Your questions about bronzer answeredWhat is the best bronzer?Makeup By Mario’s soft sculpt transforming skin enhancer is the best bronzer I’ve tested – it’s a dream to apply and it gives my skin a beautifully radiant finish. It’ll need a few powder top-ups on oily complexion, however it’s the perfect glowy formula for normal to dry skin. For budget shoppers, Revolution’s ultra cream bronzer was my favourite, leaving my skin with the same flattering glow as products costing more than £40. Likewise, Saie’s dew bronze was reasonably priced and impressively pigmented, not to mention being thoughtfully packaged in a lip gloss-style tube, perfect for on-the-go use.How I tested bronzersI tested all these bronzers the same way: I applied them at the start of the day, testing each formula for a minimum of eight hours before documenting their appearance again at the end of the day. I’ve had more time to test certain formulas than others, given that I first tested the best bronzers in 2024 for this round-up. Two years on and some of my favourites have prevailed, while others have kicked the bucket – with a few new items joining the roster, too. I tested more products than the ones that made the final cut, eliminating a small handful of poorer-performing formulas (for instance, Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood contour wands) in a bid to present you with only the cream of the crop products. When testing each one, I considered the following criteria: Longevity: I applied each bronzer at the start of the day and wore it for at least eight hours to see how well it lasted and whether it faded or changed over time. Texture and feel: I noted how each formula blended onto the skin, how it felt throughout the day, and whether it left any heaviness or dryness. Finish and appearance: I looked at how natural the colour appeared, whether it added a healthy glow, and if it oxidised or went patchy. How do you apply bronzer?Breaking the process down step by step, Antonio said to “think about where the sun naturally hits your face, these are the areas you’ll want to bronze”, noting that “common areas include the forehead, temples, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and jawline”. For him, successful and precise application begins with a good angled brush. “This type of brush helps with distributing the product evenly.”Now for Antonio’s five-step process:Step one: “Lightly tap your brush on the bronzer to remove any excess product, this prevents you from applying too much bronzer at once, which can result in a heavy or patchy application.Step two: “Starting with a small amount of product, sweep the bronzer onto the areas you want to bronze using light, feathery strokes.Step three: “Focus on the outer perimeter of your face, blending the bronzer into your hairline for a seamless finish.Step four: “Blend the bronzer thoroughly to avoid harsh lines or uneven patches. Use circular motions or back-and-forth motions to blend the product into your skin seamlessly. Step five: “After applying bronzer to your face, lightly dust any excess product over your neck and décolletage to ensure a seamless transition between your face and body.”Bronzer vs contour: What’s the difference?Contour, Antonio explains, “sculpt[s] the face for a more defined look,” whereas bronzer “create[s] a natural-looking tan.” It’s as simple as that. Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsLucy Smith has been reviewing make-up since 2020 and has garnered quite the breadth of experience across brands old and new in that time. She’s reviewed the best make-up brush sets, best foundations, best blush and more – and she’s even spoken to professional make-up artists to glean their words of wisdom. Now, in reviewing the best bronzers, she’s tested both affordable and high-end options, and has spoken to Chanel MUA Marco Antonio to her inform her decisions. Looking for more beauty recommendations? Read our review of the best lip oils for a plumper, hydrated pout