All products in this article are independently selected by AMAKA or by the interviewee for AMAKA. However, when you purchase an item or product through our retail links, we may earn a small affiliate commission.
A lot of people tend to confuse bronzer and contour, but they’re not the same thing. Contour creates sculpts and adds dimension to your face. Cool-toned, matte products are formulated to achieve this either through powder or cream based products. By contrast, bronzers are warm powders with red undertones that mimic how your skin looks when it’s tanned. Bronzers are either made with shimmer for a glowy warmth or a matte finish for a more natural tan.
If you’re a beauty babe on a budget or a makeup enthusiast with a bit more to spend, there’s something on this list for everyone. Here are our top picks from AMAKA’s Marketplace:
1. Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer
One thing we love about Fenty Beauty is their mastery of complexion products. If you’re looking for a brand that caters to a variety of Black skin tones while maintaining affordability, Fenty Beauty is the one. This bronzer is a longwearing and transfer-resistant powder which gives your skin an instant sun-kissed glow. It features nine gorgeous shades, but for dark and brown skin tones, we suggest you choose from Caramel Cutie (a neutral tan shade), Coco Naughty, (a toffee colour with neutral undertones), or the deepest shade, Mocha Mami (which has red undertones). Enhance your summer make-up looks with this smooth airbrushed finish.
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2. Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder
If you’re a fan of soft velvety formulas, this chocolatey Bobbi Brown bronzing powder is the perfect addition to your makeup arsenal. It’s got a rich formula that adds depth to your makeup look but is lightweight enough to give your skin a natural finish. For dark skin tones, reach for the Dark bronzer, a powdery copper colour featuring red undertones. For darker skin tones, the Deep bronzer, a powder with golden undertones, is more suitable. For an everyday look, brush it on the perimeters of your face to add warmth. For the summer seasons, build it up to give you a tanned look.
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3. E.L.F Cosmetic Bronzer Palette
This pocket-friendly product is the best bronzer for the makeup enthusiast who’s balling on a budget. The Deep bronzer palette specifically caters to dark skin; its range of four shades gives you the ability to customise your ideal glow. What’s most exciting about this product is that it doubles as a bronzer and highlighter. You can also use the darker shades in the palette for contouring and sculpting. If you love a shimmery finish, sweep this sheer bronzer around your face to give it a heavenly sheen.
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4. Sleek Makeup Face Form Bronzer
Sleek is a brand that consistently has an inclusive shade range and this bronzer lives up to that.
This 3-in-1 shimmery bronzer allows you to shape, add warmth and colour to your skin without breaking the bank. For dark skin tones, Fire is the cinnamon coloured bronzer of your dreams. For deeper skin tones, Daym is a deep umber pigment to warm up your skin. Allow this powder to bless your makeup with a radiant shine that is sure to last all day.
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5. Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder
This Guerlain bronzing powder is an industry cult favourite. Inspired by the reflections of sun beams, this finely-milled product enhances your skin with a natural, lit-from-within glow. While it’s on the pricier end of the spectrum, it is made with 96% naturally-derived ingredients, including pigments and luminescent shimmer. The best part about it is that it smells good — signature tonka bean and vanilla notes garnish your skin with the most divine fragrance. For darker skin tones sweep the 05 Deep Warm over your cheeks, chin and forehead for a flawless pecan coloured finish.
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