Why do I need a specific brush for my bronzer?

Bronzer brushes are meant to be used on areas where you want to add some all-over dimension, like the sides of your forehead, on your cheekbones, and along your jawline. While contouring brushes tend to be more targeted, brushes designed for bronzer allow you to cover more surface area to impart a natural, sunkissed effect.

How often should I clean my bronzer brush?

It’s recommended to clean your makeup brushes every two weeks, but if you don’t use your brushes frequently, you can get away with cleaning your bronzer brush once a month.

How should I clean my bronzer brush?

You can opt to use a pre-formulated brush cleaner designed to be used on makeup brushes, bar soap, dish soap, or even baby shampoo. Massage the soap into the fibers of the brush and move it back and forth either on your hand or a brush cleaning mat, then rinse until the water runs clear. Lay your brushes flat to dry.

The 11 Best Bronzer Brushes of 2023

The 11 Best Bronzer Brushes of 2022 — Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

Let’s be real: Glowy, sun-kissed skin is something we all aim to achieve—even in the dead of winter. And while highlighters, bronzers, and blushes are necessary to our arsenal of products, properly applying them requires the right tools and expert technique. Specifically for bronzers, the right brush is necessary to prevent cakiness, streakiness, and the dreaded orange color from under blending.

If you use the correct brush, applying bronzer can be as simple as sweeping a single swipe across your cheek. You want to stick to soft, fluffy brushes or angled, precise brushes to make your bronzer application a home run. Trust us, once you have the correct tools, the application is as easy as can be.

To apply, explains Sara Nicole Smith, National Makeup Artist for Bobbi Brown, sweep the bronzer brush over the bronzing powder and lightly tap off the excess. “Follow that by dusting the bronzer on the apples of the cheeks, forehead, nose, and skin—the places where the sun naturally hits the face.” To take the look even further, finish with a light application of bronzer on the neck—and vióla, sunkissed and glowy.

Ready to try your hand at applying bronzer the proper way? Below you’ll find the best bronzer brushes on the market for accomplishing that sun-kissed glow every time.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Sigma Beauty F29 HD Bronze Brush at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Real Techniques Sculpting Brush at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush

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Best for Powder:

Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush at Nordstrom

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Best for Liquid:

Hourglass Cosmetics No. 2 Foundation/Blush Brush

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Best for Cream:

Huda Beauty Sculpt & Shade Face Brush at Sephora

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Best Portable:

Charlotte Tilbury The Air-Brush Bronzing Brush at Nordstrom

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Best Luxury:

Tom Ford Bronzer Brush 05 at Sephora

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Best Multi-Tasker:

Patrick Ta Complexion Brush No1 at Sephora

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Best Multi-Tasker, Runner-Up:

Mented Cosmetics Angled Cheek Brush at Mentedcosmetics.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
How We Researched
Why Trust Byrdie?

4.5

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Beautybay.com View On Neiman Marcus

What We Like

Very fluffy to apply quickly and softly
Buildable
Gives a sun-kissed look

What We Don't Like

Pricey

While working to ace your makeup application, this brush will give your complexion a boost of sunkissed, highly pigmented color—a little product goes a long way with it. Made with extra soft SigmaTech fibers, it’ll feel like butter against your skin. And thanks to its fluffy bristles, achieving a fresh-from-the-beach look can be done in seconds.

Price at time of publish: $31

Size: 9.02 x 1.77 x 1.5 inches | Material: Synthetic fibers

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Easy to clean
Angled head provides precise application
Great for creating contours

What We Don't Like

Bristles tend to shed

Trust us, this bronzer brush feels way more expensive than it actually is. Composed with dense bristles and an angled head, precise bronzer application is just a few swipes away.

Price at time of publish: $18

Size: 1.75 x 1 x 8.25 inches | Material: Synthetic fibers

This brush specifically will come in handy if you love to use bronzer to contour.

e.l.f. Cosmetics

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Wallet-friendly
Gives a natural effect
Slightly pointed tip achieves contours

What We Don't Like

Bristles could be more durable

E.l.f is undoubtedly one of the most popular drugstore brands—and we get it. Thanks to the incredible quality and detail behind this brush, you’d have no idea it’s priced under $6. Made with a flat point at the tip and flat and skinny sides underneath, you’ll get the most bang for your buck as it can be used to contour or apply blush, powder, or bronzer.

Price at time of publish: $7

Size: 0.88 x 2.63 x 7.75 inches | Material: Synthetic fibers

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Bobbibrowncosmetics.com

What We Like

Doesn't shed
Very soft
Gives a light finish
Delivers a very smooth, even application

What We Don't Like

Very pricey

Creaseless, cakeless powder applications are just a few sweeps away with this bronzing brush. Designed for usage with pressed powder formulas, it’ll leave you with a smooth, even application of bronzer with every use. For best results, Nicole Smith recommends blending the color lightly by brushing downwards towards the body.

Price at time of publish: $65

Size: 6.287 inches (L) | Material: Synthetic fibers

Hourglass Cosmetics No 2. Foundation/Blush Brush

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Nordstrom

What We Like

Ultra soft
Medium dome accomplishes fast coverage
Weighted metal handle provides control
Long-lasting

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Applying a liquid bronzer can be quite a challenge—you don’t want to apply too much or too little, and it must be blended evenly (or you’ll look unrecognizable). Established with a medium-domed shape head and densely packed bristles, your liquid bronzer will finally blend harmoniously. The best part? The weighted metal handle will provide you with maximum control for a truly effortless application.

