The 18 Best Cream Bronzers of 2021 for a Fresh-Faced Golden Glow

Bronzers have come a long way since the one-shade-fits-all, orange-y, overly sparkly powders of yesteryear (thank goodness). And while there are plenty of contemporary powder bronzers that have earned their rightful places in our makeup bags, we’ve been sure to make room for an even easier way to get glowing: cream and liquid bronzers.

Especially useful when you’re going for a fresh-faced finish (though many can be seamlessly applied atop a foundation), cream and liquid bronzers are uniquely blendable and buildable in a way powders simply aren’t, giving even bronzer beginners a chance to shine — or not. There are lots of matte options, too. And those that shimmer never go overboard into glitter territory. 

Makeup artist Cara Lovello loves cream bronzers for a multitude of reasons. “They help you warm up the face and keep a skin-like finish,” she tells Allure. And with the right technique, she says, they can last and last. “For best results, I layer cream bronzers under powder bronzers for a finish that will stay put all day long.”

We’ve rounded up the best cream bronzers (plus some liquid options) that deserve a gold medal, from brands like Fenty Beauty, E.L.F. Cosmetics, Chanel, and Anastasia Beverly Hills — so you know there’s something that fits nicely in your bronzer budget. Thick sticks, finger-friendly compacts, squeezy tubes, even a doe-foot applicator (leave it to Glossier to get creative): There are a variety of options for your preferred application method. And with the shade ranges expanding before our eyes, there’s truly a warm, sun-kissed tint for everyone who wants one.