Cream vs Powder Bronzer: Which One’s Better For You?
Alisha Bhojwani is a Sydney-based digital strategist and content specialist. When she's not reminding her friends to wear SPF, you can find her drenching her face in Vitamin C and consuming copious amounts of peanut butter. You can find her on Instagram here @alishabhojwani_.
There is no greater serotonin hit than when you find the perfect bronzer.
Perfectly sun-kissed skin in the perfect shade for your complexion. Heaven.
There's just one question: cream bronzer or powder?
It's a makeup debate as old as time, and there's no wrong answer.
But if you're confused about which bronzer you're meant to be buying, let me break down the pros and cons for you.
Side note: You can also learn more about the difference between bronzer and contour in this episode of our Makeup School podcast below.
Cream vs Powder Bronzer.
Powder bronzer formulas provide more control and precision when it comes to applying and layering.
Cream formulas, on the other hand, offer the benefit of a natural finish with a dewy skin-like sheen, sans shimmer.
When choosing a bronzer shade, it’s best to aim for a colour that’s one to two shades darker than your skin tone to give you a natural-looking glow.
Watch my YouTube video for a full cream vs powder bronzer recap, or keep scrolling for all the details.
Best Face Bronzer Powder.
Now, it’s to find your perfect texture starting with powder bronzers.
Powder bronzers come in two finishes - matte or shimmer.
Both offer completely different end results. So, it really depends what vibe you’re after.
Not sure? Here's a recap.
Shimmer pressed powder bronzers:
- Are universally flattering on a variety of skin tones.
- Contain light reflecting pigments that immediately highlight your features, rather than adding depth or definition to the face.
- Draw focus to your features, so it’s best to avoid shimmer if you’re going through an active breakout stage or don't want to highlight skin texture.
How to apply bronzer with shimmer:
Use a fluffy dome brush to lightly dust product where the sun would naturally kiss your face.
My product pick: Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder - Bronze Glow
At $80, this shimmery bronzer is rated 4.3 stars out of five stars by Adore Beauty customers, and I can see why.
The pressed powder is very buttery and deposits justttttt the right amount of shimmer.
Think Greek Islands summer holiday vibes, in a sleek luxe compact for radiant-looking skin.
Matte powder bronzers:
- Have no shimmer or sheen, giving a truly natural skin finish.
- Can be used to contour and add depth to the face, depending on your skin tone and the undertones of the bronzer shade (some bronzers are too warm for natural-looking contour).
- Are best suited to oiler skin types as it won't slide off.
How to apply matte bronzer:
Use an angled bronzer brush with medium densely-packed bristles and sculpt the face by applying product across the forehead and hair line, under the cheekbones, down the nose and along the jawline.
You can also use as an eyeshadow. Follow with a fluffy dome brush to buff out any harsh lines.
My product pick: Benefit Hoola Matte
The OG of matte bronzers, Hoola bronzer has a cult status in the beauty world.
With a completely matte, finely-milled pressed powder formula, Hoola now comes in four shades to suit different complexions:
Benefit Hoola Matte$63.00
Benefit Hoola Lite$63.00
Benefit Hoola Caramel$63.00 - Currently not available
Benefit Hoola Toasted$63.00 - Currently not available
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Personally, the mini brush included in the compact causes too much fall out and makes it hard to blend for a natural finish.
But when applied with an angled bronzer brush, it 100% delivers a healthy flush and natural-looking definition.
Plus, it works really well as an eyeshadow on its own, or as a transition shade for a bronze smoky eye look.
Best Cream Bronzer.
Cream bronzer products can be intimidating, but if you have dry skin or love a dewy finish, they'll be right up your alley.
Like powder bronzers, they come in different finishes, but they're mostly matte and in stick or jar packaging.
As a gal with combo skin and decent makeup skills, I find cream bronzers are my everyday product to add a bit of warmth back into my face.
Cream bronzer pros:
- Creamy formulas usually contain hydrating ingredients and melt into the skin for a natural finish.
- Great for anyone with dry skin or those who worry about product clinging to dry patches or settling into fine lines and skin texture.
- Easy to blend with fingers, a brush or a beauty blender as the work with the warmth of the skin.
