I Swear by Matte Bronzers All Year Round—These Ones Give the Most Convincing Sun-Kissed Glow

If you're as pale (and as much of an SPF 50 devotee) as I am, then you'll know that adding warmth and glow to your complexion is never as easy as you might think. In the past, when I've wanted to warm up my complexion, I've typically turned to fake tan. However, as someone prone to acne and congestion, I've struggled to find one that doesn't settle in my pores and break me out. I also recently experimented with the best bronzers and bronzing drops, but found that most were packed with shimmer, leaving my skin with a pearlescent disco ball finish—not my vibe at all.

In the past, I was always a bit scared of using a traditional powder bronzer. Until recently, shade ranges were limited and typically leaned quite orange, which never worked for my cool-toned skin. Fortunately, in recent years, bronzers have become much more wearable, helping to add a natural-looking, sun-kissed warmth to a wide range of skin tones—with no shimmer in sight. That's right, there are now some amazing matte bronzers on the market, and I've rounded up my favourites below.

What Should You Look for When Buying a Matte Bronzer?

"I always look for a matte finish without any shimmers or glitters," says makeup artist Anna Montez. "I don’t think that it’s necessary to have a sparkly cheek in an area where your highlighter wouldn’t sit because it’s too low!"

"When looking for bronzers for fair skin, I always look for a more cool-toned bronzer," says Montez. "There’s nothing worse than doing makeup on a pale-skinned person and putting a tan bronzer on because it’s not going to look natural at all—you need to make sure that you’re picking neutral or cool-toned bronzers."

Likewise, I know that many of my friends with darker skin tones than mine have struggled to find bronzers with inclusive shade ranges and shades that were deep enough to have a bronzing or sculpting effect on their skin. "It’s best to look for the ones that don’t have an intense red undertone," advises Montez. A lot of bronzers have this great red undertone, but not all dark skin has warm undertones, so it’s best to buy neutral and cool-toned bronzers as well as red-toned."

How Should You Apply a Matte Bronzer?

It's true, the best matte bronzers really can lift your complexion and add a finishing touch that you didn't know was missing. Unlike a shimmery, light-reflecting bronzer, a matte formula creates a much more natural-looking, deep tan-like bronze for a just-stepped-off-the-beach finish. Plus, if you like to glow (as I do), you can leave that to your blusher and highlighter for shine in all the right places.

To apply, Montez recommends using a fluffy brush and buffing the product onto skin in circular motions. "It’s best to start with a small amount and build up because you don’t want to put too much on and then be unable to blend it out," she adds.

Cult classics like Benefit’s Hoola may have been around for years (and really have stood the test of time), but there’s also a whole new bunch of different textures, shades and formulas (even cream bronzers) on the scene. Keep scrolling for the matte bronzers I swear by for a convincing, natural-looking glow.

The Best Matte Bronzers 2025

1. Best Matte Bronzer Overall: Benefit Hoola Original Matte Bronzer, £33
2. Best Long-Lasting Matte Bronzer: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer, £45
3. Best Warm Matte Bronzer: Iconic Ultimate Bronzing Powder, £26
4. Best Matte Bronzer for a Natural Finish: Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Bronzer, £40

1. Benefit Hoola Original Matte Bronzer

2. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer

3. Iconic Ultimate Bronzing Powder

4. Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Bronzer

5. Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream

6. MAC Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer

7. Vieve Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer

8. Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer

9. Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt Bronzer

10. Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer

11. Dior Forever Nude Bronze

12. Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick

How We Tested

Each bronzer was worn to assess blendability, pigment payoff, longevity, and how natural the finish looked in real daylight. We also analysed hundreds of reviews to identify consistent pros, cons, and performance trends—such as whether a formula tends to oxidise, patch, or fade. The result is a curated list of bronzers that perform beautifully across matte finishes, budgets, and application preferences.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.