The best cream bronzers for a sun-kissed glow

The clue’s in the name with this one; Saie's Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer has a balm-like texture which melts onto the skin, leaving a natural, sun-kissed radiance. Available in four versatile shades, the silky texture is equally as blendable as it is buildable to help you achieve your desired finish.

For a subtle glow, apply with a light hand, or build up the pigment for a deeper evening look.

Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream is quite possibly my hall-of-fame icon when it comes to cream bronzers. The radiant, gel-like formula is perfect for fluffing over your cheekbones, nose and forehead to deliver a sun-kissed warmth.

What's more, the extra-large pot allows you to swirl a hefty brush into the product and effortlessly apply with no streaks detected.

If you're searching for that blurred bronze which Rosie Huntington-Whitley so elegantly pulls off, the answer lies within this creamy formula. The soft-focus effect keeps it from looking muddy or cakey, plus it ticks the box in the skincare department too: it’s infused with vitamin C and E which provides antioxidant protection against free radical damage.

Made by Mitchell’s Blursh is one of the best for versatile bronzing; the doe-foot applicator allows you to layer up the product to contour your face strategically, or you can blend all-over for a seamless finish. The liquid-to-powder formula means it quickly sets without creasing, so try sweeping it over your lids to moonlight as a cream shadow.

As someone who spends more time scrolling through the Glossier website than I probably do sleeping, I think it’s fair to say I’m clued up on the brand’s lineup. I love the classics – Balm Dotcom and Milky Jelly Cleanser, I’m eyeing you guys up – but one underrated hero that needs more recognition is the Solar Paint.

Its whipped gel-like texture leaves behind a stunning, light-reflecting bronze that looks very effortless. Plus, with a handy wand applicator, your morning routine just got so much easier.

If you’re after that ‘two weeks in the Med’ kind of glow, this Bronze Balm makes it a breeze to achieve. The chubby-style stick allows you to sweep the formula over your complexion, only requiring your fingers to finish the job (a.k.a blend).

The balm flatters your skin with a delicate glisten; it’s not designed to give you chiselled cheekbones but instead to impart all-over radiance.

Have a scroll through the Instagram of Jess Hunt (the co-founder of REFY) and you'll see that her bronzed, sun-kissed complexion is one to drool over - all thanks to this buttery formula. Available in three shades, the cream glides across your skin for a glow like you’ve never seen before.

And, if it’s not already in your basket, the REFY Duo Brush is a must: it's specifically designed for the Cream Bronzer and blends the product out perfectly.

Milk Makeup's Bionic Bronzer is an editor favourite for giving a believable, golden radiance. With the added skincare benefit of hyaluronic acid, it also helps to hydrate dry patches without compromising on that Mediterranean-esque tan (full permission to lie to your friends and say ‘yes, it’s real’).

19/99 is the new ‘it’ brand on the block. With a forward-thinking stance on the beauty industry, it views makeup as temporary and something to be enjoyed, rather than a definition of ourselves. This ethos instantly captured my attention, but after trying the new cream bronzer, my obsession grew.

It's billed as a contour stick for creating definition, but I found its creamy goodness easy enough to blend for an all-over bronze. Whether you use it as a bronzer or contour, the result is always natural; it never settles into fine lines or clings to dry patches. The packaging is incredibly chic too.

I think we should all be looking for ways to streamline our beauty routine – ‘cause who has the time anymore, right? What’s so great about Sculpted by Aimee’s range is that everything is designed as a multi-use product that needs little skill to use.

The Cream Luxe Bronzer blends like a dream, so you’re free to dial it up for a more striking look or diffuse it on your cheeks for an all-over bronze. And not that we condone working out with makeup on, but if you must, it survives a sweat sesh too.

Nothing says ‘holiday’ like a believable touch of warmth to your complexion. While I often reach for powder in the chillier months, this lotion-like formula is perfect for sunny locations as it sinks into your complexion for a wash of glowing bronze. Infused with delicate, light-reflecting pearls, it can be used sparingly to add a subtle tint to bare skin or dialled up for a soft-focus effect.

If you’re after that ‘my-face-has-actually-been-kissed-by-the-sun-and-I’m-not-faking-it’ kind of bronze, you can’t get much better than this radiant formula from Tower 28 (after all, it was literally inspired by a glistening sunset).

The buttery formula sinks into your skin for a flattering glow, as opposed to a chiselled contour, and leaves a gloss-like shine that dubs as a natural highlighter too.