Price at time of publish: $62

Size: 7.5 x 0.7 x 0.7 inches | Material: Taklon

View On Sephora View On Cultbeauty.com View On Kohls.com

What We Like

Two-ended for blending and contouring
Seriously soft
Creates a natural look

What We Don't Like

Might be too big for sculpting

Not only does this Huda Beauty brush apply cream bronzer like a dream, but it applies powder and liquid seamlessly, too. Two different brush heads compose this unique bronzer brush—a smaller, angled one for precise application and a larger, fluffy one to buff and blend any harsh lines. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll walk away with a face that rivals one done by a professional makeup artist.

Price at time of publish: $28

Size: Unknown | Material: Synthetic fibers

Charlotte Tilbury

View On Nordstrom View On Charlottetilbury.com

What We Like

Effortlessly blends
Conveniently retractable for travel
Creates an airbrushed look

What We Don't Like

Design could be better

Need to touch up your bronzer on the go? Try this retractable bronzer brush. Aside from promising a seamless application every time—including when you're on the move, it can easily be thrown into your purse without looking like an eyesore thanks to its beautiful rose gold casing. Swirl the product in the bronzer, tap off the excess, and apply in a sweeping motion for best results.

Price at time of publish: $42

Size: Unknown | Material: Synthetic fibers

Tom Ford

View On Sephora View On Johnlewis.com View On Neiman Marcus

What We Like

Luxuriously soft
Gives the skin radiance
No harsh lines

What We Don't Like

Not so wallet-friendly

Dust some bronzer on your face with this fancy brush, and you’ll instantly feel like a luxury. Available with a sleek, brown encasing, the synthetic hairs will feel incredibly luxe against your skin. By picking up the optimal amount of product, it’ll disperse bronzer evenly and smoothly all over your face leaving you beautifully sunkissed and radiant.

Price at time of publish: $120

Size: 7.36 x 1.5 x 1.42 inches | Material: Synthetic fibers

Patrick Ta

View On Sephora View On Patrickta.com

What We Like

Tulip shape creates a seamless application
Gives a natural look to face
Super fluffy

What We Don't Like

Big size lessens control

Always on the go to create celebrity makeup looks, Patrick Ta’s tools need to be accessible. With its distinctive tulip shape, this brush allows great application for blush, powder, bronzer, and highlighter. Composed with cruelty-free synthetic fibers, it is intended to mimic the product pickup of natural hair for a streakless and cakeless face.

Price at time of publish: $35

Size: Unknown | Material: Synthetic fibers

View On Mentedcosmetics.com

What We Like

Angled shape fits perfectly into contours
Easy to use, easy on the pocket
Great for sculpting
High quality

What We Don't Like

Could feel dry to sensitive skin

Designed to give your cheeks a sculpted look, this brush can apply blush, bronzer, or highlighter effortlessly. Since it has an angled shape, it’ll fit into the contours of your cheek to give you chiseled cheekbones. Plus, by using synthetic fibers, the brush is vegan, too.

Price at time of publish: $15

Size: Unknown | Material: Synthetic fibers

Fenty Beauty Cheek Hugging Bronzer Brush 190

Sephora

View on Ulta View On Sephora View On Fentybeauty.com

What We Like

Very plush for quick but comfortable application
Expertly chiseled to really work the cheekbones
Runs smooth over the face

What We Don't Like

Could apply more evenly

An angled brush is quintessential for those of us who use bronzer to contour. Extra-large and super plush, it expertly hugs the curves of their face while adding warmth and definition to your cheeks, temples, and jawline. It expertly diffuses bronzer to disperse just the right amount of bronzer with every use.

Price at time of publish: $36

Size: 9 x 9 x 9 inches | Material: Synthetic fibers

Final Verdict

Selecting the best bronzer brush is imperative for a sunkissed, not streaky bronzer application. Known for its extra-soft bristles and fresh-from-the-beach bronzer application, the Sigma Beauty F29 HD Bronze Brush (view on Neiman Marcus) is our overall favorite for a wide range of reasons. If you’re looking to spend a little less, e.l.f.’s Flawless Face Brush (view on Ulta) and Real Techniques Sculpting Brush (view at Amazon) both live up to their hype—and come with affordable price tags.

What to Look For in a Bronzer Brush

Shape

The shape of your brush is crucial to applying bronzer. A larger flatter surfaced brush will provide a soft, smooth, and seamless application in an instant, says Nicole Smith. “A smaller, angled brush is better when you want to hug the natural curvatures of the face—focusing more on the hollows versus the highs.”

Size

A fuller, larger size bronzer brush is ideal for tinting the complexion and most naturally mimicking a sunkissed look, explains Nicole Smith. “A smaller more dense brush (heavier more concentrated application) is better when trying to contour or achieve a more sculpted application.”

Bristles

You want to ensure you’re using the correct tool for the bronzer your applying. “Natural hairs work best for powder bronzer application while synthetic will most evenly blend liquid/cream bronzers,” says Nicole Smith.

FAQ

Why do I need a specific brush for my bronzer?

Bronzer brushes are meant to be used on areas where you want to add some all-over dimension, like the sides of your forehead, on your cheekbones, and along your jawline. While contouring brushes tend to be more targeted, brushes designed for bronzer allow you to cover more surface area to impart a natural, sunkissed effect.
How often should I clean my bronzer brush?

It’s recommended to clean your makeup brushes every two weeks, but if you don’t use your brushes frequently, you can get away with cleaning your bronzer brush once a month.
How should I clean my bronzer brush?

You can opt to use a pre-formulated brush cleaner designed to be used on makeup brushes, bar soap, dish soap, or even baby shampoo. Massage the soap into the fibers of the brush and move it back and forth either on your hand or a brush cleaning mat, then rinse until the water runs clear. Lay your brushes flat to dry.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributor Rachel Dube has written for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She covers all things beauty, as well as lifestyle and fashion. Although she considers herself a bronzer novice, she acknowledges that the right bronzer brush can make all the difference in application.

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