The Summer Bronzers Philly Makeup Artists Swear By

After a very ill-fated love affair with self-tanning lotion in high school, I’ve stuck to special-occasion spray tans (see my list of the best places to get those in Philly here) and a bronzer for everyday. The latter has become the secret weapon of my makeup bag, but it’s taken me some time to find one that doesn’t turn my skin some cake-y terracotta shade. (The one I’m currently obsessed with: Monica Virga’s spray-on bronzer, which gives me a long-lasting glow that looks totally natural.)

I checked in with three of my fave local beauty pros to find out which bronzer earns a coveted spot in their makeup bags. Here’s a peek at their top picks. 

Béke Beau, makeup artist, Manayunk
“My new favorite is the bronzer by Face Atelier. Being a tree-hugger, I love that it’s vegan, and the colors are actually useful, not too red ( i.e. sunburned).  I use ‘Cognac,’ a slightly shimmering gold, on the tops of cheekbones or lightly swept across the entire face to bronze and brighten winter foundation. ‘Malibu’ is matte and a bit deeper, so it’s really good for temples,  hollows of the cheek, and under the chin.”

 

B Wilson, owner of Just B Beautiful
“My hands-down favorite bronzer of the moment has to be the Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion. It’s nothing short of amazing. It is a gel-powder formula which gives a skin-like finish and it comes in six different shades to match every skin tone. Ever since it hit the market a few months ago it has been all I reach for when I’m with my clients.”

 

Monique Mason, owner of Moko Organic Beauty Studio, Old City
“I like the Cocoa Bronzer by 100% Pure because a little bit goes a long way. It goes on smoothly and the color of the pigment is great. And, of course, there are no toxic chemicals in it.”