- Depending on the shade undertones, cream bronzers can make great contours.
Cream bronzer cons:
- If you're a makeup beginner, bronzer powders are more forgiving as creams will deposit a lot of pigment that needs to be blended.
- Is cream bronzer good for oily skin? Yes, but it won't last as long on the skin as powder bronzer.
- Cream bronzer can move around on the skin, especially when exposed to sweat or oil.
How to apply cream bronzer:
How to use cream bronzer depends on the packaging.
Cream bronzer sticks can be drawn directly onto the skin and blended with fingers or a stippling face brush. You can also pick up product from the stick using your brush.
For cream bronzer pots, dip a clean makeup brush or clean fingers into the pot and blend onto the skin.
Affordable cream bronzer stick pick:
This convenient stick product comes in four shades with cooler undertones. I’m currently using BR2, which is more a contour shade for me.
The cream bronzer is highly-pigmented and a little goes a long way.
For this reason, it does take a bit more elbow grease to blend into the skin, but once it's done, it stays put with zero patchiness or oxidisation.
I'd wear this for a more full coverage makeup look.
Bougie cream bronzer pick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer
Hands down, this has been my favourite makeup launch this year.
Rumoured to be a dupe for the iconic Chanel Tan De Soleil Bronzer, the cream formula melts into the skin and dries into a matte cream to powder bronzer.
What impressed me the most was the way it blended – it truly feels like second skin.
With seven shades, a $55 price tag and a 5-star rating from Adore customers, it’s a yes from me.
You can see this cream bronzer in action in our YouTube video below.
Final Verdict... Cream or Powder Bronzer?
My editor asked me to end this article by picking either team cream bronzer or team powder bronzer.
To be honest, I can’t pick just one, as the cream vs powder bronzer debate comes down to your skin type, the kind of makeup finish you like and the occasion you're wearing it for.
On good skin days or when I'm going for a dewy makeup look, all I want is to slather myself in cream bronzers.
But it's powder bronzer all the way If I’m going out for a dance, because sweaty dancefloors and cream products don't mix.
So, what’s my final verdict? Get one of each.
What About Bronzer Finish? Should I Use Shimmer Bronzer, Matte Bronzer, or Sheer Bronzer?
There's a bronzer formula for every skin type and tone. But your final look depends mainly on the product's finish. Find out whether a sheer, shimmer, or matte bronzer is best for you.
When Should I Use a Shimmer Bronzer?
Shimmer bronzers contain light-reflecting particles to highlight the skin. Shimmer bronzers work particularly well on those with fair and light skin, as they give off a believable summer glow. Any shimmery product has to be applied carefully, as it's easy to go overboard. For best results, apply a shimmer bronzer on the cheekbones and temples only rather than all over.
PRO TIP: It's best to avoid shimmer bronzers if you have any blemishes, as the highlight will draw attention to them.
When Should I Use a Matte Bronzer?
Matte bronzers have absolutely no shimmer or sheen. Such products are used to warm up the skin and subtly sculpt. However, matte bronzers shouldn’t be used for contour, as they're too warm-toned.
Bronzers with a matte finish are best for those with medium or olive skin. A matte bronzer enhances the natural warmth of the skin colour without overpowering the complexion with shimmer.
Matte products also work well on skin that has more imperfections.
Matte bronzers add depth to the skin and have a natural skin-like finish. Most cream bronzers come in matte form and are great at adding dewiness to the skin without the use of shimmer.
When Should I Use a Sheer Bronzer?
Sheer bronzer, although the most subtle, still offers many benefits. A sheer bronzer can be used to give an all-over sun-kissed glow to the skin whilst maintaining a natural finish.
Sheer bronzers are particularly great for those with very fair or very dark skin. You can gain the warmth of bronzer without necessarily adding distinct colour.
Sheer products are much easier to work with than both matte and shimmer bronzers, as there's less chance of going too muddy, orange, or shimmery.
Shop All Bronzers Mentioned in this Article Here
Benefit Hoola Matte$63.00
Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder - Bronze Glow$71.20 $89.00 - Currently not available
Napoleon Perdis Cheek Switch Creme Bronze Stick$59.00
Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer$56.00 $39.20
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