Powder versus Cream Bronzer

As a fair-skinned, easily-sunburned girl, I’m all about creating a faux glow for my skin. I use a high SPF, so it takes a long time for me to start showing sun exposure naturally. Instead, I rely on sunless tanning products and bronzer to give me the sun-kissed finish I like this time of year!

I’ve always used a powder bronzer, but started trying out cream bronzers in the last year. There’s a couple things that I find myself enjoying more about a cream bronzer. For one, there’s less likely to be shimmer in a cream bronzer. So many powder bronzer have some sort of shimmer in them, which can make it a little harder to find the right one. If you love a matte powder bronzer, I’ve really enjoyed this one by Charlotte Tilbury. With cream bronzer, you get a matte finish but it looks more dewy on the skin, due to the fact that it’s a cream versus a flat powder. I love a dewy finish to my skin, especially in the warmer months. I tend to wear a little less makeup, so I want it to look fresh.

Another thing I’ve found with this cream bronzer is that it’s a little easier to work with. It sort of melts into the skin, which makes for a smoother finish. It’s easier to blend in with a brush or your fingertips and you can dab just a little bit where you want it. I like to use it in the hollows of my cheeks and along my hairline on my forehead, mimicking what my skin would look like after spending time out in the sun.

Here’s a before and after of applying the NARS Sunkissed Bronzing Cream in Laguna with the Cream Bronzer Brush:

You can see that the cream bronzer creates a natural, flawless looking glow. I use sunless tanner on my body, so I like to use my powder bronzer to blend my neck. I use a big, fluffy brush to match my face to my chest and it works great!

Both of these bronzers that I use regularly are available at Nordstrom. They’ve got a fully stocked selection of beauty products to choose from!