Bronzers have stopped trying to be bronzers, they now aim to look like skin. Formulas this year moved away from heavy, orange finishes toward nuanced undertones, blendable textures and ingredients that double as skincare, so products can be worn alone or layered over makeup.
The shift shows up across Vogue’s picks. Rhode’s Pocket Bronze, a pocket-sized, peptide-infused cream stick priced at $25, was designed in the same format as the brand’s Pocket Blush and quickly became a bestseller. Its non-comedogenic formula pairs peptides and tamanu oil with kaolin clay to hydrate while absorbing excess oil. The range includes eight shades across neutral and warm undertones; Vogue’s writer tested the shade Sunbed, a cooler tone suited to light-medium to medium skin, and blended it with the stippling side of the new brush.
Merit’s Bronze Balm, a semi-sheer sculpting stick priced at $30, leans into an easy-to-blend balm texture. The formula uses microfine pigments, emollient fatty acids and silica for a satin, forgiving finish, and comes in five shades. Makeup artist Anastasia Vavina has recommended this kind of “one-and-done” color stick for pared-down routines and as a quick way to add bronzed color to the eyes.
Westman Atelier’s Sun Tone Bronzing Drops, $58, deliver the category’s other clear movement, liquid buildability. The serum-style drops contain glycerin, mica, corn starch, carrot sativa seed oil, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E, producing a radiant, hydrating finish that can be layered to simulate a natural tan. “They lend a glow to the skin and help me build a believable tan on a variety of skin tones,” says celebrity makeup artist Suzy Gerstein. Vogue notes the formula is not entirely non-comedogenic, so it may not suit acne-prone complexions.
Powder entries also adapted. Saie’s SuperSuede Radiant Baked Bronzer, $32, targets neutral undertones with a baked powder finish, while Charlotte Tilbury’s Bronzing Powder, $59, earned notice for an airbrushed look among the magazine’s selections. Across textures and formats, editors highlighted the same practical benefits: applied with restraint, bronzer adds warmth, sculpts cheekbones, defines the jawline and creates dimension across the face and collarbones.
The net effect is practical. Minimalists who avoid heavy foundation can add believable warmth without layering on opaque color, and users seeking a multitasking product can choose sticks, balms, powders or drops depending on skin type and preference. The category’s next test will be whether shade ranges and formulations keep pace with that promise, particularly for deeper tones and acne-prone skin types.
