What do you like about shimmery bronzer? What don't you like?

Tell us what you love and hate about...

Shimmery Bronzer

I find they are easier to blend, but I like a lower-level shimmer, like satin or pearl, so it is more luminous and “skin-like” but not overly shimmery. If it gets too shimmery, then I think it’s less of a bronzer and more of a highlighting/bronzer hybrid.

— Christine

14 Comments

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Lesley Avatar

I don’t like shimmery bronzers at all because they emphasize the texture of my aged skin and don’t look natural. I can wear something with a satin or pearl finish on my cheeks if I apply it with a very light hand but if I want to apply it to the spots where the sun would hit naturally, like the tip of my nose or chin, it needs to be matte.

Ana Maria Avatar

Personally I’m not into shimmers (especially for cheeks), and I mostly apply bronzer more like I blush (not all over the face as some people do).
So I dislike most shimmery bronzers, especially when there’s too much shimmer and the bronzer ends up emphasizing pores and texture.
I do admit that a slight shimmer can add a nice healthy glow; that’s why from tim to time I’ll enjoy a shimmery bronzer like MAC Trace Gold.

Rachel R. Avatar

LIKE — They can look stunning on deeper skin tones and people who tan. They are readily available.

DISLIKE: I don’t like when they’re overly orange or have glitter. I find lots of shimmer in a bronzer looks weird on me with my pale skin that doesn’t tan. I look much better in satins, mattes, or slightly luminous shades. (For reference, I look best in theBalm Balm Desert, Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronze, CP x Mulan Matchmaker (actually a blush), and Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil.)

Nina Avatar

Oh, I just love love shimmery bronzer. I have one by Givenchy that’s beautiful and another that I picked up from L’Oreal in the darkest shade to just make a beautiful glowy shimmery bronze look with. All! Year! Long! No matt for me. I’m sorry I don’t have either with me so I don’t know the names but they are pretty !

Z Avatar

I’d probably like them just fine if I could find one with the right undertones. I don’t like the same things about shimmery bronzers as regular – they’re often too red for my skin tone and look like a dirty rash. I need a good golden, even yellowy bronzer to really work on my skin.

Latika Avatar

I love a luminescent bronzed. I have purchased Hourglass Radiant many times. I love the Chanel Les Beiges. I hit pan quick and use every crevice of the luminescent bronzers. I have the Armani loose powder bronze which I used to layer over some of my other matte bronzers.. I am tan so I love the sheen they give me.

Lune Avatar

I prefer shimmer in everything, including bronzer! I like the light and dimension it brings to my face. It has to be a fine shimmer, though, or my husband will point out any visible specks and ask if I’ve been crafting with glitter again.

Lacey Avatar

I prefer matte bronzer, my skin is tan/olive and I like the structure that a matte bronzer gives. If it’s a medium shade, not too dull, or red or orange, it can act almost as a setting powder. Shimmery bits are great as accents!

DVa Avatar

I don’t believe I’ve ever used one.
I do have some lovely bronze highlighters.
I only use them when I’m tanned, so a few months per year. Sometimes I’ll wear them rather than a blush if I want a very monochromatic no-makeup-makeup-just-tanned-and-glowing look.

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