hint of shimmer; Summer Eclipse Bronzer ($12.95), available in Sunlight, Moonlight, and Starlight; Les Botaniques Botanical Bronzer ($11.95) which are the cutest two tone compacts in SunnyBuddy and SunnyBunch; Solar Powder SPF20 Bronzer $12.95) is available in two shades and is formulated with an SPF fo 20 for an added bonus feature; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder ($12.95) is best for acne-prone or sensitive skin with it's unique blend of ingredients coming in both Bronzer and Light Bronzer; Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder ($10.95) which is a very gentle formula in a loose powder form; and finally there is Baked Bronzer ($11.95) in Baked Bronze and Baked Tan and can be used wet or dry depending on the depth of color you wish.

In general, most of the drugstore bronzers are under $15 and offer the greatest selection of shades and formulas - I am so very impressed.

What is your favorite drugstore bronzer?

A Bronzer for the Body - Orlane Bronzing Pressed Powder.

Meant to be just a beautiful bronzer for the face, I could not help myself in applying this all over. The compact is HUGE and I honestly thought it was meant for the body.

Take a look at this Bronzing Pressed Powder from Orlane.

Big right? Beautiful? Yes!

The powder is softly scented - love that - and is one of the softest milled powder I have ever used in a bronzing powder to date.  I am using the shade Soleil Cuivre 02, which is the perfect, natural looking golden tan color. It features a very subtle goledn shimmer to it for the perfect glow.

The powder seems to be moisturizing which makes it perfect to be used all over the body. It never looks powdery, fake or overdone.

Check out Orlane Bronzing Pressed Powder online or at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and select Bloomingdales for $40.

Add Another Bronzer to my Must-Have List!

I guess I am not happy with owning just one (or TEN) perfect bronzers. Bronzers come in so many formulations of intensity, shimmer, sparkle - for so many different moods of makeup. It is no wonder that I have so many and continue to find more that I want. Here is another one I have on the TOP of my must-have list!

This bronzer is from Guerlain, one of the original perfect bronzer formulators. Meet Terracotta Summer Stones.

Could it not be more delicious? I loved the colored pearl beads for a similar yet different bronzer effect you could get with each application. There are four colored pearls in all, in three different sizes, so who knows which exactly your brush will pick up on any given moment.

The "Pearl" rundown:

  • Matte Chocolate - This pearl imparts a soft, even, luminous look
  • Iridescent Copper - This pearl imparts the perfect glow balance to the overall look, structuring it if you will
  • Intense Gold Mini - This smallest pearl adds in that must have gold any good bronzer is known for in just the right amount
  • Maxi Pearl - This one is the largest stone in a beautiful sandy gold tone to give off an overall soft glowing look

Must Have!!! You get it now, right? The $54 price tag for this beauty of a bronzer will not hold me back either. Check it out at Neiman Marcus where, again, it is on my list.