Frequently Asked Questions
What should you look for in a drugstore bronzer?
When you’re looking for the best bronzer, Spickard says to look at undertones, as you don’t want anything that’s going to pull too orange. “I like shades that sit more neutral for fair to medium skin tones and don’t pull too orangey or warm,” he says. “For my medium-deep to deep skin tones, I like to look for things with more red undertones to mimic how deep skin actually tans in the sun.” As far as pigment goes, he prefers something heavier on pigment—something he can build up without having to keep dipping back into the pan.
Hussainy advises staying away from formulas that have a ton of glitter (not to be mistaken for luminosity) as they can make your glam look overdone and, well, not so glam. “Look for formulas that are rich and easy to blend,” she says.
What is the difference between a drugstore bronzer and a pricier option?
Comparing drugstore versus high-end bronzers, Spickard says the primary difference lies in blendability. “Higher-end bronzers tend to blend out more easily and have more of a blurring and soft glow effect, whereas drugstore bronzers require more work of the product into the skin to get that effect.” Packaging also differs a lot between drugstore and higher-end options. “Your drugstore products are going to be packaged in more inexpensive plastic components, whereas higher-end bronzers are going to be more luxe on the packaging and have a heavier weight to them—maybe metal components that make it feel expensive in the hand,” Spickard says.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best drugstore bronzers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
