10 best bronzers for mature skin that deliver a sun-kissed glow

There have been many imitators (I’ve tried them all) of Chanel’s les beiges healthy glow bronzing cream, but no brand can compete with this unique creamy gel and silky-soft bronzer. It’s in a league of its own. It’s an investment, I know, but the generously sized tub lasts way longer than most. (My last one awakened my complexion for years, don’t judge me, I’m fully aware it has a use-by date.)

Chanel calls it blurring and mattifying, which it is, but I don’t think it’s flat or dull in any way. It’s soft-focus, cleverly softening the look of lines rather than sinking into them and leaving behind the most natural, skin-perfecting, sun-kissed colour.

You can tone it down in the winter months and dial it up in the summer, as it seamlessly blends and builds warmth. And with two new shades, a lighter one for paler complexions and a deeper shade for darker skin tones, you may find your match if you haven’t before.

In the past, mature complexions have always been told to stay clear of shimmery makeup. But formulations have advanced so much that this is no longer the case. Max Factor’s miracle pure golden glow bronzer is a perfect example of that.

My skin gets on really well with this formula – most likely because it’s loaded with hyaluronic acid and squalane (both famed for their ability to hydrate the skin). The liquid bronzer feels like you’re applying a silky cream, not a bronzer.

Unfortunately, the lighter shade is a little rich for me, but there are only two available. From experience, applying sparingly and layering with a light hand, I can achieve a radiant sun-kissed glow that gives luxury products a run for their money.

While Dr Hauschka’s translucent bronzing tint isn’t a new product, it’s new to me, and now I don’t know how I’ve ever lived without it. It’s a bronzing tint that you add to your day cream for an all-over glow. It makes my complexion so healthy-looking that I don’t feel like I need foundation on top.

You can customise the colour for your desired look. But I found that two pumps into my moisturiser imparted a subtle glow. I also like the boosted radiance it gave my complexion when mixed with my foundation, but this look is more for when the occasion calls for glamour.

You can also use it as a liquid bronzer on the high points of the face where the sun usually hits, on bare skin, or on top of coverage. A real multi-tasker that works well no matter how you use it.

From Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic’s brand, Makeup by Mario, comes the softsculpt transforming skin enhancer. The multi-purpose weightless nourishing balm can be used as an all-over tint for sculpting and bronzing. And it’s been given a permanent position in my make-up bag, as I can’t get enough of it.

It’s beautifully sheer, so there’s no chance of misplacing it or overdoing it. A light sweep warms up my face without foundation on more natural makeup days, but it plays well with foundation used a little heavier as a bronzer for evening wear too.

A wash of colour leaves behind a healthy-looking golden dewiness that I can’t feel on my skin and lasts well until take off – no top-ups required. It’s so good that people have been commenting on how good my skin looks.

The bestselling OG Benefit hoola powder bronzer has finally been made into a lightweight, creamy balm, which I’ve found is much more flattering on mature skin. It leaves behind a natural, glowy finish that you can dial up from a sun-kissed touch to a beachy bronze in just a few easy-to-layer brush swirls.

You can’t really go wrong with this bronzer, but you do need a good buffing brush to apply it to get the best results. Even when I got too heavy-handed with the application, I could still blend it out easily – it’s so easy to control.

The formula is packed with hydrating ingredients that give an extra hit of moisture. But this also means it always feels comfortable on the skin and never migrates into lines or around imperfections. What’s more, the staying power is impressive, lasting a full 12 hours.

Founded by Gucci Westman, makeup artist to Hollywood’s elite, Westman Atelier’s new versatile liquid bronzer drops are inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s California complexion.

Re-creating Aniston’s sun-kissed look with these drops couldn’t be easier. I find there’s no correct way to use them. Whether I buff with my fingers or a brush, or use them on bare skin for all-over warmth or on top of foundation, they melt into my complexion for a natural-looking pick-me-up.

The finish is everything with this product. The brand calls it a “hydrated matte”, which is a little confusing – I call it a “healthy-looking natural glow”. It’s further boosted with nourishing skincare ingredients that ensure the colour doesn’t end up looking streaky on dry skin. While this is a splurge, this is the best liquid bronzer for mature skin.

There are beauty icons, and then there are beauty legends, and Guerlain’s terracotta powder falls into the latter, as bronzing powders didn’t exist before the luxury brand started selling them in 1984. The formula has, of course, evolved since. For me, today’s compact proves Guerlain is still one of the best bronzer makers out there, particularly for mature skin and longevity.

Its ultra-fine texture, combined with the infusion of hydrating argan oil, makes it seamless to blend and build up if you’re looking for a little extra golden bronze without it sitting in lines throughout the day.

The single-toned formulas are still my favourite, as they come in cool and warm undertones, so you’re able to find your perfect shade.

No7’s pro artist makeup range has impressed me – it has more of a luxe feel to it than anything the brand has done before. None more so than this cream bronzer in the collection, which is being compared to Chanel’s iconic formula on socials.

And it’s easy to see why, with similar textures, this imparts a creamy, silky-soft, rich colour that’s naturally buildable: you can buff on a touch of warmth to bring life to your face or fake a sun-kissed week away with a few layers without it ever looking over-the-top or orange.

It’s especially great for more mature complexions that look dull and tired. It doesn’t just wake up the skin with its golden hue, but its glowy finish adds luminosity to the skin.

If you prefer a matte finish, make sure you’re using a hydrating formula – and Milk Makeup’s matte bronzer is the one I’d recommend. The nourishing cream stick is infused with mango butter and apricot oil to ensure it doesn’t sit in dry patches or look streaky. I’ve been using this on and off for a year, and I’ve never had any problems.

It’s a great option if you’re nervous about applying bronzer, as it’s easy to apply. Simply swipe onto the highest points of your face and blend out with fingers. You can layer and build the colour if you wish to go bolder.

Its new, smaller size is ideal for precise application – you can also contour with it as well as keep it in your bag for touch-ups. But to be honest, it lasts well throughout the day, so you only need to reapply if you’re going from desk to dinner or elsewhere.

Nars’s laguna bronzing powder is another icon, and it’s been a bestseller for the brand since 2001. It ticks all the boxes of what a first-rate bronzer should be: for me, it’s soft and easy to blend, provides a natural finish, and has exceptional staying power.

What I love most is its texture – the powder is so finely milled that it buffs into skin without it sitting in my fine lines or accentuating imperfections. It’s also velvety soft, blurring the skin wherever it’s placed.

You can also use it to create different looks with a soft-handed layer. It gives skin just enough warmth to add definition, whereas a heavier hand, a couple of layers, will have people asking if you’ve been away.