Whenever I Wear This Product, People Ask Me If I've Been on Holiday

Before I start talking about the joys of looking bronzed and glowing, I would like to say something very important: I will never advocate lying in the sun with the sole intention of tanning your skin. Sure, accidental tans happen to the best of us, but if you're asking for my expert advice, no suntan is worth the long-term damage UV rays do to your skin.

Having said that, there is something wonderful about looking as though you have just stepped off a plane from a warmer land, is there not? Despite its pitfalls, the sun has a wonderful way of making our skin look delightful. A few hours in the sunshine can make our skin look not only bronzed but also glowing, radiant and actually quite healthy. So what if I told you there was a way to get that sun-kissed glow without having to put up with the long-term damage? And no, it doesn't involve a fake tan

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(Image credit: @JULIESFI)

It's all down to good ol' trusty bronzer. Gone are the days of excessive bronzer use leaving skin looking orange-toned and Oompa Loompa–like. In fact, after years of over-applying bronzer, I've found the new-age formulas actually have people asking me where I've been on holiday (and I haven't even touched a fake tan yet this year). 

The key, I have learned, is to opt for a glow-boosting (but not shimmery) bronzer. I'm talking silky, melt-like-butter powders with teeny-tiny light-reflecting particles dusted over the top of the forehead, swiped along cheekbones and patted onto the bridge of the nose. Trust me—since I adopted this makeup technique last year, I have people complimenting my tan all year round (when really I'm the palest I've ever been). Using a glow-boosting bronzer is, without a doubt, the speediest way to fake a tan. And to avoid making any wrong turns in the bronzer aisle, I've compiled a list of the best glow-boosting bronzers for such results—you're welcome.

1. Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer

2. Tom Ford Soleil Glow Bronzer

3. Chanel Les Beiges Oversize Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powder

4. Huda Beauty Glowish Soft Radiance Bronzing Powder

5. Nars Bronzing Powder

6. Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer

7. Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops

8. Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer

9. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer

10. RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer

11. Dior Forever Natural Bronze

12. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer

Next up, skincare-infused makeup is the biggest beauty trend, and I'm here for it.

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.