When it comes to finding the perfect {bronzer}, the one-colour-suits-all approach just isn’t going to cut it. We all have totally different skin tones, so it’s important to pick a shade that’s perfectly suited to you.
With the help of the {Cult Concierge} team, we’ve created this guide to the best bronzer shades for medium skin. Here you can find our top 14 recommendations, plus tips for colour matching to find the perfect shade.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST COLOUR BRONZER FOR MEDIUM SKIN
Before you dive head-first into our top picks, remember that colour matching with your medium skin tone is super important. Choose a bronzer that’s only a couple of shades darker than your skin tone to avoid any Oompa Loompa-esque disasters.
You should also consider your undertone, which you’ll probably know already from choosing your {foundation} and {concealer}. Here’s a little refresher, or you can check out our guide to determining your skin tone and undertone.
- If you have medium skin, you probably have a warm undertone, which means your colouring is on the golden or olive side. Choose a golden-brown bronzer for the most even blending.
- It’s still possible to have medium skin with cool undertones, where your colouring is on the pink or blue side. Find a bronzer with beige or soft brown hues to complement your skin.
- Neutral undertones fall somewhere in between cool and warm, and look best with natural, earthy bronzer shades.
THE 14 BEST BRONZERS FOR MEDIUM SKIN
Undertone sorted? Check out our pick of the best bronzers for medium skin tones.
Those in search of a natural bronzer need look no further – {ICONIC London}’s celebrity-approved bronzer will give you a beautiful, holiday glow no matter the time of year. Mattifying and blurring, this bronzer gives a totally natural finish, and it’ll also wipe out your pores for a smoother complexion. Choose between rich, warm, and deep bronze shades.
For the perfect sun-kissed finish, use {Huda Beauty}'s GloWish Soft Radiance Bronzing Powder in Deep Tan. Its beautifully marbled pan offers a mix of two glow-giving bronze shades that promise to blur, blend and – above all – bronze! With hydrating and replenishing Damascus rose oil as one of its key ingredients, your skin will never have felt so good.
If you don’t have a {Benefit} bronzing powder in your beauty bag already, then trust us, you’re missing out! This totally matte bronzer is free from all tell-tale sparkle and shine, giving a natural, golden finish. Sweep across your cheeks, temples, nose and chin for an all-over bronzed look, or go in with a firm brush to accentuate your cheekbones.
A swoon-worthy blend of one {blusher} and two bronzer shades, this handy little compact is all you need for delicately bronzed skin. With {hyaluronic acid}, {niacinamide} and chamomile flower extract to hydrate, soothe irritation and even skin tone, your skin will thank you with every use. Swirl the shades together for an all-in-one glow, or pop them on individually for a more thorough application.
Providing you with not one but two powders, {VIEVE}’s Modern Bronzer in Medium and Tan will fast become your beauty bag essential. Silky and buttery, the bronzer is an absolute dream to apply, and the finished look is totally up to you! Use the darker, more matte side for sculpting, then go in with the lighter side for an enviable, shimmery glow. You can achieve a Kim K-inspired chiselled look with a denser brush, or create a soft, all-over glow with something a little fluffier.
{Charlotte Tilbury} knows a thing or two when it comes to bronzers, and the Airbrush Bronzer in Medium certainly lives up to the hype. With a smooth and blendable consistency and a soft, matte finish, this gorgeous bronzer is super compatible with virtually any foundation. On top of all that, it’s made with skin-loving ingredients like hydrating and nourishing hyaluronic acid, so your skin will feel as good as it looks!
This plant-based powder bronzer has a smooth, matte formula, ideal for a healthy glow without any tell-tale shimmer. Uniquely embossed with love hearts and packaged in stylish gold, you won’t be able to resist a top-up (and subtle brag) at any given opportunity. And the ingredients are just as lush as the appearance – with cocoa seed, mango seed and cupuacu butters to nourish and hydrate your skin.
Get two for the price of one with this powder and cream contour in She's Sculpted from {Patrick Ta}. Sculpt and add dimension with your cream contour, then swoosh over some powder to set it all in place. With buildable textures giving you the freedom to customise your glow, you’ll look like you’re fresh off a plane from Marbs, no matter the season.
For buildable coverage and a seamlessly matte finish, the {Anastasia Beverly Hills} Powder Bronzer is a treat for your skin. Available in six stunning shades (we think Saddle is the best pick for medium skin tones), achieving the perfect, bronzed look has never been so easy. Dust it all over wherever the sun would hit, or use a dense brush to pack on the product for a defined {contour}.
This deliciously buttery, cream-based formula will trick everyone into thinking you’ve just got back from tropical climates. Made with tiare petals which are known for their skin-softening properties and delicious scent, this bronzer is guaranteed to never leave your beauty bag. Its cream formula glides effortlessly across your skin for easy application, resulting in a flawless finish. The shade Laguna 3 is perfect for medium skin tones.
A two-in-one bronzer and {highlighter}, the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow will leave you looking as beautifully bronzed as a Hollywood actress. Sweep the bronzer under each cheekbone, then apply highlighter just above the apples of your cheeks for a gorgeously dewy look. Medium skin tones get the choice of either light to medium or medium to dark, depending on the level of bronzed you want to be.
This cream bronzer feels exactly like an ocean sunset, from its conditioning ingredients (hydrating mango butter and calming green tea extract) to its warm, golden glow. There are five gorgeous shades to choose from, and West Coast is perfect for a medium skin tone. Buildable and illuminating, don’t blame us if you become addicted.
If liquid bronzers are more up your alley, then you’ll love this one by ICONIC London. Easily blended for a buildable, soft-focus finish, the bronzer takes inspiration from the brand’s bestselling {Sheer Blush}, with the same formulas that you know and love. Your skin is in the best hands, thanks to a detoxifying horehound extract that protects your skin from environmental aggressors.
With plant-derived ingredients, this environmentally conscious bronzer is a treat for your skin. Its light, gel texture blends seamlessly into your skin for a soft and flawless finish that lasts up to 12 hours. Wear over {make up} as the finishing touches to your look, or alone for a just-stepped-off-the-plane glow.
