Facial Bronzers: My Favorites for a Natural Looking Glow Review

Summer is here and I look as pale as a ghost. I haven't had a minute to simply BE in the sun yet this year. But then again, that's probably good for my aging skin. I don't worry about getting a real tan because I have found some cosmetic bronzers that really give me a glow and don't look fake or shimmery. I refuse to wear any bronzer that makes me look like a sparkly pumpkin. And trust me, I have had some that did just that. Here are some of my favorite bronzers that take a few seconds to apply and look like I just got back from a weekend in Maui (I wish!)

These are only the powder bronzers I like. I will do a different review very shortly on the creams and liquid ones I adore. You can decide which formula works best for your skin.

My Favorite Powder Facial Bronzers

e.l.f. Mineral Glow in Bronzed 

This all natural finely milled powder is inexpensive but it really works to give me a matte glow that has no shimmer. When I tan, I don't suddenly have sparkles on my face. That is why I shun super shimmery bronzers when I am looking for some natural color. This one has absolutely no shimmer and is very concentrated. You need only a small amount on a big fluffy brush to light up your skin. You can apply heavier for a darker glow. The best thing about e.l.f. Mineral Glow in Bronzed is that it is all natural and is only $8.00 for a big tub of loose powder. You can also use it on your shoulders, chest, or anywhere else. It washes off with normal facial cleanser and lasts until you do wash it off.

Cargo Bronzer in Medium Matte

This bronzer comes in a round tin and in four shades. I use the Medium Matte because the others have shimmer in them. Medium Matt is perfect for my skin tone too as I am in the lightest end of the Medium spectrum. This bronzer doesn't streak and applies very easily with a fluffy powder brush. I sometimes just use it alone after moisturizing my face. I don't use blush or foundation. I look very naturally tanned but not ridiculously so. I don't want people to KNOW I have bronzer on. I want them to just think I'm healthy. Or even alive would be nice considering my pallor.Cargo Bronzer in Medium Matte is a bit pricey at $25.00 but it lasts forever it seems. You really don't need much to get a nice glow that lasts all day or night.

Arbonne No Sun Intended Bronzing Powder

I had never heard of this product but it came in a box of sun and after sun products I bought through Allure Magazine. I got the full sized compact and it's huge! This medium hued brozer is hard packed and subtle. It doesn't look shimmery but has a slight iridescent look. Trust me, it isn't pearly or fake looking. I wouldn't even consider wearing it if it was. It gives me a nice, subtle flush of color with no orange undertones. I have swept it on my chest and shoulders as well and it looks super subtle and natural. It lasts for hours on my face and it's buildable from just a hint of color to a deeper hue.

Rubigo Instant Bronze Face Powder Duo in Sunrise

This bronzer is dual sided with a light shade on one side and deeper one on the other. Sunrise is for light to medium skin. Sunset is for deeper skin tones or for people who want more than just a touch of color. I like that the lighter shade in the compact can be applied all over my face and then I can contour with the deeper shade on my cheekbones, forehead and chin. This bronzer doesn't sparkle and is easy to blend. I can use both shades together or just one. It's really versatile. I can even use the shades as eye shadows. Rubigo Instant Bronze Face Powder Duo in Sunrise is a nice choice for those who want subtle color and versatility. Go lighter, go darker or mix the two shades for your own blend. It wears well and looks natural for hours.

Lancome Tropiques Minerale Smoothing Pressed Bronzer SPF 15 in Natural Sunbath

This is a pricey compact of pure loveliness. This bronzer is everything I want. It looks so good and really gives me a true glow without the shimmer. It has a sunscreen in it which is a plus and is infused with aloe and Vitamin E. It is talc-free, oil-free, and fragrance-free as well. A little goes a long way and it will last for ages. It stays true on my skin and doesn't look orange (I hate looking orange). If you want to splurge this summer (or any time), splurge on  Lancome Tropiques Minerale Smoothing Pressed Bronzer!

Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess

This bronzer is another hard packed compact type. It comes in a lighter shade which is the Park Avenue Princess and a deeper shade called Hotel Heiress. I like both shades actually, depending on my natural skin tone at the time and the results I want. This product is made with minerals and naturally derived ingredients but is not all natural. It does have some great antioxidants in it and is free of a lot of nasty stuff. It has a very slight shimmer to it but nothing garish. i like this one for when I am going out at night. I sweep it across my cheekbones and everywhere the sun would hit and then brush a little onto my chest and shoulders. The slight (SLIGHT) shimmer looks really pretty and doesn't settle into fine lines at all. Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer  is good stuff!

100% Pure Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer

This bronzer is totally unique. It is made with real chocolate! It is a million percent natrural. Look at the ingredients: Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter, Powdered Pigments of Cacao, Apricot, Peach, Pomegranate, Blackberry, Raspberry, Coffee, Papaya, Tomato, Black Tea and Acai, Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Lavender Flower Powder, Rosehip Oil, Avocado Butter, Mica (natural mineral shimmer), Vitamin A (a-palmitate), Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

This comes in three shades. I use the Cinnamon shade which is for medium skin. It is super subtle and not at all too dark for me even when I'm stark white pale. It smells great, goes on really well, and can be as subtle as you want it to be. If I want more color, I use a heavier hand. It never looks powdery or cakey and can be used anywhere on the body with equally great results. I like all of the 100% pure fruit pigmented products and use several. I have no idea why I haven't reviewed them. I'll get on that! This bronzer is for the purist who wants a glow but doesn't like chemicals or any sort of additives. It's vegan and uses only fruits and other edibles to pigment the powder. I want to eat it! I don't suggest 100% Pure Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer to those with darker or tanned skin because it is fairly subtle and may not give you enough color. Go with the e.l.f. bronzer above if you want deep natural color.

I know I'm forgetting some faves and will add them if I remember them after I publish this. I have a bag of bronzers that I am giving to my sisters because they just don't look good on my skin. They're either way too sparkly, orange, or they look unnatural in the sun. On me anyway, maybe on them, my bronzer rejects will look flawless.  My older sister is in love with the Ulta Bronzer that I gave her (that I hated) so, different strokes and all that!

Thanks for reading and come back in a few days for my top liquid and cream bronzers review!

Patty