5 best bronzers

Rimmel London 3 in 1 SunShimmer Bronzer in Gold Princess

This multifaceted palette has light, medium and dark shades, each with a touch of subtle shimmer. Blend them together to create a custom bronzed look: Stick to the light shades for just a hint of highlight, or go darker for more of a golden glow. ($7, at drugstores)

Dior Bronze Matte Sunshine SPF 20 in Healthy Matte

To achieve the most natural look, choose a matte bronzer and apply to the areas sun hits first-the tops of cheekbones, forehead, bridge of the nose and chin. This silky powder contains sebonormine and meadowsweet extract to absorb excess oil, and mineral pigments for a uniform tint of colour. Bonus: The SPF 20 formula protects skin against UVA and UVB damage. ($45, at select department stores, sephora.com and Holt Renfrew)

Marcelle Mineral Bronzing Powder in Brazil

For easy application, this loose powder bronzer is packaged with a built-in brush to automatically dispense the right amount of colour. The 100 percent micro-mineral formula contains mica for a luminous pearlized finish and velvety texture. Have sensitive skin? It’s also hypoallergenic, and is free of parabens, gluten, talc and oil. ($16, at drugstores)

DuWop Sun Drops

This liquid bronzing serum gives you youthful, radiant skin through more than just colour-it contains botanical extracts of clover flower, sage and soy protein combined with a collagen-based peptide to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Apply a dab or two of the sheer shimmering fluid selectively to highlight, or blend in with your foundation or moisturizer for all-over radiance. ($31, at select boutiques, Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques and sephora.com)

The Body Shop Body and Leg Shine

Nervous about the blotchy reputation of self-tanners? Get beach-ready with this all-over bronzing stick. The aloe vera-enriched formula glides on smoothly and blends into skin for an ultra-sheer wash of colour, and it washes off easily at the end of the day. ($19, at The Body Shop stores and thebodyshop.ca)

(Remember: always protect your skin by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen underneath your makeup.)

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