The Only 7 Bronzers To Use If You Have Mature Skin
Zero glitter.
by The Candidly Team
Let’s just be honest—bronzers are scary. And we’re not even going to get into contours. The wrong formula, the wrong brush, the wrong color, and it’s this:
So, because we’re us, we’ve tried nearly every bronzer out there and have narrowed it down to our 7 favorites if you have wrinkles, dehydration, big pores, and texture. Aka, existing as a woman over 40.
1. The one that’s our favorite overall
WHAT: Jones Road The Bronzer
WHY: We looooooove this formula. But of course we do. Jones Road is Bobbi Brown’s new brand and we all know those first Bobbi Brown bronzers in the 90s were IT. It’s nearly impossible to get wrong. Just swirl all over you face with THIS brush and you will look sun-kissed and perfect. Zero shimmer. The specific color range is also genius because the shades aren’t just light to dark—they’re totally correct for your skin tone.
Price: $35
2. The one that’s a duo
WHAT: Victoria Beckham Matte Bronzing Brick
WHY: Most of us are paler in the winter and warmer in the summer so we love this bronzer for all-year-long use. It’s also a sumptuous formula that’s so finely milled, it almost feels like a cream. And while we know the price is a little bit eek, it’s a refillable compact.
Price: $66
3. The one that’s a cream
WHAT: Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt® Bronzer
WHY: This brand was created by Kim K’s makeup artist, and say what you will about those K’s, they do have some gorgeous complexion. This cream has zero shimmer, is so wildly easy to blend, and gives your face a little bit of dimension while also looking like you sat in the sun for the afternoon. We actually love to apply it with THIS.
Price: $32
4. The one that’s a bronzer/blush/highlight hybrid
WHAT: Hourglass Ambient® Lighting Bronzer
WHY: While we don’t usually love shimmer on mature skin (it typically accentuates pores and lines) this formula is unlike any other formula that exists. You sweep it all over your face and you suddenly have glow on your cheekbones, color on your apples, and look generally aprés ski. We’re not sure what magic ingredient they use, but it’s perfect.
Price: $58
5. The one if you have huge pores
WHAT: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Matte Bronzer
WHY: If you enjoy the idea of an instagram filter in a bronzer, this is it. This super finely milled powder is so unbelievably smoothing, it blurs out pores and wrinkles on contact. It’s also an enormous compact so it will last you 2 years easy.
Price: $58
6. The one you can use on bare skin
WHAT: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
WHY: Only available in 3 colors, but designed for every skin tone, this is probably the easiest one to get right. This classic, OG whipped bronzer is so sheer and and fluffy, you can just sweep this on your temples, cheeks, and nose, sans foundation or anything else, and looking glowy and warm with no fanfare. We do love it best with THIS brush.
Price: $60
7. The one that’s really a cheat
WHAT: Jones Road Gel Bronzer
WHY: What if you want to look subtly tan but don’t have the time/inclination for a bronzer? Use a bronzing gel, of course! Smear it onto bare skin and leave as is, or throw it in your regular makeup for a warm, lit-from-within glow. This is a must in warm weather when we all start to sweat off all our layers of makeup.
Price: $34
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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